Then everyone would die, and more importantly, so would this thread.
Yes, holy fuck, how the shit did this thread get to 3 pages?
And what the fuck is wrong with product placement? If you're strictly against 'commercialism' then I highly suggest you reconsider your interest in Japanese animation since Japan is a nation based on commercialism.
They pay Hollywood movie stars six figures and above to appear in 10-second commercials for energy drinks or gas or cell phones or coffee etc. where all they do is walk across the screen.
This month One Piece-packaged goods are being sold at Lawson chain convenience stores at a higher price despite being regular items with OP wrappers.
They limit DVD releases to maximize interest and profit by staggering the release of TV drama series. These DVDs are also special 'Rental Only' versions in which the ads cannot be skipped.
They spend a fantastic amount of money on praising TV announcers for their 'mental' abilities in doing so making females desire their looks, clothing and makeup. All of the above, brand names included, are explored and given in detail throughout their career. They are a driving force in telling Japanese women what to wear.
They instantly pick up popular gag routines on television and market the shit out of them for 6-12 months and then drop them, which also results in a lack of work for the comedian in question, and move onto the next 'hot' act.
They make shitty anime/manga based games they know will sell like hotcakes merely because of the name.
Japanese females AND males are obsessed with brand names, even if it's cheap. It's not uncommon to see $300 jeans. And if you don't have the high-priced jeans, you better have bought them at Uniqlo or else risk humiliation.
Their anime properties are marketed beyond all meaning and recognition of the original. From gatcha-gatcha to UFO catchers, anything that's popular will instantly be made into plastic or plushies and sold many times the cost it took to make.
People will line up for 3 hours at Krispy Creme in Shinjuku just because it's 'new' and from abroad. Because they see people eating it, or because they saw it on television, they want and desire it too, even though it's fucking fried dough.
Japan is a commercial cesspool.
Now, since none of you have actually seen the movie and I have, I figured you'd want to know how 'truly horrifying' the extent of commercialism is.
There's a pizza hut box in the car with other brand name groceries as Shinji and Misato drive home from shopping.
Oh the horror.