J-pop, Anime Songs and the Oricon Charts — 2026-09-16
SixTONES has secured a historic milestone on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, becoming the fourth male artist group in history to achieve 17 consecutive singles with first-week sales exceeding 300,000 copies. Meanwhile, YOASOBI continues its global expansion with the release of a new "Orion" remix following their BlizzCon performance, and VTuber Mori Calliope released a music video for her anime tie-in track "Reimei Compass."
J-pop, Anime Songs and the Oricon Charts — 2026-09-16
Top developments
SixTONES makes history with 17th consecutive million-seller single
On September 15, Oricon announced that SixTONES' latest single "Dance Forever / My Only" debuted at No. 1 on the Weekly Singles Chart for the week ending September 21. The single sold approximately 436,000 copies in its first week, marking the 17th consecutive single by the group to surpass 300,000 first-week sales. This achievement places them as only the fourth male artist group in Oricon history to reach this streak, solidifying their dominance in the physical CD market during a period when idol sales remain robust.
YOASOBI releases "Orion" PSYQUI Remix after BlizzCon performance
Following their appearance at BlizzCon earlier this month, J-pop duo YOASOBI released a new remix of their Overwatch collaboration track "Orion" on September 14. The track, originally featured on their album THE BOOK for, was remixed by DJ/producer PSYQUI. This release keeps the duo in the global streaming conversation, leveraging their strong international fanbase built through anime hits like "Idol" and "Yoru ni Kakeru."
Mori Calliope releases MV for Patlabor EZY opening theme
VTuber Mori Calliope released the music video for "Reimei Compass," the opening theme for the theatrical anime Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, on September 14. The video features Calliope dancing in various locations across Tokyo. The song, originally released in May 2026, has continued to gain traction, contributing to the growing trend of VTubers and virtual artists securing major anime tie-ins that chart on Billboard Japan and Oricon.
MAN WITH A MISSION and yutori assigned to new anime OP/ED
Rock band MAN WITH A MISSION and singer yutori have been confirmed as the performers for the opening and ending themes of the upcoming TV anime Shuiro no Kamen (The Vermilion Mask). The announcement, made on September 11, includes the release of a second main promotional video featuring both artists' tracks. This continues the trend of high-profile rock and pop artists anchoring late-summer and autumn anime seasons.
Local view
Sankei Sports highlights the rarity of SixTONES' achievement, noting that only four male groups have ever maintained such a consistent streak of high-volume first-week sales. The outlet emphasizes the group's ability to sustain physical sales momentum despite the broader industry shift toward streaming.
Kyodo News (via TV Fan) focuses on the cultural crossover success of VTuber Mori Calliope, noting how her "Reimei Compass" MV integrates real-world Tokyo locations with virtual performance, appealing to both anime fans and VTuber enthusiasts.
Context & numbers
- SixTONES First-Week Sales: 436,000 copies for "Dance Forever / My Only."
- Historical Ranking: SixTONES is now one of only four male groups to achieve 17 consecutive singles with >300k first-week sales.
- XG Milestone: XG released a new single "DEPENDS" and announced a rebranding of their agency XGALX, continuing their push into global markets with tracks that have previously crossed 1.5 billion streams cumulatively.
On the radar
- Tower Records Campaign: A special campaign featuring Tatsuro Yamashita's jacket photo posters as limited perks begins on September 17 at Tower Records stores nationwide, celebrating his catalog and recent Guinness World Record for "Christmas Eve" charting for 40 consecutive years.
- Idol Graduations: Chitose Yoshino of the idol group "Amaimono Tsumeawase" announced her graduation effective January 2027, highlighting the ongoing cycle of member changes in the indie/idol sector.
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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