I've seen more than my share of funny/weird Japanese commercials and infomercials in these past few weeks. It was one of those moments where you just can't stop at one. Check them out:

I can't say that this one's worse than some of the ads out there. But it certainly isn't worth bragging about, is it? Firstly, how does this promote 'Communication'? And whilst I can understand the appeal of the belly-dancing girls (bet the male viewers aren't complaining), why did they throw in that weird little mustache guy? The one vest-wearing guy doesn't look as out of place as Mr Sparkly Blue Pants. What gives? Incidentally, is Sparkly Blue Pants guy really a girl with a Poirot-style mustache?

I must warn you, this song is catchy. I found myself humming it moments after watching it. It's actually a cute ad and not one worth complaining about …. too much. Well, why are the female dancers all straddling giant balls? I know it's meant to be them exercising but if that bit had been thrown into the middle of the ad as opposed to being the first jumpy around bit, it probably wouldn't have brought out the wtf reaction from me.

This one was full of kawaii material. A cute kid, dancing animals, they sing and dance, how bad can it be? It's all good until someone presents the forest creature with the big balls. A bit inappropriate, don't you think? It seems like the ad is about a construction company. How that is linked to big-balled animals stalking kids is a mystery! Maybe that is the point? They are saying that that's the reason why the wolf was following Red Riding Hood in the first place? The mind reels from this take.

This one is strangely addictive. Laugh if you want, I snickered when I first saw this. 2 mins into it and there I was, humming 'tsuppuri'. Oh ye, that's what the girls are chanting throughout the ad. I figured I would clarify that, given that a number of folks thought it sounded like 'vagina'. No, it doesn't! By the way, this clip consists of the 3 versions of the Pretz ad. I recommend sitting through all of them; I didn't expect the second one to have a different end-chant. Is it me or does the ones with sumo wrestlers sound more aggressive and the ones with women dancers sound more, for want of a better word, coy? What gives?

As far as DS ads promoting the Mario games are concerned, this one wins the 'I am weird' award. What's funny is the silly phrases allocated to each nation. And what's with the sleazy smiles when they win the game at the end?

Incidentally, this has to be the strangest banana commercial I have ever seen. The girl seems unhappy with his banana obsession and he is not too bothered. At least, not until his 'banana ears' open up at the end. How does it make sense for him to have a makeover made of banana pieces by the way?