2025/3/25
A Viral Sensation Since PPAP: "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" Takes Over the World – Why Even NBA Players Are Joining In
A single video posted at the exclusive members-only bar "Gift Roppongi" has sparked a global phenomenon. The viral trend, known as "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy," has taken Japan by storm, made its way to global audiences, and even reached NBA players who are now imitating the dance. The trend has also entered the hip-hop scene, proving its widespread influence.
On TikTok, videos featuring this trend have surpassed 300 million views on a single account, while combined views from various users have reached the billions.
What Is "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy"?
"Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" is a dance challenge where participants improvise their moves in sync with a catchy rhythm. Initially a viral sensation in Japan, it has now gained massive popularity overseas. The dance’s addictive rhythm and playful nature make it irresistible to watch.
🔗 Check out the trend here: TikTok link
Once you hear the beat, you won’t be able to get it out of your head.
That’s all you need to know for now!
A Trend as Big as "PPAP"
The last time a Japan-originated rhythm-based meme made such an impact was Pikotaro’s "PPAP" (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) in 2016. The official YouTube video of PPAP has recorded 170 million views as of February 2025.
However, "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" has already surpassed this milestone, making it one of Japan’s biggest global trends ever.
The Origins of "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy"
Inspired by "Takeuchi Daddy Daddy"
The origins of this trend trace back to the 2020 viral sensation "Takeuchi Daddy Daddy." Many might recognize the phrase:
👉 "Takeuchi Daddy Daddy, Dosukoi Wasshoi, Pipo Pipo!"
This dance involved participants puffing out their chests and bending their arms in a V-shape while moving to the rhythm.
"Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" is essentially a tribute to this original trend. But what makes it so globally viral?
The TikTok Factor: How Trends Spread in 2024-2025
TikTok trends today differ from a few years ago. The most successful ones involve organic participation from general users, rather than being purely influencer-driven.
The Viral Flow of Dance Trends on TikTok
A dance challenge goes viral.
The background music gains traction.
Creative variations emerge.
The trend explodes internationally.
Once users start adding their own twists, the trend reinvents itself repeatedly, leading to an unstoppable viral cycle.
Why "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" Went Viral in Japan
1. Mainstream Media and Athletes Picked It Up
Major Japanese TV networks, including TBS’s "News Cast", featured the trend, further boosting its visibility.
Additionally, Shugo Maki, a professional baseball player from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, posted his own dance video on TikTok, reinforcing the trend’s popularity.
🔗 Check out the video: TikTok link
2. High School Students Jumped In
🔗 Check out the video: TikTok link
Today, the key to viral success on TikTok is how well it resonates with high school students.
High schoolers casually shoot TikTok videos based on what's trending in the moment. This means the best trends are those that:
Are easy to mimic with simple rhythm-based moves
Can be filmed with a fixed camera
Work well in group settings
"Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" checks all these boxes.
Once high schoolers started participating, it quickly spread to influencers, creators with large followings, and new TikTok users, leading to nationwide recognition.
How "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" Went Global
1. "Japanese Dance" Branding
Overseas, the trend spread under the hashtag "#JapaneseDance".
Some users even mistakenly believed that all Japanese people dance like this in clubs, fueling widespread adoption and memification of the trend.
Interestingly, even unrelated songs started being paired with "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy"-style dance moves, showing how it had evolved into a standalone meme.
🔗 Check out the trend here: TikTok link
2. Tourists Flocking to Roppongi
As the birthplace of the trend, Gift Roppongi became a tourist hotspot, with international fans visiting the bar to witness the viral dance in action.
This shows the power of TikTok in global marketing.
🔗 Check out the trend here: TikTok link
3. NBA Players Got Involved
The trend reached new heights when NBA player Cole Anthony performed the dance before a game. This reignited interest in the U.S., proving TikTok’s global influence in sports culture.
4. It Became a Hip-Hop Track
The ultimate sign of a fully established meme? It gets sampled into a hip-hop track.
Now, "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" has been transformed into a full-fledged hip-hop song, further extending its lifespan and reach.
Did the original creators approve this sampling? That remains unclear. But it’s undeniable that this once-local drinking chant has evolved into an international movement.
What’s Next for "Nishiyama Daddy Daddy"?
The hip-hop track will likely fuel further viral videos.
The song may be played in clubs, leading to crowded dance floors.
The trend will continue expanding worldwide, much like PPAP did years ago.
It’s no longer just a bar chant—"Nishiyama Daddy Daddy" has become a globally recognized trend.
Next time you meet someone overseas, try mentioning it—it might just be your shared cultural reference!
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