Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-10-09
The Autumn 2026 anime season has officially launched, bringing a wave of new opening and ending themes to the charts, with HIROMITSU KITAYAMA’s "BACKLASH" topping the mora weekly rankings. Meanwhile, major festivals like Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2026 and the newly announced Tokyo Anime Next festival are solidifying their lineups for late 2026, while Joe Hisaishi’s global orchestral tour continues to expand its footprint in Asia and North America.
Anisong Charts, Festivals and Orchestras — 2026-10-09
Top developments
HIROMITSU KITAYAMA Tops mora Weekly Anisong Chart with "BACKLASH"
On October 7, 2026, it was announced that HIROMITSU KITAYAMA’s song "BACKLASH," serving as the opening theme for the "Tokyo Demon Ghost" (Tougen Anki) Nikko & Kegon Falls arc, secured the number one spot on the mora weekly anisong ranking for the period of September 28 to October 4, 2026. The track's dominance highlights the immediate impact of new season openings on digital download platforms. Other top contenders included Mrs. GREEN APPLE and Aoi Eir, reflecting the strong competition among established anisong artists this autumn.
Tokyo Anime Next Announces First Festival Lineup for October 30–November 2
Tokyo Anime Next revealed the details of its inaugural festival, scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 2, 2026, in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. This new event adds to the crowded late-year anime calendar, offering a fresh venue for industry showcases and fan engagement in a major Tokyo hub. The announcement comes just weeks before the event, signaling rapid growth in localized anime festivals beyond the traditional summer seasons.
Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2026 Finalizes Concert Lineup for November
Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2026 (AFASG26), set for November 27–29 at Suntec Singapore, has finalized its concert segments featuring artists like KAF and Isekaijoucho. The event continues to serve as a key international platform for Japanese anisong artists, bridging the gap between domestic Japanese festivals and global audiences. The inclusion of high-profile virtual and real-life performers underscores the festival's strategy to appeal to diverse fan bases across Southeast Asia.
Autumn 2026 Anime Openings Feature Diverse Veteran and New Artists
The Autumn 2026 anime season has begun with a robust lineup of theme songs from veteran bands like BUCK-TICK, GLAY, and Superfly, alongside newer acts such as M!LK and JO1. This mix ensures broad demographic appeal, with tracks like "Fortress Defense" by 10-FEET for Aoashi Season 2 already generating buzz. The immediate availability of these songs on streaming platforms is driving early chart entries for these new releases.
Local view
Japanese media outlets like Mikiki by TOWER RECORDS are highlighting the strategic importance of the Autumn 2026 season, noting how major labels are leveraging veteran rock bands to anchor new anime adaptations. Local stakeholders emphasize that the immediate release of OP/ED themes on platforms like mora is critical for sustaining momentum during the first few weeks of broadcast. Yahoo! News Japan reports on the specific chart performance of new entrants like HIROMITSU KITAYAMA, indicating a tight race for top positions as the season progresses.
Context & numbers
- mora Weekly Ranking Period: September 28 – October 4, 2026
- Tokyo Anime Next Dates: October 30 – November 2, 2026
- AFASG26 Dates: November 27–29, 2026
- Key Artists in Top 5 (mora): HIROMITSU KITAYAMA, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Aoi Eir
On the radar
- Joe Hisaishi Singapore Concert: Scheduled for November 12–13, 2026, at Esplanade Concert Hall with Orchestre de Paris, featuring Studio Ghibli classics and the Southeast Asia premiere of Concerto for Orchestra.
- Virtual Idol Summit: Tickets went on sale October 5 for "VIRTUAL IDOL SUMMIT IN ANTHEM AKIBA VOL.1 & VOL.2," featuring the group enogu, scheduled for October 20 and 27, 2026.
- Billboard Japan Hot Animation: While specific weekly data for early October is not detailed in recent snippets, the chart remains a key metric for tracking the crossover success of anime themes into mainstream pop charts.
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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