Sakanaction

Sakanaction are a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in 2005 by vocalist and songwriter Ichiro Yamaguchi and guitarist Motoharu Iwadera. The five-member line-up, completed before their major-label debut in 2007, also includes bassist Ami Kusakari, keyboardist Emi Okazaki, and drummer Keiichi Ejima. The band’s name combines the Japanese word ‘sakana’ (fish) with ‘action’, expressing Yamaguchi’s desire to keep changing musical direction. Originally performing together in clubs, Yamaguchi and Iwadera wanted to bring the atmosphere of dance music into a live rock band. That approach became central to Sakanaction’s sound, combining indie rock, new wave, synthesised rhythms, and folk-influenced melodies with Yamaguchi’s often introspective, literary lyrics.

Sakanaction made their major-label debut through Victor Entertainment with ‘GO TO THE FUTURE’ in May 2007, followed by ‘NIGHT FISHING’ (2008), ‘Shin-shiro’ (2009), and ‘kikUUiki’ (2010). These albums documented the band’s development from relatively understated guitar music towards more electronic arrangements, with songs such as ‘Native Dancer’, ‘Aruku Around’, and ‘Identity’ bringing them wider recognition. Their fifth album, ‘DocumentaLy’ (2011), further developed their interest in dance music, while the self-titled ‘sakanaction’ (2013) became their first album to reach No. 1 on Oricon. Featuring ‘Yoru no Odoriko’, ‘Music’, and ‘Boku to Hana’, the record established them as a major mainstream act without abandoning the electronic influences of their earlier releases.

In 2015, Sakanaction composed the soundtrack for the live-action film Bakuman, including its theme song ‘Shin Takarajima’, which became one of their best-known tracks. Their score won Best Music at the 39th Japan Academy Film Prize, making them the first rock band to receive the award. That same year, they launched NF Records within Victor Entertainment and established NF, a series of club events bringing together DJs, musicians, designers, and other creative professionals. Their interest in visual art and technology has also shaped their concerts, presented under the SAKANAQUARIUM name. Working with directors including Yusuke Tanaka, the band have incorporated elaborate video installations, lighting, and specially developed sound systems into performances designed to give audiences an experience beyond a conventional rock concert.

Following a six-year gap between original studio albums, Sakanaction released ‘834.194’ in June 2019, a two-disc record featuring ‘Wasurerarenaino’, ‘Mosu’, and the earlier single ‘Shin Takarajima’. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they experimented with online concerts and alternative ways of presenting music, including the 2022 concept album ‘Adapt’. However, their activities were interrupted later that year when Yamaguchi took an extended break due to illness, forcing the cancellation of their planned national tour. The remaining four members continued working on music and live projects while he recovered. The full band returned to the stage in April 2024 with SAKANAQUARIUM 2024 ‘turn’, a nationwide arena tour comprising 15 performances across eight venues, their first full-scale tour in approximately two years.

Sakanaction released ‘Kaiju’ in February 2025, their first new song in almost three years and their first anime theme, written for Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. The track became a major commercial success, accompanied by a nationwide tour that sold out all 34 originally scheduled performances and added two dates at K Arena Yokohama. At MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, Sakanaction received eight awards, the most of any artist that year. ‘Kaiju’ won Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Anime Song, alongside awards for its music video and artwork, while the band’s live sound and lighting teams were also recognised. The success marked a significant return for Yamaguchi, who spoke publicly about his struggle with depression and the difficulties of resuming his career. Meanwhile, their 2012 single ‘Yoru no Odoriko’ experienced an unexpected revival through social media in 2026, reaching No. 1 on Oricon’s weekly streaming chart for the first time.

In February 2026, Sakanaction released ‘Iranai’, their first new recording since ‘Kaiju’, as the theme for a Japanese television drama. Both songs appeared on a double A-side CD single in September, alongside remixes by Cornelius and Takkyu Ishino. The band also embarked on SAKANAQUARIUM 2026-2027 ‘Toumei’, an extensive arena tour beginning with ten concerts in September and October 2026 and continuing into their twentieth major-debut anniversary year. The production introduced speaker+C, an expanded version of their custom concert sound system designed to improve clarity and sound distribution throughout large venues.