The cute mascot drummer known as Nyango Star, who exploded onto the international scene with a viral video, has long fueled speculation about the person behind the apple-cat costume. Titled “When you’re overqualified for the job,” the clip shows the character shredding heavy metal drums in a hilariously mismatched kids’ performance setting, amassing 25 millions views on YouTube so far.
Nyango Star’s Viral Rise
Nyango Star debuted as a yuru-chara mascot for Kuroishi, Aomori, blending a red apple (nodding to local orchards) with a cat design inspired by Ringo Starr.
After digging into fan discussions and performance clues, the true identity points to Nao Kawakita, the powerhouse female drummer of Japan’s chaotic metal band Maximum the Hormone.
I am no fan of heavy metal, but this music video opens my mind…and appetite! Just watch on, you’ll see Nao’s performance and understand what I mean.
Multiple online sleuths identify Nao as the performer based on synchronized techniques in joint appearances and her Maximum the Hormone pedigree. While Nyango’s creators keep the human operator anonymous to preserve the character’s magic, a 2019 collab video places Nao nearby, singing parts that align with the costume’s audio. Trademark details under an Aomori drummer add intrigue, but the consensus leans heavily toward Nao’s involvement.
Impact on Music and Mascot Culture
Nyango Star bridges kawaii culture with brutal metal, boosting Kuroishi’s tourism amid Japan’s depopulation woes. Nyango Star turns a local gimmick into global meme fodder that still racks up shares in 2025. Fans celebrate the overqualified chaos, proving mascots can headbang with the best.
