YOASOBI

YOASOBI are a Japanese J-pop duo formed in 2019, comprising composer and Vocaloid producer Ayase and vocalist ikura, the alias used by singer-songwriter Lilas Ikuta. Built around the concept of turning novels into music, they debuted in November 2019 with ‘Yoru ni Kakeru’, which became a major streaming breakout in Japan during 2020.

The duo expanded that story-led approach through songs connected to major works including Blue Period, BEASTARS, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and OSHI NO KO. ‘Idol’ became their international breakthrough in 2023, spending 21 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and becoming the first Japanese-language song to top Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S. chart. Their catalogue has also been re-recorded in English through the E-SIDE series.

YOASOBI’s overseas activity accelerated from 2023 onward. After making their US live debut at Head in the Clouds in Los Angeles, they went on to appear at Coachella and Lollapalooza and headline shows across the United States and Asia. In 2025, they made their European debut at Primavera Sound Barcelona before playing two nights at OVO Arena Wembley for their first UK headline concerts. In 2026, they made their Canadian debut at OSHEAGA as the festival’s first J-pop act before completing their largest North American headline tour to date, ending at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Sony Music Entertainment Japan established Echoes as a new management and record label in 2024, with YOASOBI among its initial roster. In 2026, the duo completed their ‘THE BOOK’ EP series with fourth instalment ‘THE BOOK for,’.