MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026: How will the “Seismic Shift” of Japanese Anime Films Becoming Global Mega-Hits Shake Up the Music Scene!? Many Anime Theme Songs, Including Kimetsu no Yaiba Theme Song, Nominated in Interim Announcement! [Report]

The “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026” (hereafter, MAJ), selected by 5,000 music professionals, stands as Japan’s largest international music award. Its core concept is “Connecting with the world and lighting the future of music.” A total of 70 award categories are established, including the “Best Anime Song Award,” which was won last year by YOASOBI’s “Idol,” the opening theme song for `Oshi no Ko`.

At the recent press conference, the outline for MAJ, slated to be held in Tokyo on June 13, 2026, was unveiled. The event also featured the interim results for the major categories and an engaging talk session with special guests: actor-artist Sakurai Kaito, comedian Hikorohi, music journalist Shiba Noriyuki, and Arne Inc. CEO Matsushima Isao. We’re here to give you a detailed report on how the immense presence of anime in the 2025 music scene truly shone through during this gathering.

Anime Movie Theme Songs, Massive World Tours: Japanese Culture is Globalizing in All Directions

During the talk session, the 2025 music scene was reviewed through three insightful keywords: “New Values,” “Japanese Culture Going Global,” and “Y2K Revival.”

When discussing “Japanese Culture Going Global,” Shiba Noriyuki highlighted Ado’s groundbreaking achievement of completing the largest world tour ever by a Japanese artist. He explained that a growing number of artists, including Yonezu Kenshi and ONE OK ROCK, are embarking on large-scale global tours. He further pointed out that Japanese anime films, such as `Gekijoban Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugenjo Hen Dai Issho: Akaza Sairai` (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza Returns) and `Gekijoban Chainsaw Man Reze Hen` (Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc), have achieved monumental global success. Shiba Noriyuki vividly described this phenomenon as a “major geological shift,” emphasizing, “While this conversation centers on animation and film, music is, naturally, deeply intertwined with it. Many hit songs serve as theme songs, signifying that Japanese culture is globalizing across the board, in every single direction.”

Hikorohi cited the remarkable revival of Japanese City Pop as a prime example, expressing her genuine enthusiasm that this situation – where “creators pursue what they truly love, and it serendipitously goes global” – rather than being a manufactured hit, signifies “the beauty of this era, that we are entering a truly wonderful age.” Sakurai Kaito, having gained experience as the lead actor in “Drama & Film: `Oshi no Ko`,” shared his profound realization that he, too, is now “in an environment where I can be appreciated by people overseas,” feeling firsthand that anime culture is a powerful force propelling Japanese culture across international borders.

Numerous Anime Theme Songs That Adorned 2025 Make It Into the Interim Announcement for Best Song Award!

At the conclusion of the press conference, the highly anticipated interim results for MAJ’s major categories – “Best Album Award,” “Best Artist Award,” and “Best Song Award” – were proudly announced.

For the Best Album Award, the nominations included the in-film music collection “MIC AS ONE” from the movie `Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-`, as well as Ado’s “Ado no Best Album,” which notably features the smash-hit theme song “Shin Jidai” from `ONE PIECE FILM RED`, among other remarkable entries.

The nominations for the Best Song Award also showcased an impressive lineup of beloved anime theme songs: Aimer’s “Taiyou ga Noboranai Sekai” and LiSA’s “Zankoku na Yoru ni Kagayake” from `Gekijoban Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugenjo Hen Dai Issho: Akaza Sairai`; Aina The End’s “Kakumei Doochu” (Revolutionary Journey), the electrifying opening theme for `Dandadan Dai Niki` (Dandadan Season 2); Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Kusushiki,” the captivating opening theme for `Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Dai Niki` (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2); Yonezu Kenshi’s “Plazma,” the powerful theme song for `Kido Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX`; Hoshimachi Suisei’s “Mou Doo Natte mo Ii ya” (I Don’t Care Anymore), the heartfelt ending theme for the same work; and Vaundy’s “Hashire SAKAMOTO” (Run, SAKAMOTO), the dynamic opening theme for `SAKAMOTO DAYS`.

However, the name of Yonezu Kenshi’s “IRIS OUT,” the theme song for `Gekijoban Chainsaw Man Reze Hen` (Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc), which was a hot topic during the talk session and is currently a global hit, was conspicuously absent from these interim nominations…

According to Matsushima Isao, the MAJ has adopted a new counting period starting this year. He candidly explained, “Aina The End’s ‘Kakumei Doochu’ (the opening theme for TV anime `Dandadan Dai Niki`) was released in early July, while Yonezu Kenshi’s ‘IRIS OUT’ (the theme song for `Gekijoban Chainsaw Man Reze Hen`) was released in mid-September. So, `IRIS OUT` is at a disadvantage date-wise in this interim announcement. However, its numbers are undoubtedly expected to grow considerably over the full year.” He thus expressed high hopes for the continued impressive performance of anime songs after the interim announcement.

2026 to be Held in Tokyo! A Whole Week Designated as “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Week,” with Events Across Tokyo!

Representing the organizers, Nomura Tatsuya-shi, who serves as both the Chairman of the Japan Music Creators Federation and the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Executive Committee, discussed the pivotal points of evolution for the 2026 event. He proudly announced that the awards ceremony would be held at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO on June 13, 2026. Furthermore, a premiere ceremony is scheduled to take place at Tokyo Dream Park on the afternoon of the same day, and the entire week from June 8 to June 13 will be grandly designated as “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Week,” featuring an exciting array of events such as live performances, engaging talk shows, special events, and insightful seminars across various locations in Tokyo.

What kind of exciting arrangements and surprises await us at the awards ceremony on June 13, 2026, and throughout the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Week events? Let’s eagerly anticipate and wait for that momentous day with great excitement!

Additionally, the “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 Retrospective Special” will be exclusively streamed for free on Lemino starting November 10. No registration is required to watch this special program. With Mori Kasumi as the lively MC and featuring guests including SKY-HI, Takumi Masanori, and others, the special will offer various perspectives as it looks back at the momentous night when a new chapter in Japanese music history truly began.

【”MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026″ Event Outline】
・Date & Time: June 13, 2026 (Saturday)
※Event Week: June 8, 2026 (Monday) – June 13, 2026 (Saturday)
・Venue: TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO and others

©CEIPA /MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026

Maruta Kayoko

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