ENEOS Power Unveils the Unique Electric Spirits Parade
On August 1, 2025, ENEOS Power will release a quirky web movie titled "Electric Comfort! Spirit Horse Parade" featuring renowned voice actor Yuki Kaji. This innovative piece reimagines traditional summer customs related to the Obon festival with a comedic twist. The movie highlights the benefits of switching to ENEOS electricity, offering savings of up to 6,000 yen through their promotions, particularly in these economically challenging times.
In this enchanting film, 278 mech spirit horses, crafted from cucumbers and eggplants, march in unison, showcasing the advantages of managing household finances efficiently. Given the rising costs, these visuals creatively depict good savings: the equivalent of 143 cucumbers and 135 eggplants from the savings. Yuki Kaji, known for his iconic roles in anime like "Attack on Titan," lends his voice to these quirky characters, adding humor and charm to the production.
The Concept Behind the Movie
The movie revolves around the vibrant tradition of Japanese spirit horses, which are traditionally made from cucumbers and eggplants to guide ancestral spirits during the Obon festival. As families face increased expenses, particularly during the summer when electricity bills rise, ENEOS aims to lift spirits by showing how their electricity plan can ease some of these financial burdens. The electric-powered spirit horses represent a light-hearted and engaging solution to a real problem.
Moreover, for a truly unique touch, behind-the-scenes content will be shared through a making-of video, offering fans an intriguing look at how the creative process unfolded. After filming, the vegetables were turned into delicious meals enjoyed by the staff, showcasing a community-focused approach even in production.
Yuki Kaji's Unique Contribution
Kaji’s contribution to the film is particularly noteworthy as he steps into the role of "living vegetables" for the first time in his career. Known for voicing a wide range of characters, he also has experience playing food items, but the challenge of personifying cucumbers and eggplants adds a new layer to his repertoire. With unscripted dialogue and spontaneous improvisation within this whimsical project, Kaji brings these characters to life in a manner that will surely delight audiences.
Creative Direction from Young Talent
The project is also noteworthy for involving Youtaro, a gifted middle school creator known for his viral posts featuring animated spirit horses on social media. His creative input helped steer the vision of the mech spirit horses, ensuring they embody comfort while guiding ancestral spirits. It showcases a blend of traditional aspects with contemporary creativity, updating cultural customs for today's audience.
Campaign Details and Social Media Engagements
Following the web movie launch, ENEOS will prioritize social media engagement to encourage conversation and sharing around the film. The official ENEOS account will post images of the mech spirit horses, creating an interactive experience that allows users to scroll through in a flip-book style, effectively simulating a parade within their timelines.
This unique initiative demonstrates ENEOS Power's commitment not only to providing excellent energy options but also to developing exciting ways to enhance everyday Japanese life during festive seasons. As they strive to contribute to a sustainable society, initiatives like the Electric Spirits Parade serve both as entertainment and vital economic reminders.
Voices from Collaboration
Cucumber producer Mr. Baba and eggplant producer Mr. Okada expressed their joy at participating in such a captivating project, emphasizing their dedication to sustaining agricultural excellence despite the hurdles presented by climate change and rising costs. They hope the campaign will help families manage expenses effectively.
As Kaji, Youtaro, and all project collaborators aim to fuse humor with crucial financial advice, they hope to leave a mark this summer, ensuring that the viewers 'laughs' and ultimately, save on electricity costs this very season. The Electric Comfort! Spirit Horse Parade is set to unfold as both a cultural homage and an innovative marketing approach to engage families and promote savings during challenging economic times.
Be sure to check out the movie here: Electric Spirits Parade and the making-of feature here:
Making of the Spirits Parade.