Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-09-09
Joe Hisaishi has set three new Guinness World Records for his recent Studio Ghibli concert series, marking a significant milestone for anime orchestral tours. Meanwhile, the mora weekly anisong chart saw a debut at number one from VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei, while the "Sound of Epic Anime" concert series prepares for its September London date.
Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-09-09
Top developments
Joe Hisaishi Sets Three Guinness World Records
On September 8, 2026, Universal Music Canada announced that composer Joe Hisaishi has entered a new chapter of his career with an expanded recording agreement with Deutsche Grammophon. This announcement coincided with the confirmation that Hisaishi set three new Guinness World Records for landmark concerts in New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. These records highlight the massive scale of his recent "Music from the Studio Ghibli Films" tours, which have drawn unprecedented crowds and cemented his status as a global classical crossover phenomenon.
"Sound of Epic Anime" Concerts Announced for UK
Anime News Network reported on August 24 (confirmed for upcoming dates) that the "Sound of Epic Anime" concert series will take place at London's Southbank Centre on Friday, September 25, 2026, followed by a performance at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Sunday, November 15, 2026. These events feature full orchestral arrangements of popular anime themes, bringing high-production symphonic experiences to European audiences.
Hoshimachi Suisei Tops Mora Weekly Chart
In the latest weekly anisong rankings published by mora (covering August 24–30, 2026), Hoshimachi Suisei’s new song "GUM & DROP" debuted at number one. The track, released by the Hololive VTuber born in Los Angeles, highlights the growing influence of virtual idols in the traditional anisong market. The second spot was held by SEKAI NO OWARI’s "Stella," continuing their strong presence in anime tie-ups.
yama Confirmed for New Anime OP
On September 8, Billboard Japan reported that singer yama will perform the opening theme "Sayonara wa Iwanai" for the upcoming anime The Seven Knights of the Maronier Kingdom. This confirms another high-profile artist tie-up for the Fall 2026 season, adding to the competitive landscape of anime openings that frequently drive chart performance on Oricon and Billboard Japan.
Local view
Japanese media outlets are closely tracking the aftermath of the Animelo Summer Live 2026 (-Messenger-) held in July, with blogs like Anison A La Carte summarizing weekly news including artist activities and new theme song announcements. The focus remains on how these summer releases are transitioning into the autumn season, with Animatetimes highlighting the continuous release of karaoke-ready anime videos to sustain engagement between seasons.
Context & numbers
- Record-Breaking Attendance: Joe Hisaishi’s recent concerts contributed to three Guinness World Records, reflecting the massive demand for Ghibli-related live performances.
- Chart Movements: The mora weekly ranking shows strong competition, with "GUM & DROP" taking the top spot, followed by established acts like SEKAI NO OWARI and Mrs. GREEN APPLE maintaining high visibility in the Hot Animation context.
- Karaoke Integration: DAM karaoke systems continue to aggressively update their library with new anime opening and ending videos, ensuring immediate accessibility for fans following broadcast releases.
On the radar
- September 25: "Sound of Epic Anime" concert at London Southbank Centre.
- November 12–13: Joe Hisaishi performs with Orchestre de Paris at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, featuring the Southeast Asia premiere of his Concerto for Orchestra.
- November 15: "Sound of Epic Anime" concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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