Kenshi Yonezu's Unstoppable 2026: From 'KICK BACK' and 'Kanden' to 'Gigaku' – The Timeless Hits You'll Want to Belt Out at Karaoke

As spring 2026 blankets the city with that fresh-start energy, one thing remains a constant in the music scene: the steady, commanding presence of Kenshi Yonezu. It feels like there isn't a single day this year that his songs haven't been playing somewhere. And it's precisely because so many people are standing at the starting line of a new chapter that these tracks are hitting home all over again.

The other day, I hit up a karaoke joint with some mates for the first time in ages. We were on the booking screen, deciding to go with the "guide-off" karaoke mode and arguing over who'd sing what. The first song that came up? 'Kanden' (Shock). Of course, everyone knows it—that relentless energy and uniquely bizarre world. When you sing that track, it's not just about hitting the right notes; you almost feel compelled to channel the vibe of the drama *MIU404*. That rush you get after belting it out is like nothing else. Looking around the room, plenty of people were also picking 'KICK BACK'. It's become a pretty standard way to blow off steam, tapping into that raw *Chainsaw Man* power.

And naturally, the timeless 'Lemon' is still a karaoke staple. Every time, it's a challenge to see how much of that heart-wrenching emotion you can convey. We'll even score each other on how well we can nail that long, iconic chorus without taking a breath. All of Yonezu's songs are like that; they're amazing to just listen to, but when you try to sing them yourself, you really feel the depth of it all.

And recently, there's a new way to enjoy his music. Last month, the karaoke version of 'Gigaku' (The Globe)—the theme song for Studio Ghibli's latest film, *The Boy and the Heron*—was released on various services. You know the one, listed as 'Gigaku (Karaoke) [Original Singer: Kenshi Yonezu]'. And let me tell you, it's turned into an absolute rabbit hole, way more than I ever imagined.

For this song, I've realised how crucial it is to figure out your own way to express the grandeur mixed with that nostalgic warmth that the original has. Sure, the visuals from the film come to mind, but each lyric feels like it's speaking directly to your own life's journey. It's not just about "singing well" anymore; the score comes down to how well you can convey the emotion. I reckon more and more people are going to use this track to express themselves from now on.

Transcending Time and Generations

What makes Kenshi Yonezu such an incredible artist, I think, is that each of these songs is like a scene from a different genre of film, each showing a completely unique side.

• 'Kanden' (Shock): The fast-paced, modern urban feel, mixed with a dangerously raw portrayal of human emotions.
• 'KICK BACK': The all-out, passionate, and sometimes almost destructive energy you get from a great shonen manga.
• 'Lemon': A quiet strength in facing a sense of loss that never quite heals, something everyone has felt at some point.
• 'Gigaku' (The Globe): The weight of life and the universal hope to keep moving forward regardless.

It still amazes me, every time, that one person created all of this. And it's not just about them being "hit songs." His performances on the annual New Year's Eve staple, the Kohaku Uta Gassen, are basically art at this point. And then you have a track like 'Tsuki wo Miteita (I Was Looking at the Moon)', created for a major video game collaboration, which shows a completely different side again.

Since the year started, his older tracks have been climbing the charts more often. There wasn't any big campaign pushing them; they just naturally found their way back into people's ears. That can only be because they resonate so perfectly with where listeners are in their lives. For someone feeling anxious about a new start, it might be 'Lemon'. For someone charging towards a new goal, it might be 'KICK BACK'. These songs give you a gentle push, or even tell you it's okay to pause for a moment.

While going wild at karaoke with friends is great fun, lately I've had this little secret hobby: quietly practising 'Gigaku' on my own. Man, that song is seriously tough to master. But that's exactly why I keep wanting to give it another go. Savouring each and every lyric, painting a world with my own voice—it really makes me appreciate the kind of rich experience Kenshi Yonezu gives us.

By the time we hit the halfway point of this year, maybe he'll have something new up his sleeve. Concert tickets are still astronomically hard to come by, but even so, having his music this accessible is its own kind of experience. It might just be the best music experience Japan has to offer right now. So, how about you give it a go today? Whether it's 'Kanden' or 'Gigaku', pick your favourite and let it stir your soul.