Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada have teamed up for the first time on a new track titled ‘JANE DOE’, written and composed by Yonezu with vocals by Utada. The song will serve as the ending theme for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, premiering in Japan on September 19th.
The announcement was made alongside the release of a teaser featuring the track’s intro set against scenes from the film. Also revealed were a new artist photo, jacket artwork illustrated by Yonezu, and statements from both artists on the collaboration.
Yonezu said he didn’t start the track with a specific vocalist in mind, but as it developed, he realised Utada was the only choice:
“I started working on the song without giving too much thought to who would sing it. However, as the song began to take shape, it became evident that no one was better suited to it than Utada-san, so I reached out to them. The moment Utada-san’s voice—melancholic, yet sweeping like a gust of wind—came in over the track, I remember being so moved that I let out a sharp gasp. As a songwriter, I feel truly honored to have been given this opportunity.”
Utada described the process as both intuitive and demanding, shaped by their contrasting songwriting styles:
“I knew I had to give it a go when I received this offer. Both of us being uncompromising singer-songwriters, we knew better than anybody else where the other comes from, but also faced the challenge of meeting halfway where our styles, as we found in the process, contrast. I hope everyone can feel the new sides that were brought out in us, as we remained true to ourselves and each other.”
‘JANE DOE’ continues Yonezu’s work with the Chainsaw Man franchise. He previously provided the anime’s opening theme, ‘KICK BACK’, which became the first Japanese-language song to be certified Gold by the RIAA in the US. He returns here to write both the main and ending themes for the new film.
RELATED: Kenshi Yonezu returns for Chainsaw Man: The Movie with theme song ‘IRIS OUT’
The film’s main theme, ‘IRIS OUT’, also written and composed by Yonezu, debuted in the official trailer released on July 4th. Both tracks will appear on a new double A-side single, ‘IRIS OUT / JANE DOE’, due out September 24th, the same day the film begins its international rollout.
First-print editions of the single include a serial number for advance access to pre-sale tickets for Yonezu’s 2026 Japan tour, TOUR / GHOST. Applications will be accepted from September 22nd to 28th.
Kenshi Yonezu
IRIS OUT / JANE DOE
Release Date: 24/09/2025
Label: Sony Music Labels
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
CD: Regular | Limited | Limited w/DVD
