This meme’s been bouncing around among anime fans for a year and a half, but it’s only recently gaining ground on YouTube. On August 8, 2006, this guy posted a dance clip from the Japanese anime Popotan set to the chorus of the Swedish dance track Caramelldansen (Speedycake Remix).

The result was an Internet phenomenon. Anime fans are natural remixers due to the minimalism of the medium, so mashups sprouted left and right — from anime music videos to live-action performances. The remixes have flourished to the point that one YouTuber compiled some of them in the video above. Mix Japanese animation and Swedish music with the universal language of dance, and you get a niche viral video hit.

Post from: EveryJoe

Caramelldansen Collection