Momoiro Clover Z Unveil Music Video for Tomoyasu Hotei Collaboration "MONONOFU NIPPON"

Celebrating their 15th anniversary as a group this year, idol unit Momoiro Clover Z released a new collaboration single with guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei on August 4th. The music video for the single, which is titled MONONOFU NIPPON, was recently unveiled.

MONONOFU NIPPON is described as “a rallying cry for Japan”, boasting the theme of “bringing Momoclo-style entertainment, proudly made in Japan, to the world”. It marks Hotei’s first new collaboration with Momoiro Clover Z in 11 years, following Saraba, Itoshiki Kanashimitachi Yo in 2012.

The single was written and composed by Kenichi Maeyamada, also known as Hyadain, who previously worked with the group on tracks such as Ikuze! Kaito Shojo and Nippon Egao Hyakkei. The arrangement comes courtesy of Yuki Tsujimura and Naoki Itai. In addition to guitarwork from Hotei, the song features Yutaka Koyama on shamisen (a traditional Japanese instrument) and "percussive contributions" from drummer Mike Marrington and bassist Hikaru Yamamoto from Downtown Momoclo Band (DMB).

Links to download and stream MONONOFU NIPPON on various music platforms are available here. 

Taking place in the year 20X5 during the second Warring States Period in Japan, the narrative of the music video follows a quartet of skilled female warriors proficient in the art of “Bu” – martial arts. They come face-to-face with a band of wild warriors who are trying to attack a mother and her daughter in the forest. Following their training, the four warriors, now in possession of the legendary psyllium god armour, journey towards the burning Shibuya Scramble Crossing in a dystopian setting. Accompanied by their companions, the group of four, alongside a contingent of evil men, partake in a massive conflict within Shibuya during the night.

The choreography for the video was crafted by Power Puff Boys, a male dance group known for their work on well-known tracks such as SEKAI NO OWARI’s Habit and ano’s Chu, Tayousei. Additionally, the MV prominently showcases a flag adorned with Tomoyasu Hotei’s distinctive “GUITARHYTHM” motifs.

The cover artwork for MONONOFU NIPPON displays symbolic kabuto (helmets) and menpo (facial armour) reminiscent of Japanese warriors, in the representative colors of each member of the group set against a smoky black background. The kabuto and menpo were made as sculptures for this single.

In addition to this single, Momoiro Clover Z have also released three more tracks to commemorate their 15th anniversary: Re:volution, which serves as the theme song for pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Hikarimichi and Ichigo Ichie. The group will also be releasing a live album titled Yoyogi Mugendai Kinenbi Momoiro Clover Z 15th Anniversary on August 25th.

The music video for MONONOFU NIPPON can be viewed below, followed by a special English-subtitled comment video about the single and anniversary Momoiro Clover Z have recorded for their overseas fans.