Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" set a new speed record for 100 million streams on Billboard Japan . Meanwhile, BTS reclaimed the album charts after nearly four years,and Mrs. GREEN APPLE secured a historic third straight year as the top artist.

The four-week sprint to 100 million streams

Kenshi Yonezu has redefined the speed of success in the Japanese music market. According to the Billboard Japan report,his track "IRIS OUT" reached 100 million streams in only four weeks, marking the fastest any song has ever reached that milestone in the chart's history. This momentum extended beyond domestic borders, as the song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 on October 4, 2025—the hihgest position ever achieved by a Japanese-language song on that specific chart.

The success of "IRIS OUT" is not an isolated event but part of a larger trend where anime soundtracks act as primary vehicles for global exports. As the report notes, the popularity of the associated anime propelled Kenshi Yonezu to sweep a total of 11 mid-year chart titles. This synergy is further evidenced on the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, which tracked the period from Nov. 21, 2025, to May 21, 2026, where the song hit No. 1 in six different countries and regions.

BTS's three-year and nine-month hiatus ends at No. 1

While solo acts and anime themes dominate the singles, BTS continues to hold a vice grip on the album market. Returning after a gap of roughly three years and nine months, the group's latest album took the top spot on the Hot Albums mid-year chart. The release demonstrated a rare dual-dominance, topping both physical sales and streaming metrics while holding the No. 1 position eight times across the tracking period.

This performance suggests that despite the rise of streaming-first hits, the "idol" economy and the demand for physical collectibles remain a powerhouse in Japan. The group expressed that their hope is for the music to resonate across borders and eras, a goal that appears realized given their immediate return to the top of the charts.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE's unprecedented three-year Artist 100 streak

Mrs. GREEN APPLE has achieved a level of consistency rarely seen in the modern J-pop era. The three-man band topped the Japan Artist 100 mid-year roundup for three consecutive years,an achievement the report describes as unprecedented in the list's history. This ranking is particularly significant because the Artist 100 is a composite metric, compiled from both the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts.

Frontman Motoki Ohmori indicated that this sustained success is providing the necessary energy for the band's next project. Mrs. GREEN APPLE is currently working on a new album slated for release later this year, positioning the band to potentially extend their dominance into a fourth year.

The missing details on HANA's rapid rise to No. 2

Despite the clear dominance of established names, the meteoric rise of HANA remains a point of curiosity. The seven-member group climbed to No. 2 on the Japan Artist 100 just over a year after their major-label debut, nearly overtaking Mrs. GREEN APPLE and placing above veterans like Kenshi Yonezu, who landed at No . 4.

However, the source report provides little detail on the specific catalysts behind this ascent. While it mentions that HANA's "Blue Jeans" hit No. 5 on the mid-year Japan Hot 100, it remains unclear whether this growth was driven by a specific viral social media campaign, a strategic partnership, or a particular television appearance, leaving a gap in the understanding of how new acts are currently disrupting the Japanese hierarchy.