‘PPAP’ global superstar PIKOTARO collaborates with Cateen (Hayato Sumino) and Masato Suzuki to reboot his music activity!

PIKOTARO is back! His song ‘PPAP (Pen Pineapple Apple Pen)’ became a global sensation when it was uploaded to YouTube in 2016 and picked up by Justin Bieber along with media such as CNN and the BBC, making it the first song by a Japanese artist in 26 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. And now, this unique star from Japan is preparing to relaunch his music activity, to take the world by storm all over again.

Back on June 28, PIKOTARO released a new digital single and music video titled ‘PEEK-A-BOO feat. Masato Suzuki & Cateen (Hayato Sumino) with Azabu Gakuen OB+Orchestra’. This release is a collaboration with Cateen (Hayato Sumino), a classical pianist who was discovered by producer Daimaou Kosaka on TV Asahi’s music TV series ‘Untitled Concert’ and whose YouTube channel now has over 1.2 million subscribers, along with famous Japanese classical musician Masato Suzuki and the Azabu Gakuen OB +Orchestra.

‘PEEK-A-BOO’ is the follow-up to ‘PPAP’. Aiming to “Make the world smile with PEEK-A-BOO”, this is PIKOTARO’s next step towards his dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The music video features a typically PIKOTARO twist, with a multitude of smartphones and tablets showing videos of each of the collaborators running simultaneously in perfect sync. Check out PIKOTARO’s hilarious facial expressions across three screens, alongside Cateen’s incredible piano performance and the full-scale orchestra conducted by Masato Suzuki!

Be sure to check out the music video below along with the streaming link for ‘PEEK-A-BOO’ here!

PIKOTARO and his wife TAMI deliver smiles to children around the world, with new English-language puppetry YouTube series ‘PIKO ST KIDS’!

Singer-songwriter and ‘PPAP’ star PIKOTARO has launched a new series titled ‘PIKO ST KIDS’ on his YouTube channel. The series ‘PIKO ST KIDS’ is a puppet show created by PIKOTARO and his wife TAMI, delivering fun songs, games and chat in English with the aim of bringing smiles to children all over the world. 

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, parents have more time to interact at home with their children. However, as many of us continue to deal with working from home, there are times when we cannot spend quality time with the kids, and they in turn are spending more and more time enjoying video content on their tablets. PIKOTARO and TAMI hope to help out mums and dads around the world by offering fun, safe videos for their kids to enjoy via ‘PIKO ST KIDS’.

For example, episodes of the show will feature traditional Japanese nursery rhymes such as ‘Tulip’ and ‘Kisha Poppo’ sung by children in kindergarten, hand-gesture based rhymes like ‘Ookiku Nattara Nanni Narou’ (‘What Shall We Become When We Grow Up’), and games where kids raise red and white flags to learn their left and right – all of which can be enjoyed by children and their parents.

Just as PIKOTARO’s song ‘PPAP’ has been viewed all over the world on YouTube, his channel also delivers other videos featuring songs and conversation in English and Japanese that are suitable for children to enjoy.

On the launch of this new series, PIKOTARO commented, “Anytime, anywhere, I’ll be happy if this channel makes you smile.” Be sure to check it out below!

Dramatic Untold History of ‘PPAP’ Documented in Special Video, Commemorating 10 Years Since Superstar PIKOTARO’s Debut!

Artist PIKOTARO is nearing the 10th anniversary of his debut. To mark this momentous occasion, on August 25 – the same date as his worldwide smash-hit song “PPAP” was originally uploaded to YouTube in 2016 – he has released a special commemorative video titled “The miracles of PPAP”.

The special video documents PIKOTARO’s astonishing achievements in the decade since he began his career, including the runaway global success of “PPAP” and the many records it smashed. From performing in 17 countries and regions around the world and even being appointed as a cultural ambassador for Japan, PIKOTARO has achieved things that no other Japanese artist has before. As these accomplishments are detailed in the video, PIKOTARO reflects on how he went about creating “PPAP”, his hopes for the future and more. Within 5 minutes and 23 seconds, learn the untold history of one of Japan’s biggest stars.

“PPAP” is a household name all around the world, but the epic drama behind this unlikely hit song has been unknown to many of us – until now. This video is a must-see below!

PIKOTARO Teams Up with Pokémon to Premiere Electrifying New Music Video!

Singer-songwriter PIKOTARO’s collaboration song with iconic Pokémon, Pikachu –"PIKA to PIKO"  is now available on digital platforms worldwide, along with a newly-released music video which premiered at the August 31 finale of the "Pokémon Virtual Fest" virtual amusement park event in Japan.

PIKOTARO and Pokémon came together to create something to help people smile and have fun at home this summer. "I’ve always felt a connection with Pikachu," said PIKOTARO. "I was dreaming of a way to collaborate with Pikachu, so I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to create a fun song together."

In "PIKA to PIKO", the internationally famous pair of pop culture icons dance and sing to each other with creative communication and sometimes surprising choreography.PIKOTARO explained, "I interpreted Pikachu's words by myself for this song. Nobody knows Pikachu’s language, but I think I understood it in PIKOTARO’s way. In the music video, I call Pikachu 'Pikataro' when he puts sunglasses on. Pikachu looks cuter with them on so I think his popularity might increase even more!"

Earlier in 2020, PIKOTARO released "PPAP 2020", an updated version of his 2016 hit "PPAP" (“Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen”), adding a new chorus of “Wash! Wash! Wash!” with the mission of helping children and adults wash their hands thoroughly. The video – with the message of “Pray for People and Peace” – made international headlines and has been viewed over 10 million times in more than 150 countries.

To create "PIKA to PIKO", PIKOTARO teamed up once again with arranger KOSAKA DAIMAOU, who produced PIKOTARO's "Stay-At-Home" trilogy ("PPAP 2020, "Hoppin' Flappin'", and "Sukiyaki"). The 2016 viral sensation "PPAP" achieved over 135 million views on YouTube, and the song’s multiple versions have amassed over 500 million views combined. "I would like all the children around the world to enjoy the collaboration between PIKOTARO and Pikachu," added PIKOTARO. "The whole world is in a difficult situation now, but I want to warm it up and entertain many people! KOSAKA-san's sound is really popping, too."

Be sure to check out the music video below!

"a-nation" – Japan's Largest Summer Music Festival Announces Five Stages to Stream Worldwide August 29. Star-Studded 2020 Lineup Includes ayumi hamasaki, Daichi Miura, KODA KUMI, And Many More!

a-nation online 2020” will celebrate its 19th year by broadcasting worldwide on August 29, featuring over 50 Japanese and international artists including ayumi hamasaki, Daichi Miura, KODA KUMI, SUPER JUNIOR, BACK-ON, SuperM, The World Standard (Wasuta), FAKY, and more.

a-nation is the largest summer music festival in Japan and has amassed over 6.1 million festival-goers since beginning in 2002. This year's festival due to the ongoing crisis will shift online, featuring five stages from all over Asia. Performances from the "Blue Stage", "Green Stage", and "Yellow Stage" will be available to digital ticket holders, as well as free broadcasts from the "Purple Stage" and "White Stage" on Avex’s YouTube channel and LINE respectively.

a-nation 2020 full lineup: https://a-nation.net/ Comprising a star-studded lineup for each of the stages, audiences can tune into the spectacular one-day-only event to enjoy an experience that is uniquely and truly "a-nation". Tickets are now on sale.

a-nation "Purple Stage" teaser video

ARTIST LINEUP (in alphabetical order)

Blue Stage (Ticketed)

Amuyi (呂薔) / ayumi hamasaki / EMPiRE / FAKY / Fei (王霏霏) / Gemma (吳映潔) / GENIC / Kalen Anzai / KODA KUMI / Kohmi Hirose / MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN / Naomi (王菊) / Novelbright / SuperM / Sae Otsuka / VOGUE

Green Stage (Ticketed)

BACK-ON / BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE / BuZZ / Da-iCE / DA PUMP / HAO (石承鎬) / I Don't Like Mondays. / JADE / Julius (刘维) / lol /Daichi Miura / SKY-HI / STAMP / SUPER JUNIOR / Wayne Huang (黃偉晉)

Yellow Stage (Ticketed)

Beverly / Chou Tokimeki♡Sendenbu / EXO-SC / GENIN WA JIBUN NI ARU / HARAMIchan / James Lu (盧子 杰) / M!LK / Peter Fish / PIKOTARO / Red Velvet / SEAMO / Timo Feng (冯提莫) / TRF / Yoanna (孫尤 安)

Purple Stage (Free) @ avex YouTube Channel

Aina The End / GOLDEN BOMBER / HAN-KUN from SHONAN NO KAZE / macaroniempitsu / Mosawo / riria / Taisei Miyakawa

White Stage (Free) @ avex LINE Channel

AATA / Baby Kiy / EMIKO SUZUKI / Hiro Ishibashi (MC) / IKINIGE / kolme / Leola / MaRuRi to Ryuga / Project 88 / Rei©hi / RUN Girls, Run! / Sakuramen / The World Standard (Wasuta) / THREE1989 / Tomoko Matsumoto (dj mapi) / Yu. (張瑀)

a-nation online 2020 - August 29, 2020

• Streaming Doors Open 14:00 (JST)

• Streaming Start 16:00 (JST)

Performance Stages

• Blue Stage (Ticketed)

• Green Stage (Ticketed)

• Yellow Stage (Ticketed)

• Purple Stage (Free) *YouTube

• White Stage (Free) *LINE

-- Timetables will be released at a later date.

Each ticket is valid to stream all 3 ticketed stages (Blue, Green, and Yellow)

* On-demand / delayed viewing is not available.

Ticket Agent: Beyond LIVE (details in English)

-- Information also available in Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Spanish)

https://www.vlive.tv/product/ds00u00u00000236?lang=en

Ticket inquiries: event@user-support.jp