Daimaou Kosaka

Kazuhito Kosaka (Japanese: 古坂和仁, Hepburn: Kosaka Kazuhito, born 17 July 1973),^[1] better known by his stage names Daimaou Kosaka (古坂大魔王, Kosaka Daimaō, lit: "Kosaka the Great Demon King") and Pikotaro (ピコ太郎, Pikotarō),^[2] is a Japanese comedian, television personality and entertainer.^[3] Kosaka insists that Pikotaro is another personality promoted by him,^[4] but they are considered the same person.^[5][6] He is currently signed with Avex Management Inc. under Avex Group.^[7]

Daimaou Kosaka
古坂大魔王
Born	Kazuhito Kosaka (古坂 和仁) (1973-07-17) 17 July 1973 (age 51) Aomori, Japan
Other names	Pikotaro
Alma mater	Japan Institute of the Moving Image
Occupation(s)	Comedian, recording artist
Years active	1992–present
Known for	"PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)" Muryou Hatakaminami in Kiramager
Spouse	Hitomi Yasueda ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	2
Notes
Same year/generation as: Cream Stew

He is best known for his single "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)".^[8]

During US President Donald Trump's Fall 2017 trip to Asia, Kosaka was chosen to sing at the official state reception, reportedly due to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's wish to keep the mood "upbeat".^[9]

Kosaka is also known for portraying Muryou Hakataminami in Mashin Sentai Kiramager (2020–2021).

Personal life

Daimaou Kosaka married Hitomi Yasueda, a gravure model, on 3 August 2017.^[10] On 17 June 2018, Yasueda gave birth to their first daughter.^[11]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Most noteworthy studio album; selected chart positions and certifications:

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions		Certifications
		JPN	JPN Physical
PPAP	Released: 7 December 2016 Label: Avex Trax Formats: CD, digital download	5	3

Singles

Most noteworthy single; year released, peak chart position, and album name:

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Album
		JPN [12]	CAN [13]	US [14]
"PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)"[15]	2016	1	36	77	PPAP

Other singles

Other singles; years released, peak chart positions, and album names respectively:

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Album
		JPN [12]	CAN [13]	US [14]
"The Theme Song of Pikotaro"[16]	2016	—	—	—	—
"Romita Hashinikov"[17]		—	—	—
"Kashite Kudasaiyo"[18]		—	—	—
"Neo Sunglasses"[19]		—	—	—
"PPAP vs. Axel F."		—	—	—
"I Like OJ"	2017	—	—	—

Filmography

Kosaka portrays Muruyo Hakataminami (The owner of Carat, Mentor to the Kiramagers, and Younger Brother to Kiramei Silver) on Mashin Sentai Kiramager. His role as Pikotaro (Most notably making PPAP) has been poked at many times, including (but not limited to):

• In the main base, a poster can be seen reading "Perfect Performance And Physical" in an Acrostic style.
• Episode 16's Pre-Credits scene has Juuru holding a pineapple and an apple, while asking whether Mixelan (the new mecha, and a cement mixer) can mix fruit. Hakataminami is standing next to him the whole time.
• In the movie, he performs the song in earnest in order to wake the team up during a fight with a dream-themed monster.
• Footage of Kosaka's Pinapple Pen song was utilized in The Emoji Movie.

References

1. Watanabe, Akihiro (12 October 2016). "ピコ太郎「PPAP」なぜ世界的に流行？ 古坂大魔王のプロデュース力を探る". Real Sound. Blueprint Co., Ltd. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
2. "ピコ太郎(PIKOTARO)オフィシャルサイト". www.avex.jp.
3. 四方, 宏明 (19 October 2016). "ピコ太郎からたどる「お笑いテクノ」の歴史". All About NEWS. All About, Inc. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
4. "ピコ太郎？に世界が夢中！ジャスティン・ビーバー、CNNもハマる". シネマトゥデイ. Cinematoday Inc. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
5. E-TALENTBANK Co., Ltd. (29 December 2016). "ピコ太郎、視聴者からの質問に対する優しい"返し"が「名言かも」「素晴らしい」と話題に". modelpress. Netnative Inc. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
6. "ピコ太郎『ボキャブラ天国』同窓芸人が語る「あいつの正体」！". Smart FLASH. Kobunsha. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
7. "古坂大魔王". avex management Web. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
8. Chen, Heather (27 September 2016). "How a 'Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen' earworm took over the internet". BBC News. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
9. Guardian Staff (7 November 2017). "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-President: Donald Trump meets Pikotaro". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
10. "PPAP Piko-Taro married model girlfriend Hitomi Yasueda - 88news". 88news. 14 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
11. Tan, Sheralyn (21 June 2018). "Pikotaro Used His 'Pineapple Pen' Song to Calm Crying Daughter, and It Worked!". WORLD OF BUZZ. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
12. "Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart: Oct 22, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
13. "Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs Chart (December 10, 2016)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
14. "Pikotaro's "PPAP (Pen Pineapple Apple Pen)" Debuts On Billboard Hot 100". Headline Planet. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
15. Chen, Heather (27 September 2016). "How a 'Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen' earworm took over the internet". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
16. "The Theme Song of PIKOTARO - Single by PIKOTARO on Apple Music". iTunes. Apple Music. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
17. "Romita Hashinikov - Single by PIKOTARO on Apple Music". iTunes. Apple Music. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
18. "Kashite Kudasaiyo - Single by PIKOTARO on Apple Music". iTunes. Apple Music. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
19. Luo, Steph (11 October 2016). "Japanese singer releases new song after viral PPAP hit". AsiaOne. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

External links

• Official website