Kenshi Yonezu Becomes the Most RIAA-Certified Japanese-Language Artist as "IRIS OUT" Keeps Climbing

Kenshi Yonezu - "IRIS OUT" Official Music Video (click image to watch on YouTube)

Kenshi Yonezu keeps setting records in the US market. In May 2026, his 2017 single "Peace Sign" (the Season 2 opening theme for My Hero Academia) was certified Gold by the RIAA for surpassing 500,000 units in combined US sales and streaming. It's Yonezu's third RIAA certification for a Japanese-language song, making him the only artist in history to achieve that for three separate Japanese-lyric tracks.

The certification arrived as Yonezu's more recent hit, "IRIS OUT" — the opening theme for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, released September 15, 2025 — kept dominating charts back home. "IRIS OUT" reached 100 million streams in just four weeks (the fastest song ever to do so in Billboard Japan history), topped the Japan Hot 100 across Billboard Japan's 2026 mid-year charts, and peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Global 200, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Japanese-language song.

Yonezu's earlier Chainsaw Man theme "KICK BACK" had already made history as the first Japanese-language song certified Gold (2023) and later Platinum (2025) by the RIAA — cementing his run as the most decorated Japanese-language act in US certification history.

Release Info

• Artist: Kenshi Yonezu
• Title: "IRIS OUT"
• Release Date: September 15, 2025
• Tie-in: Opening theme, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
• Milestone: "Peace Sign" certified RIAA Gold, May 2026 — Yonezu's 3rd Japanese-language RIAA certification

Listen officially on:

• Official streaming link (Spotify / Apple Music / more)
• Kenshi Yonezu Official YouTube Channel

Source: Crunchyroll News, Billboard Japan, The Outerhaven, Anime News Network

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Mrs. GREEN APPLE Unveils "Brand New" Music Video for Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Mrs. GREEN APPLE - "Brand New" Official Music Video (click image to watch on YouTube)

Mrs. GREEN APPLE released "Brand New" digitally on July 13, 2026 as the Japanese theme song for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The accompanying music video premiered on the band's official YouTube channel on July 31, 2026, timed to the film's simultaneous Japan-US release.

The video opens in a garage-like rehearsal room echoing the trio's early days before the members burst out into the streets of Tokyo, blending live-action wire work, CG, and AI-assisted visuals. The band has described the clip as representing a "brand new Mrs." as they step into what they call Phase 3 following their 10th anniversary.

The song also serves as an early preview of the band's upcoming sixth original full album, scheduled for release on September 30, 2026, alongside the kickoff of their arena tour "Ringo Jam Tour: SHADOWS."

Release Info

• Artist: Mrs. GREEN APPLE
• Title: "Brand New"
• Release Date: July 13, 2026 (digital); MV released July 31, 2026
• Tie-in: Japanese theme song, Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Listen officially on:

• Official streaming link (Spotify / Apple Music / more)
• Mrs. GREEN APPLE Official YouTube Channel

Source: Skream! Japan, Mrs. GREEN APPLE official site (mrsgreenapple.com)

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Sakurazaka46 Release Double A-Side Single "Lonesome rabbit / What's 'KAZOKU'?" as Anime Opening Theme

Sakurazaka46 - "Lonesome rabbit" Official Music Video (click image to watch on YouTube)

Sakurazaka46 released their 15th single, "Lonesome rabbit / What's 'KAZOKU'?", on June 10, 2026 — the group's first-ever double A-side release. The announcement came as a surprise during their "5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE" at Tokyo's National Stadium on April 11, 2026.

The track "What's 'KAZOKU'?" was chosen as the opening theme for the second season of the TV anime Mission: Yozakura Family, which began broadcasting on April 12, 2026. Its music video, directed by Takuto Shimpo, centers second-generation member Hikaru Morita and depicts an imaginary world gradually spilling into reality. The single's other A-side, "Lonesome rabbit," also centers Morita and leans into the group's dance-forward choreography strengths.

Alongside the single, Sakurazaka46 announced their "ARENA TOUR 2026," running across six cities from July through August, plus a "6th YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE" at Chiba's ZOZO Marine Stadium in November — and teased the group's first-ever Asia tour for 2027.

Release Info

• Artist: Sakurazaka46
• Title: "Lonesome rabbit / What's 'KAZOKU'?" (15th single, double A-side)
• Release Date: June 10, 2026
• Tie-in: Opening theme, Mission: Yozakura Family Season 2

Listen officially on:

• Official streaming link (Spotify / Apple Music / more)
• Sakurazaka46 Official YouTube Channel

Source: OTOMO (Music Awards Japan official media), TokyoHive, Wikipedia ("Sakurazaka46")

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THE JET BOY BANGERZ Drops "BUDDING", Opening Theme for Anime Iwamoto-senpai no Suisen

THE JET BOY BANGERZ - "BUDDING" Official Animated Music Video (click image to watch on YouTube)

10-member dance & vocal group under LDH Japan, THE JET BOY BANGERZ, released their digital single "BUDDING" on July 3, 2026, serving as the opening theme for the TV anime Iwamoto-senpai no Suisen (Recommendations from Iwamoto-senpai) produced by Studio Deen, which began airing in Japan on July 4, 2026.

The animated music video features clips from the anime, which follows a paranormal mystery story set in 1910s Japan. THE JET BOY BANGERZ's signature high-energy sound makes for a fitting opener for each episode, paired with the ending theme from their sister label act, WOLF HOWL HARMONY.

THE JET BOY BANGERZ was formed through the "iCON Z Dreams For Children" audition, which drew around 48,000 applicants, and has released several hit songs including "Black Sheep" and "HEAD UP introduced by Zeebra" throughout 2026.

• Artist: THE JET BOY BANGERZ
• Title: BUDDING
• Release: July 3, 2026
• Tie-in: Opening theme for anime "Iwamoto-senpai no Suisen"

Listen officially on:
YouTube: THE JET BOY BANGERZ Official Channel

Source: Anime TV Japan (animetv-jp.net), guslok.com, LDH Official Site

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JUJU Releases Single "Natsu-semi", Theme Song for Drama First Cry: Mother and Child Emergency

JUJU - "Natsu-semi" Official Content (click image to watch on YouTube)

Solo singer JUJU released her latest single "Natsu-semi" (夏蝉, meaning "Summer Cicada") on July 8, 2026 via digital streaming services. The song serves as the theme for the Japanese drama First Cry: Mother and Child Emergency, airing on Nippon TV's "Suiyou Drama" slot starting July 8, 2026.

"Natsu-semi" was written by Yoshiki Mizuno with arrangement by KOHD, showcasing JUJU's signature emotional side known for soulful vocals and heartfelt ballads. The track is released under Sony Music Labels Inc.

Alongside the digital release, JUJU also announced a physical CD single of "Natsu-semi" scheduled for September 2, 2026, including a limited edition featuring live recordings of "Ashita ga Kuru Nara" and "I".

• Artist: JUJU
• Title: Natsu-semi (夏蝉)
• Digital release: July 8, 2026
• CD release: September 2, 2026
• Tie-in: Theme song for drama "First Cry: Mother and Child Emergency"

Listen officially on:
YouTube: JUJU Official YouTube Channel
Apple Music: Natsu-semi - Single

Source: Apple Music, JUJU official YouTube channel (@jujuSMEJ)

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