The growing "J-pop" typhoon made landfall in Washington recently, sweeping up men and women, boys and girls, punk rockers and school girls with equal abandon.
On stage at Washington's legendary 9:30 Club, a banner told the audience all that they needed to know, "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Rock Show from Tokyo Japan."
As Puffy AmiYumi started singing, a tall and muscular 30-year-old man sporting tattoos and a mohawk pumped his fist and sang along with all the words. The balcony was lined with parents, young children and teenagers. Fans of all ages packed the club.
Singers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, who inspired the hit American cartoon show "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi," bantered between songs like any self-respecting rock stars would do, but also relied on crib sheets.