A video released on NicoNico Video by a group going by the name of Shichoukaku iinkai “The Audiovisual committee” has wowed Japanese internet users this week by managing to create a pseudo 3-D effect on 2-D monitors.

The video has since gone viral and, as of this afternoon, has reached more than 100,000 views.

Of course, it probably helps that digital idol Hatsune Miku is the star of the video, which sees the character dancing around while surrounded by thousands of (3-D!) shards of glass.

With a little concentration, the video’s 3-D effect actually works, even if it does require the user to look faintly ridiculous to see it…

Featuring Miku’s original song Omoteura Rabazu, or “Two-Faced Loverss”, the nifty new video really does manage to produce a cool sense of depth without the need for additional technology.

Before taking a look for yourselves, though, it’s important to pay attention to the viewing guide as stipulated by the video’s creators:

1. Switch off the scrolling comments (which NicoNico Video is perhaps best known for).

2. Where possible, click the “full screen” to expand the image. (We found it works even in a small window provided you focus on the image.)

3. Stretch out both hands so that they’re almost touching the screen. This is to put yourself at the optimal viewing distance from the screen (anyone who owns a 3DS will know all about this…) and create additional perspective. Feeling silly yet?

4. You’re about to feel sillier. Close your left (or right!) eye and keep it closed while the video plays. Concentrate on the screen and hope that no one walks in to find you looking like a zombie pirate…

Got that? No need to be too embarrassed; we’re all doing it!

OK, let’s take a look at the video, shall we?

Well, did it work!?

We’ve had mixed results, but found that keeping our heads as still as possible and focusing on Miku while she dances around created the best effect. It’s easy to break the spell, but at times the video produced a sense of depth not entirely unlike that of a Nintendo 3DS screen with the 3-D slider on a low setting. Pretty cool stuff!

Don’t worry if you couldn’t see it- just lie and nod enthusiastically. We won’t tell…

Source: NicoNico News  Video/images 視聴覚委員会