Kenshi Yonezu's 'Peace Sign', the My Hero Academia Season 2 opening theme, was certified Gold by the RIAA in May 2026. Following 'KICK BACK' (Gold and Platinum), this is his third RIAA certification, making him the only artist ever to receive three certifications for Japanese-language songs. We look at the milestone, its overlap with the anime's 10th anniversary year, and the 2025 JUNK world tour that drew 440,000 fans.
Kenshi Yonezu has written 'Karasu' (Crow) as NHK's 2026 World Cup soccer theme. Combined with Ado's 'Kira' (adidas Japan uniform song), ORANGE RANGE's DAZN anthem, and JI BLUE's 'Keshiki' (JFA official theme), Japan's top J-pop artists are forming an unprecedented multi-platform soundtrack for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" spent 22 straight weeks at No. 1 on Oricon's streaming chart, a record for a solo artist, and topped the YouTube chart for the 21st time (V21). It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200, the highest ever for a Japanese-language song, and his tours drew 440,000 fans at home and abroad. Here is how Japanese artists are reshaping global music streaming.
