PenPineappleApplePen

Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP) is a short musical video and internet meme that achieved global popularity in 2016. It was created and performed by Japanese comedian and musician Piko-Taro, a stage persona of Kosaka Daimaou. The video centers on a minimalist pop tune in which Piko-Taro presents a pen and combines it with an apple to form an apple pen, then with a pineapple to form a pineapple pen, and finally merges the two creations into pen pineapple apple pen. The charm lies in its simple, repetitive structure and breezy delivery.

Origins and style: The clip was released on YouTube on August 25, 2016. In the video, Piko-Taro wears a leopard-print scarf, sunglasses, and a gold jacket, performing with a toy guitar and a few straightforward props. The lyrics are delivered in a deliberately basic English, emphasizing sound and rhythm over wit, which contributed to its universal memorability and ease of remix.

Reception and spread: PPAP rapidly went viral worldwide, becoming a major meme across social media, television, and online communities. It spawned countless parodies, remixes, and covers, and was widely shared as a prime example of how short-form content can achieve rapid global reach. The video accumulated millions of views and became a touchstone in discussions of internet meme culture.

Legacy: PPAP is frequently cited as an early and influential case study of global meme diffusion in the digital age. It elevated Piko-Taro's profile and demonstrated how simple, repetitious concepts can captivate audiences across languages and cultures. The phenomenon remains a notable reference point in conversations about viral videos and meme-based content.