
When your trying to sell your music in this day and age, it helps to get a little creative with your videos.
No matter how good your music is, it can still be difficult to get people’s attention in a saturated marketplace. And that’s where music videos come in! Combining the right visuals with your new single can turn an awesome song into a viral hit.
Here are five of the weirdest Japanese music videos we’ve seen so far this year that combine bewildering visuals with delightful tunes.
1. Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari) — “Party People Alien”
What does an idol group, DDT pro wrestlers, and Sailor Suit Old Man all have in common? They’re all in this bizarre video about…party people aliens? Even with the lyrics clearly printed in both Japanese and English at the bottom of the screen, we’re still not sure we know what’s going on. Still, we have to admit, Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari), an idol group that’s been active since 2012, has produced quite the catchy song! The chorus is definitely going to be stuck in our heads for a few days.
And there’s no denying that the alien dance is awesome — here’s to hoping this song becomes the theme song for the next season of Ancient Aliens!
▼ If you’re wondering how this video ever got made, there’s only one explanation…
As hyper and frenetic as “Party People Alien” is, it’s not the weirdest video we’ve seen this year. Though we are a bit concerned about their claim that “maybe everyone is an alien.”
2. Urbangarde — “Femme Fata Fantasy”
Urbangarde remains one of our favorite Japanese bands, partly thanks to their weird but oddly poetic music videos. Seeing Yoko’s finger turn into a rocket, launch off her hand, and crash into the planet is definitely bizarre, but no more so than seeing the band members in ape masks going crazy in front of a Monolith.
In case you didn’t know, this single is off their new album Showa 90, which is available pretty much everywhere.
3. Misoshiru’s — “TENDON”
When it comes to rocking out, Misoshiru’s doesn’t hold back — but they also don’t seem to have an entirely firm grip on what most people would consider “normal.” And that’s just another reason to love this band! The music for this song, which is about dancing in heaven, sees the band rising into the sky in a sequence that even includes urinating on a spaceship. We’re starting to wonder if these bands are trying to warn us about an impeding alien invasion…
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they get to spend much time in heaven, which is also probably a metaphor for something, but we have no idea what.
4. POLYSICS — “SUN ELECTRIC”
(If the video above doesn’t work for you, you can try this.)
When it comes to unusual Japanese bands, Polysics is among the most famous overseas, partly thanks to their longevity and partly thanks to their bouncy electronic rock. And they prove they still have want it takes to entertain us with this new video for “SUN ELECTRIC,” a single off their new album What’s This???, which was released at the beginning of March. We just wish they’d let us borrow that keyboard skateboard…
5. FEMM — “L.C.S.”
Finally, we have FEMM, an abbreviation for Far East Mention Mannequins, a pair of singers/dancers who are actually mannequins (according to their profiles anyway). Somehow, this isn’t the craziest video they’ve produced, but it is undeniably catchy!
These are just a few of the music videos produced in Japan this year, so we’re sure we missed some great ones. Be sure to share your favorites (weird or not) in the comments!
Sources/images: YouTube/urbangarde, YouTube/upupgirlsofficial, YouTube/FEMM’s Agency Syndicate, YouTube/misoshirus Official, YouTube/POLYSICS Official YouTube Channel


The secret ingredient to miso soup? Rock music!
Antinomy: Talking to Urbangarde about their vision, music, and lying to fans
Pleated skirts, Kewpie dolls, and death: The wild music and videos of Urbangarde【J-Tunes】
Little girl sings her heart out while selling rice cakes, leaves us blown away 【UPDATED】
BABYMETAL debuts music video for “Karate”, the lead single off new album
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Japanese students hold graduation ceremony in Minecraft amid school cancellation
Sushiro joining forces with Street Fighter for discounts and contests
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
How to order snacks on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
A Japanese tea house for inside your house? Tokyo company wants to offer micro chashitsu overseas
The ancient Japanese textile craft made with jagged fingernails
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Norwegian rocker with insane vocal range covers anime songs and more【Videos】
College Survey: Number of Members in Japanese Music Groups Proportional to Level of Sucking 【Music Video Blowout】
Mamametal is here to headbang, not be your stinking maid【Video】
Get ready to rock! 38 awesome covers of video game music in 17 minutes
Dragon Ball & Attack on Titan’s theme songs—recreated with taiko, flutes, and beatboxing!【Video】
Japan’s original virtual YouTuber returns after a three-year hiatus with new music video【Video】
Shovel shamisen is a quirky and fun addition to the Japanese music scene【Video】
Japanese band robot-dances their way around London in latest music video
Drumming prodigy Senri Kawaguchi wows in new video supporting the Japan National Football Team
One Piece anime and J-rock band Radwimps pair up for awesome “Twilight” music video【Video】
SamuraiGuitarist’s Disney song medley will bring a smile to your face【Video】
Japanese eight-year-old drummer prodigy wows Internet with amazing Led Zeppelin cover【Video】
Japanese Ariana Grande performs “Positions” in parody music video
Sheena Ringo’s latest music video leaves us spellbound by its traditional Japanese aesthetics
Japanese female rock band Scandal earns a Guinness World Record for staying together for 17 years
Leave a Reply