Pico Taro - BE@RBRICK
Pico Taro dominated internet comedy in late 2016 with the hit video PPAP. All official versions of the video have over 500 million combined views, making it a landmark in "meme music" history. Medicom Toy immortalized the comedic persona in 2018's "BE@RBRICK Pico Taro 100% & 400%" figure set.
Pico Taro and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toy capitalized on Pico Taro's popularity in 2017.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
The only Pico Taro or Kazuhito Kosaka-related BE@BRICK figure was announced in late 2017. The figure entered general sale in February 2018. Its inclusion in the BE@RBRICK line is part of the brand's philosophy of capturing moments in pop culture history.
BE@RBRICK Pico Taro 100% & 400%
This outlandish figure from Medicom Toy captures the flashy, over-the-top style of internet comedy star Pico Taro. Pico Taro's famous python patterned suit has been recreated with a realistic sheen and implied texture. The deep neckline from his opened shirt is depicted with an irregular, realistic outline. His leopard print scarf hangs in front of the suit down to the figure's legs. The contrasting patterns create the same busy effect as Pico Taro's music and persona. A calm, cocky expression rests behind the character's low riding sunglasses. His pencil-thin mustache is portrayed by a series of vertical lines above his closed-mouth smile.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Pico Taro 100% & 400%
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted, articulated, non-scale plastic figures
- Height (approx.):
100%: 70 mm | 2.8"
400%: 280 mm | 11"
Pico Taro Background
Pico Taro is one of the stage personas employed by Japanese comedian Kazuhito Kosaka. Pico Taro gained international recognition in 2016 with a YouTube video titled "Pen Pineapple Apple Pen."
Pico Taro Background: Biography
As listed on his company profile, Pico Taro was born on July 7, 1963, in Chiba, Japan. His blood type is A and he cites Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, and M.I.A. among his influences. Importantly, he credits pop singer Justin Bieber as his lifesaver.
Pico Taro Background: Career Highlights
Pico Taro's first hit came in 2016 in the video "Pen Pineapple Apple Pen" (PPAP). The video featured a song by Pico Taro using English words in comical combinations and repetition. Within a month, the song garnered over seven million views. Justin Bieber famously tweeted about the song, stating "This is my favorite online video.' Shortly after, CNN published an article on the phenomenon titled "Is This the New Gangnam Style?" The featured song was released as a single in October 2016. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. As of early 2021, the original video has over 100 million views. A video featuring an extended version of the song from November 2016 has over 300 million views.
In November 2016, Pico Taro appeared on Sesame Street, performing alongside Elmo and Cookie Monster. He released the Delivery EP in early 2017, featuring two versions of PPAP and three additional songs. The character faded away over the next three years but resurfaced during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic. He released an updated version of PPAP to promote handwashing as part of a public health campaign. In August 2020, Pico Taro collaborated with Pikachu in a video titled "Pika to Pico." Pico Taro commented that he hoped the video would bring joy as pandemic-related quarantine regulations continued.
Kazuhito Kosaka Background: Biography
Kazuhito Kosaka was born on July 17, 1973, in Aomori, a full ten years after Pico Taro. When questioned on this fact, Kosaka insists it's due to the fact he and Pico Taro are separate artists. After graduating high school, Kosaka moved to Tokyo to pursue comedy. He signed to the agency HoriProcom and participated in a trio, bottomless AIR-LINE. Kosaka developed his first stage persona and default stage name, The Great Demon King Kosaka, during this time. He briefly left comedy in 2003 to pursue a career in music. He formed a techno unit with fellow bottomless AIR-LINE member Shinobu Kojima. As a result, he left HoriProcom in 2005. After struggling to gain traction in music, Kosaka resumed his comedy career in 2008.
In 2017, Kosaka announced his marriage to a fellow entertainment personality, Hitomi Yasueda. The two had their first child in June 2018 and a second in October 2020.
Kazuhito Kosaka Background: Career Highlights
Kosaka has appeared in numerous television, radio, and online programs as The Great Demon King Kosaka. After the success of The Great Demon King Kosaka, he developed his second stage persona, Pico Taro, in 2011. As Pico Taro, Kosaka adopts a strong visual presence. Pico Taro wears a tight, python print suit, a leopard print scarf, sunglasses, and short hair. Kosaka insists he works as Pico Taro's producer, preferring to act as his Great Demon King identity in interviews.
As of 2021, Kosaka appears as a regular in six television shows, including the NHK educational program "Sukesuke Parenthood." Kosaka won the comedian category for Ikumen of the Year in 2018. The Ikumen of the Year award is part of the Ikumen Project to promote men's roles in child-rearing in Japan.
Links
BE@RBRICK Pico Taro 100% & 400%
BE@RBRICK Series
BE@BRICK Label