Flipped Bug Dance

“Flipped Bug Dance” – The Internet’s Unexpected Anime MemeThis article is dedicated to the phenomenon known as “Flipped Bug Dance” (ひっくり返った虫ダンス), a term coined by X (formerly Twitter) users to describe the unexpectedly bizarre opening (OP) dance animation from the anime Kuroiwa Medaka ni Watashi no Kawaii ga Tsuujinai (commonly known as Medakawa).The OP sequence left many viewers utterly bewildered, leading to widespread discussion and memes across social media. This article will explore the origin of the term, how the dance became a meme, and its impact on internet culture.

Table of Contents

Overview of Medakawa

The anime follows Mona Kawai, a high school girl who is effortlessly popular with boys. However, when she encounters Medaka Kuroiwa, a new transfer student who is completely uninterested in her, she makes it her mission to win him over.The OP theme, “Ame Tokimeki Koi Moyou”, is performed by a unit consisting of Shirakami Fubuki, Nakiri Ayame, and Ookami Mio from Hololive. The PV is officially available on Hololive’s YouTube channel.

Features of the OP Dance & Online Reactions

The OP animation features five characters performing a dance, but something about it felt… off. The movements appear unnatural and lack sharpness, with the characters waving their arms and slightly swaying their bodies in an awkward manner.Adding to the strangeness, their facial expressions and movements remain almost entirely unchanged, giving the sequence a robotic, lifeless feel.Because of this, netizens quickly noticed a strong resemblance to a flipped-over insect struggling to get back on its feet, leading to the now-famous nickname:“Flipped Bug Dance” (ひっくり返った虫ダンス).On X and other platforms, the term spread rapidly, with users humorously comparing the dance to a helpless bug flailing its legs in vain.

Derivative Videos of the “Flipped Bug Dance”

In recent years, anime OP and ED sequences frequently incorporate dance scenes, creating opportunities for viral trends on social media.Examples like “Shikano Koko Shitantan” and “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” have inspired countless “dance challenge” videos, allowing both anime fans and casual viewers to engage with the content, significantly boosting its recognition and reach.However, the case of “Flipped Bug Dance” is quite different.Rather than becoming a dance challenge, it was primarily used as meme material, spreading across X, Nico Nico Douga, and YouTube as users edited and parodied the scene.

AI-powered video synthesis technology was used to animate other anime characters performing the dance.

Some creators exaggerated the already-awkward animation, making it even more surreal.

The dance quickly became a cultural phenomenon in online anime communities, particularly in Japan.

For those curious, try searching “ひっくり返った虫ダンス” in Japanese on YouTube or X—you’ll find plenty of creative and bizarre edits!

Personal Thoughts

In the early 2000s, dance sequences in anime were less about virality and more about artistic expression.Today, while many dance scenes are still creatively driven, it’s clear that marketing strategies play a major role. Modern anime productions often incorporate easy-to-learn choreography to maximize accessibility and shareability across a wide audience.Interestingly, budget and animation quality don’t necessarily determine viral success. For instance, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” became a massive hit despite its simple, deformed-style dance movements—proving that matching the right music with the right dance is key.Personally, the only anime dances I can actually perform are:

“Hare Hare Yukai” (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)

“Kiss Kiss Kiss” (Daisuke Ono)

“Motteke! Sailor Fuku” (Lucky Star)

Judging by my dance repertoire, many readers might assume I’m in my late 20s to early 30s—but surprise! As of 2025, I’m actually 22 years old.Finally, I plan to watch Medakawa in full and write a proper anime review after experiencing the series firsthand.In the meantime, why not try performing the “Flipped Bug Dance” yourself? Maybe you’ll discover an appreciation for its unique charm!