One of Japan’s most influential contemporary artists, Yonezu continues to make waves on the international music scene with his distinctive sound and multidisciplinary creativity. His work has earned three certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), including the distinction of having “KICK BACK” become the first Japanese-language song to receive RIAA Platinum certification. His hit “IRIS OUT” also reached No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200, marking the highest position ever achieved by a Japanese-language song on the chart.
Yonezu’s 2025 WORLD TOUR / JUNK attracted approximately 440,000 attendees across Japan and international markets, making it one of the biggest tours of his career. His Southern California performance during the tour was particularly in demand, generating considerable buzz, especially within the Asian American community, with tickets difficult to secure.
During the show, Yonezu performed 22 songs plus two encore tracks, including fan favorites “KICK BACK” and “Lemon,” leaving audiences thrilled. His upcoming performance at the larger Kia Forum venue is expected to draw even greater excitement.
“IRIS OUT” Breaks Records Worldwide
Yonezu’s recent achievements further demonstrate the growing global influence of Japanese pop music, particularly as video games and anime continue to introduce Japanese artists to audiences around the world.
Written and performed by Yonezu, “IRIS OUT” serves as the theme song for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The track reached No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200, setting a new record for a Japanese-language song on the chart. It also spent 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Oricon’s Weekly Streaming Chart, the longest consecutive run by a solo artist.
In September 2026, “IRIS OUT” reached its 40th week at No. 1 on Billboard JAPAN’s JAPAN Hot Animation chart, setting a new record for the longest-running No. 1 in the chart’s history. The song also became the fastest track in Billboard JAPAN history to surpass 100 million streams.
These milestones build on Yonezu’s earlier successes. His signature song “Lemon” topped Billboard JAPAN’s year-end chart for two consecutive years, while his album STRAY SHEEP reached No. 7 on the IFPI Global Album All Format Chart. In 2026, STRAY SHEEP also became the first album in Oricon chart history to surpass three million cumulative points.
A Creative Force Across Anime, Film, and Music
In recent years, Yonezu has continued to create theme songs for anime, films, and other screen productions, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and producer.
In 2025, he released “BOW AND ARROW,” the opening theme for the television anime Medalist, and “Plazma,” the theme song for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. He subsequently released “IRIS OUT” and “JANE DOE,” a collaboration with Hikaru Utada that serves as the ending theme for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
That same year, Yonezu released “1991,” the theme song for the live-action film 5 Centimeters per Second, and performed “IRIS OUT” on the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan’s iconic annual year-end music program.
In 2026, “Peace Sign” received RIAA Gold certification, bringing Yonezu’s total number of RIAA-certified songs to three. He also released “Karasu - Raven,” the 2026 NHK Soccer Theme, and “Yodaka,” the theme song for the film Kingdom: The Clash of Souls. In addition, he participated as a guest guitarist in the live-action film Look Back, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.
2027 Tour Dates and Ticket Information
The expanded KENSHI YONEZU 2026–2027 WORLD TOUR / GHOST will bring Yonezu back to several key international markets while reaching additional cities around the world.
California Tour Dates:
Thursday, February 4, 2027: Oakland, CA — Oakland Arena
Saturday, February 6, 2027: Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
General ticket sales for all tour dates will begin on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. local time.
For tickets and additional tour information, visit the official Live Nation website: https://www.livenation.com/
With his groundbreaking chart achievements, acclaimed songwriting, and growing international following, Kenshi Yonezu continues to expand the reach of Japanese music worldwide. The upcoming GHOST tour promises to bring his distinctive musical vision to even more fans across the globe, with Southern California audiences set to welcome him back in February 2027.