Kenshi Yonezu’s chart-dominating hit “IRIS OUT” has shattered records across Japan’s music landscape, maintaining an unprecedented five-week stranglehold on the country’s Hot 100 chart. The track has not only conquered domestic charts but also made history as the first Japanese song to reach the top 5 of Billboard’s Global 200, cementing Yonezu’s status as a pioneering force in modern Japanese music.
The song’s remarkable performance coincided with its connection to Chainsaw Man – The Movie: REZE ARC, for which it serves as a key theme song. This strategic alignment with the film’s US theatrical release greatly bolstered the track’s international exposure, helping it achieve what no Japanese artist had done before: simultaneously placing two songs in the Billboard Global 200 Top 10, as “IRIS OUT” charted alongside Yonezu’s earlier hit “KICK BACK.”
Released as part of an exclusive vinyl package that included “JANE DOE” and “KICK BACK,” the physical format featured Yonezu’s own illustrations in a sleek single-pocket jacket. The 45 RPM black vinyl contained six tracks total, including three remixes of “KICK BACK” by renowned electronic producers Hudson Mohawke, Frost Children, and Tomggg, reflecting a deliberate strategy to fuse genres and expand international appeal.
The collaboration with J-pop icon Hikaru Utada on “JANE DOE,” packaged with “IRIS OUT,” further amplified the release’s commercial impact. This partnership, combined with the innovative remixes, helped Yonezu break through traditional market boundaries and connect with audiences beyond Japan’s domestic listeners. The artist has also explored sync deals for his music, securing placements in popular video games that significantly expanded his reach to international gaming communities.
The unprecedented success culminated in “IRIS OUT” becoming the first Japanese song to earn RIAA Platinum certification. Streaming metrics across major platforms continued to surge throughout the track’s chart dominance, while vinyl preorders demonstrated strong collector engagement.
Critics have widely praised the milestone as representing a considerable breakthrough for J-pop’s global crossover potential, potentially opening doors for other Japanese artists seeking similar international recognition.
To further capitalize on his growing international fanbase, Yonezu’s team leveraged playlist pitching strategies on multiple streaming platforms to ensure maximum visibility across global markets.
