
Follow their lead and watch these cool dudes set the darkness on fire.
Wotagei is a type of Japanese choreographed dance executed using high-intensity glow sticks at night, predominantly performed by idol otaku. Flailing along to funky beats with unmatched agility, few groups have ventured into English pop music.
One such group is Kita no Uchishi Tachi (Northern Flailers) who recently set the unique wotagei scene alight with their energetic performance of a remixed version of popular English song, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”
▼ A video of that stylish choreography can be seen here.
Contorting their bodies and feverishly swinging colorful glow sticks like well-oiled machines, their explosive movements are truly a sight to behold. In fact, I would pay good money to watch a live performance of it.
▼ Modern age Jedi masters of the dark
▼ Special effects provide extra magic
to an already stellar dance routine.
Japanese netizens were delighted by the electrifying show of lights:
“The Northern Flailers are advancing overseas!”
“You guys are good and the performance is fantastic.”
“Please do Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘I Really Like You’ and ‘Good Time.’ That twist dive move was amazing.”
“That’s just too cool!”
More than “Shape of You,” the Northern Flailers are best known for their remarkable performance of anime theme song, “Uchiage Hanabi” (“Fireworks”).
▼ Their “Uchiage Hanabi” routine has garnered
over 1.1 million views on YouTube.
The team’s uplifting routine is enhanced by equally impressive pyrotechnic special effects, producing a fascinating choreography that’ll make any wotagei fan proud.
▼ They’d light up the night as well as any fireworks display.
The world needs more wotagei performances, and luckily for us other awesome wotagei groups have also shifted their focus from idol music to pop music.
Here’s to hoping the Northern Flailers will continue to rise in popularity outside of Japan, perhaps by busting out some more English hits like Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl” or Justin Bieber’s “2U.”
Source, images: YouTube/Kita no Uchishi Tachi




Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
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
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
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Old postcards reveal famous Japanese tourist spots as they appeared 100 years ago
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Ruru Cafe Shibuya wows customers by serving coffee and sweets on unique water tables
New service lets you turn manga pages into T-shirt designs, over 200 titles to choose from
Daiso DIY anime art! How to make awesome acrylic character blocks with 100 yen store parts
Puppet Sunsun taking over Lawson convenience stores all over Japan