NIJISANJI VTuber Hibari Watarai Sparks Nostalgia with Powerhouse Cover of "JAP" by abingdon boys school

On May 10, popular NIJISANJI VTuber Hibari Watarai released a cover of the classic track "JAP" by abingdon boys school (abs). The surprise announcement coincided with his new outfit reveal stream held on the same day, sparking waves of excitement and nostalgia among long-time fans across social media.

"JAP," released in 2009, stands as one of abingdon boys school's most iconic rock anthems and gained massive popularity as the theme song for the "Sengoku BASARA" anime and game series. Over 15 years after its release, Hibari’s cover has sent shockwaves through X (formerly Twitter), with users posting comments like "I can’t believe I’m hearing 'JAP' in 2026" and "Our youth has returned."

Cross-Generational Impact: Sengoku BASARA Fans React

Hibari Watarai’s vocal prowess is well-documented, but this cover has earned special praise for his "evident respect for the original" and his "true band vocalist energy." Fans were also stunned to learn that Hibari handled the audio mixing himself. The reaction from the "Sengoku BASARA" community—affectionately known as "BASARA-min"—has been particularly passionate, with viral tweets declaring "I've dedicated my life to BASARA, so this makes me so happy" and "The nostalgia is overwhelming." The song’s high-energy vibe, paired with Hibari’s new futuristic Japanese-style outfit, has been hailed as a perfect thematic match.

The Brilliance of a Timeless Selection

Many fans praised Hibari’s taste in choosing a late-2000s masterpiece in 2026. Requests for covers of other abs tracks like "HOWLING" are already flooding social media, signaling a resurgence of interest in abingdon boys school and the legendary anime songs of that era. As the video continues to rack up views, Hibari Watarai’s "JAP" cover is set to dominate the VTuber scene and social media trends for the foreseeable future.

The context

NIJISANJI is one of Japan's largest Virtual YouTuber (VTuber) agencies, featuring a diverse roster of performers who stream games, talk shows, and music. Hibari Watarai is a member of the unit "VOLTACTION" and is widely recognized for his exceptional singing voice and rock-oriented musical style. Abingdon boys school is a rock band fronted by Takanori Nishikawa (also known as T.M.Revolution). Their song "JAP" is inextricably linked to "Sengoku BASARA," a hyper-stylized action franchise based on the Japanese Warring States period that became a massive cultural phenomenon in the late 2000s, particularly among female fans.

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