Welcome to the third edition of Music Pulse!
In each edition, I share a few different pulse points on what’s been happening across Japan’s music charts.
Today’s edition is a mix of global hits, new releases, and a decade-old favorite that’s made its way back onto the charts. Let’s dive in!
🎵 = Song | 📊 = Chart(s)1
GLOBAL HIT
🎵 “IRIS OUT”
📊 Billboard Global 200, Billboard Global Excl. US
I talked about Kenshi Yonezu further in my Music Pulse a couple of months ago, before his Billboard JAPAN rankings came out. While his music chart dominance and record-breaking figures across his Chainsaw Man songs are no surprise, he’s also hit a major global milestone.
His opener for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc film, “IRIS OUT,” became the highest-charting Japanese song ever on Billboard’s Global 200 - and, it’s also ranking high on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart as well.
Yet another incredible achievement in Kenshi Yonezu’s record-breaking year.
NEW RELEASE
💿 Dear Jubilee - RADWIMPS TRIBUTE-
📊 Spotify Top 50 – Japan
RADWIMPS’ new tribute album, celebrating 20 years since their major debut, includes an all-star lineup.
Featured artists range from global J-pop names like YOASOBI and the above-mentioned Kenshi Yonezu, to internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Hayato Sumino.2
And while “IRIS OUT” continues to hold the top spot, many of the tribute album’s 14 songs quickly entered Spotify’s Top 50 in Japan.
For me, what stands out about this album is how each artist intertwines their own musical identity with songs that are already foundational to so many fans.
If you’re curious like I was, I’d strongly recommend checking out some of the artist comments (also available in English), as many share beautiful reflections on what RADWIMPS has meant to them in their musical journeys.
VIRAL RETURN
🎵 “Silhouette”
📊 TikTok Music Charts Top 50 (Japan)
While HALCALI shaped the viral soundscape of summer, a returning hit song has been taking over this fall.
Released more than a decade ago as the opening theme for Naruto: Shippuuden, KANA-BOON’s popular track “Silhouette” has been topping TikTok Japan’s music chart, via a trend that I see best described as the “hand seal” dance.
The origin of this viral moment was from KANA-BOON themselves, who started a #silhouettetogether project near the end of October, that encouraged fans to cover the song.
It has since gone viral - and the track’s been picked up by a wide range of creators and celebrities, including ENHYPEN’s Sunoo, Avantgardey, and SKE48.
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK SPOTLIGHT
🎵 “in the pool”
📊 Billboard JAPAN’s Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart
For anime fans, composer kensuke ushio is no stranger. He has worked on many notable projects: A Silent Voice, Chainsaw Man, Orb, Dandadan, and so many more.
Now, ushio has made his Billboard chart debut. Tracks from the Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc soundtrack — “in the sea” and, earlier in the month, “in the pool” — appeared on the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, which tracks songs gaining international traction.
Anime songs often make up the bulk of this chart. Yet, since the top international hits usually gravitate toward OPs from the J-Pop soundscape, OST are far less frequent.3
On top of that, I haven’t seen two OST tracks from a single project make the chart since it was created. As anime’s global reach only continues, it will be cool to see how talented composers will ride that momentum too.
As I say every time… I really love writing these. Let me know if there are any interesting finds you’ve been keeping an eye on!
With artists and songs often appearing on multiple charts, I will list one or two of them here. Charts were last reviewed on November 23, 2025.
He’s also a member of the band Penthouse and the YouTuber Cateen!
There must be some newer ones I can’t seem to remember…but the one that I’m always immediately reminded of is Joe Hisaishi’s “Merry-Go-Round of Life.”
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