
Attack on Titan and K-pop are both making huge cultural waves in Japan right now. Attack on Titan, presumably, because of its inherent badassness (plus its currently screening and upcoming movies), and K-pop because men and women alike find the melodies extremely catchy and, let’s face it, the girls and guys in the videos extremely pleasing to the eye.
So it was, of course, only a matter of time before these two pop cultural, ahem, titans clashed in one way or another. And while we were expecting, eventually, some kind of official collaboration between the anime franchise and, say, KARA – the K-pop band largely credited with kicking off Japan’s current K-pop boom – it turns out the first piece of Internet ephemera to, accidentally, hilariously, combine the two is just so, so much better.
At first glance, the video for K-pop group SISTAR’s “Shake it” looks basically like any other non-Psy K-pop video: A bunch of attractive women doing a highly choreographed dance, colorful high school backdrop, wildly shocked and disapproving authority figure watching from the sidelines (in this case an inevitably foreign teacher)…you know the drill.
But when the video made its way to Japanese shores, Netizens started realizing that there was something about the specific choreography at the 1:45 mark of the video that somehow seemed very familiar. Let’s take a look:
Still can’t spot the AoT connection? Okay, take a look at this conveniently mashed-up video a Korean Titan fan put together:
Yep, the Japanese Web can’t get enough of SISTAR’s video because of that brief dance move that looks exactly like an early, iconic Attack on Titan scene, and now you too will never be able to unsee the completely hilarious resemblance. In the eyes of the Japanese Net, this particular dance move looks a whole lot like the way a specific type of Titan in the anime franchise runs. The especially child-like, even by mentally-stunted Titan standards, Titan in question is called the “kikoshu” in Japanese, which seems to have been most commonly rendered in English as Deviant Type Titan, but AoT fans can feel free to debate the proper translation in the comments.
It’s probably safe to say that the girls of SISTAR and their dance choreographer probably never made the connection during production of the video, but considering the otaku crowd’s propensity for both Attack on Titan and dancing, we can see this happy accident leading to the group getting a lot more traction Japan-side!
Top image: YouTube/1theK (원더케이)
[ Read in Japanese ]

Check out these six hilarious Attack on Titan reaction videos
Newly released image of the giant in Attack on Titan: Kansai version is more glam than ever
Dragon Ball & Attack on Titan’s theme songs—recreated with taiko, flutes, and beatboxing!【Video】
When giant blueberry monsters attack: Ao Oni meets Attack on Titan【Video】
Real, functional Attack on Titan swords: This man’s year-long project will blow your mind
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Soccer fan’s Attack on Titan parody is so awesome it got him a job 【Video】
A live-action Attack on Titan musical is on the way【Video】
Wotagei glow stick dance performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” too awesome for words【Video】
Scratch Titans to death with a coin in giant Tokyo ad for new Attack on Titan video game 【Video】
These Thai schoolkids’ low-budget covers of K-pop music videos are even better than the originals
New Attack on Titan game announces release month, continues to look really amazing 【Video】
What would J-rock legend Yoshiki look like as an Attack on Titan giant? Like this【Video】
Naomi Watanabe slays Lady Gaga in “Rain On Me” parody video
When K-pop clashes with Sci-fi, singing about PMS suddenly becomes a trendy thing【Video】
Saga Prefecture broadcasts its appeal by dancing to AKB48 【Video】
Japanese boy bands debut new hand-washing song with dance moves and English lyrics 【Videos】
EXO calls on the Force in their new Star Wars tie-in single【Video】
Three reasons why new girl idol group “Beyooooonds” may be the next big thing in Japan【Video】
Seiji and the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen barely interview Andrew W.K.【Video】
Japan’s beautiful cosplay violinist dazzles the eyes and ears in cover videos, surprise concerts