How Oshi No Ko’s Opening Theme Song Made History on Billboard

If you are a fan of anime and music, you might have heard of Oshi No Ko, a manga adaptation by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari that follows the lives of idols in the entertainment industry. The anime, which premiered in April 2023, has been praised for its gripping plot, stunning animation, and amazing soundtrack.

But what you might not know is that the opening theme song of Oshi No Ko, “Idol”, performed by YOASOBI, has become the first Japanese song to top the Billboard Global chart (excluding U.S.). This is a remarkable feat, considering that the chart ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity from more than 200 territories around the world.

So how did this song achieve such a global success? Let’s take a look at the factors behind its popularity.

The Power of YOASOBI

YOASOBI is a Japanese duo composed of vocalist ikura and producer Ayase. They are known for creating songs based on short stories or novels, often with a dark or emotional theme. Their music style is a blend of pop, rock, and electronic genres, with catchy melodies and powerful vocals.

YOASOBI rose to fame in 2020 with their hit song “Yoru ni Kakeru”, which was based on a novel by Mayo Hoshino. The song went viral on various platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify, and won several awards, including the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist.

Since then, YOASOBI has released several songs based on novels or manga, such as “Kaibutsu”, “Gunjo”, and “Haruka”. Their songs have been used as theme songs for anime or live-action adaptations, such as Beastars, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, and Tokyo Revengers.

“Idol” is their latest song based on a manga, namely Oshi No Ko. The song captures the essence of the manga’s story, which revolves around the dreams and struggles of idols in the showbiz industry. The song has a upbeat tempo and an uplifting chorus that expresses the idols’ determination to shine on stage.

The song was released on April 12, 2023, along with a music video that features scenes from the anime. The music video has amassed over 140 million views on YouTube as of June 14.

The Impact of Billboard

Billboard is one of the most influential music media outlets in the world. It publishes various music charts that rank songs based on different criteria, such as sales, streams, radio airplay, and social media engagement. Billboard also covers news, reviews, interviews, and events related to the music industry.

The Billboard Global charts were launched in September 2020 to reflect the global popularity of songs across different regions and markets. The charts are updated weekly and are based on data collected by Luminate from more than 200 territories.

The Billboard Global chart (excluding U.S.) ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity from all territories except the United States. The Billboard Global 200 chart ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity from all territories including the United States.

“Idol” debuted at No.6 on the Billboard Global chart (excluding U.S.) on May 22. It climbed to No.1 on June 5, becoming the first song originally performed in Japanese to top the chart. It also reached No.9 on the Billboard Global 200 chart on June 5, following the release of its English-language version on May 26.

The achievement of “Idol” on Billboard has brought worldwide attention and recognition to YOASOBI and Oshi No Ko. It has also boosted the popularity of Japanese music and culture among global audiences.

The Future of Oshi No Ko and YOASOBI

With “Idol” making history on Billboard, Oshi No Ko and YOASOBI have proven themselves as formidable forces in the anime and music scenes. Both have gained more fans and followers across different countries and platforms.

Oshi No Ko is currently airing its first season on HIDIVE. The anime has received positive reviews from critics and viewers alike for its thrilling story, realistic characters, and stunning visuals. The manga is also available online on Manga Plus and in print by Yen Press.

YOASOBI is preparing for their first performance in the United States at the Head in the Clouds Festival in Los Angeles in August. They are also working on new songs based on novels or manga, as well as original songs. They have expressed their gratitude and excitement for their fans and their future projects.

“Idol” is a song that celebrates the passion and perseverance of idols in the entertainment industry. It is also a song that showcases the talent and creativity of YOASOBI and Oshi No Ko. It is a song that has made history on Billboard and has inspired millions of people around the world.