Japanese rock trio UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, the masterminds behind iconic theme songs for hit anime like Blood Blockade Battlefront, Run with the Wind, and March Comes in Like a Lion, dropped a bombshell on April 27. The band announced that drummer Takao Suzuki will be leaving the group after their Makuhari Messe performance this July, sending the band into an indefinite hiatus. The news marks a temporary end for the trio, who have been together for 22 years, leaving fans wondering about their future.
UNISON SQUARE GARDEN was formed in 2004 by Kosuke Saito, Takao Suzuki, and Tomoya Tabuchi when they were all under 20. They gained recognition after winning the grand prize at the TEENS' MUSIC FESTIVAL, a competition that also launched the careers of artists like Ayaka, Ringo Sheena, aiko, and Hanako Oku.
After their official debut with their first single in 2008, the band became a staple in the industry. Now celebrating their 22nd anniversary, they are widely known for their contributions to anime music, most famously with the smash-hit ending theme for the first season of Blood Blockade Battlefront, "Sugar Song and Bitter Step."
▼ "Sugar Song and Bitter Step," the ending theme for the first season of Blood Blockade Battlefront
In an official announcement posted on their website titled "To Everyone Who Has Supported UNISON SQUARE GARDEN," the band stated that drummer Takao Suzuki will depart after the Makuhari Messe concert on July 15, 2026. They also confirmed that "with this, the current three-member lineup will come to an end, and the band will go on hiatus." The statement apologized to fans for the sudden news and urged them not to contact members or management directly, or to engage in speculation and attacks on social media.
"Thanks to everyone's support, the three of us have been able to walk this long road together for 22 years, and for that, we are truly grateful," the announcement continued. It concluded by asking fans to continue supporting Kosuke Saito, Takao Suzuki, and Tomoya Tabuchi in their individual endeavors.
Additionally, drummer Takao Suzuki posted a personal message to fans on his X account:
I'm sorry, but I've decided to leave the band. Over our long career, there's been a fair amount of friction between me and the other members. In 2025, these conflicts intensified due to differences in our direction and management. After more than 20 years, I've started to feel worn out, and I have to admit that a big reason for that exhaustion lies with me.
I really wanted to keep the band going and tried to find every possible solution, but we just couldn't find a path forward that everyone felt good about. Because of that, I felt it would be a huge waste for the band to just disappear. So, I chose to leave so that the band itself could continue.
I'm fully aware that this decision will have a huge impact on my bandmates and all the fans who have supported us. I've spent the last year sorting through my feelings to slowly arrive at this conclusion. I will continue to make music, so please don't worry too much. As for UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, it might sound contradictory for me to say this, but I hope you will all continue to love and support them!
UNISON SQUARE GARDEN has maintained a strong following for years, with members who have been together since their youth and are now in their 40s. The sudden announcement of a member's departure and a subsequent hiatus has undoubtedly come as a major shock to their fanbase.
What comes next for the band remains to be seen. Whether they will recruit a new member or pursue a different path, fans will have to wait for further updates.