The slim, bespectacled man in leopard print looks a little strange, but he has swept across the world. A music video featuring him singing a song titled “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” (PPAP) while swaying his body has even impressed Canadian superstar Justin Bieber. His name is Pikotaro, a fictional character created and directed by entertainer Kosaka Daimao, according to a statement by Kosaka. In fact, Kosaka himself plays Pikotaro, but keeps it secret.

In the latest development, the song debuted at number 77 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts on Oct. 19.

The song’s English lines are simple and nonsensical, but catchy and even addictive. Once you listen to it, it will probably become an earworm.

Because of its popularity, Kosaka’s video of “PPAP,” along with three other songs sung by Pikotaro, were distributed simultaneously in 134 countries and territories earlier this month by entertainment management agency Avex, to which Pikotaro belongs.

This number is the largest ever for the agency. Although they represent many other popular artists, several dozen countries and territories were at most for this kind of reach, according to Avex.

[Read the full story here, at The Japan News]

The video only lasts about a minute and features Pikotaro singing phrases such as “I have a pen,” “I have an apple” and “Pineapple pen” to rhythmical dance music while dancing and miming sticking a pen into an apple and a pineapple.

It all started out with the short video posted online on Aug. 25 that gradually gained popularity.

Bieber featured the video on Twitter on Sept. 28, introducing it to his more than 88 million followers. As a result, the video immediately spread around the world. Its official video has been viewed more than 67 million times on YouTube.

At least 36,000 videos that use images and sounds from “PPAP” have been confirmed.

“PPAP” and related videos have been viewed at least 330 million times on YouTube, ranking first on the website’s weekly viewing charts for two weeks in a row.

The video’s popularity has been extensively covered by major overseas media, such as BBC and CNN. Pikotaro has also received many offers to appear on foreign TV programs…(read more)