GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. has released a new TV commercial titled "I'll Always Love You" (15 seconds, 30 seconds) featuring Kazunari Ninomiya, the mascot for the puzzle RPG " Puzzle & Dragons (hereinafter " Pazudora")" will begin airing a new TV commercial featuring its brand ambassador, Kazunari Ninomiya, titled "I've Always Loved You" (15-second and 30-second versions ) nationwide starting Friday, August 14, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes stories and an interview with Kazunari Ninomiya have also been released.
New "Pazudora" TV Commercial Begins Airing! "I've Always Loved You" Version Featuring Kazunari Ninomiya Released
The new "Puzzle & Dragons" TV commercial "I'll Always Love It" (15-second and 30-second versions ), starring Kazunari Ninomiya, has begun airing nationwide!
Kazunari Ninomiya ( @nino_honmono ), known as a die-hard “Puzzle & Dragons” player, can be seen genuinely enjoying the game and immersing himself in gameplay while interacting with cute monsters that seem to have jumped right out of the game world.
Now in his 12th year as the game’s spokesperson—during which he’s played a variety of roles, including “Leader of the Puzzle & Dragons Party,” “VTuber,” and “Showa-Era Dad”—be sure to check out Ninomiya’s natural acting!
The “Tamadra” monsters are gathering! The concept behind the new commercial, “I’ve Always Loved It”
In the new Puzzle & Dragons TV commercial, “I’ve Always Loved It,” Ninomiya appears as himself, playing the role of a player who loves “Puzzle & Dragons.”
Through his expressions as he becomes fully immersed in playing “Puzzle & Dragons,” the commercial simply conveys the fun of the game.
Furthermore, in the space where Ninomiya is enjoying "Puzzle & Dragons," cute monsters that seem to have jumped right out of the game world appear.
The commercial features charming scenes where popular characters —such as “Tamadra,” “Tira,” “Honorin,” “Awarin,” “Moririn,” “Precy,” and “Blacky”— gather around Ninomiya and rub up against him, as if to say, “We want to play with you!”
Story
As Ninomiya plays his favorite “Puzzle & Dragons” with a relaxed expression, “something” quietly approaches him.
Its true identity… was the adorable monsters who had popped out of the “Puzzle & Dragons” world.
As Ninomiya enjoys “Puzzle & Dragons” while humming “Departure,” “Tamadra” peeks at the screen over his shoulder, and “Tira” trots closer.
Even when “Moririn” falls from above, Ninomiya doesn’t bat an eye and remains completely absorbed in the game—before he knows it, he’s surrounded by monsters.
Though a little surprised, Ninomiya smiles and spends a fun time with the monsters that have gathered around him.
PR TIMES
Behind-the-scenes stories from Ninomiya’s shoot! Making-of footage is now available.
You can watch behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of this commercial.
We’re also sharing stories about Ninomiya’s nuanced acting during the shoot!
He was particularly meticulous about the scene where he’s engrossed in the game
Because the story is simple, this commercial was filmed in a minimalist setting.
While seated on the floor, Ninomiya delivered a sophisticated performance—humming along to the background music and reacting to monsters that weren’t even visible on set.
Even though the screen of the smartphone he was holding didn’t appear in the commercial, Ninomiya continued playing “Puzzle & Dragons” throughout the shoot.
There was even a moment when, after the “cut” signal, he muttered, “That combo was pretty good!”
Delicate acting to achieve realism in the scenes interacting with monsters
In scenes where he interacts with monsters that approach him while playing “Puzzle & Dragons,” Ninomiya paid close attention to the precision of his acting —whether having a monster sit on his head or having its tail tug at his leg.
Although the monsters’ appearances are added via post-production, Ninomiya’s reactions are filmed in advance.
Therefore, he expressed his physical movements while imagining the monster’s size, mannerisms, and even personality, thinking to himself, “Since it’s ‘Moririn’ climbing on my head…”
In the scene where “Blacky” pulls his leg, Ninomiya consulted with a staff member pulling a thin string tied to his leg to adjust the force, striving for a realistic movement.
He even improvised a hummed rendition of the theme song, “Departure”!
Amid the commercial’s simple staging, the “humming” serves as a major highlight.
During the pre-shoot meeting, the director asked Ninomiya to sing the Puzzle & Dragons theme song, “Departure.”
With the song naturally stuck in his head, Ninomiya immediately hummed a version of “Departure” on the spot, going “Hum, hum, hum~…”
Interview with Ninomiya Released! He Also Mentions Past Commercials Featuring Arashi
Ninomiya, who took on the challenge of filming this new commercial, shared his thoughts on the shoot and his feelings about Puzzle & Dragons.
Please tell us your thoughts after finishing the shoot for the new Puzzle & Dragons TV commercial, where you starred alongside some cute monsters.
PR TIMESNinomiya: "I’m really looking forward to seeing the final product.
It might sound strange to say this, but it was just me… plus three staff members in green full-body tights—it really is a labor of love (laughs).
Since I was co-starring with all sorts of monsters this time, I think they decided it would be best to carefully time everything. I could hear the countdown in my ear the whole time, and it was a fresh experience to create something together with everyone in that kind of environment (laughs)."
In the new TV commercial, your enjoyment and immersion in “Puzzle & Dragons” are striking. In what kind of situations do you find yourself getting immersed in “Puzzle & Dragons,” Ninomiya-san?
PR TIMESNinomiya: “I tend to get really immersed when I’m in an environment where I can concentrate.
The ‘quality’ of my play is best when I’m at home, playing on the sofa or something like that.
The “quality” of my *Puzzle & Dragons* play is high.
I’m most immersed when I’m fully focused on my device, and those moments are the most luxurious time I can spend with *Puzzle & Dragons*."
In the new TV commercial, there’s a scene where you don’t even notice when monsters are riding on you or tripping you up. Are you the type who doesn’t pay attention to your surroundings, Ninomiya-san? Or are you the type who notices the little details?
PR TIMESNinomiya: “I don’t really worry about it.
I have a general sense of what’s going on around me, but I don’t pay it much mind… Since I can see so much of what’s happening, I just think, ‘I’ll probably be able to handle it somehow.’
I’m the type who’s aware of what’s going on but doesn’t let it bother me.
I act with the expectation that something will happen, so maybe that’s why I don’t get too flustered.”
The scene shows cute monsters approaching Ninomiya-san. If monsters actually gathered around you, what would you like to do with them?
PR TIMESNinomiya: “Fly through the sky or breathe fire… I’d love to see that in person.
I always see those effects in games, but I’d really like to see them live… though, wait, that might be a nuisance to the neighbors (laughs).
I wonder if flying through the sky or breathing fire would be a nuisance (laughs).
Still, even just once—if I could actually be in the same dimension as them—I’d love to see it."
The new TV commercial features the memorable line, “I’ve always loved Puzzle & Dragons.” Could you share a memorable episode from your time appearing in past “Puzzle & Dragons” commercials?
PR TIMESNinomiya: “Of course, the times when the five of us from Arashi were in the commercials really stand out.
We’d try shooting in a single take, or move around as if we were ‘Puzzle & Dragons’ game pieces ourselves. Also, things like playing the whole thing on a conveyor belt—those are some of my fondest memories.”
I imagine 2026 will be a major milestone for you, Mr. Ninomiya. Could you share your honest feelings about that right now?
Ninomiya: “It really feels like a new beginning, I guess. Once June passes, I’ll be entering my 30th year in show business… It’s a little scary, isn’t it?
It’ll be my 30th year.
Just saying that makes me nervous (laughs).
As I’ve lived through the changing times, *Puzzle & Dragons* has been with me for a full third of my career, so it really brings back a lot of memories.
There are all kinds of seasons, but playing *Puzzle & Dragons* in the middle of a freezing-cold room in the summer is such a luxury, isn’t it?
With *Puzzle & Dragons*, you can play it just about anywhere—at home or in a store—as long as you’re not bothering anyone, so I actually find myself thinking, “Please don’t catch a cold” (laughs).
I really want to be with the game when I take a breather alongside this new start, and I’m looking forward to playing it.
Thankfully, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many people through my work, and I want to cherish those connections. This year has made me realize once again that “even after 30 years, there are still new encounters to be had.”"
PR TIMES
Win autographed original merchandise! Campaign to celebrate the release of the new *Puzzle & Dragons* commercial
To celebrate the release of the new TV commercial, we’re holding the “Double Campaign Celebrating the New Puzzle & Dragons Commercial Featuring Ninomiya-san,” where you can win original merchandise autographed by Ninomiya-san!
You can enter in two ways: through the game or via the official X account.
- Campaign Period: Friday, August 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM – Monday, August 24, 2026, at 11:59 AM
Prize A: Enter via the official X account!
- Prize: Tote bag autographed by Ninomiya
- Number of Winners: 3
- How to Enter: Follow the official Puzzle & Dragons PR X account ( @puzzdra_PR ) and repost the eligible post
Option B: Enter from within the game!
- Prize: Clear file with Ninomiya’s autograph print
- Number of Winners: 50
- How to Enter: Enter via the "Other" menu in the "Puzzle & Dragons" game app
For more details, check the special website for the “Double Campaign Celebrating the New Puzzle & Dragons Commercial Featuring Ninomiya-san.”
New TV commercial "I've Always Loved You" premieres August 14! It will also be shown on digital signage in Kyoto
The new "Puzzle & Dragons" TV commercial "I've Always Loved You," featuring Ninomiya, has been airing nationwide since Friday, August 14, 2026.
It’s also being shown on digital signage around Kyoto Station!
If you live nearby, why not check out the new commercial on the big screen?
For the latest game updates, check out Puzzle & Dragons’ official PR X account ( @puzzdra_PR )!
| Commercial Overview | |
|---|---|
| Title | Puzzle & Dragons “I’ve Always Loved It” (15 seconds, 30 seconds) |
| Starring | Kazunari Ninomiya |
| Air Date | August 14, 2026 (Friday) |
| Broadcast Regions | Nationwide |