Kenshi Yonezu just hit a historic high note. The J-pop superstar's explosive hit single 'KICK BACK' officially became the first and only Japanese-language song to be certified Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), marking a monumental moment not just for Yonezu, but for Japanese music globally.
The opening theme for the smash anime Chainsaw Man, 'KICK BACK' stormed the charts upon its release in 2022 — from debuting on Spotify’s Global Top 50 to making Yonezu the first J-pop artist to ever appear on the list.
“I’m thrilled to hear that ‘KICK BACK’ has been certified Platinum,” Yonezu shared. “When I was on tour, the crowds would go wild every time it played — it really made me realise how much Chainsaw Man resonates around the world.”
The track, co-arranged with Daiki Tsuneta (of King Gnu and Millennium Parade), and paired with a wild music video by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, became a cultural juggernaut. And now, its legacy continues with a remix from hyperpop duo Frost Children, released alongside Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
But that’s not all. Fresh off the certification, Yonezu just dropped his latest single 'IRIS OUT', the official theme for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The track arrived with a cinematic music video that teases scenes from the film in sync with Yonezu’s signature sonic energy.
And there's even more coming — on 22 September, Yonezu will unveil 'JANE DOE', a powerful collaboration with J-pop icon Hikaru Utada. The track, written and composed by Yonezu, features Utada on vocals and will serve as the film’s ending theme.
With groundbreaking achievements and back-to-back releases tied to one of the most beloved anime franchises today, Kenshi Yonezu is not just shaping the sound of J-pop — he’s rewriting its history.
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