GALE and MilkPEP have gone full throttle with anime in a new youth campaign, “Milk Can Help,” that embraces the energy and exaggeration of anime, speaking directly to Gen Z. With humor and cultural relevance, the campaign highlights milk’s benefits while playfully acknowledging that milk can’t do everything.
That’s the high-energy, anime-fueled vibe behind Milk Can Help, the latest campaign from GALE and MilkPEP (aka the folks behind the iconic “Got Milk?” movement). Aimed squarely at Gen Z, the campaign blends absurd humor, intense visuals, and all the exaggerated tropes of anime to make one thing clear: milk is powerful, but it’s not magic.
In a series of fast-paced, :06 and :15-second spots, everyday teenage crises—missed curfews, friend drama, embarrassing gym moments—are given the full anime treatment: think fiery backdrops, dramatic push-ins, inner monologues, and slow-mo milk sloshing like it’s the elixir of the gods. The result? A self-aware, stylish romp that acknowledges milk’s real health benefits while poking fun at its very real limits. Watch below:
“With ‘Milk Can Help,’ we’re showing up for teens in a way that feels fresh, honest, and culturally in tune,” added Yin Woon Rani, CEO of MilkPEP. “Milk has real benefits—supporting strength and growth—but we’re not pretending it can do everything. By pairing humor with a visual style teens love, we’re reminding them that milk is powerful, relevant, and very much a part of their world.”
“We started with a simple truth: milk can do a lot—make you stronger, help you grow—but it can’t do everything,” adds Ali Eng, GALE Creative Director. “So we leaned into that tension in the most absurd, entertaining way possible. By using anime, we were able to exaggerate milk’s limitations while still celebrating its real strengths. It’s a fun way to connect with teens on their terms.”
“Milk Can Help” will air on platforms where anime and Gen Z already live and breathe: Crunchyroll, YouTube, Snap, and TikTok. New spots will continue dropping throughout the year like episodic anime arcs—because, yes, milk has lore now.
This marks MilkPEP’s first dive into anime-style storytelling—and they didn’t go halfway. The campaign was brought to life with Nexus Studios and directorial collective WERE, known for their work in stylized animation and global youth culture.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360 News. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
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