PIKOTARO injects “PPAP” flavour into a 1968 classic with Mie Nakao

What happens when a 1968 Japanese pop classic crashes headfirst into the world of “PPAP”?
PIKOTARO answers that question with pure chaos on Tottemo Release 80.8 (10), teaming up with Japanese music legend Mie Nakao for “Koi no Sharock PPAP feat. Mie Nakao” – a surreal cross-generational collaboration that transforms a decades-old kayōkyoku track into something strangely catchy, slightly absurd, and unmistakably PIKOTARO.

Released as the 10th installment of PIKOTARO’s monthly rollout leading toward the 10th anniversary of “PPAP” in 2026, Tottemo Release 80.8 (10) is led by “Koi no Sharock PPAP feat. Mie Nakao”, a reimagining of Nakao’s 1968 song “Koi no Sharock” through PIKOTARO’s unmistakably chaotic pop lens.

The newly released music video pushes the concept even further, incorporating choreography inspired by the original “Koi no Sharock” and playfully suggesting that “PPAP” may have already existed decades ago. The result is a wildly unexpected dance collaboration between two artists from completely different eras, blending nostalgic performance styles with PIKOTARO’s signature offbeat energy.

Producer Daimaou Kosaka even joked, “Did the PPAP dance already exist 58 years ago?! It’s true. But at the same time, it’s also something similar yet different,” describing the collaboration between Nakao and PIKOTARO as two artists “combining” across time. 

Nakao herself revealed that the idea first surfaced on the television program 5ji ni Muchuu! (５時に夢中！), when comparisons were made between the choreography of “Koi no Sharock” and “PPAP”. “When we tried it out, it matched perfectly,” she commented. “I never imagined this song would see the light of day again after 58 years. I’m glad I’ve lived this long.”

The release also includes“We Love 808”, a track dedicated to the legendary Roland TR-808 drum machine that inspired the overall Tottemo Release 80.8 project title. Packed with wordplay, repetitive hooks and addictive rhythmic energy, the song stands as one of the clearest expressions yet of PIKOTARO’s ongoing fascination with “808” culture.

Meanwhile, PIKOTARO’s long-running “Prefecture Songs” series enters Japan’s Shikoku region, with humorous tracks dedicated to Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime and Kochi. Each song transforms local imagery and prefecture names into playful musical sketches filtered through his uniquely unpredictable worldview.

Speaking on the Shikoku-themed songs, Daimaou Kosaka commented:
“The prefecture songs are about Shikoku this time! They’re very pop!
They’re a little longer than usual for prefecture songs, so there’s a lot to listen to! Or maybe compared to normal songs, they still go by in an instant!?
People from Shikoku… what did you think??”

PIKOTARO added:
“Shikoku is very rich in nature, and the people are warm, piko.
I made these songs with that image in mind, pico… but somehow people don’t really believe me, piko
Please keep them by your side, piko.”

Tottemo Release 80.8 is an ongoing monthly release series counting down toward the 10th anniversary of “PPAP” on 25 August. Previous installments have included collaborations with artists such as Beverly and Mina, with each release expanding the bizarre and unpredictable world surrounding the project.