This year too, Takeda-san, as Maru-chan, encourages exam takers.

Toyo Suisan held its PR event "Maruchan 'Go for it! Exam Takers Support Rally 2017'" at Waseda Prep School in Shinjuku, Tokyo, on January 10th.

Launched in 2008, this annual event encourages students facing the intense pressure of the upcoming exam season. This year marks its ninth iteration.

Actor Tetsuya Takeda, who has served as the CM character for "Maruchan Akai Kitsune to Midori no Tanuki" for nearly 40 years since its launch, took the stage set up in the classroom. Sharing his own exam experience, he encouraged the students facing the upcoming National Center Test for University Admissions, stating, "While exam life is often called gray, the meaning of that time lies in repelling that gray and adding your own color."

Drawing on his extensive acting career where he often played teachers, Takeda delivered a masterclass-style special lecture. He shared stories about his hometown and family while explaining the meanings embedded in kanji characters like "family" (家族) and "knowledge" (知).

When asked about his mother's influence, he sincerely replied, "Her words remain with me: 'Don't always tell people the truth. Nothing in this world is as dull as the truth. Living means embellishing that truth and telling it in an interesting way.'"

Takeda-san placed a large gold star on an ema (votive tablet) where an exam candidate had written "University Admission," offering a prayer for success: "Let me say 'Congratulations' in advance. When aiming for something auspicious, saying 'Congratulations' beforehand shifts your entire destiny toward a fortunate direction." He then handed out "Akai Kitsune" (red fox-shaped sweets) to each student while offering words of encouragement.

During the Kaientai mini-live with Toshio Nakamuta and Kazuomi Chiba joining in, they passionately sang two hit songs, "Words of Encouragement" and "As a Human Being," cheering on the examinees. They also shared behind-the-scenes stories from their youth, such as how the lyrics for "Words of Encouragement" were inspired by an experience of being rejected by a woman.