Yonezu Kenshi releases MV for NHK soccer theme song "Karasu"

Yonezu Kenshi, a renowned Japanese singer-songwriter, has released the music video for "Karasu" (Crow), the 2026 NHK soccer theme song. The artist wrote and composed the track, which draws inspiration from his longtime passion for soccer. The concept behind "Karasu" explores the tension between individual identity and competitive structure, seeking to introduce a subtle "breeze" of humanity within the framework of competition. The title references both the Japanese national team's emblem and the crows that are familiar to Yonezu himself.

The accompanying music video, directed by Yamada Tomokazu, uses the setting of a massive shipyard to visualize hidden effort and time accumulation. Through cross-sections of the ship's construction, the video depicts countless processes and layers of time that gradually form a complete vessel—a metaphor for human achievement. The narrative emphasizes that things appearing successful on the surface often involve invisible struggle and reconstruction behind the scenes. By showing these unseen layers, the video represents the internal structure of effort and perseverance that enables outward success.

Thematically, the video explores "invisible time"—the hours of work and dedication that remain hidden from view but are essential to any accomplishment. The concept extends beyond the shipbuilding metaphor to represent the individual's quiet resilience within a collective competitive environment. Released on June 15, 2026, "Karasu" achieved 50 daily ranking wins across streaming platforms. The track was broadcast on NHK's coverage of Japan versus Netherlands match on the same day, accompanying the dramatic encounter.

Yonezu Kenshi's career spans over a decade of creative achievement. Originally posting Vocaloid compositions as "Hachi" on Niconico since 2009, he adopted his real name in 2012 with the album "Diorama." His 2018 single "Lemon" became his breakthrough hit, while the 2020 album "Stray Sheep" exceeded 2 million sales and won 46 annual music awards. Among numerous recognitions, he was selected for Forbes' "Asia Digital Stars 100" and received Japan's Minister of Education's New Artist Award. His subsequent work includes the anime "Chainsaw Man" opening "Kick Back"—the first Japanese song to achieve RIAA Platinum status in America—and the theme songs for Studio Ghibli's "The Boy and the Heron" and NHK's "Tora ni Tsubasa." In 2025, Yonezu completed his largest tour to date, "2025 Tour / Junk," drawing 440,000 attendees domestically before concluding a world tour.