Enjoy AC-bu’s Works on YouTube, the Creators Behind Pop Team Epic’s ‘Bobnemimimmi’

In 2018 and 2022, Pop Team Epic shook the anime world. Among the works that stood out, AC-bu’s creations were particularly unique.

Some of AC-bu’s works are officially uploaded on YouTube. They are delightfully chaotic, so be sure to check them out.

AC-bu’s Works Available on YouTube

I’ve arranged them roughly by the year of release.

Shocking Black (ZAMAGI, 2003)

A work from over 20 years ago.
While the art style feels a bit different from today, the overall atmosphere remains largely unchanged.
For some reason, the music seems to match perfectly with the visuals.

Magical DEATH (ZAMAGI, 2004)

This bizarre piece resembles a nonsensical commercial for pain relief patches.
There are many scenes that align with the rhythm of the music, creating a visually groovy and mysterious video drug.

It’s So Good Now (Isogu Na) (ZAMAGI, 2005)

A work with the atmosphere of 70s and 80s anime.
The woman who keeps turning around repeatedly is particularly memorable.

Tokyo Onlypic: “Watakkyu” Digest Version (2008)

Released in 2008, this is an omnibus film based on fictional sports competitions.
15 groups participated, and one of them was AC-bu. The digest version is available on YouTube.

THERAPY (group_inou, 2010)

This is a famous work featuring “Iruka no Iruka-kun,” who has since become a character in a picture book and remains active today.
As it’s an AC-bu production, it packs quite a punch, but the lyrics of group_inou are so cryptic and confusing that they miraculously match the video.
This piece significantly boosted AC-bu’s fame.

Check out group_inou’s official shop if you’re interested in buying “Iruka no Iruka-kun” merchandise, which is occasionally available for sale.

GAL-O Declaration (Policeman, 2011)

The Dragon Ball references are obvious, and that’s why there are many comments related to Akira Toriyama from overseas viewers.
The comic-style artwork and mysterious energy strangely match the music.
It’s wonderful that the mother transforms into Blanka.

HEART (single mix) (group_inou, 2011)

An MV that begins with the atmosphere of a drama from several decades ago.
It has a well-developed (and understandable) storyline, offering food for thought.

In the 2017 Ru~Te Manga Festival, related videos were released.

Jii Lighter Series (2012)

A commercial for lighters full of things that are worth pointing out. It sticks in your head, and somehow makes you want one, so as a commercial, it’s a great success, isn’t it? There are even comments in English saying, “I want one.”
Jii is a product of Raitac Co., Ltd., a company founded in 1937 that makes lighters. Although the product in the video is no longer sold, a revised version, the 5th generation, was available until quite recently. You might still be able to get the latest version if you search for it.

Future Lighter Jii! Jii! Jii!

Jii World Cup! Jii! Jii! Jii!

ORIENTATION (group_inou, 2012)

A work that incorporates a lot of live footage.
The meaning of the visuals is difficult to grasp, but the movements of the characters are rhythmic, making the match with the music excellent. Explosive, as usual.

Natalie (Sayonara Ponytail, 2012)

Clean AC-bu.
The members are depicted with an 80s retro anime atmosphere.
It depicts various 80s anime worlds, so it never gets boring to watch this cute MV.

Free Household Budget App! “Setsuyaku Kaneko” PV / AC-bu (2014)

A cute ad for a savings app that starts off with a soft art style, but soon dives into the usual chaotic AC-bu world.
Still, it is relatively restrained.

Sorya Souyo (DJ Yatsuiichirou feat. tofubeats, 2014)

This music video is drawn with the atmosphere of old shonen manga and barrels forward with incredible momentum.
It is said to be based on a manga by the Renoir Brothers, but as of 2024, the original manga could not be found.

High-Speed Kamishibai “Safe Driving Guide” (2014)

AC-bu’s signature high-speed kamishibai (paper theater) series.
This is believed to be a work that predates Yano of Hell Shake.
A sketchbook moving up, down, left, and right, with a storyline that loses direction midway through. It’s a great piece of work.

I Want to Eat Sushi feat. Soy Sauce (ORANGE RANGE, 2015)

A music video by ORANGE RANGE, a band that all Japanese in their 30s would have listened to in their youth.
Despite the chaotic nature of the video, it remains thoroughly a commercial, making it a relatively subdued AC-bu work.

If You Have Pigeon Problems, Call Amemiya (Amemiya, 2015)

This was a famous commercial aired locally on TV in Aichi Prefecture, known for its bizarre nature.
It was a big success, being featured in TV programs and other forms of media.
The unsettling vibe that makes you question whether it’s a legitimate company or not is what makes it so irresistible.

TOHYO-to (Tokyo Metropolitan Election Management Committee, May 2016)

(The video is from a news account)
This is a video produced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Election Management Committee to promote voting. While it gained attention at the time, it was also criticized for its content and was eventually made private. However, it garnered significant views, so in terms of promotion, it might have been successful.

TENDON (Misoshiru’s, 2016)

A relatively restrained music video involving AC-bu.
The hand-drawn characters are cute.
The story of ascending to heaven is thrilling to watch.
While AC-bu’s trademark intentionally creepy characters are nearly absent, this is still a charming work.

CATCH (group_inou, 2016)

A music video for group_inou’s song.
The art style, reminiscent of children’s magazines, is striking.
The boldness of depicting humans inside animals is refreshingly unique.
And somehow, it’s cool.

Chicken vs. Pig: Wild Pizza Battle (Domino’s Pizza Web CM, 2017)

A commercial for Domino’s Pizza.
While chaotic, it is still very much a commercial, making it a relatively restrained work for AC-bu.

Beautiful Office Lady Hayakyu-tie (Hayakyu, 2017)

An animation ad for a BtoB early payroll service that has since been discontinued.
It provides a relatively clear explanation of the service but does so with a very daring art style.

While the official account remains active, the video could disappear at any moment, so watch it while you can.

Awa Awa Shampoo-po (Kids Station, 2017)

Since this was made for kids, the taste is much milder, but elements of AC-bu are scattered throughout.
It’s creative even for adults, and you might feel like taking a bath. Perhaps AC-bu is suited for children’s content.

Bobnemimimmi (2018)

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New Tribe (Powder, 2019)

Many of AC-bu’s music videos are closely related to the lyrics of the songs, but this particular track is instrumental.
Why the music leads to a story about an office lady struggling with whether to quit her job, or why men at a market are delivering resignation letters, is truly a mystery.
Yet, there are certain moments where the tension of the music strangely matches the visuals.
There are many AKIRA parodies as well.

Aisu (CreepHyp, 2019)

An all-out AC-bu creation.
The story unfolds through the lyrics, but then it adds more and more until it goes in completely nonsensical directions.
The transformation scene where a headband is stabbed into the character’s head in the “Nezumi Attachment” scene is the highlight for me.

I’ve watched this music video many times because I love it so much, and the more I watch it, the more it genuinely brings tears to my eyes.

The 7th New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival PR Clip Full Ver. (2020)

This is a PR video for the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, which is supported by major organizations such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, AC-bu did not hold back and delivered their usual madness.

Sugar Foot (ft. Jon Anderson, Prairie WWWW) (Battles, 2020)

A music video for Battles, an experimental rock band from the United States.
The band has experience performing in Japan.
The animation depicts a fusion of retro robot anime from the Showa era with unmistakably traditional Japanese elements, and yet it all fits together perfectly with the avant-garde music.

Do-Re-Mi Song – Invention (Yudai Bando, 2021)

This is a piece by Yudai Bando, a Japanese composer who graduated at the top of his class from the Tokyo University of the Arts.
He has worked with artists such as Kenshi Yonezu, Arashi, and Hikaru Utada, and has contributed to various anime, movies, and drama soundtracks.
Despite its title, the Do-Re-Mi song is incredibly avant-garde.
To add to the intensity, AC-bu’s animation overflows with information and takes it in a puzzling direction.
It’s difficult to know how to enjoy it both as music and as video, making it a challenging work.

Protect Tomorrow Navigator “Hibino-kun’s Everyday Life” Series (2021)

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, NHK aired a series of information and documentary programs under the title Towards Tomorrow from 2012 to 2021.
In 2021, the series was succeeded by Protect Tomorrow Navigator, which continues to air today.
In this very serious NHK program about disaster preparedness, AC-bu created animations focusing on earthquake safety.

Although it’s NHK, there is a sense of cleanliness, but it’s true that for a serious program about disaster awareness, the content is quite bold.

Episode 1: One-Room

Episode 2: Kitchen

Episode 3: Living Room with a Baby

HAPPENING (group_inou, 2023)

After group_inou, a group deeply connected with AC-bu, went on hiatus in 2016, they made a sudden comeback in 2023 with this song.
The electro sound of group_inou combined with their difficult-to-understand lyrics reaffirmed their strong compatibility with AC-bu.

On the AC-bu official site, you can view each scene of the MV at any speed you like, so don’t miss it.