PIKOTARO revives 1968 classic with Mie Nakao in chaotic ‘Koi no Sharock PPAP’ collaboration
PIKOTARO is once again embracing absurdity and nostalgia with the release of “Koi no Sharock PPAP feat. Mie Nakao,” a chaotic cross-generational collaboration that transforms a 1968 Japanese pop classic into something wildly unpredictable.
The track headlines Tottemo Release 80.8 (10), the latest installment in PIKOTARO’s ongoing monthly project leading toward the 10th anniversary of the viral “PPAP” phenomenon in 2026. This time, the eccentric entertainer joins forces with veteran Japanese singer Mie Nakao to reinterpret her decades-old song “Koi no Sharock” through the bizarre lens that made PIKOTARO a global sensation.
The collaboration blends nostalgic kayōkyoku elements with exaggerated dance-pop energy, creating a strange but oddly addictive fusion that feels both retro and modern at the same time. PIKOTARO’s trademark humor remains front and center, while Nakao’s involvement gives the project a surprising emotional and cultural layer.
Retro chaos returns
The newly released music video pushes the concept even further by recreating choreography inspired by the original “Koi no Sharock” performance. The visual playfully suggests that the “PPAP” dance may have already existed decades before the viral hit exploded online, turning the collaboration into a surreal meeting of two entirely different musical eras.
Daimaou Kosaka, the producer behind the project, joked about the similarities between the dances while describing the collaboration as two artists “combining” across time. The tongue-in-cheek concept reinforces the unpredictable identity that has defined PIKOTARO’s music for years.
Mie Nakao admitted that she never expected the song to return to the spotlight nearly six decades after its original release. The idea reportedly first emerged during a television appearance on 5ji ni Muchuu!, where comparisons between the choreography of “Koi no Sharock” and “PPAP” quickly gained attention.
When the choreography was tested side by side, Nakao said it matched perfectly, surprising everyone involved. She added that she was grateful to witness the song’s unexpected revival after 58 years, giving the release an unusual sense of warmth beneath all the absurdity.
808 project expands
Alongside “Koi no Sharock PPAP feat. Mie Nakao,” the release also includes “We Love 808,” a tribute track dedicated to the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine that inspired the entire Tottemo Release 80.8 concept.
The song leans heavily into repetitive hooks, playful wordplay, and exaggerated rhythmic patterns that reflect PIKOTARO’s fascination with “808” culture. The result is another intentionally chaotic track that fully embraces the eccentric energy surrounding the ongoing project.
Tottemo Release 80.8 continues to serve as a countdown series toward the 10th anniversary of “PPAP” on Aug. 25, 2026. Previous releases in the series have featured collaborations with artists such as Beverly and Mina, expanding the bizarre musical universe surrounding the project one installment at a time.
The latest installment also expands PIKOTARO’s long-running “Prefecture Songs” series, this time focusing on Japan’s Shikoku region with dedicated tracks for Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi. Each song transforms regional imagery and local culture into exaggerated comedic sketches filtered through PIKOTARO’s offbeat worldview.
