Nyango Star: The Heavy Metal Cat Mascot Saving A Japanese Farm (HBO) 

WATCH NEXT: The water in the Great Salt Lake is dropping precipitously because of high water usage and several years of drought. Experts say the lake has five years left unless more water is conserved. The loss of the lake would send ripple effects throughout the region. - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e_c7Oja2Smo.html

There's nobody inside the costume, just pure chaotic energy

We are having economic problems. What we need is a drummer. Well, this is a first.

“Does he make you want to visit kuroishi?” “No, I don’t.” Absolutely savage

Like just imagine...you get good at drumming throughout your teens, maybe played in some death metal bands and teared it up enough with licks so sick that you later represent an entire city, get involved with the government, and you're a viral sensation. This man is a legend

Nyango star: *Plays* All drummers: _Why do i hear boss music_

Plot twist : The mayor is actually the drummer.

the explanation of "why" his name is "Nyango Star" fucking killed me LOL I get the reasoning, but the dry Japanese delivery of it was just too much for me LOL "Nyango Staru desu" LOL

I think the most interesting and "Japanese" element to this story is when they mention that the guy in the NyangoStar costume doing the drumming is also the creator of the character who owns the trademark and collects its revenue, and his identity is a secret. That's just so different than how a trademark and brand like that would be handled in the West.

I've known him for years. I've seen him for years. But only now did I know he is an apple.

He's a super talented drummer, he's saving a farm, and his name is a three-layer pun. The holy trifecta of internet glory and fame right here.

“He’s an apple that’s been inhabited by the spirit of a dead cat.” 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙁.

seeing Nyango picking apples added 10 years to my life span

"No one cared who I was until I put on the mask..."

It was funnier when I though it was just some guy that was hired to do a children's show and forced into a stupid suit.

The fact that he's supporting his community. Makes him an instant inspiration

I love how Japan incorporates the arts into their economic growth, more countries could learn from the Japanese

Does he make you want to visit Kuruishi? "No, I don't." *Mission Failed, we'll get em next time.*

"He's an apple that has been inhabited by the spirit of a dead cat" I like how Japan continues to be kawaii and metal AF at the same time

I'm a 73 year old lady. I saw the original video of this character. The talent is totally awesome. Good for sharing this with us here in the USA 🇺🇸. I wish the town only the best.. 💖💗🌟🌟🌟🌟💗💖

"Does he make you want to visit Kuroishi ?" "No, I don't want to." They could have interviewed someone else, edited this out, but nope. They just had to kill the whole vibe.

"does it make you want to visit kuroishi?" "no, I don't." *video ends* Oh... OK...

He's not just a celebrity in Japan, he's a celebrity in my heart.

My bf used to live in Iwamizawa, a small town in Hokkaido, back when he was working as an assistant English high school teacher. Their mascot, Iwamichan, is a smiling onion that gives me Kirby vibes. Perhaps he's not as talented as Nyango Star, but I enjoy his presence nonetheless.

"No, I don't." Powerful ending.

You're saying my ugly ass could become a full time mascot in Japan and take cute pictures all day??

*"No, I don't"* And then the documentary ends

The Japanese culture is so right for Nyangostarr. I can't help but truly smile as I enjoy this tale as it's told. Thank you for having the heart to support him and also share him with the world. This is sooo cool!💕

3yrs later he's still epicly strong. I love hearing stories about creative people being justly rewarded for their creativity.😊

It’s not a costume It’s his limiter

whoever this guy is. he's a hero to millions

I would unironically travel all the way to Japan to attend a Nyango Star concert.

The great thing about Nyango Star is that you can't just dress anyone up as Nyango Star unless they're just as talented of a drummer.

A Nyango Starr crossover with Aggretsuko seems inevitable. I need it

"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh, beneath this mask there is an idea. And ideas are bulletproof." -V for Vendetta

Japan's love for cute things is so adorable

>"It's taboo to think of Yuru-chara as people in costume" >Asks question that would force someone to think of them as people in costume.

They're making it seem like he's greedily doing it all for himself pointing out he's making money from Merch. No shit, the man or woman under the costume got to eat, pay for rent and transportation. Under the costume is another person like us that needs to make a living, take care of family and save for future. While all this is happening, the city is helped. Why can't it be both way without needing to donate all the money. Can't be doing all this for free.

04:45 "It's taboo to acknowledge Yuru-chara as people in costumes". 05:05 " Do you think part of the appeal is the kind of human element, of imagining the person drumming that hard inside a very hot, sweaty costume ?"

It does make me want to visit Kuroishi 😊. Although, it might be a bit difficult since I know only two languages that aren't Japanese. It's really important to change the image of the word "rural" area since people tend to think those areas are somewhat backwards or empty. Plus job opportunities and available entertainment contribute to the image of a town 👀.

0:45 Woman: "Why's he called Nyango Star?" Man: _Explains deep meaning behind the name_ Woman: :)

it just ends with the most sour note after all this business stuff "no, i don't"

This is soo wholesome...not only can a guy make a decent living, but hes helping his town and entertaining kids. Fricken awesome!.

They picked the most anticlimactic ending lmao

BUY ALL YOUR APPLES FROM KUROISHI, IT MIGHT BE TOUCHED BY THE LEGEND HIMSELF!

And now I know that this drummer is actually contributing member of society my admiration and respect increases further

1:45 I find this part really cute, especially when Nyango was picking the Apple lol Other than that, I want some Nyango merch. Those t-shirts look awesome.

Rumor has it that behind Nyango Star is Kawakita Nao ,better known by HER stage name Nao the drummer of MAXIMUM THE HORMONE.

This is so much better than the normal Vice content. Been in love with Nyango ever since that "overqualified for the job" vid, so happy he's getting massive attention!

I will singlehandedly save this village if all it takes is to buy his mercy Edit: I meant to say “buy his merch” , but his mercy works too

When he came out tatted up That's when he earned my undying devotion, adoration, praise, and fealty

Interviewer asked about where the money goes. Why do you care? Nyangostar has got a cause, which actually helps Aomori prefecture. And on top of that, Nyangostar does all the drumming AND provides work for lots of people. AND it hasn't unleashed his immensurable power just yet. Of friggin' course, it deserves all the direct revenue. The answer was a very "Tatemae" way of saying "FU B*tch". Kudos to the Japanese dude. Vice should be called "Biased" with all their socialist interviewers who will never have an ounce of respect for hard-working talented anybody.

When you said "An apple possessed by the dead spirit of a cat", I froze

The heavy metal apple cat mascot saving a farm. Only Japan.

1:06 She looks genuinely impressed by how clever and punny that name origin is.

I love Japanese mascot culture. It's so hilariously wholesome.

Idk why but this seems like a real anime plot

Nyango Star NEEDS to collaborate with Aggretsuko in a Metal Supergroup!

1:06 お姉さんちょっと笑っちゃってて可愛い

1:07 her expression had me cracking up because like 99% of people would react the same way lol

I love the fact that theres a possibility that there is a team of ecologists in Japan's environmental department considering on culling the number of mascots to keep the mascot ecosystem healthy.

The video ends on such a depressing note. I feel sorry for the people of Kuroishi.

her with the Nyango Star face 1:07 lmao

So wholesome. Rock on mate!!

"It's taboo to mention that it's a human in a costume" *Mentions that it's a human in a costume in the interview*

This is more important news than government shutdown.

Really cool story! I really love this artist.

Im stuck down this rabbit hole and . . . I love it!

Plot twist: It's actually a cat inhabited by the spirit of a dead apple.

3:57 okay I'd unironically love to rock that shirt

im so glad u guys did this video thank u so much!!!!!!!!!!!! its shame this dude cant b open about everything

This video gave me all the serotonin I needed 😂😍

when you're overqualified for your job

Nyango Star + BABYMETAL. Make it so

Personally I love the dedication to character.

Wow. Also love the Ringo apple pun

At the end: Interviewer: Does he make you want to visit Kuroishi? Interviewee: (pauses to think) No, I don't. 😅

If he doesn't wear that costume, he'll overclock himself to the point that the energies became too dense and form a black hole that will swallow the entire galaxy

the creator of Nyango Star is the drummer from the band "Maximum the hormone", she is awesome

HE IS A FUKKING LEGEND !!!insane drummer

Imagination + Creativity + Passion = Respect.

This might be the best reporting Vice has ever done

Where I am (UK) there are many small towns and cities in the countryside that have been dealing with similar problems as Kuroishi city has, but there are a few that have managed to recover and grow through the export of local talents in things like music and art through hosting local music festivals, arts festivals and other cultural events. These events may only happen once or twice a year or so but it's enough to boost the local economy so that the town can survive on its usual sources of income like farming and fishing. They draw people out of the cities to come visit the area for a few days, bring in a lot of interest in the local area, and makes lots of jobs for locals which encourages people to stay living there rather than moving to find work elsewhere. Perhaps Nyango Star can be used for a similar purpose to help the town. Set up a festival or event of some kind for a couple of days where you invite whatever artists are willing to play there and try and get more people into the city for longer than just a few hours so they can really experience the local area and engage with the local economy. When you bring in so many people for that long other companies will begin expanding to accommodate the visitors like local restaurants, hotels and shops which will produce more jobs which will keep more young people in the city and reverse the flow of people leaving the area. There are small towns here that end up having people come from all over the world to experience and take part in such events, I can certainly see Kuroishi city managing the same thing if they can manage to make it work.

I love everything about this.

"Collaboration with Hello Kitty." Should've been with Aggretsuko instead. Oh how metal it would be

Heavy metal, cats, of course I'm clicking this.

Thank you! Finally I got some anwers to my questions 😀

Nyango is just living the dream! I'm proud for him lol. 😄

Aomori apple's juice is the best apple juice i ever taste in my life . I'll pay premium price if they sell them in US .

Dude, I’m American and I want to visit Kuroishi. Epic metal apple-cat aside, I love visiting orchards.

I don’t know why but this just makes me smile when ngyagoo star walks along the apple tree

Nice presentation guys. Good will to Kuroishi.

Omg I love how at the concert Nyango Star is wearing black makeup 😂 that’s adorable

An apple possessed by a dead cat.... that plays heavy metal drums. How can you not love the lunacy of Japan. 🍎+(👻❌🙀)= japan 🎌

I FINALLY KNOW HIS NAME, NYANGO STAR!! BEEN SUCH A BIG FAN SINCE I SAW ONE CLIP OF HIM BUT I COULDNT FIND WHAT HIS MASCOT NAME WAS

I can't stop smiling while I'm showing this video omg that's really cute :')

I can't believe you did this whole thing and DIDN'T PUT A LINK TO THE MERCH IN THE DESCRIPTION! You disappoint me Vice.

Why can’t the US have cute stuff like this? smh

So adorable

I think this is the only thing that's come out of vice that I like.