In 2017: the shorts focused on the theme of "Youth" by using characters from classic anime depicted in a modern High School setting. (episodes 1-6)
Anime featured: Kiki’s Delivery Service ~ Heidi: Girl of the Alps ~ Sazae-san
It's hard to believe that such lengths would be done for a noodle commercial, but each one is breathtakingly good. It makes me want to watch/rewatch the anime that each one is based off of and wished that they did some more classic anime remakes.
- ep. 2) - {Kiki, still being the lovable witch just in a modern high school, starts to realize her feelings and confesses to Tombo.} Since I was familiar with Kiki, I can easily say that they integrated this one the best.
- ep. 3) - {Heidi transfers to an all-girls-school in the Alps; she constantly trying to measure up to her friend Clara, but little does she know that doesn't matter to Peter.} I wasn't familiar with Heidi, but it was cute. This one felt the most lovey-dovey romantic tone out of all of them.
- ep. 4) - {Being friends with Sazae forever, Masuo confesses to her during their school festival.} I've never heard of Sazae before this, but I was smitten with how pure this one was. Considering how old the original series is, I wished that this one could have its own remake with updated animation. Especially if the same MadHouse staff that worked on "A Place Further from the Universe" was a part of it.
- ep. 6) - {This one focuses on 2 characters playfully confessing their feelings while a 3D apocalypse is happening in the background.} Unlike the other shorts, this last one isn't based on any anime that I could find, but was still good. In fact last one aired during the Superbowl and that was how I was even able to find this series in the first place.
Just the idea of this being a thing is enough for me. It makes me laugh with each rewatch until I tear up. And all because of a dang ramen ad. Even years later, it still looks good now.
In 2019: the 2nd set of shorts focus on the characters of "One Piece" as a part of it's 20th anniversary. (episodes 7-16?)
The dang Cup Noodles are back! Just from the few that's out right now, you can see how far the people behind the animation have come. Even someone like me, a person that never read or watched the One Piece series, can still enjoy the sheer talent on display. Each one has a lot more complexity than the previous set of shorts with layering the animation and transitions with references and cameos of the original series without it clashing with the modern High School setting and Youth theme. Can't wait to see how this set turns out!
- ep. 8: Zoro - {Being utterly defeated in a Kendo match, Zoro trains himself to the bone to get strong enough to win next time.} It's surprising how engaged you could get into his training montage without even realizing at first glance that he's a character from One Piece.
- ep. 9: Nami - {Nami juggles school, a part-time job, and studying to become a navigator.} Like the previous, there's so much squeezed into 30 seconds that just grips my attention immediately. The animation layering really compliments that flurry of her rushing through life.
- ep. 10: Vivi (or Bibi) - {Montage of the Crew reflecting on good times before saying goodbye to Vivi.} The first video without the layering effect for this new wave of commericals. Even though this one was good, the difference of not having that layering effect makes it hard to compare the previous 2 shorts.
- ep. 11: "Paramount" Calvary Battle - {Apparently inspired by the "Paramount War" within the series. However in this modern twist, the battle is shown as a Sport Festival Calvary Battle that looks like something from some bare-handed battlefield.} What helps this short feeling like it's such on a grand scale is the use of an equally dramatic 3D background and dynamic camera angle changes making the viewer feel involved in the fight.
Related forum: Order of Release - (https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1703527)
