Yonezu Kenshi releases "Karasu" MV as 2026 FIFA World Cup Japan theme song

Japanese music artist Yonezu Kenshi has released the music video for "Karasu" (Crow), his new single written as the 2026 NHK Soccer Theme for FIFA World Cup coverage. The song, which debuted on June 15 and immediately dominated streaming charts with 50 daily ranking victories, reflects Yonezu's long-standing passion for soccer and explores the relationship between individual identity and collective purpose.

Directed by Yamada Tomokazu, the MV uses a massive shipyard as its setting to visualize the accumulation of time and effort that remains hidden from view. Through cross-sectional imagery, the video portrays how a completed ship—like human achievement—represents countless invisible processes and iterations layered beneath the surface. The director's visual approach mirrors the song's central theme: maintaining individual independence within a collective goal, introducing what Yonezu describes as "gaps of breeze" into competitive structures. The title "Karasu" draws inspiration from the Japanese national team's emblem while also evoking Yonezu's personal connection to crows as approachable, familiar beings.

The song premiered during NHK's live coverage of Japan's opening match against the Netherlands on June 15, 2026. "Karasu" will continue to air across NHK's World Cup broadcasts on NHK General TV and NHK BS Premium 4K, with simultaneous and catch-up streaming available on NHK ONE. Yonezu, who has produced numerous hits since beginning his solo career in 2012 including "Lemon" and "KICK BACK" (which achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America—a first for a Japanese-language song), recently performed at the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 ceremony, winning five awards including recognition for his "Chainsaw Man Reze" theme song "Iris Out."