"Ninja Re Bang Bang" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
にんじゃりばんばん - きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ
This electronic J-pop song, "Ninja Re Bang Bang," from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's 2013 album, "Nanda Collection," has completely overtaken my brain... but I’m not complaining.
I consume a fair amount of media presented in Japanese to supplement my learning as I teach myself the language. This includes everything from news to anime, and even music. I was first introduced to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu when her hit track “Candy Candy” was referenced in a Japanese comedic skit made by the YouTuber Dōgen. Arguably the face of Japan's kawaii (cute) culture, she's known for her sugar-sweet synthpop hits and decora fashion. I listened to her catchy, quirky discography and found my current favorite track, “Ninja Re Bang Bang.” While there was an immediate appreciation for it, it wasn't the same way as listening to lyrics in English.
You see, I had NO IDEA what the song was talking about.
Well, save a few verbs and phrases, including something about a ninja (immediate bonus points for coolness). It was so upbeat, I found my non-native-Japanese brain struggling to catch each syllable.
However, between the too-literal translations across the internet, my amateur comprehension abilities, some online interpretations, and the music video, I’ve deduced the EDM hit is a love story between a ninja and a princess (I think?). These sentiments are echoed in the track’s chorus, opening with, “鮮やかに恋してにんじゃりばんばん,” which means, “fall vividly in love, Ninja Re Bang Bang.” The next few lines roughly translate to, “Somehow, the cherry blossom petals dance in the air. Fly away. If you change common sense, you will find surprises in everyday life,” later followed by an “愛して,” or “I love you.”
There are only about seven lines in the song that aren’t part of the repeated chorus, which wouldn’t be too problematic, as fas as context goes, if the repeated tagline, “Ninja Re Bang Bang,” meant anything. However, in an interview, Kyary revealed that, when she asked songwriter Yasutaka Nakata about the title phrase, she learned it doesn’t represent anything in particular. She suggested it sounds “mysterious” but “cool,” which is why it’s in the song.
While, at first, I was frustrated by the song’s lack of narrative depth, I do love a few things in particular about that simplicity. For one, Kyary is right, “Ninja Re Bang Bang” does sound mysterious and cool. In an alternate universe, I can picture a Bames Jond film by the name, “007 Ninja, Re: Bang Bang.” The chorus is also incredibly catchy, and makes me want to dance —the whole song does. It parallels the singer's approach to life and music, which she's described as a desire to "constantly surprise everybody."
The few lyrics I’ve been able to translate to meaningful English paint a beautiful picture as well. “Fall in love.” The vision of pink sakura (Japanese cherry blossom tree) petals dancing in a spring breeze. “If you change common sense, you will find surprises in everyday life.” This suggests, possibly, that we should romanticize the mundane aspects of our routines in order to deeper appreciate our surroundings.
That’s quite a lovely message for an electronic, bubblegum pop tune to convey.
“Ninja Re Bang Bang” has popped up in Western media to a surprising degree (and by “surprising” I mean subjectively, to me, anyway). Not only is it in the movie Sing, performed by
the red panda girl group characters, and included in the track list for “Just Dance Wii U,” it’s also featured in the John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (yes, you read that correctly... don't believe me? Check out the sushi bar scene). I’m always glad when songs are appreciated in countries foreign to their origin. It further demonstrates that music can bring us together, even despite language barriers.
Becoming my ultimate dance-around-the-kitchen jam, “Ninja Re Bang Bang” is on repeat in my headphones this week.
Thanks for reading! Check back next Sunday for an analysis of another song.
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