We've all heard of the weird and wonderful Japanese shows out there. Variety shows, sketch shows, exceptionally weird game shows. Well, within this list of utterly bizarre shows, you are bound to find a few interesting ones. Take the following for example. I have come across these videos, in one form or another, during the past few months. And when I finally learnt more about this, it was more of a 'I must have more' moment. You know, as opposed to passing around a funny link with a note saying, 'check out another wtf moment of the day'.
Gorenjai 5 rangers
This one's … pretty mind boggling. It's got that fantastic sense of humor you find in most Japanese shows mingled with a bit of their own variety of madness. The show itself, Gorenjai or Seikimatsu Sentai Gorenjai, is a parody of the Himitsu Sentai Gorenja (Secret Squadron Five Rangers). From what I have read, the Power Rangers are inspired by this genre (the original, not the parody of course). Unlike the super cool powers of the rangers, the guys in the spoof are silly and awful at their superhero tasks. It's quite funny whenever you see the main bad guy come across the group of 5. He doesn't even bother attacking, he just stands there, hands on hips and tut-tuts. I must say, I can't blame him. These guys come up with the worst superhero ideas. In the first episode, they mess up their outfits and end up wearing the same color. In the second episode, there is a bit more effort to co-ordinate different-colored outfits … excepting two weirdos called Citrus Rangers. Then there is this episode. Words fail me. By the way that episode is NSFW.
Happa Tai
This one's for those who have evaded this video so far. Too late now! This video features a group of male singers donning white undies (complete with fig leaf over their nether regions). Incidentally, in case you were wondering, the name of the group roughly translates as Leaf Squad. They keep this happy clappy song about being happy despite all sorts of nasty stuff happening in your life. Given that this is supposed to be a comedy sketch, I can see why these guys are throwing themselves into the act. There is a handy explanation about the group and song at this blog. The author has even provided a link to an English translation of this song. Apparently, the guys are joking about how folks are encouraged to deal with adversity. You know, the image of the hardworking Japanese man who doesn't give up no matter what. How folks are advised to have rose-tinted view no matter how bad everything really is. This kind of hits of home, especially in today's troubled times. Check out this bit from the song:
“We've got recession these days...in goverment we've no faith.
Could we hit "reset," that'd be number one! “
Ouch.
Imitation PoPs Uchuu Sentai NOIZ
Now for something truly out there. This is a pop/punk band in Japan who are known for their showmanship. Well, their music is, to quote the new generation, full of win but it is their elaborate dresses and fancy videos that grab everyone's attention. Think of them as the next generation of glam rock, admittedly with bits of pop culture, comic genre and hip hop thrown in for good measure. Their videos are always interesting to watch: the attire is beautiful if not out there and, more of then not, they make interesting references to much loved genres. Like the Sailor Moon references in the above video. By the way, for something outside the margins of the weirdness scale, check out their song called the Sentimental (NSFW).