
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




Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Dragon Ball Z theme park, financed by Saudi Arabia, to be built in France
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Nagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Turn octopus, spaghetti, and more of your favorite foods into crackers with Senbei Maker 2
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels