Sakanaction Wins Best Anime Song at Music Awards Japan 2026
Sakanaction's eight-award sweep, including Song of the Year for a debut anime theme, signals that Music Awards Japan is becoming a major platform where anime music competes directly with J-pop and rock for top honors.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Anime.
The Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) held the Grand Ceremony for Music Awards Japan 2026 on June 13 at Toyota Arena Tokyo. Sakanaction's "Kaiju," the theme song for the TV anime "Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite," won Best Anime Song. It was the band's first anime theme song. Lead vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi said during the ceremony that the manga's author, Uoto, pushed for the band to be involved. Sakanaction also won Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rock Band/Solo Artist, among other awards, totaling eight wins. Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" from the "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" won Best J-POP Song and swept Best Japanese Song in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Mrs. Green Apple won Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, plus Best J-POP Artist and the Fandom Special Award. HANA won New Artist of the Year. The Best Original Score for Animation went to the "Lazarus" soundtrack by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points. Ado won Largest Live Audience (International). The awards event, now in its second year, had over 70 categories voted on by more than 5,000 music industry professionals.
Sakanaction's "Kaiju" also won Best Artwork Award in association with Japan Graphic Design Association, and the band's live tour "SAKANAQUARIUM 2025 'Kaiju'" earned Best Live Lighting Staff Award and Best Live Sound Staff Award, both in association with Japan Stage Technology Staff Union Federation.
Lead vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi said during the ceremony: "Actually, this is our first (TV) anime theme song. While anime theme songs were not coming our way, the original author (of the manga 'Chi. -Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite-'), Uoto, and others pushed for us, and we were able to receive this award. Thank you very much."
Kenshi Yonezu also won Best Digital Culture Artist Award under the name Hachi. Mrs. Green Apple, who handled the second season opening theme "lulu." for "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End," won three awards: Best Artist Award, Best J-POP Artist Award, and Fandom Special Award.
HANA, who sang the theme song "Cold Night" for the TV anime "Medalist," won Best New Artist Award, Best Dance & Vocal Song Award for "Blue Jeans," and Best Dance & Vocal Artist Award.
The Grand Ceremony featured performances by Mrs. Green Apple, M!LK, FRUITS ZIPPER, Fujii, sakanaction, LiSA, Yonezu, and more. Music Awards Japan also presented a special "MAJ Timeless Echo" award to Tatsuro Yamashita, known for work on "Summer Wars" and "Mirai," in recognition of long-term contribution to the Japanese music industry.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.