Japanese-style public service ads in LA metro
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Three videos
Metro Manners PSA: Super Kind – Seat Hogging ホギング
Metro Manners PSA: Super Kind – Eating イーティング
Metro Manners PSA: Super Kind – Aisle Blocking ブロキング
From Nikita Kuzmin, who first learned about them on this Russian media website.
Caitlin said,
October 12, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
This actress is Anna Akana, who is outspoken about social issues and feminism, and also about Asian-American issues and representation in the media. She's based in LA and has a popular YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnaAkana
David L said,
October 12, 2017 @ 4:02 pm
You know, this is step one on the way to Blade Runner. It looks all benign and sunny and super-kawaii, but before long it turns dark and then you're in dystopia, dude.
Frans said,
October 12, 2017 @ 4:18 pm
I was confused for a second because I wasn't sure whether it's le or la métro.
Matt said,
October 12, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
These are great! It's funny to think that, in a parallel with product advertising in Japan that uses Western settings and spokespeople to add authenticity/authority, "Being a considerate public transport user" is apparently given authenticity/authority by association with Japan.
The translation of as "Aisle blocking" as 通路除外 seems a bit strange to me. Absent context I would have understood this as "aisle exclusion" or "excluding the aisles" i.e. exclusion of the aisle, rather than of other people from an aisle. But the rest, including voiceovers, was clearly done with care, and (as Caitlin notes) Ana Akana ain't no joke, so maybe my intuition is just wrong here.
CNH said,
October 13, 2017 @ 6:07 am
That destruction of the bicycle with a death ray is a crib from Klaatu and The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Jim said,
October 13, 2017 @ 4:51 pm
Where is the Super Kind PSA about the rudeness of doing a superhero transformation in the middle of a crowded bus or train? Or about the seizing and destruction of others' personal property? (They at least hit on the littering in the last one.)
Doug Henning Jr said,
October 16, 2017 @ 10:19 am
The video director is Mike Diva, who also made an absurdly kawaii, dystopian campaign ad for Donald Trump depicting him as a neon-tinged fascist world-destroying robot. Which isn't *too* far off, I suppose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbM6WbUw7Bs