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ATARASHII GAKKO! 'Tokyo Calling' by Pennacky

Rob Ulitski - 12th Jan 2024

Welcome to the wonderfully wacky world of sailor-suit (or is school uniform?) wearing Japanese girl group ATARASHII GAKKO! and their tribute to old school Japanese TV - not to mention the The Beastie Boys' classic video for Intergalactic.

First came their own version of Intergalactic. Then they took it to the next level with Tokyo Calling, and the fabulous video directed by Pennacky. From the performance to the choreography, to the numerous setpieces, it's exceptional work from a visionary creative team.

It's a love letter to tokusatsu - the heavy use of special effects in film and television programmes - the video is a satirical commentary on Japanese society, with jaw-dropping miniature work and a retrofuturistic aesthetic.

Sure, we have seen something like this before - in the Intergalactic video and elsewhere. But having the four girls of ATARASHII GAKKO! towering over Tokyo, Godzilla-size, is the most enjoyable thing we've seen so far in 2024. That includes Jeremy in his underpants.        

Rob Ulitski - 12th Jan 2024

Tags

  • Comedy
  • New Director
  • Pick of the Day
  • Pop
  • J-Pop
  • Performance
  • Tokusatsu
  • Miniature
  • Vignette
  • Aesthetic
  • Retrofuturistic

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Production/Creative

Director

Camera

Director of Photography

Lighting/Grip

Gaffer

Art

Production designer

Wardrobe

Stylist

Editorial

Editor

Grading

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VFX

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Some credits on this video are only available to PRO members.

Rob Ulitski - 12th Jan 2024

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