
”Beef”, sings Pikachu in translated duet.
With large-scale fan gatherings still a very iffy proposition in the current health climate, this summer’s big Pokémon event was held online. Pokémon Virtual Fest was an innovative virtual theme park where fans could get together, complete missions, and even indulge in some cool cosplay.
On the final night of the event, singer/comedian Pikotaro, of “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” fame, even stopped by to debut his newest song, a collaboration with Pikachu himself. Titled “Pika to Pico,” there’s also now an official music video, so let’s dive right into the adorable weirdness.
As promised by Pikotaro prior to the video’s release, Pikachu becomes “Pikataro” for the video, donning his gold-rimmed sunglasses to mirror the signature pair worn by Pikotaro.
▼ Looking sharp, Pikataro.
While Pikotaro’s undeniable presence means he rarely plays second fiddle to anybody, for “Pika to Pico” he follows the Pokémon’s lead, as Pikachu sings a line of the song first, then waits for Pikotaro to translate it into English.
With Pikotaro as interpreter, you might expect some unusual lyrics, and they come in the form of lines such as “Finland!”, “We got you! Never! Never! Never! We got you!” and just plain “Beef.” Surprisingly, these don’t seem to be incorrect though, since Pikachu offers no objection to any of them. He does, however, take issue with Pikotaro’s translations “Winter,” “Tea time,” and “Keyhole,” when what he’s really trying to say at that point is…
…”Let’s dance!”, which, of course, the pair then do. Unfortunately for Picotaro, the Electric-type Pokémon gets so excited that he starts sending out a powerful electric charge, which ends up flowing directly into the body of the human comedian.
▼ As a true professional, Picotaro is willing to suffer for his art.
If you’re looking to sing along with Picotaro’s portion of the duet, the English/human lyrics are:
Without you
Relax?
Mushroom
Finland
In the future
Take out
Knee
Pick up! Please!
Keep distance
Papa!
Look at me!
Look at me! Look at me!
Papa! Get out!Winter…
Tea time!
Keyhole…
Let’s dance!Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to PicoElevator
We are teachers
Fever
BeefWe got you! Never! Never!
Never! We got you!
BeefHere we go!
Set!
3!
2!
1!Take off…
Take off…
Take off…
Let’s dance!Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
Pika to Pico Pika to Pico
As we’ve come to expect from Picotaro, the video leaves us with the question “What the heck did I just watch?”, but also a smile on our faces, which really isn’t a bad combination. We are going to have to go back and watch it a few more times to fully unravel the meaning of that “Beef” lyric though.
Source/images: YouTube/-PIKOTARO OFFICIAL CHANNEL-公式ピコ太郎歌唱ビデオチャンネル
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he wonders if anyone else was reminded of Ridge Racer’s Rotterdam Nation at the very start of the video.





Pen-Pikachu-Apple-Pen? Pokémon star teams up with PPAP singer for new song
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer’s new song, “Everyone must die,” is insane, possibly poignant【Vid】
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer washes hands against coronavirus in new “PPAP 2020” song 【Video】
Get your lazy body movin’ with PPAP singer’s new fitness challenge song, “Hoppin’ Flappin’【Video】
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer barks like a mad dog in music video for newest song【Video】
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Sanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
Tokyo train little luxury showdown – Green Car vs. Kaiji, which is more comfortable?
Japanese Twitter can’t stop laughing at this JLPT listening question straight out of Evangelion
Studio Ghibli debuts new loungewear collection inspired by its dynamic, beloved heroines
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
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
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer makes shocking claim about how much money the song has earned him
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer to release 20-track album featuring brand-new songs
Believe it or not, you already know every single lyric to the new Pokémon Pikachu theme song
PPAP singer gets slapped on the butt by an idol in video for his newest song, “Vegetable”【Video】
Pikachu makes vocalist debut with brand-new “Pikachu’s Song” 【Video】
Could Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen be the start of a new form of workplace harassment in Japan?
Piko Taro performs new “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” extended version at Foreign Correspondents’ Club
Kids react to Pen Pineapple Apple Pen music video 【Video】
Donald Trump’s granddaughter performs cover of Japan’s “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” 【Video】
Pikachu freestyle raps in battle with fellow Pokémon Mimikyu【Video】
Ryuk from Death Note performs Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen in official release video
New Pokémon Mimikyu gets social media campaign, official song to help it make friends 【Video】
Japanese singer wishes fans a Happy New Year with traditional version of Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen
A singalong song from Japan to surpass “Paprika?” Presenting “Karaoke Neko-chan”【Video】