Balalaika (バラライカ) is the 2nd single by Tsukishima Kirari starring Kusumi Koharu (Morning Musume). It was released on October 25, 2006 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition came with a Super Corabo Mirufii card. The limited and first press release of the regular came with a special sticker.
The Single V was released on November 8, 2006. It sold 7,720 copies and peaked at #6 on the Oricon charts.
Balalaika was used as the 2nd opening for the anime Kirarin☆Revolution, and Mizuiro Melody was used as the 3rd ending theme for the same anime.
A balalaika is a type of Russian stringed musical instrument.
"Yaranaika" by Isaji with Abe Dancers is a parody of Balalaika that turns the song into a homosexual love song. Yaranaika itself means "Wanna do it?" and originated from the adult BL manga Kuso Miso Technique. This is referenced further at the end of the song, with the dialogue being taken directly from the manga. Later, Yuichiro Nagashima, the cosplay kickboxer, once entered the ring in Abe's eponymous jumpsuit with the parody song as background music.
The music video, uploaded to the UP-FRONT PROMOTION YouTube channel, has over 10 million views as of mid-2019. The only other video on the channel to do the same is Sharan Q's "Single Bed" at 24 million. The feat, which took nearly nine years, is notable as being rare among even larger acts such as Morning Musume, who have only four videos in this category.
