New Commercials Featuring Akashiya Sanma to Air Nationwide from May 4: "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" and "Smiling Appraisal Room" Released
Valuence Japan Inc. will begin airing new commercials featuring Akashiya Sanma nationwide from May 4, 2026. The commercials, titled "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" and "Smiling Appraisal Room," aim to convey the comfortable atmosphere of "Nanboya" where even first-time customers can feel at ease consulting, and the overall value of the buying experience.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 00:21 (14h 49m after Collected)
Valuence Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Mitsutoshi Tomita) will sequentially broadcast new commercials, "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" and "Smiling Appraisal Room," featuring Akashiya Sanma as the new CM character, nationwide starting May 4, 2026 (Monday).
The new commercials were filmed on a set faithfully recreating the warm and private "appraisal booths" within an actual "Nanboya" store. Through Mr. Sanma's natural and approachable demeanor, they express a welcoming comfort that makes even first-time visitors feel they can "casually consult first." The commercials also depict a sense of security when entrusting valuable items, thanks to the meticulous service provided by expert appraisers (Value Designers).
These commercials convey not just the aspect of "selling items at a high price," but also the "value of the buying experience itself"—the exhilaration and excitement felt at the moment the appraisal value is determined. They propose a "new value for reuse," enabling people to take the first step as if visiting a familiar trusted place for advice.
■ Broadcast/Release Overview
Title: "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" and "Smiling Appraisal Room"
Cast: Akashiya Sanma
Broadcast Start Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday/Holiday)
Broadcast Area: Nationwide (TVCM, YouTube, TVer, etc.)
■ "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" Episode
The commercial begins with Mr. Sanma's first words upon entering the set, "It's a private room! Then I can talk all I want!" It's an impressive commercial featuring Mr. Sanma's characteristic lively talk, asking the appraiser peeking at his favorite watch with a loupe, "...So, how much? How much?... How much?"
YouTube (15 sec): https://youtu.be/pbh5BaTuh10
YouTube (30 sec): https://youtu.be/Ez2gcj9TIjM
YouTube (60 sec): https://youtu.be/7w98LgHMdaw
■ "Smiling Appraisal Room" Episode
This episode begins with Mr. Sanma attending a bag appraisal for a female customer. While comforting the nervous customer with "It's a private room, so you can ask anything!", he exclaims "Ah, really!" in surprise immediately after the appraisal amount is presented, showcasing his expressive reactions. The lighthearted exchange between the appraiser and the female customer is a highlight.
YouTube URL (15 sec): https://youtu.be/5HAkec2W5PQ
YouTube URL (30 sec): https://youtu.be/faNhg-gHgDA
YouTube URL (90 sec): https://youtu.be/uYB8d6lxqB8
■ Public Making-of Video
YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/Brmt_kEw6FE
*Regarding this video, only introductions by posting the above URL link are permitted. Republication, editing, or re-uploading of the video data is prohibited.
■ Filming Episode
After prior acting guidance with the director, filming began without rehearsal. The scenes were shot in long takes, adapting to Mr. Sanma's free-spirited acting. Throughout the filming, Mr. Sanma's ad-libs and interactions with the appraiser created a harmonious atmosphere. Especially in the scene where variations in the way "Ah, really!" was delivered by the female customer were requested, the set erupted in laughter.
■ Akashiya Sanma's Comments
Q: Please share your impressions after finishing the CM shoot.
A: Well, it was fast. Too fast. It felt like, "Is this really okay?!" (laughs). They even set up such a set for me. The reason I decided to appear in the commercial this time was that President Sakimoto (Representative Director of Valuence Holdings Inc.) asked me to, saying he'd love for me to appear. He had previously appeared on a TV program (hosted by Mr. Sanma), and I felt obliged to return the favor (laughs). That's how I came to appear in this commercial.
Q: About the "Honmaya!" ad-lib exchange with the female customer in the CM.
A: I think the director and actress collaborated on that (laughs). For the commercial, I thought, "Let's stick to the script." and "I'll do as I'm told." But the other party (co-star) started improvising first, which was a baffling shoot (laughs).
Q: A message to everyone watching the commercials.
A: Everyone, please try visiting "Nanboya" once. It's really great! I'm going to go myself next time. Anyway, I have a lot of brand-name goods I don't need, so I'm seriously going to visit once. Then I'll talk about my experience on my radio show (laughs).
■ Performer Profile
Akashiya Sanma
Comedian/Talent. Born July 1, 1955, from Wakayama Prefecture. Blood type B.
The new commercials were filmed on a set faithfully recreating the warm and private "appraisal booths" within an actual "Nanboya" store. Through Mr. Sanma's natural and approachable demeanor, they express a welcoming comfort that makes even first-time visitors feel they can "casually consult first." The commercials also depict a sense of security when entrusting valuable items, thanks to the meticulous service provided by expert appraisers (Value Designers).
These commercials convey not just the aspect of "selling items at a high price," but also the "value of the buying experience itself"—the exhilaration and excitement felt at the moment the appraisal value is determined. They propose a "new value for reuse," enabling people to take the first step as if visiting a familiar trusted place for advice.
■ Broadcast/Release Overview
Title: "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" and "Smiling Appraisal Room"
Cast: Akashiya Sanma
Broadcast Start Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday/Holiday)
Broadcast Area: Nationwide (TVCM, YouTube, TVer, etc.)
■ "Mr. Sanma's First Visit" Episode
The commercial begins with Mr. Sanma's first words upon entering the set, "It's a private room! Then I can talk all I want!" It's an impressive commercial featuring Mr. Sanma's characteristic lively talk, asking the appraiser peeking at his favorite watch with a loupe, "...So, how much? How much?... How much?"
YouTube (15 sec): https://youtu.be/pbh5BaTuh10
YouTube (30 sec): https://youtu.be/Ez2gcj9TIjM
YouTube (60 sec): https://youtu.be/7w98LgHMdaw
■ "Smiling Appraisal Room" Episode
This episode begins with Mr. Sanma attending a bag appraisal for a female customer. While comforting the nervous customer with "It's a private room, so you can ask anything!", he exclaims "Ah, really!" in surprise immediately after the appraisal amount is presented, showcasing his expressive reactions. The lighthearted exchange between the appraiser and the female customer is a highlight.
YouTube URL (15 sec): https://youtu.be/5HAkec2W5PQ
YouTube URL (30 sec): https://youtu.be/faNhg-gHgDA
YouTube URL (90 sec): https://youtu.be/uYB8d6lxqB8
■ Public Making-of Video
YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/Brmt_kEw6FE
*Regarding this video, only introductions by posting the above URL link are permitted. Republication, editing, or re-uploading of the video data is prohibited.
■ Filming Episode
After prior acting guidance with the director, filming began without rehearsal. The scenes were shot in long takes, adapting to Mr. Sanma's free-spirited acting. Throughout the filming, Mr. Sanma's ad-libs and interactions with the appraiser created a harmonious atmosphere. Especially in the scene where variations in the way "Ah, really!" was delivered by the female customer were requested, the set erupted in laughter.
■ Akashiya Sanma's Comments
Q: Please share your impressions after finishing the CM shoot.
A: Well, it was fast. Too fast. It felt like, "Is this really okay?!" (laughs). They even set up such a set for me. The reason I decided to appear in the commercial this time was that President Sakimoto (Representative Director of Valuence Holdings Inc.) asked me to, saying he'd love for me to appear. He had previously appeared on a TV program (hosted by Mr. Sanma), and I felt obliged to return the favor (laughs). That's how I came to appear in this commercial.
Q: About the "Honmaya!" ad-lib exchange with the female customer in the CM.
A: I think the director and actress collaborated on that (laughs). For the commercial, I thought, "Let's stick to the script." and "I'll do as I'm told." But the other party (co-star) started improvising first, which was a baffling shoot (laughs).
Q: A message to everyone watching the commercials.
A: Everyone, please try visiting "Nanboya" once. It's really great! I'm going to go myself next time. Anyway, I have a lot of brand-name goods I don't need, so I'm seriously going to visit once. Then I'll talk about my experience on my radio show (laughs).
■ Performer Profile
Akashiya Sanma
Comedian/Talent. Born July 1, 1955, from Wakayama Prefecture. Blood type B.