Starting his journey as a VOCALOID music producer, Japan's superstar artist Kenshi Yonezu has been absolutely everywhere lately! His music is popping up in movies and anime left and right, and this year he even dominated the Japan Gold Disc Awards, snagging a whopping six trophies.
Now, his 2017 opening theme song, "PEACE SIGN," for the second season of the anime "My Hero Academia," has just been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This marks his second RIAA Gold certification and his third overall RIAA award!
So, what exactly is an RIAA Gold certification? It's awarded based on sales within the U.S., requiring over 500,000 units sold within a year to earn the prestigious honor. While Kenshi Yonezu isn't the first Japanese artist to receive it – Yoko Ono did back in 1984, though not for a Japanese-language track – he made history in 2023 when his song "KICK BACK" became the first Japanese-language song ever to achieve RIAA Gold.
And if that wasn't enough, in 2025, "KICK BACK" leveled up even further, selling over 1 million units to earn Platinum certification, an unprecedented milestone in Japanese music history.
While "PEACE SIGN," the opening theme for "My Hero Academia" Season 2, took a few years post-release to hit Gold, this recognition is a powerful testament to Kenshi Yonezu's music transcending borders and captivating fans worldwide.
At 35 years old, Kenshi Yonezu has been a force to be reckoned with since his major debut in 2012. Not only does he perform his own tracks, but he also composes and produces hit songs for numerous other artists. His skyrocketing popularity in recent years has propelled his name onto the global stage, solidifying his status as a leading figure in bringing Japanese music to an international audience.
▼ "PEACE SIGN," the opening theme song for "My Hero Academia" Season 2
via： X@REISSUE RECORDS