After getting his start producing VOCALOID music, Japanese superstar Kenshi Yonezu has become an increasingly prominent presence across film and anime soundtracks. This year, he also swept the Japan Gold Disc Awards with six wins.
According to a recent Forbes report on eligible Grammy entries, Yonezu’s theme song for the animated film "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc," IRIS OUT, has been submitted and deemed eligible for consideration in two categories: Best Asian Pop Music Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Whether it advances to the official nominee list will be decided during first-round voting.
Forbes reports that Yonezu’s "IRIS OUT" is the first anime song ever submitted for Grammy consideration. It is entered in two categories at the 2027 Grammy Awards: Best Asian Pop Music Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
The track is still only at the entry stage, but making it onto the first-round ballot is an achievement in itself. It also shows that "IRIS OUT" has made an impression beyond Japan, earning recognition within the international music industry.
Overseas anime news outlet Anime Updates also covered the story, drawing plenty of attention from fans surprised to see Yonezu potentially competing for a Grammy.
Fans flooded the post with messages of support, writing comments such as “I’m so proud” and “This proves Japanese anime has become part of mainstream entertainment worldwide,” while hoping the song makes the final nominee list.
First-round voting for the 2027 Grammy Awards begins Monday, October 12, 2026, and closes Thursday, October 22, 2026. With a packed field of entries competing for voters’ attention, all eyes are now on whether "IRIS OUT" can secure an official nomination.
via： Forbes