In Japanese popular music, a hit is not complete without widespread real life recreations of the singing and dance. They call it, Utatte Mita, "I tried singing it" and Odotte Mita "I tried dancing it".
In Nico Nico Douga, a Japanese major video sharing site, various types of dancers share videos of their own dance performances and also collaborations with other dancers. They are entertaining reenactments of popular anime theme songs and major idol music.
Dances are highly choreographed with high-energy and deliberately precise dance moves. Practice is a requirement and no self-respecting dancer would post a performance without proper training. By reenacting, dancers support their favorite pop idols or anime voice actresses.
In August 2008 Aikawa Kozue started posting her amateur dance videos and established a reputation of the "must see version"
From moments when sparks fly to silliness, her finesse and versatility is unmatched. When the music starts, a normally reserved shy girl, transforms into a world class dancer.
She excelled dancing to anything, from cartoon music to popular songs by both men and women artists.
Within a two year period, she did a great job showcasing J-Pop culture worldwide. Her videos introduced original artists to people around the world in the best possible way. To name a few, Hirano Aya, Kusumi Koharu, Tsugunaga Momoko, Suzuki Airi, Reina Tanaka, Risako Sugaya, Maeda Atsuko, Takahashi Minami. Her international following, is significant considering that even though Japanese music has a long history, it mainly stayed popular within Japan.
In August 2010, Aikawa Kozue became an adult and a professional dancer. She is not at the ranks of amateurs any more. Having repeatedly proven her abilities on the biggest stage of all, the internet, she is now an artist who attracts a global audience of fans. We wish her the best of luck!
Note 1
This is the "Kozue original amateur work Fan Club" in a country that is foreign to her. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH AIKAWA KOZUE AT ALL.
Note 2
The "mask" is a Japanese cultural thing, plenty of people use it, It helps them to separate their private identity from the image that the lyrics and dance represent. These masked artists are not professionals.
In Japanese popular music, a hit is not complete without widespread real life recreations of the singing and dance. They call it, Utatte Mita, "I tried singing it" and Odotte Mita "I tried dancing it".
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