The mystery of "MICHAELSOFT BINBOWS"

[@babylonian]

UPDATE: I finally visited Michaelsoft Binbows in real life: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4OsnJ-dlp58eLM

[@cheezgd]

that's not like nick to get a flight to japan

[@aldo-tn]

I feel like a chapter of my life is complete

[@AdlerGamerPvP]

Nice

[@AdlerGamerPvP]

Nice

[@Paccyd33]

I just came back to rewatch this video after seeing the new one in my recommended

[@Patoriotto283]

I am Japanese. For the first time, I learned that Japanese silly photographs have become net memes overseas. And I love you who can work hard.

[@Quarksi]

There's something so touching about a guy updating his blog since the early internet, like literally before the millennium--- back when yahoo and AOL were relevant, 33 years diligently detailing his life and the world around him with such effort... and then one day he suddenly becomes the key part of a huge adventure involving an international viral meme. It's like witnessing "we're all important" in action. Everything we do has meaning, even if we don't realize it. Even long after we're gone.

[@alexisventura7191]

"Even long we are gone"? So the man died?

[@Quarksi]

@@alexisventura7191 No, he's alive and well. It was more a statement that applies to all of us in general :)

[@BeeLy1011]

@@alexisventura7191 He's actually seen the video and added it to his favorites playlist

[@_mossy_8520]

@@BeeLy1011 is he on youtube?

[@BeeLy1011]

@@_mossy_8520 The channel is AlfsRoom or something like that

[@Kira-vr8dx]

I used to live in Maebashi 10 years ago and I can remember me and my dad would drive around and find a place to go fishing. The buildings, the konbinis, the houses shown here… I can still remember it somehow. I’ve never been so very nostalgic about a video. Thank you, Nick.

[@anotherwea6692]

wow

[@toastarkat]

wow

[@sirfantyvr300]

wow

[@epic_franb]

that's amazing :)

[@JohnnyCosme]

Do you know anyone still there that can go to take more photos?

[@matt-chan3489]

I'm Japanese. This video was unexpectedly fascinating. I was surprised by his energy to try to find out a rondom meme's origin, which many people might concern for a moment but surely would forget in the next moment, and make it into an exciting 30 minutes drama! How precious the shreaking laughter at the moment he founded the exact building lol. Anyway I'm glad he is not a stalker.

[@babylonian]

hahaha thank you!

[@frendlybunny]

@@babylonian michaelsoft binbows

[@Bren-tech]

@@babyloniando backrooms next please

[@sonny9054]

同じくです。これ、知りませんでした。

[@KristineBacher]

@@babylonianmichaelsoft binbows

[@saucers4eyes695]

Adachi Yoshinori has added this video to his Favourites playlist on the Alf's room youtube channel! Gone full circle.

[@Sara3346]

Yes please give a link If you can.

[@laurabmayron9325]

this makes me so happy

[@hypnotised-clover]

There is no link. Take off your clothes.

[@megadeth116]

​@@hypnotised-clover watch?v=yDzAAjzbV5g&list=FLuke05PvJqGQkmSDzbtTYZg I think it's this one

[@ominusomega7803]

@omori Look up アルフの部屋 in youtube and look at the playlists. Its on the top of the favourites playlist

[@wa7saka]

him looking at earth with the two photos of michaelsoft binbows feels like an alien with the task of having to go to earth with the task of finding the building

[@mami42g]

The way he descends from the space too... :D

[@xnotasweatx]

Just the building

[@jonafrica5739]

That’s obviously the point lol

[@0SC2]

I think my favorite thing in this video is Maru seeing the legendary fruits of Nick’s efforts after a transcendental VR experience and going “lmao binbows”

[@PlanetComputer]

ghjk

[@dimmoonlight4960]

Yess

[@iLiokardo]

😕

[@killersugar6816]

Here there is a video of a guy, spending hours documenting his investigation of what might otherwise be considered a pretty meaningless detail of some tiny thing he came across in his life that seemed interesting. Like Yoshinori Adachi, this video is your three plants. And somehow, as you found enjoyment exploring Alf’s Room, I have no idea why, but I enjoyed the time and detail you put into your video.

[@babylonian]

thank you! and i love the adachi comparison hahah

[@mr.25xenoxjorjiev26]

@Alfonso "white person"?

[@Cheffory]

@Alfonso canceled

[@314rft]

@alfonso8989 What does skin color have to do with anything? People are people, and skin color means jack shit in terms of morality.

[@Johnny-mp2ew]

​@alfonso8989bro got racist 💀

[@SuperWiiBros08]

Another historic meme has been found I hope you better make a video for once the pandemic ends where you visit the binbows place

[@BROJANGSTER]

yeah, and he should keep his gold play button there

[@Rodeo_Rodeo]

SUPERSOFT WIIBOWS

[@Klonoahedgehog]

Implying the pandemic will ever end lol

[@BROJANGSTER]

@@Klonoahedgehog cdc just lifted nationwide mask mandate for all vaccinated people, ding dong!!

[@sergiokaminotanjo]

it closed 20 years ago

[@fredhasopinions]

The existence of blogs like Alf’s Room is so wonderful and reassuring to me, to know that there are little mindful eyes out there keeping up with the parts of the world that nobody else really pays attention to. I think I’m going to create a Wordpress (knowing full well that nobody looks at Wordpress blogs anymore) just so I can be a little mindful eye too. Create a virtual curiosity cabinet that stays for hypothetical future internet users to rummage through, so that the adorable little oddities of my surroundings don’t die with passing time. I hope Adachi knows what an inspiration he is being to thousands of people to look at the world more closely and with awe.

[@babylonian]

man, that’s beautifully put. i hope you go through with it - please share a link once it’s set up :)

[@shyridershyridershyrider]

mr. miller, i am a fan of your work and would love to see your curiosity cabinet once it's ready. give my regards to marilyn

[@grass904]

@@babylonian u know u meme!?

[@Ricardo5911jakakak]

Honestly these websites are the coolest

[@Thomas-bu2ny]

Yes

[@alfsroom]

I am surprised that my website is introduced.

[@skinnyrigid]

It's the legend himself. I admire the amount of dedication/passion you've poured into your website and the internet, thank you Adachi San 🙏🏼❤️

[@KT8D5]

@Jordan Conery have you watched the video?

[@Spxry.]

Hi

[@babylonian]

hello Adachi! ALF’S ROOM is great. thank you for all your help! ☺️

[@MhxAir]

He even favorited this video on his channel. Legendary event. Very cool.

[@calebfuller4713]

Imagine having some cheap PC parts shop in the middle of nowhere, that only stays in business for a couple of years, yet decades later it has become a meme that far outlives the actual shop, gets spread around the world, and has people uploading emotional videos about how they tracked down the original location. I bet "Michael" wishes his store could have gotten that level of exposure back when it was open!

[@formdusktilldeath]

That’s actually the only thing that is missing in this saga, an interview with the legend that thought up this genius marketing piece. Was it the owner of the shop or some marketing subcontractor? I really want to know! I don’t know how it is in Japan with accessing public information, but there should be a register of who owned or leased this place.

[@calebfuller4713]

@@formdusktilldeath It would actually be interesting to hear from the original owner of the company.

[@1pcfred]

We need Michaelsoft Binbows now more than ever before. The store looks available to lease too.

[@Pwnners]

@@1pcfred we do.....

[@jaidoua1]

imagine the publicity he could get from this if he decided to re-open now lol

[@Jack-496]

“And so, I bought a ticket for the next plane to Japan to meet the legend himself: Michaelsoft.”

[@SaqinNoor]

It will be mich"ae"lsoft not mich"ea"lsoft

[@catfaceman1669]

You spelt Michael wrong 😤😡😡😤😠🤬😤

[@pcsuperg3986]

@@catfaceman1669 huh so?

[@perpendickular]

Dr. Michael Soft, PhD

[@somanymike]

@@SaqinNoor he edited it and corrected it lol

[@DolusVulpes]

I love the implication that the only reason Nick didn't go to Japan this time is because of Covid travel restrictions. This man was 100% ready to fly to Japan just to find a store that closed 19 years ago.

[@thidderreal]

He always is.

[@m1c2bWfBCP2Fupgg]

He flew to Japan to put a photo in SEGA's HQ. He totally would've done that.

[@pyrotechnic96]

Well going to Japan is like his whole gimmick

[@qwertyuiop.lkjhgfdsa]

@@pyrotechnic96 yeah, if he was in smash bros his final smash would be Fly To Japan

[@xlegendaryblade]

His first trip to japan was to go to a domino's headquarters because of a youtube video that was taken down.

[@KrakenWasSlayed]

I don't know why but this is one of the most heart warming videos I've seen in awhile

[@xexpaguette]

we're no strangers to love

[@DecisionsAreQuestionable]

@@xexpaguette this is 2021 we need wholesomeness how dare you ruin it we just got across 2020 why

[@Busshhu]

@@DecisionsAreQuestionable they knew the rules and so did you

[@Uncultxred]

That's pretty much his whole channel

[@davidblakeman1701]

Thank you Rick, very cool.

[@gustavinus]

Adachi is a true warrior. Documenting and hosting the stuff himself (not on Google, Amazon, Facebook servers) for decades.

[@eatcarpet]

Gotta be an autist.

[@comfeytimid1207]

@@eatcarpet is it bad though?

[@eatcarpet]

@@comfeytimid1207 No but it shows his obsessive personality. Gotta give him credit though since he seems to have a strict non-commercial policy.

[@cosmosisrose]

I don’t normally like to guess about the neurotypes of people I don’t know, but it seems like king has autism. this kind of “obsessive” attention to details that seem unimportant to most people is my favourite part of having it and my favourite part of talking to other autistic people. so much information on everything you could imagine, and most of us are willing to share it to anyone interested (and often people who are not interested lmao)

[@yoshikinanami7434]

@@cosmosisroseI’m really grateful that he documented all this. I too have a friend with autism and it really is fascinating to be made aware of such small details previously unnoticed.

[@FernieCanto]

I love how the knowledge of what Michaelsoft Binbows actually means and was does not take away *any* of the humour of the actual image. I mean, being a fan of these shop names and logos that are creative parodies of actual brands, knowing that "Michaelsoft Binbows" is an intentional pun makes it even _more_ funny and endearing. And knowing where the actual place is now is just delightful.

[@yobrethren]

Took the words outta my mouth, this photo is hilarious

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

Yup. It makes the joke even funnier.

[@BazilRat]

To me, it enhances the humour.

[@sjokoladekaker]

Adachi's blog is just too wholesome. He's so dedicated to the website, even signing his name off in the email as "Alf's room manager" almost brought tears to my eyes :') thank you for making this video, Nick! Appreciate it lots. Also, lmao. Binbows.

[@celesteweingartner6639]

This video DID bring tears to my eyes... It was nothing like what I expected and am so glad I clicked on.

[@HypnosisBear]

That's was indeed wholesome...!!! But still no matter how many times I hear it, the words "Michaelsoft Binbows" always make me laugh. It's just a weirdly hilarious name.

[@somesimo5122]

We need more of this: people genuinely enjoying apparently “useless” quests - it’s so exquisitely human and such little, unique stories make the world literally a better place

[@jackjones5842]

Yes, 100% respect that line of thought, and it seems that Mr. Robinson agrees too!

[@andrewstewart1464]

The world would be a worse place without whimsical nonsense.

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

The most useless thing about this is: How he cannot keep his head still for 1/4 of a second. You are in serious need of medication. You're burning out synaptic areas like someone mainlining Molly and Cocaine. JFC, man. Calm TF down just 1%.

[@cliftut]

@@andrewstewart1464 The remarkable thing is that it's not even entirely nonsense anymore thanks to this video. I mean, when we feel emotions we change a little inside. And I dare say that maybe some of the emotions and thoughts brought up by this video might be helpful for some people. Meaning and connection elevate us, and might even give us the chance to see ourselves more clearly for a moment.

[@andrewstewart1464]

@@cliftut 110% agree. Use of the word 'nonsense' is for lack of a better term, probably should have just said 'fun'. Just goes to show my own mental entrenchment in the hypercapitalist systems. But yeah, doing things for yourself and others just because it makes you/them happy are always worth it, even if they are temporary. I don't want to imagine a world where such happiness is discouraged. That is true dystopia to me.

[@KM-mw3jp]

Okay but why am I genuinely heart broken that the three potted plants aren’t there anymore…

[@Miskamouskamikumouse]

Same

[@Calirinz]

New nick robinson vid idea: find out what happened to those plants and why they were there in the first place :’(

[@KM-mw3jp]

@@Calirinz yes!!!

[@iqceo4276]

@@Calirinz so i travelled to japan to figure it out-

[@Derpyderpderper]

They've grown big, they were freed

[@EddVCR]

I love Mr. Adachi’s curiosity and his quirky outlook on the world. The part about the three potted plants was really endearing.

[@ilovemonkeyos]

“I’m sorry I can not be a help.” Mr. Adachi... you were an extraordinary help; an absolutely instrumental help.

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

We stan Mr. Adachi and Alf!!!!

[@cocogoatmilk1514]

"Michaelsoft Binbows" is introduced to the KZbin channel of American resident, and there are many viewers from outside Japan. Therefore, we created a special English version page. GUYS I found this on Alf’s room’s website and my heart is so happy

[@Allen-R]

aww that's nice

[@Becauseoftheimplicatons]

Sounds like something Michael Scott would come up with.

[@Heezbungus]

Aww

[@ajax4887]

@@BecauseoftheimplicatonsMichaelScott Binbows

[@Icesta663]

Michael (owning vsauce1,2,3&D!NG) soft binb (D!NG with I replacing ! & B is D & G)ows?

[@hugosteps77]

No idea how I found this video. I’m in bed sick with a chest infection and all I can say is I needed this video. The best 34 minutes of my day and it’s honestly made me feel slightly better. Just proves that the internet isn’t always awful. Thank you Sir

[@babylonian]

thanks, hugo! i hope you feel better soon

[@sierra991]

You good bro?

[@deadpianist7494]

"Are u there?"

[@hugosteps77]

@@deadpianist7494 @Trevor Sutter Haha yeah I’m still hanging on in there thanks guys. Bloody bored with this cough though

[@yubii9041]

@@hugosteps77hope you get well soon!

[@sabrightgames2501]

The best part is how close Nick was to Michaelsoft when he began hunting! He started at the Gunma General Staff Co. building (19:22 this one) and is only about 140 meters away from Michaelsoft. Nick was less than one-tenth of a mile away from Michaelsoft and he probably would've found it within seconds (although he probably wouldn't had recognized it from that angle, I certainly wouldn't). Yeah, I don't think Nick knows how much luck he's been blessed with.

[@Euthymia]

So glad he didn't. I loved his narrated stroll through the little town!

[@uan180]

BRO HOW THE FUCK THIS MAN HIT ME IN THE FEELS WITH "MICHAELSOFT BINBOWS"

[@defaultdan7923]

because michealsoft binbows is one of the greatest stories of all time

[@fabianpro9909]

yes, just yes

[@JamAttack]

that's Nick Robinson for ya

[@heavenlydusk]

"Michaelsoft Binbows" **cries and sobs**

[@stormybear4986]

Me too, man, I was almost in tears when he finally spotted it.

[@RWDY]

Now see, this, THIS is what the internet should have been for. Sites like Adachi's.

[@calebfuller4713]

That's pretty much what most of it was back in the 90s. It was all very experimental.

[@RWDY]

@@calebfuller4713 yeah and I really mis it

[@cedonullidude]

Adachi’s posts were a couple of steps above electronic bulletin boards. Very basic, limited and straightforward. The domain of enthusiasts and novelty seekers. The 90s was effectively the last decade without the internet for most people.

[@scootergrant8683]

Well Tim Burners-Lee did say it should be, "a place to be found for any information or reference which one felt was important, and a way of finding it afterwards." So I guess technically this is perfect use case.

[@SSJfraz]

It used to be that way, until the internet was effectively "locked down" by google and other search engine sites. Now we just have KZbin, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and a handful of other websites. It's really quite sad.

[@diamondrel5190]

Nick is going to find a time machine in 10 years, travel back in time and become Hidachi, and leave these clues for himself in the future

[@WildWolf-pu4pj]

no matter what, nick always finds a way to japan

[@MunkiZee]

I'm reading this sentence as if "Japan" is a verb and I'm having a whale of a time

[@WildWolf-pu4pj]

@@MunkiZee 😂

[@ls200076]

@@WildWolf-pu4pj ඩ

[@adaddylicious1748]

@@ls200076 sussus amogus

[@just_lucyy]

I honestly wonder why he doesn’t just live there

[@justink5585]

The Alf's Room youtubeb channel (as linked to by the website) added this video to its favourites. Makes me happy.

[@quin2392]

Nice

[@jamesburk8145]

This was a truly wholesome journey. An old meme that you hunted down and dug up, credited the man who took the picture and documented it, and found out exactly where it was even though it's gone now. I almost teared up myself when you found it.

[@Cyranek]

expecting a follow up video where he actually flies to japan

[@Hp_Laserjet_Pro_Mfp_M126nw]

Yeah me too

[@requiem2026]

"The seqeul" Plot: He fought the the final boss and retrieve Binbows(Good ending)

[@ramieru8117]

Same

[@Diathan]

Won't happen bud.

[@RedStone576]

@@Diathan sadge

[@DaMoniable]

You did tell Adachi, right? Of all the people in the universe, he would probably be the most interested in documenting images of an interesting building from 20 years ago

[@unspotabletoad7552]

someone should

[@spiderlilying]

not sure if he told him directly but if you check the michaelsoft binbows page now it has a note at the bottom saying that it was introduced in this video and also links some fanart - very wholesome

[@Scaramouche122]

honk

[@DaMoniable]

@@Scaramouche122 i sense a honk

[@bryanlee6065]

@@spiderlilying Wow it's real, been on the page the message is indeed there. Wholesome.

[@samiamm5764]

There’s a special place in my heart for Cheap used computer parts stores of that era. In a time before fast shipping and frys electronics in small towns it was exactly that type of shop that kept my 300MHZ Intel pentium ii alive and connected. AOL messenger and yahoo chat and games was a life line at a time after we had immigrated here and hardly knew anyone around

[@snakeslife-uroborodjinn790]

10 year old me: "I'm going to be an astronaut when I grow up!!!" 25 year old me: Half hour documentary on Michaelsoft Binbows.

[@hollanderson]

You can still become an astronaut ya know

[@CountingStars333]

@@hollanderson probably not.

[@alolisa113]

i feel called out ouch

[@rajadhirajmaharaj]

a wise unemployed engineer shared knowledge with me when i was in class 12. he said, "don't think about what u gonna do in future, think about what are u doing now" i did not take this lesson seriously and did what my hormones and monkey brain led me to.. now i am here.... wer all gonna die, but people like us die inside long before physical death.. videos like this give short doses of pleasure, then again melancholy..

[@DataWaveTaGo]

@@rajadhirajmaharaj May the Farce be with U!

[@LootL3Louvre]

I can’t believe Michaelsoft Binbows almost made me cry-

[@trajectoryunown]

For real. That was an emotional journey. I hope to see a follow up video where he actually goes to Japan. Hopefully whoever owns the place now could tell us some more about the old shop.

[@cjtheterrible2238]

Same

[@cyanyde4950]

same it was literally a used parts store but damn if the journey to find it didn't almost make me cry myself.

[@pencilcase8068]

I honestly feel sad that it is closed.

[@TheInfamousBertman]

Yes...almost...

[@panqueque445]

I love Maru's response. "Binbows lmao". What a legend.

[@h-Films]

Binbows lmao

[@divutian5876]

Binbows lmao

[@arcticcirclesystem3576]

Binbows lmao

[@TheDubbingLtdOrNotSamin]

Binbows lmao

[@dopey473]

lmao Binbows

[@antoniosantoro0590]

It is literally video's like this why I can't watch curated media anymore. I absolutely loved this video. I laughed, I cried (not kidding either), and smiled the entire time. Thank you so much for content like this.

[@leemuanguyen8765]

Ditto for me...

[@partyflockske]

@@leemuanguyen8765 liewise

[@EddVCR]

I grew up in Japan, and I got emotional seeing you wander around Koaigimachi in Google Earth VR. Seeing the ordinary life there, the quirkiness of local businesses and landmarks, made me realize just how much I miss Japan. And when you found where Michaelsoft Binbows once stood, I got misty eyed - maybe because when I visit my old hometown where I grew up, I wander around searching for recognizable things from my childhood so many years ago. Awesome video, man. You should write Mr. Adachi an email explaining how significant Michaelsoft Binbows is on Internet and express all you said at the end of the video. I’m sure he’d be super proud of Alf’s Room.

[@babylonian]

💞

[@KalmiaJoy]

I LOVE HOW ALL THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING JUST LEADS TO "lmao" "binbows"

[@heavenlydusk]

Lmao Binbows hahahahahahaaaa

[@MultiSciGeek]

I mean how else do you respond to something as childish and as cringe as this?

[@alliexcx5576]

LMFAO

[@partlygeneric6855]

@@MultiSciGeek oooooo you're so grown up and mature that doesn't allow people to have fun no matter how childish it may seem oooooo so scary!!!

[@FernieCanto]

I love how the response is, at the same time, simple and dumb, but also full of meaning: it's a wonderful, historical discovery, and it is hilarious and it *is* Binbows. lmao binbows

[@phroggu]

"i took the only 2 photos of Michaelsoft binbows and affixed it to my left arm" This is a logical sentence

[@toryumau6798]

... The future is now, eh? >)X^D

[@thighmeat6034]

I almost thought that he got the two photos tattooed on him

[@lilpetz500]

Imagine just chilling in your local town and this guy with a vr helmet who looks like he'd be called Michael just walks up to a building, checks his map, and starts laughing and staring at the building.

[@AutumnRivers]

SO MANY MIKE!

[@deoskipsbasics]

What are the odds of a random guy with a metodic website, taking a photo of a random funny building, helped someone to do an exhaustive search, and find the origin of an old internet meme. God I love this world

[@sixtwentysixth]

i don’t know but we beat the odds!

[@interro588]

You know, I think I found the original souce where this image is from. For some reason it is from a website called: Velocidadmaxima. What I find strange is that it is not a English website, how can someone understand how dumb the sign is if they don't know English?

[@wibawabo6978]

@@interro588 Hello fellow researcher, you messed up, velocidadmaxima is not the original, it's just a blog/meme site where the image was repostrd

[@p1k4x]

Love the internet

[@MubangaDNB]

@@interro588 in the same way that somebody who doesn’t speak Japanese understands that the name is a pun. But in all seriousness most people are familiar with windows and a lot people speak English as a second langue.

[@IX3zero]

if i had only 10% of nick's dedication, i would be happy

[@sparkbag_]

then do?? no one is born motivated 😐

[@johnjonjhonjonathanjohnson3559]

save_power()

[@IronMan-ds5bi]

or his luck

[@zkull9982]

@@sparkbag_ yes.. that's the thing... you need to be motivated to get motivation to do some other things

[@Gelert_AT]

I'll give you an advice that has personally helped me find motivation: *Just do it* I know, it sounds basic and stupid. But most of the times that I've discovered stuff that I like my line of thinking has been "Why the frick not? Let's just do it for the anecdote or just to see what happens" Clicking on random YT videos and discovering new youtubers to watch, trying out weird food and discovering new dishes you like, creating something crappy and discovering a new hobbie. Just do it for the fun man.

[@TheHassassin]

i was so disappointed when the classic "desperate in search for answers i took a flight to Japan" couldn't happen

[@The_Eray]

"...I took a flight to Japan in Google Earth"

[@j_chrome4520]

@@The_Eray "I travelled through space and landed in Japan"

[@thisisasupersayin376]

It's alright. This episode saw Nick come to terms with what a trip to Japan really means to him, it was huge for character development

[@exzisd]

Out of options. and desperate for a resolution, I knew what I had to do...in this case Nick pulled a Nintendo move by doing the unexpected but he did that with the McDonalds DS as well. There’s a structure and tone to his videos but he keeps you guessing and always surprises much like Nintendo which quite a bit of his videos have revolve around. Very talented creator.

[@PlanetComputer]

jhkl

[@uss_04]

MY heart drops every time I'm reminded that a significant part of the audience currently viewing KZbin is literally born after KZbin

[@airwalklp14]

It's sad really.

[@samsolt]

@@airwalklp14 yeah, tragic that people are being born 😕

[@kakahass8845]

As someone born a little less than a year after KZbin's creation imagining that at one point in time KZbin wasn't a thing is very weird.

[@fuzzjunky]

i sometimes have a really young teenie try and troll me. i tell them to be quiet my toob channel is older than them. that's usually the end of it - [the channel is 17 this year]

[@Candyy248]

Why?

[@joeyv.114]

Nick: mentions Japan His wallet: *shakes nervously*

[@runed0s86]

"I flew to Japan to buy a meme"

[@ayanotherlala]

he should make it his office

[@travellightlymhphcul7206]

Make, like a Meme retreat: to go sell cheap computer parts with Americans in suburban Tokyo - like WOOFing but more dedicatedly centred around Lulz

[@BReal-10EC]

Imagine if foreigners start travelling to that building and taking pictures like it is some big deal. The locals are going to be very confused.

[@drasco61084]

"Why are they all taking pictures of that building.... " I can just imagine lol

[@NobleWolf33]

💀💀💀💀

[@Mageman17]

Already happened in places like Yongen-Jaya when Persona 5 became a roaring success. Gaijins taking pictures of ordinary streets and stuff.

[@Mavendow]

@@Mageman17 Awesome

[@miaugato93]

As if that doesn't happen with "anime spots tourism"

[@RenoSydney]

“HEY, vsauce. Michaelsoft here-”

[@nobleradical2158]

Imao bimbows Or are they?

[@madlatin9840]

Oh no 😂😂😂

[@justsomeguy892]

Exactly what I was thinking lmao

[@aaronadethegamer]

Ok u win this one

[@Yamabi_Kaze]

"Hey, Binbouce, Michaelsoft here"

[@samuelginting3213]

Came for Michaelsoft Binbows, stayed for spiritual enlightenment Hope you continue covering these internet obscurities Nick

[@tboltgames]

What a way to use the internet in the pandemic.

[@arefriendselectricc]

Indeed

[@tenplusten1116]

253 likes, 2 replies... why?

[@PlanetComputer]

ghjk

[@arefriendselectricc]

@@PlanetComputer thank you planet

[@littlefinn9651]

And.? You’re acting like this is a new thing. The pandemic has been around awhile buddy

[@PineCellar]

I'm Japanese American, was born in Tokyo, and have been back many times. What you said about going through Google Maps in that Japanese neighborhood nailed the exact feeling I experienced when I was watching this video. It's unlike any place I've ever lived in and I love it deeply. I now want to wander around my aunt and uncle's neighborhood in Saitama. Just for that, thank you for this video.

[@johnmarkyuvega3214]

Man i want to visit japan my country id like soo hot and close the equator

[@kayleighmoore6951]

@@johnmarkyuvega3214 What if you accidentally went to the north/south pole?

[@BobDolelol]

I used to live in Kitashinjuku in Tokyo and I miss it terribly :( Japan is such an amazing, beautiful, and wonderful country with so much to offer and such a deep history and culture. I'd love to be there again.

[@tamwilfred]

I feel the same way. Maybe I should travel to the areas I lived in and see if things have changed. Assuming the rural areas don't change that much I might still see the same shops and stores. People like to support their local store owners but I left near the end of the recession and after the tsunami that caused the nuclear meltdown; times were hard for my Japanese friends. I remember my American friends coming to stay with me because they were worried about the nuclear fallout of the plant at that time. Hopefully the Japanese friends I knew are doing fine. A lot of local shops in Amercia closed down because of the pandemic.

[@mihailmilev9909]

@@tamwilfred I hope u and ur friends are doing alright man

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

This is one of my favorite corners of the internet, I don't know how you make these stories and witch-hunts so entertaining and motivating but please keep going 💯

[@b.e.4075]

Nice Miata

[@ForgBorger]

fancy meeting you here haha

[@aarontheperson6867]

agreed

[@namedrop721]

I have to say this would be called a goose-chase, not a witch-hunt. Witch-hunt: let’s find someone to (wrongly) blame Goose-chase: foolish quest with almost 0 chance of finding the object because there’s nothing to catch

[@jasonmillers6941]

Good detective work, Nick. I mean, just impeccable! And I'm glad the master himself, アルフの部屋 reached out through this video.

[@threemad]

congrats on the binbus brother. god sped

[@esoscorridasos105]

👍

[@PastaPutin]

Thank you mr n-word, very cool!

[@polarski2]

How you only have 9 likes lmao

[@hikakakaka4]

goodnight girl

[@hobomcfobo]

Love you papi twomad

[@PuckishAngeI]

*Nornal person* : haha funny name *Nick* : goes back in time Takes a virtual journey to the place Solves its 20 year old mystery Takes thousands of people on a spiritual journey doing so. The modern Marco Polo

[@guiro4098]

Lol; pfp sauce for no particular reason please

[@aika1313]

Woah woah woah, wait a minute! Is that... Is that Jotaro Kujo hentai on your channel banner?

[@PuckishAngeI]

@@aika1313 I try to be inclusive

[@aircraftmen_]

@@PuckishAngeI what the fuck are your videos

[@PuckishAngeI]

@@aircraftmen_ 2016 was a wild year

[@hoseclamp3107]

younger robinson: releases the new album reflecting his growth of artistic vision in 7 years older robinson: M I C H A E L S O F T B I N B O W S tbh both are peak art

[@Gameboygenius]

Everyone is paying attention to Nick and Porter Robinson, but have you heard about the other two brothers? Do you even know that Robert Robinson and Mark Robinson exist? Give'em some love and see what they're about some day too.

[@frostnovaomega1152]

I'm almost sad to see weird stores like these slowly disappearing over time. I just love the copyright infringing oddity of them. There was a kebap shop called "aladdin" near where i live, with a big picture of disney's aladdin plastered over the door. Its still open, but they changed their name to something generic

[@ventikay6013]

I'll be waiting for some crazy ass guy to translate alf's room in english, it looks so blessed and chill

[@shitmultiverse1404]

Or a team of translators

[@AppleBS11]

Adachi is such a legend. So much dedication in maintaining a website for 33 years without even knowing there is any meaning. Besides that, it seems that Adachi has favorited this video. His KZbin: アルフの部屋

[@Marjill_katzen888]

Can You link it? I'm on phone

[@angeljamini3382]

Link?

[@alpers.2123]

@@Marjill_katzen888 alfsroom

[@kevintrang3007]

He also added its link to the blog page about Michaelsoft Binbows

[@theluffy99]

Link

[@sealcraft49]

I just spent 34 minutes learning about a meme i never heard about until today...

[@funkymonkey6156]

just started and realized that it was 34 mins

[@combustiblemicrowave3633]

I've seen the Michaelsoft Binbows image but didn't know it was a meme lol

[@I.-_-._.-_-._.-_-._.-_-._.-_-I]

you've never seen the image before? top 10 people who got burned alive

[@gamrroyale5928]

I was never born at that time so I never seen the meme

[@slima11NG]

relatable

[@ashleynoble4483]

19:50 about the Google Earth VR.. when I moved to England from Canada for school, my flatmate invited me to her house for Christmas. Her brother had VR and let me try.. At my request, he pulled up my grandmother’s house and it was such an emotional experience for me! She’s still alive, but I just missed her so much that it really impacted me. Very cool how technology can make us feel sometimes

[@MrDuck-po3wy]

**Potted plants exist in a particular place** Adachi Yoshinori: _Real shit?_

[@bidoof367]

@Hand Grabbing Fruits what if he uses nick's videos to find where the plants are now

[@Redmanticore]

" the potted plants are gone... this is a glitch in the simulation we are all in... i always knew it... "

[@KillChaos7]

Adachi-san: "I'm sorry that I can't be a help." ME: "YOU SAVED US! YOU ARE THE SAVIOR!"

[@michaelmargono]

My name is Michael and I live in Japan, this seems like my destiny to continue the search

[@arturalexma]

So, stereotypes are true...

[@michaelmargono]

@Matthew Bagley well maybe if someone offerred to pay for the lodging and other expenses i wouldnt mind making a trip there

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

Too many Mikes!

[@captainkacke1651]

My name is not Michael, but I am going on a trip to Gunma anyways next month so maybe I can make a quick stop😄

[@cuncata]

Gunma Maebashi, Koaigimachi, ５５４−１ 高義ビル seems to be gone now

[@GorgoReptilicus]

Wow this is one of the most emotional videos I’ve seen in a while. My love of documenting the mundane is something I feel is a waste of time. Until now. Thank you for this!

[@gwest3644]

It gave a very strange sense of both sadness and nostalgia looking at the original photo, then seeing the building as it is now. I’d never seen either picture before, but it was strangely impactful seeing the building in that famous picture from 20 years ago, and then seeing it barely used and worse for wear 2 decades later.

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

My love for abandoned places, URBEX and a e s t h e t i c s made this video 100 times better. I really hope this building doesn't go to waste.

[@Zyscheriah]

I think it's because it reminds us that we are not permanent. Even our structure are not permanent.

[@robertobaird1015]

Nick is a person who is hugely obsessed with the weirdest and obscure things all across the internet, so much so that he dedicates a whole half-hour video trying to find the location of a famous sign in Japan. You guys gotta give Nick Robinson some respect for his dedication in tracking down the sign .

[@Maddiedoggie]

Actually, he found the building where the sign was. Finding the actual sign would be even crazier!!! :D

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

At first I thought it was going to be about a simple parody of the name "Microsoft Windows", but little did I know it was going to be about a wholesome story about a man who was simply blogging about their life. thank you for sharing this man's story, now he's definitely going to get some notoriety for his works.

[@vaiyaktikasolarbeam1906]

Found you!!!!

[@partlygeneric6855]

well you're awfully late

[@G-u-z-i-o]

Oh, you finally showed up.

[@randomestchannel]

early

[@aiueokaya]

we meet again

[@ConnorTaffe]

You are an incredibly talented storyteller. I started this video having never seen the Michaelsoft Binbows meme, and now thirty minutes later I’m so invested in this journey that when you found the building, I found myself welling up a little. Thank you

[@TheLugiaSong]

Adachi seems so wholesome, I love people who like the smaller details in life most people don't think about for a second, and documents it too. There's many things, like this in fact that would be lost to time if it weren't for people like him. Thanks for showing his website too. When my Japanese gets better, I'm looking forward to reading through it.

[@SamPackerVids]

Start: lmao binbows End: *crying* lmao binbows

[@tauon_]

lmao binbows but it’s funny in Japanese too now

[@kaamn1829]

the character growth. this video was our own arc!

[@Nooboroshi]

*wipes tear: same bro. Same!

[@CAVE655]

Wow, 1.5K likes and 3 replies

[@Akronox.]

It's insane how he found the location of a building with two pictures and a forgotten japanese website

[@PixelRockett]

It’s not forgotten tho lol, even in the video you can see that adachi has been updating the website even now!

[@Akronox.]

@@PixelRockett I was saying forgotten because since the website was old, I was guessing almost no one except for the creator visited it

[@PixelRockett]

@@Akronox. it’s definitely not forgotten now, which is super wholesome and sweet that tons of people now know about this one dude just documenting things that he found interesting in his life!

[@rayvenkman2087]

Let’s never let it be forgotten again.

[@ThePlaneguys]

Geowizard's pinpoint locations of fans series has entered the chat

[@royjonzejr]

I chuckled every time he said, "Michaelsoft Binbows"

[@SuperMistertoast]

lmao binbows

[@barryschalkwijk9388]

@@SuperMistertoast hehe...Binbows (in homer simpsons voice)

[@dexterford8094]

I kept hearing "bimbos"

[@winterwolf211]

I think it's really cute that Adachi is, decades later, still using his website.

[@thingsiplay]

He even replied to this video. Awesome guy.

[@AlexG-xu1mi]

It is his dedicated blog/hobby site

[@whatthepick]

I wonder how many of us remember our little websites :)

[@BennyTheNubb]

I also love how his entire channel is just 13 years of train videos

[@twinfantasytowers]

@@whatthepick Was having a website like that considered normal??- I wouldn’t know, considering Alf’s room is older than me.

[@aniquinstark4347]

That's a 1000 IQ level pun right there. Two jokes in one, each in different languages

[@bartosz_xenon]

multi-lingual people probably do those daily

[@kyletan4063]

@@bartosz_xenon More like struglling to express themselves because they forget expressions or words in all languages that they speak daily..

[@milanstevic8424]

@@bartosz_xenon Nah, I'm a multilingual Slav from the Balkans and it's not really that useful.. or funny.. I guess it applies more to people living in the Far East, where the cultural barrier is much greater, yet since the American territorial expansion on the Pacific they've become quite close to each other, and so pretty much overwhelmed by common American culture. Knowing many languages, or at least partially understanding vastly different language families, however, does in fact help you grasp the world better, you know, lets you appreciate the different mentalities across the globe, or even deep-down similarities. So multilingual people tend to be, uhm, more versatile and all-encompassing with their thoughts. It's a clumsy sentence, but what I'm trying to say is that multilingual people are less prone to subtle ideologies or "self-centrisms" typically hidden in overused localisms and are more likely to think about any topic from numerous angles. Sometimes that's all it takes to see what makes a German a German, and what makes a Russian a Russian. Languages we use encode the ways we live, and highlight the neural pathways we regularly use. In my mind this is what it means to transcend the place of origin, and the concept of nationalism at the grander scale, and what gives you the ability to think, behave, and empathize like a true citizen of the world. In fact, this is necessary, and the reason why they though Esperanto was a good idea. Knowing the languages of the world, and how others think, is precisely the opposite of "divide and conquer".

[@donshovi9345]

Japan: 'exists' Nick: this is where the secrets of the universe lie

[@foreverpainful]

literally-

[@killme5665]

He's not wrong

[@anattempttomakecontent776]

I mean he buys a plane ticket for so many things i bet if he forgot to flush the toilet in the hotel in japan and remembered it in America he would prob fly back to flush it

[@foreverpainful]

the nick robinson channel boutta be lit once the pandemic is over

[@Fopenplop]

He's the platonic weeb

[@abhisekraj2765]

This is the type of video which reminds you life is so beautiful and that things are definitely connected. From the meme itself to thinking this could be a real place to literally finding the most wholesome person documenting this to then going on this ethereal vr journey, just wow I shed some grown ass man tears, and alf is too damn adorable :D

[@dibyohaldar7671]

Happiness is the small things in life. This video is an embodiment of happiness found in the internet. This happiness is organic and genuine. Something mere entertainment cannot provide. Entertainment is momentary arousal of the senses. Infotainment is entertainment with information embedded in it, which gives us a sense of pride that we learned something more in a fun way. This is beyond that. This is happiness.

[@igustibagusananda7706]

That's a great thougt man. Have a like

[@ktvx.94]

Americans: "all asians look the same" Japanese: "M I C H A E L"

[@cliftut]

LOL! Yeah, when can we finally stop flipping out on each other and lust LAUGH at ourselves and how normal and silly and universal these responses are. Expect to be misunderstood, and expect to misunderstand. Know that terrible things can result from small misunderstandings, especially when emotional reactions kick in. Close the gap with as much wisdom, honesty, and humor as you can muster. Learn and grow. Best wishes everyone!

[@PentaSquares]

John, Michael, Bob,

[@ADeeSHUPA]

@@cliftut uP

[@complexdevice]

@@cliftut Yeah I thought about that after I recovered from the fits of laughter that "So many Mike" gave me. We all just need to be able to laugh at ourselves and make jokes about stereotypes.

[@nindoninshu]

@@PentaSquares Jim

[@thekeyboardslammer4413]

I’ve never been so hyped about a deep dive into a cursed image before.

[@eddydrouet1888]

Blessed*

[@oblue0033]

@@eddydrouet1888 Blursed**

[@arnavsinha3506]

A masterpiece of a story. You did an amazing job.

[@SapioiT]

We need to make a Michaelsoft Bimbows pin on Google Maps, and give it a 5-star rating! Edit: It's already added, as a place of worship. I tried adding the two photos, but it's pending verification.

[@Blitterbug]

I do hope you didn't spell it that way ;)

[@kingminceraft9487]

they got approved, and the first photo became the cover

[@protoborg]

@@kingminceraft9487 I added a label "Former home of Michaelsoft Binbows". Also, if you go to Street View at the pin, you can see that the other side of the same building used to be a Subaru dealership, albeit a VERY small one.

[@Sirenhound]

According to subscriber history, アルフの部屋 KZbin channel has been hovering between 0 and 2 subscribers for over a decade, and suddenly skyrockets in May 2021. How mysterious.

[@twiffygames2093]

who?

[@Hi-oq8zu]

@@twiffygames2093 it’s the owner of the alf’s room blog

[@vondurormur]

Ok I am so shocked right now, I used to live 15 minutes away from Koaigimachi 😳 I recognised many of the buildings and bridges and sights, this is absolutely wild

[@N95j]

the fact that he passed the michealsoft binbows building so many times is kind of relatable

[@sashaw5283]

I didn't expect a video documentary about Michaelsoft Binbows to make me cry but here I am.

[@marten2857]

“So many michaels” *Just wait until they discover the name Josh*

[@Morthu]

Wait till they find out about john

[@nixel1324]

Nah, there's only one Josh.

[@mrx8320]

What about steven my family has a steven steven 2 and me Steven 3

[@snowyches9886]

THE BATTLE OF THE JOSHES

[@Goldv0]

@@nixel1324 yeah, after the battle

[@goodboyahoy]

“Be like Adachi” is some of the most inspiring advice I’ve heard in a very long time, especially from someone like Nick. Deadass one of my fav KZbinrs because he fixates on something obscure and/or innocuous and makes it into some of the most interesting shared experiences I’ve ever seen online. Another banger, Babylonian❤️

[@User-1939t9]

this is slightly ironic in the context of persona 4

[@___DRIP___]

Brother! I absolutely loved this video. I suffer from depression and there’s not many things that give me a sense of happiness and contentment, but your personality and your story telling abilities are truly amazing. This video made me so happy. Thank you so much for being you. Never change bro. You’re a gem.

[@mA-nd1xr]

Imagine if this video had japanese subtitles for Adachi to watch this. I'm still very mad that now only Nick can add them and not the community like they once could. Those youtube subtitles made by the community basically taugh me English and were EXTREMELY helpful to me, at least

[@Carcosahead]

the system is fucked man

[@jmalmsten]

I really hope this is subtitled anyway so Adachi can understand that weird email. :)

[@4.0.4]

I'm also mad at this, it didn't cost KZbin anything and was such a cool feature that let me share videos with friends and family (that don't speak English).

[@alexia3552]

"It's a HARDware store" "but the name is Michael SOFT" lol I love that

[@vincent67239]

Michael HARD would be… a different kind of store

[@Brtt4849]

For computers

[@theroyalcat7010]

@@vincent67239 and MICRO Hard would be a different, perhaps sadder kind...

[@sleepytubbs9405]

@@vincent67239 hard lemonade store?

[@vincent67239]

@@sleepytubbs9405 ha

[@iaobtc]

Still, one mystery remains: Adachi took the photo from another angle, so where did the meme photo come from?

[@Liam-jj7po]

it looks like the meme photo is the same one, just cropped and flipped.

[@jonmartin444]

@@Liam-jj7po can't be, the text would be mirrored of it was flipped

[@tartarussauce2498]

Yeah, the lighting is different as well.

[@laurinneff4304]

@@jonmartin444 then maybe it was skewed to be in the angle of the meme photo?

[@explodinglamps2021]

He took multiple pictures

[@Totonch]

I had no clue about this photo, but the entire story was amazing. Fun, emotional, mysterious…lots of emotions. Great job! Will check now other videos of you 😊

[@damien1700]

Lemme guess, he's gonna find the sign. And not only is he gonna do that, I'm going to love it, and continue loving every video he makes

[@fabianlaibin6956]

I know that the store is no more before this since someone did this before he did but it's still a pretty great video

[@2thirty2pm]

you get half points

[@S.1.L]

Of course, the sign has Japanese text. He will *book a flight to Japan-*

[@Cainb23]

Simping for youtubers smh

[@S.1.L]

@@Cainb23 ok then, i guess enjoying someone's content is considered simping now. smh my head.

[@martonkiss5426]

I just love the fact that when you're talking about how you might not find it but the experience is still magical, you fly right over the building you're searching for at 24:05

[@elroylee]

Man you got eagle eyes how'd you notice that

[@11macman11]

Awesome... great catch 👍

[@deadpianist7494]

damn eagles are watching youtube now?

[@Thesupremeone34]

the wild part for me anyway is when it got to that part of the video, i was like "i think that building is the one" and then he flew past it and i just assumed i was wrong

[@peeron6829]

@@Thesupremeone34 damn shego

[@Charlie-yt2iy]

"Some sort of eldrich horrors awaited me, on the other end of this journey." 18:38 *SEES ROCK IN THE SKY*

[@sainsburyslocal]

That jumpscare though-

[@psychic_digit]

Bruh that spooked me the heck out XD

[@somebodyiguess-752]

"Celestial creatures are invading!"

[@panagiotiskevopoulos]

What a story. This is one of these few KZbin gems.

[@jefflindeman]

Ok, you got me. The KZbin algorithm threw this into my recommends and I remembered Michaelsoft Binbows. I’m 66 and I think I first encountered the image on some local dialup Red Rider BBS, pre-internet (not real sure about that but still... ancient history for sure). I may be thinking back too far though. My first computer was an all-in-one, black&white MacSE, with an added 300baud modem and a $400 20MB hard drive LOL. Anyway, really enjoyed your sleuthing! Subbed and looking forward to your 1mil vid. Cheers from Birch Bay, WA (you’re @ 994k today)

[@mikehall3976]

Birch Bay, WA, eh? I'm from White Rock, B.C.! The world really is a small place. I remember seeing the Michaelsoft Binbows image back in 2013 when I first got my taste of "meme" culture with my new iPad 4th gen. The world really opened up.

[@jefflindeman]

@@mikehall3976 ~You don’t happen to be a snooker player do you? KZbin has turned me into a snooker fan and I want to play. I’ve been waiting for the border to open up because the closest snooker tables are in Canada. Cheers

[@wiseguy2050]

Mike if you don't play snooker with Jeff I'm gonna friggin cry

[@d_the_great]

It's funny that 30 years ago you bought a 20MB hard drive for $400, when nowadays you can get a 2TB hard drive for $400

[@jefflindeman]

@@d_the_great ~Actually, you can get a 4TB for even cheaper! I have a RAID array of 8 4TB drives (I’m a commercial advertising photographer, so never enough storage 🤷🏻‍♂️) Oh, and you’re welcome. You wouldn’t have the prices you have today if it wasn’t for early adapters, such as myself, that started this whole thing but in the late 1980s. Supply and demand capitalism! 🇺🇸✌️