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Pikotaro is the fictional, absurdist Japanese comedy character created and performed by comedian and actor Kazuhito Kosaka (小坂 一順, Kosaka Kazuhito), who achieved global viral fame in 2016 with the novelty song "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)".Pikotaro, a character created by comedian Kazuhito Kosaka, is a flamboyant, leopard-print-clad elderly man known for nonsensical lyrics and minimalist dance moves. Conceived in 2016 for a Japanese TV comedy show, the character unexpectedly became a worldwide internet sensation due to the viral success of the extremely short and catchy song "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)". Despite its simplicity, the song topped charts internationally and earned a Guinness World Record. Pikotaro released an album and continued performing internationally before the character's prominence gradually faded, though it remains a defining meme of the mid-2010s internet culture.

• Pikotaro was specifically created for the Fuji Television comedy variety show "Tonari no Seki no Himitsu no Koishō-san" (The Secret Lovelorn Next Door) in May 2016. Kosaka developed the character's look and concept.
• The song "PPAP" was intentionally made extremely short (around 45 seconds) and nonsensical as part of its comedic appeal. Its unexpected virality, propelled by social media platforms like YouTube and Twitter, turned it into a global phenomenon within weeks.
• "PPAP" entered the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart at number 6 and peaked at number 1. It also charted in the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at #77), making it the shortest song ever to enter the Hot 100. This earned it a Guinness World Record in October 2016.
• Leveraging the sudden fame, Pikotaro released a full album titled "PPAP" in December 2016 and performed internationally, including appearances on major US television shows like "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Good Morning America", and at events like the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong.
• While the intense global spotlight on Pikotaro diminished after 2016-2017, Kosaka continued to perform as the character periodically in Japan and internationally for events and commercials (e.g., a notable appearance in an Indian ad campaign). The character remains a prominent example of viral internet culture.