Atarashii Gakko: AJ Hartley analysis/reaction #3 Nai Nai Nai. Plus sidebar on J-punk 

I came to the same conclusion that even though they do jazz, rock hip hop etc. Atarashi Gakko are essentially a punk group... It was also nice to see the other groups you showed us, especially the girl with that incredibly powerful voice. . Im appreciating your posts, keep em coming

Yes, we want you to do more :) Very cool analysis, as usual. Glad you explained the desk thing, that has been puzzling me since I saw the video ... if you don't know that Japanese schools sometimes have lotteries to assign seating, and you don't know that setting the desks outside and and making a game of it is NOT a real Japanese thing, you tend to miss the metaphor. I did get, ultimately, that it was all about seeing who sat next to the tall good looking boy, but was baffled beyond that, so thank you! I also love the train car version of this song ... also really hope they keep pushing towards the western market, I would very much love seeing some of my favorite reactors take a shot at them!

You asked if we wanted more of those videos from you. My answer is a clear yes. I've just recently discovered AG and I have now gone down the rabbit hole. You voiced exactly what I think about them. Their unconventional nature, your comparison to punk, the manic energy they have, combined with a realness that is refreshing. Thanks for putting that into words.

They are all trained dancers, so their bodies are the tools of their trade. So I think that's where the honesty and confidence about their bodies comes from. They move in powerful and skill ways. They are also very confident in front of the camera, particularly Suzuka, so I imagine they have strong acting backgrounds too. Most impressively I read that they do their own choreography.

Another interesting video. As soon as you brought up the word punk, I could see exactly why you would say that about Atarashii Gakko. Their sound and look isn't exactly punk and the way they present themselves isn't as visceral as you normally associate with punk, but their ethos, messaging and chaotic energy definitely have something punk about them. I also like what you say about sexualisation. There are undoubtedly many groups who have made sexuality a part of what they are selling, but Atarashii Gakko and Babymetal are not among them. If you look at either of those groups and your mind immediately jumps to sex, that is quite revealing about you as a person and it completely misses the point of what they are trying to do and say. It's even more concerning when you remember that both groups were very young when they first emerged, particularly Babymetal.

Great analysis, as always! Note that both Atarashii Gakko and The Blue Hearts have a red armband.

Great review and thanks for the intro to Chai. I ran across Atarashii Gakko about 6 months ago and really like them. I agree with your take on the punk sensibilities of the band. Another point on that is that Suzuka's art reminds me a lot of the old flyer art from early punk (I'm that old...) and related zines. Very interesting.

Thank you for your great work. I recently published a mini-series about J-Metal/J-Music on the German Mastodon network. I had Atarashii Gakko in the series as well as Babymetal, BiSH, Hikari Shiina (Pikarin) and some metal vocaloids. I'm not sure if this series has brought Germans closer to J-Music? I hope so! Anyhow, your videos are a great help in getting this music across the borders. I have the feeling that it's the concept of the Idol Group that most alienates the Germans/Westerners. They had their experiences with casting bands - and mostly very bad experiences. In my opinion, Idol Groups have nothing to do with the artificially assembled bands of the West, but I struggle to communicate these differences, the different concepts.

Ok. Very interesting and insightful. I mean, your analysis and knowledge just made me appreciate the intention/ meaning behind the lyrics. I hope you keep making this videos, because videos like this (content about other cultures) are exactly the best way to fight ignorance /racism. Edit: and also is a way to humanize these artists.

Well, I'm convinced, they are a punk band! Now seriously, that was a great analysis, and you've made some very good points. Also, I'll be looking into some of the Japanese punk bands that you've showed. Thanks for the video!

Interesting conversation about what this group is doing and how it connects to "punk". From my (admittedly spotty memory), high school was nothing but three years of angst, fun, pain, joy. I'm pretty sure that most kids are going through these same issues all the time and from what I've read about the pressure on Japanese kids to excel, I'm not surprised that there are bands pushing back on both the expectations of their elders and pushing back on the excessive influence of western culture (dress, body type, hair, height, weight, etc). I remember reading an article quite a while ago (maybe from the 1970's?) about the surge in young Japanese girls getting their eyes (double eyelid surgery) and noses changed to be more American. If one of the definitions of punk is breaking with the current "popular" music (which I agree with), then you could make a case that Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis were the first true punk bands. I remember very clearly our parents (not all to be fair) being outraged by this "devil" music and the record burnings in the South. At high school dances we were not allowed to play these artists. EDIT: almost forgot - check out this girl punk band - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fkWfFXnLpYg.html

Another great analysis, and thanks for all the J-punk examples. More deep YT dives for me, yay! The third group (in the white coats) gave me an early Jam vibe.

Once again, excellent analysis! Please keep posting more videos about them.

Hi. On the 'Thumva 2020.6.21' video, at about 6:23Mizyu gets up and 'shakes a fist' at Kanon (laughing). I thought that was cute. Didn't know if you had seen/noticed it.(happens fast)

Great analysis.. 14:33..suzuka face hilarious

Thank you for your work, this video is very much appreciated. I’m trying to learn about AG but don’t know much Japanese culture, so your insights are quite valuable. I wish we had some version of AG in the west right now, it’s desperately needed. A lot of this “genderwar” cultural BS would be relieved if a talented woman could just perform “doku bana” half as well as Suzuka.

One of the groups you showed us, the brown rat song) were wearing red arm bands. Is that a thing in Japan?

Always interesting to hear your perspective. It is an unfortunate reality that some number of people are unable to treat people as people as opposed to objects of (scorn/ridicule/desire/hatred/etc.) As for "punk"... I think there are definitional issues which you hit upon. "Punk Music" has a specific sound attached to it... And while it can bring in other musical elements... It's not particularly sound diverse. However, I think that what "punk Music" is as a genre of music has precious little to do with the "punk" aesthetic... Which I think has a much more DYI and not caring about what people think. In other words, there are many punk bands that play punk Music but are not actually punk. Atarashii Gakkou are not musically punk. But, aesthetically... They fit the bill. (And to bring it around... I think Babymetal is punk as well.)

Thank you for another awesome lesson! Like you, these girls have really grown on me. The crazy, zany, funny and yet serious attitude they bring makes them great to me. It, of course, doesn't hurt that they can actually sing and dance very well. Hopefully we can get more of their videos outside of their music life subbed. As you pointed out, a lot of their videos are actually educational about Japan so I would love to know what they are saying, lol. Anyone working on a Matrix type program to upload language skills yet? ( I have gathered Japanese language materials but, have not started on it yet) Just like Babymetal, I am glad to see them go away from the sexualization. If your music is good, you don't need it and if your music isn't good enough then work on it and make it better. Too many people want instant fame/fortune and don't seem to want to put in the work or get caught up in the "Sex Sells" business. That might be a little simplistic but, that is the way it looks to this music industry outsider. I always wonder if it comes from their management or the record label or where? Here is an idea for them to tour the world. They need to get their people to get with Babymetal's people. The Kami band of the East actually have a Jazz type band outside of the work with Babymetal called Kari band ( You might already know that). Atarashii Gakko can hire the Kari band to play for them while touring with Babymetal. Bing bang boom, World Tour! Babymetal and AG takeover the World! 😁 Looking forward to the next video!

Ah, very cool. I was hoping you would have enough positive response to talk about another Atarashii Gakko song. They are steadily climbing up my "Most Played" Playlist. This isn't related to anything in particular, but it turns out that one of Suzuka's older sisters is a guitarist, and the lead vocalist for the group "Girlfriend". The other sister is a model. On the subject of Western standards of beauty internalized by women in Japan, the Shonen Knife song 'Twist Barbie' is another great example. It's on their first album, 'Burning Farm' (1983). Interestingly, it was the only song in English on that album's original release. Shonen Knife are often described as Happy Pop Punk, even if they usually refer to their own sound as Rock. "Blue eyes, blond hair, tight body, long legs. She's very smart. She can dance well. Bang, bang, bang, Twist Barbie. Oh! Sexy girl! Blue eyes, blond hair, Tight body, long legs. She's glamorous. She's welcomed by boys. Bang, bang, bang, Twist Barbie. Oh! Sexy girl! I want to be Twist Barbie. Naritaina, naritaina, naritaina!" - Twist Barbie

That was very interesting, thanks. I'm still not sold on AG's music but I totally can get behind the concept/attitude of them as a punk band and rebelling against (insane, unattainable) beauty standards etc.

thanks for the analysis

Thanks again Professor-Metal, very interesting.

duuude u went like djdjdk really into it! good stuff as always

Hey AJ, another vid that made me think. My brain was going in one direction when at the end you got serious. Agree with you. I think we are about the same age. I saw the Ramones at an actual campus basement bar early in their career. As you delved into the rebellion of youth and punk I couldn't help but think what happens when the rebel, counter culture, anti establishment, gender bending sexual norms become the establishment? None of these ideas or struggles are new. We are on the verge of these ideas becoming the norm. Who then becomes the rebel? The person wanting rules, tradition, discipline? Just asking. 🤘🦊🤘

Love these please do more.

I'm Japanese, and my guess about the spelling TOKIO is that it may have come from the French spelling. For example, a live album by the French singer Michel Polnareff is "Polnareff a Tokio". Maybe someone in the Japanese music industry discovered this spelling, found it interesting and started using it in Japan. As an example, the famous singer Kenji Sawada released a song called "TOKIO" in 1980. In the song, he pronounces this word like TO-KI-O（トキオ）, instead of TO-KYO（トーキョー）, and it was refreshing for the us then, because we had never heard this word pronounced like that. The lyric writer of this song, Shigesato Itoi, was originally an ad copywriter, so it's no wonder he used this spelling and pronunciation in his song, because copywriters like using words in a new way. Also, a young male idol group called "TOKIO" (pronounced トキオ）became popular after that. Anyway, I don't think there is such a big meaning in the spelling Tokio. Japanese people like playing with English words (and spelling) so much! (BTW, I don't really understand how Tokio fits into the lyrics of this song, because 「毎晩　意味わからん勉強　めんどいTOKIO」doesn't make sense for me.)

Hello. Nice shout out to Chai. And I very much agree with your punk assessment. It's more about the attitude and the message, not so much about the sound. Atarashii Gakko! are very versatile at juxtaposing incongruous form and content. I have a couple suggestions of groups which I think are on a similar, maybe a parallel wavelength, of Japanese artists with a message. 東京ゲゲゲイ (Tokyo Gegegay) 女王蜂 (Ziyoou-vachi) (QueenBee) Also, I heard you on the Babymetal Podcast and I want to challenge you to give Oh! MAJINAI a proper analysis and breakdown. I think there is something there enough to talk about. Nai na na nai! :) Thank you.

In this song I feel influence/citation from 80's Public Enemy, Beasty Boys. Othes we find elements of New Wave...Techno...Funk...Disco...anyway their music is a mixture of classics, coated with humor and cuteness.....If I can find similar something... Deee-Lite???

Good analysis Mate, I got into them through the Dance Practice videos, and what I like most is the LACK of sexualisation in their appearance(sexy clothing and heavy make up) as opposed to the current J-pop female groups. Society has become so heavily sexualised that I’d literally become exhausted from it all, ad’s, politics, music, tv shows, movies, I ended up becoming socially recluse and stopped watching tv and listening to music. The girls hands, knees and face are literally the only exposed parts you’ll see, where as other J-pop groups are literally wearing next to nothing. So at this point you can concentrate on their music and creative dance rather than being distracted by exposed body parts. I think this rejection of sexualised fashion would be considered Punk. Mizyu, the twin pony tail girl, has been in the dance/modelling industry since she was about 10, and in some dance and modelling pictures she’s done, she looks like a miniature 23 year old with heavy make up and sexualised clothing. And yet now she’s gone in the opposite direction as if trying to get away from that past, which I’d think would be liberating for her and the other girls too.

Their is another Japanese singer call “Ano” she had a song call peek-a-boo and she has the same chorus Nai nai nai boo. She also has a song call sweetside suicide, that I think you will find very interesting. I will really like to know your view and thoughts on the video.

Got really real there at the end

Please continue to do Atarashii Gakkou videos. I have enjoyed them immensely. Your analysis is insightful, informative, and entertaining. You are clearly having fun, which is what I find a major element of this group. I think there is a lot of punk in Atarashii Gakkou. They are rebellious, self-aware, and cynical of the world around them. I find these girls' attitude refreshing because, as much as I love the girls of BabyMetal, Amuse has always kept them on a very tight leash. The girls of Atarashii Gakkou are off the chain. As to your point about not sexualizing them, I have to bring up BabyMetal again. Like many Western adult males, I felt uncomfortable at first when I discovered BabyMetal back in 2014. Decades of programming that everything is about sex made it difficult to grapple with my growing affection for BabyMetal, and then Sakura Gakuin later on. Fortunately, I was eventually able to realize that there was nothing wrong with having a platonic, even parental type love for all these wonderful girls. I look upon them as the granddaughters I never had, I have managed to obtain two of Atarashii Gakkou's music CDs. After repeated listening, and watching every video of them I could find, I have come to the conclusion as to what is holding them back from super stardom. Atarashii Gakkou needs to acquire a group of kick-ass musicians along the lines of BabyMetal's Kami Band to support them in concert. This would elevate their live performances to another level. Of course, the major stumbling block in this would be money, the sort of money that would have to be provided by management, but it would be a wise investment. BabyMetal got very little financial support from Amuse during their early years; and it was not until 2013 I believe that the Kami Band began performing with them.

About the difference between Koi（恋） and Ai（愛）, as you may already know, Koi is usually used for love between a man and a woman, whereas Ai is more wide in meaning and roughly corresponds to English "love". Maybe, Koi is more like "yearning" than "love". Ai is a word imported from Chinese (they still pronounce this word like "ai"), and interesting thing for me is that before this word was imported into Japanese, the concept of "love" may not have existed in Japanese. I've really heard someone say that, before the modern age, "love" in the broad sense did not exist in Japan, and that what we had is just "love at first sight"(,which is probably close to the concept of Koi). So, when I say "Aishiteruyo" to my wife, I feel very clumsy, and maybe that's because Ai is an imported concept. However, I can't say "Bokuwa kimini koishiteru" to my wife, either, because my affection for her is not like Koi (yearning), since I've been married to her for longer than 20 years!

The part that says "tokio" is probably double meeing with "toki-wo." Use toki-wo mudanisuruna = Don't waste your time. Their songs have the constraint of being on the beat, which makes them interesting. "tokio" is the name of a futuristic city named by a copywriter for tourists visiting Japan. And it's just an image strategy, far from the real Tokyo. Coupled with the opening line of the song, "Akiba, just from Narita," there may be a metaphor that "Japan is not what people in other countries imagine."

Thinking about this video, I think you should have split it up into two. It's too long for someone who doesn't know Atarashii Gakko to start, and I think the whole japanese punk video could have stood alone, and been more in-depth.

So the gist of it is that useless things like beauty standards, cheap entertainment and TikTok are distracting us from developing our potential and blazing our own path to the place where the light is? I'm relieved RU-vid is not on this list; so I'm on the safe side spending hours here ;-) . But seriously: As a teacher who watches his students getting more and more addicted to their displays every year, I can and will not argue with this message other than that it might even be an understatement. No one needs to be bored any more, so all the great things that used to happen because someone started doing them out of boredom tend to not happen any more. It might well contribute to the death of us as a species, or at least to our downfall. I was never into punk as such, but growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, you couldn't really escape it. I get the connection you are making regarding AG. It will be interesting to see if, with growing success, their outfits ever become mainstream, as it has happened to mohawks, piercings and tatoos. As always, professor, thanks for sharing your insights.

I've seen some of their "PSAs" about Japan and the comedic talents of the girls make them funny. I saw them likened to "The Monkees" combo of music and comedy... so which one is Davy Jones etc...I can see how these will be a good hook for an international audience so their new Asian-American agency seems to have a plan for "world domination". Since the 1980s Japanese bands have had an international audience, but it was small and you probably first heard them on John Peel's show. Chai and Babymetal have broken through internationally to some extent and maybe AG can ride on their coat tails. They seem to have an explicit strategy in their RU-vid content, while Babymetal seems to almost entirely rely on concert videos. AG are the anti-idol group whereas BM are idol on steroids with all the lore of Princesses, Queens and Goddesses.

Who is the artist at 34:22?

Who is the artist at 34:22?