I do not believe it is fake unless someone can prove it is. It looks genuinely realistic and do not forget some fish are far smarter than we give them credit for. They are in their own right rather intelligent animals and that is just one of nature's wonders. Shame most of us just directly say a particular animal is dumb because it looks like one in his perception. If I am not mistaken, goldfish are part of Japanese culture. They happen to appreciate goldfish much more than other neighboring Asian countries with the possible exception of Thailand and Malaysia where goldfish farms also thrive. I do believe in their passion for this fish, they make up more of their time for their fish. I am also an Asian myself with passion for the fish although admittedly, I just do not train my goldfish to do some tricks that the videos have shown but I still feel attached and sentimental for them.Its an old video and still seems very fake to me