Billboard JAPAN First-Half 2026 Chart Wrap — Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" Tops the Hot 100, Mrs. GREEN APPLE Claims a First-Ever Third Straight Year at No. 1 Artist
- Jun 16
- 1 min read
Billboard JAPAN has released its first-half 2026 charts (tallying November 24, 2025 to May 24, 2026). Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" topped the comprehensive Hot 100 song chart, and the artist swept a total of 11 No. 1 placements. Mrs. GREEN APPLE reached No. 1 on the overall Artist chart for a third consecutive year — a first.
"IRIS OUT," written for the film "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc," reportedly reached 100 million streams at the fastest pace in the chart's history. Topping the overall song chart and ranking high across multiple metrics, it became a defining hit of the half.
The names at the top again illustrated how ties to screen works and streaming growth drive Japan's charts. BTS's "ARIRANG" led the overall album chart and Arashi's "Five" topped downloads — a sign that works with different strengths spread across the metrics this period.
On a comprehensive chart that bundles streaming, downloads, radio, and video plays, both an intense burst of attention at release and steady mid- to long-term accumulation matter. How tie-up design is combined with social-media ripple is becoming the dividing line for sustained top placement.
A Notable Trend: Consecutive Years Atop the Artist Chart
Mrs. GREEN APPLE's three straight years at No. 1 on the Artist chart reflects continued output and accumulated live mobilization beyond any single hit. Strength across the board, with multiple songs lingering on the charts, lifted the overall standing.
Half-year charts make visible not only song-level performance but artist-level staying power. The ZEN editorial team believes reading such metrics can inform release planning for artists yet to emerge.
Sources: Billboard JAPAN, Real Sound, Mikiki, and others
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