Nissin: Samurai in Manchester

Having taken football fans by surprise in the run up to the World Cup in Brazil earlier this year, Japanese noodle brand Nissin has once again taken us by surprise and placed its inimitable mascot in the heart of Manchester to spread word of its sponsorship deal with Manchester United Football Club.

It's hardly been the ideal start to the season for the Red Devils but the skill show put on by soccer samurai and freestyle football champion Kotaro "Tokura" Tokuda in the branded piece will offer welcome respite from a string of disappointing results.

Directed by UNIT9 duo, A Common Future, the three-minute film marries the brand with the sport in a brilliantly subtle way. Having gone toe-to-toe with a group of ninja soldiers, the Samurai takes his talent to the training ground where he knocks the ball about and poses for photos with new signing Radamel Falaco, Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo.