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30 essential Japanese music videos
by Zac Bentz, 10/05/2007
30 essential Japanese music videos photo

Every now and then I'll sit back take a trip though my collection of Japanese music videos, either in my own collection or on YouTube. At least, what is left on YouTube. It would seem that more and more great material is being cut from the site every day. It's no doubt being replaced by crying attention whores and zany animal hijinks as we speak.

I though it was time to grab on to as much of what remains as possible and throw it back out to you, our faithful and no doubt good looking readers. Instead of spreading it out over weeks or months, I felt it best to jam in as much as possible, because you never know how long these will last. We have to take it while we can. So, instead of an average every day top 10 (or the more often oh-so-clever 11, or the totally oh-so-hip 13), here are 30 essential Japanese music videos. Some are funny. Some are sad. Some are innovative. Some are just plain amazing.

They are all rare, wonderful and essential viewing.

Acidman - 彩-sai- instrumental version


This was one of the first Japanese music videos that really made my jaw drop. It still does!

Ai Otsuka - Chu-Lip


Totally strange and fun is something Japan does best.

Ai Otsuka - Daisuki Dayo


WARNING! This video is super cute...and super sad!

Asian Kung Fu Generation - Kimi no Machi Made


Any video featuring a synchronized swimmer fighting a giant lobster is deemed "essential" in my book.

Asian Kung Fu Generation - Blackout


This one takes some time to build, but it's worth the wait.

Bloodthirsty Butchers - Jack Nicholson


Gritty, yet quietly beautiful, just like the band.

Capsule - Soratobu Toshikeikaku


This was done by Ghibli's Studio Kajino. This is just one of three parts.

Downy - Hidarino Tane


WARNING: May induce motion sickness.

GO!GO!7188 - Ukifune


This video was my introduction to GO!GO!7188. It was love at first sight...of the Flying V bass!

Halcali - Giri Giri Surfrider


It's like "Beat It" but with awesome Japanese school girls.

Halcali - Baby Blue


PANDA! What will the last animal be?

Halcali - Tandem


Mario makes everything better.

Kishidan - Kira Kira


I wish these guys went to my school.

Merzbow - Minus Zero


Time to cleanse the pallet with some Merzbow.

Mo'Some Tonebender - Green & Gold


Maybe not the best video ever, but when it's combined with one of my favorite songs of all time, it's tough to not include it in the list.

Nobukazu Takemura - Sign


Art of art's sake is still art.

Puffy AmiYumi - Hataraku Otoko


Weird.

Polysics - Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto


This is the coolest robot ever. He totally cold-cocked that kid!

Polysics - New Wave Jacket


Insane.

Polysics - You You You


We've all had this dream.

Polysics - I My Me Mine (Strong Machine 2 only version)


This video launched Strong Machine 2's career into the stratosphere, and with good reason.

Sex Machineguns - S.H.R (Sexy Hero Revolution)


Again with the Michael Jackson spoof. Why not?

Sex Machineguns - Suspense Gekijou


I would totally watch this series.

Shiina Ringo - La Salle da Bain w/Saito Neko


Unfortunatly Shiina has been hit hard with the take-down stick on YouTube, and some of her best stuff is gone. Still, this one is quite good.

Supercar - White Surf Style 5


Rocket fists? Cool. Rocket boobs? Cooler.

Supercar - Be


Speaking of boobs, this one has some, so it's probably NSFW.

Supercar - Strobolights


Watch this with me and watch my cry like a baby.

Supercar - Last Scene


Sometimes it's just one brief moment that makes a video great.

TM Revolution - madan ~Der Freischutz~


Again with the rocket arms.

YMCK - Go YMCK Go!


It's hard to believe that all of their videos are just as awesome as this one.

BONUS - Superflat Monogram for Louis Vuitton (Music by Tomoyuki Tanaka)


Takashi Murakami is one of my heroes.

And that's it! I'm sure I'll be able to collect another round of videos for you in the future, so make sure to watch this space for more! of course until then you are encouraged to leave your own favorites in the comments. (Use [url][/url] for links.)





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