Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-09-19
This week saw significant chart milestones for anime theme songs, with Yonezu Kenshi’s "IRIS OUT" securing its 40th non-consecutive week at #1 on Billboard Japan’s Hot Animation chart, a historic record. Meanwhile, preparations for major live events intensified with the announcement of the fifth wave of artists for ANIMAX MUSIX 2026, and a new opening theme reveal for the upcoming anime "Tetsuryō! meet with Tetsudō Musume."
Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-09-19
Top developments
Yonezu Kenshi’s "IRIS OUT" Hits Historic 40-Week Milestone
On September 16, 2026, it was reported that Yonezu Kenshi’s "IRIS OUT" has maintained its position at #1 on the Billboard Japan "Hot Animation" chart for a cumulative total of 40 weeks. This achievement marks an all-time record for the longest-running number-one song in the history of the specific animation-focused chart. The track, originally released as the theme for the live-action film MIU 404, continues to dominate despite the release of numerous new anime openings and endings throughout 2026.
ANIMAX MUSIX 2026 Announces Fifth Wave of Artists
On September 17, 2026, Model Press reported that the fifth wave of performing artists has been announced for "Tobu Railway presents ANIMAX MUSIX 2026 supported by Lemino." The event is scheduled to take place over two days, November 20 and 21, 2026. This addition to the lineup follows previous announcements and solidifies the festival's roster ahead of ticket sales, catering to the high demand for live anime song performances in Japan.
Asaka Confirmed as Artist for "Tetsuryō! meet with Tetsudō Musume" Opening
On September 16, 2026, Anime News Network confirmed that artist Asaka will perform the opening theme song "GO! GO! RAILWAY!!" for the television anime series Tetsuryō! meet with Tetsudō Musume. The series is set to premiere on October 8, 2026. This announcement adds to the growing list of artist tie-ups for the Fall 2026 anime season, highlighting the continued synergy between emerging pop artists and railway-themed anime franchises.
Local view
Local digital music platforms continue to reflect the dominance of established hits. The latest mora weekly anisong ranking (covering September 7–13, 2026) lists Aimyon’s "Kuchibiru wo Oe!" from her best album at the top of the compilation ranking, followed by Atamago by Ryokushoku Shakai and Kajitsu by Porno Graffitti. Notably, the soundtrack for Sound! Euphonium: The Movie – Our Promise: A Brand New Day (Part 2) remains highly ranked, indicating sustained demand for orchestral and band-themed anime scores.
Additionally, Tower Records Online reported on September 17 that INI’s "ANTHEM" took the #1 spot on their J-POP Single Weekly Top 30, with "Raburīzun" by Gen'in wa Jibun ni Aru. (Reason Is In My Own Hands) topping the pre-order charts. While not strictly an "anisong" in the traditional sense, these idol group releases often intersect with anime fanbases and contribute to the broader "anime-adjacent" music market.
Context & numbers
- Billboard Japan Hot Animation Top 10 (Recent): As of early September 2026, CUTIE STREET held the #1 spot, followed by Yonezu Kenshi, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, and King Gnu. This competitive landscape underscores the difficulty of breaking records like Yonezu’s recent 40-week milestone.
- CDTV Mid-Year Ranking: In the CDTV 2026 mid-year ranking announced on September 14, M!LK took the #1 spot. However, the report highlighted that the opening theme for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 (performed by Yorushika) benefited significantly from its anime tie-up, driving massive streaming numbers across subscription services.
On the radar
- ANIMAX MUSIX 2026: Tickets for the November 20–21 event are a key focus for fans; further lineup announcements are expected before the November dates.
- Fall 2026 Anime Openings: With Tetsuryō! meet with Tetsudō Musume premiering on October 8, fans are anticipating the release of Asaka’s "GO! GO! RAILWAY!!" and other Fall season themes that will likely debut on the Oricon and Billboard charts in late October.
- Joe Hisaishi Global Tour: While no specific concert news broke this week, the ongoing "Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi" world tour continues to drive interest in Ghibli scores, with upcoming dates in Houston (May 2027) and Singapore (November 2026) remaining high-profile events for orchestral anime music fans.
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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