Kenshi Yonezu's 'IRIS OUT' Tops Billboard JAPAN 2026 Mid-Year Hot 100 — 'Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc' Theme Hits 100M Views in 73 Days
- Jun 9
- 1 min read
Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" claimed No.1 on Billboard JAPAN's 2026 mid-year Hot 100. Released digitally with its music video on September 15, 2025 as the theme for the film "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc," it surpassed 100 million YouTube views just 73 days later, on November 27. It stands as a landmark case where an anime-IP tie-up and long-term DSP listening clicked into place, drawing industry attention.
"IRIS OUT" was written as the theme for "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc," and its music video weaves in footage from the film, syncing Denji's fleeting moment of youth and the fierce battle that follows to the beat of the track.
In recent years, songs anchored by anime and film IP tie-ups increasingly balance an immediate post-release viral spike with sustained catalog listening. Recommendation engines on YouTube and DSPs drive passive listening, capturing both the work's fans and music listeners.
By synchronizing the timing of distribution, music-video release and theatrical opening — and layering TV exposure such as the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen — the song has continually widened its reach.
Also Worth Watching: The Kohaku Performance
"IRIS OUT" was also performed at the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve 2025, reaching an even broader audience through a major year-end program.
From the ZEN editorial desk: the meticulous interlocking of anime IP and song design is a framework that independent creators can also apply. We are watching the importance of running tie-up design and DSP funnels in tandem.
Sources: Chainsaw Man official site, Kenshi Yonezu official site "REISSUE RECORDS," Billboard JAPAN.
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