It’s a polar-izing music video we can’t bear to look away from.
Japan has a surprisingly large amount of character bears. There’s the lazy Rilakkuma, the ever-popular Kumamon, and even Duffy the Disney bear, whose popularity is rivaled only by Mickey Mouse at Disney Japan.
But now it may be time to add another set of bears to that list: the pair of bears animated by Japanese Twitter user @takadabear who refers to them as ketatamashiku ugoku kuma (“wildly moving bears”). Watch the video here:
▼ “I added some music.”
(The bass gets “slapped” at 0:30)
音つけてみた pic.twitter.com/CY4He6tMgO
— takadabear (@takadabear) January 16, 2017
I… I’m honestly not quite sure what I just watched, but hey, over 60,000 retweeters can’t be wrong! Although there is definitely something hypnotic about that butt-rubbing transforming into all-out butt-slapping.
Here’s some responses from Japanese Twitter:
▼ “I edited it to look like the commercial for an album.”
https://twitter.com/aice_1218/status/821376369196036096▼ “That was worth waiting the 30 seconds for.”
30秒まで我慢した甲斐があったww
— りっきー (@rky_f9pta) January 16, 2017
▼ And for those interested in recreating the scene for themselves,
the song is “Energy Drink” by Virtual Riot.
突然横から失礼します! 😳
— iqeda9 (@iqeda) January 17, 2017
Virtual Riot の "Energy Drink" という曲ですhttps://t.co/CQuRzP0zMz
@takadabear also made a sequel to the video where the rubbed and spanked bear gets noogied, and then gets the sweetest thing of all… revenge.
もう1個つくってみた pic.twitter.com/Uz4vnp3EgP
— takadabear (@takadabear) January 19, 2017
@takadabear has also created several other short animations of the bears, though they don’t contain the same spankingly-good beats:
▼ There’s a bear saying samui ne (“it’s cold, isn’t it?”), which you hear
approximately eight-thousand times per day during winter in Japan.
きょうもさむいね pic.twitter.com/sD0lLbLvme
— takadabear (@takadabear) December 17, 2016
▼ Click for your 2017 bear-fortune (大吉 = very lucky, 吉 = lucky, 小吉 = some luck,
末吉 = luck to come, 凶 = unlucky, 大凶 = very unlucky, くま吉 = bear lucky)
おみくじ pic.twitter.com/aahVdU6G2a
— takadabear (@takadabear) January 3, 2017
▼ And there’s the dancing “Shrill Penguin,” a friend of the dancing bears,
in one of the strangest videos we’ve ever seen… and that’s saying something.
Are all of these dancing animals a result of the fact that dancing is no longer technically illegal in Japan? If so, then keep on shaking it you crazy party animals!
Source: Twitter/@takadabear via NetLab
Featured image: Twitter/@takadabear

Japanese ambassador goes viral for being the “Paddington Bear of Ambassadors”
Herp derp! Awkward sun bear is awkward, somehow still adorable【Photos】
Fortune-telling ramen: Nissin creates clever use for instant noodle drain holes
An otaku is born! Japanese Twitter goes gaga over adorable one-year-old baby loving anime【Video】
Otaku group gives own twist to popular “Love Dance”, internet can’t get enough 【Video】
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
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
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
Busy morning in Sapporo as bear attacks coincide with naked man walking around town【Videos】
U.S. Marines perform Japan’s hottest dance craze, share video through official account【Video】
Town in Japan now protecting itself from bears with Monster Wolf robot【Video】
aDanza: Japan’s wild music player app featuring dancing alpacas, sumo wrestlers and more! 【Video】
Japanese Twitter falls in love with trash cat who jumps out of trash can【Video】
Japanese dance gamer finds wife who’s “too understanding” of his hobby, awesome video shows
Karaoke-loving pet bird in Japan dances, sings along to rock band’s video 【Video】
Tokyo’s Nakano adds rock and disco to its annual summer bon dance【Videos】
Japanese Twitter user sticks googly eyes on pet bunny’s butt, accidentally creates monster【Video】
Japanese Twitter is in peels of laughter over this ghastly, grinning potato【Video】
Package delivery in Japan may be delayed due to bear risks
Japanese Twitter is cracking up over these incredibly odd “fried chicken” pants
Japanese Twitterers ask “who dunnit?” in hilarious collection of random photos
For one Japanese Twitterer, this Christmas spelled tragedy for her turtleneck top
Hide your daughters! Kagoshima’s suave new bear mascot is winning hearts all over