RADWIMPS Ignites 20th Anniversary with ‘Anew’ Album Reveal, Special Box Set, and Epic Arena Tour

Acclaimed Japanese rock band RADWIMPS unveiled the title, cover art, and full details for their highly anticipated new studio album Anew, set for release on October 8 via Universal Music Japan, marking their first full-length project in four years and a cornerstone of their 20th major debut anniversary celebrations. Featuring a dynamic 12-track lineup with 10 freshly recorded songs alongside two previously released hits—“Tamamono,” the theme for NHK’s drama serial Anpan, and “Meidai,” the theme for Nippon TV’s news zero—Anew promises a bold evolution of the band’s signature sound, blending raw emotional depth, intricate instrumentation, and anthemic energy that has defined RADWIMPS since their 2001 formation in Tokyo. 9 Fans can pre-order the standard CD edition now, with international shipping available through the Official RADWIMPS Overseas Store, while the anniversary Special Box edition—limited in stock—offers a collector’s treasure trove of exclusive content, including Blu-ray footage from their June 29 special studio performance, behind-the-scenes interviews, rare clips from their inaugural Yokohama Arena show on August 30, 2007, and four songs from their electrifying FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘25 set on July 27, 2025. 5 As the band prepares for their RADWIMPS 20th ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR, a 17-arena spectacle across nine Japanese cities culminating on their official anniversary date of November 23, 2025, Anew stands as a testament to RADWIMPS’ enduring legacy, from indie roots to global acclaim through film scores like Your Name and Suzume. 9

The album’s cover art, revealed on RADWIMPS’ official site, features a minimalist yet evocative design in stark black and white, symbolizing renewal and introspection, with the title Anew rendered in bold, fragmented lettering that echoes the band’s experimental ethos. 0 Tracklisting highlights include the explosive opener “Meidai,” a brooding reflection on life’s propositions that dropped as a single on March 31, 2025, serving as the ending theme for NTV’s News Zero, followed by the high-octane “MAAFAKA,” a raw outburst of frustration and release; “World End Girl Friend,” a soaring ballad blending electronic pulses with Yojiro Noda’s poignant lyrics; “DASAI DAZAI,” channeling Osamu Dazai’s existential vibes into a gritty rock anthem; “How should I,” a introspective query on decision-making amid chaos; the heartfelt “Tamamono,” evoking resilience through its NHK drama ties; “MOUNTAIN VANILLA,” a dreamy mid-tempo track with lush strings; “Odakyu Line,” inspired by Tokyo’s commuter rail as a metaphor for fleeting connections; “Hitsu Zetsu,” a high-energy clash of silence and expression; “Period.,” a punctuation on past cycles; “Echo in the Ruins,” haunting echoes of memory; and the closer “Piaf,” a tribute to Edith Piaf’s unyielding spirit with orchestral swells. 1 This collection, produced by the core trio of vocalist Yojiro Noda, bassist Yusuke Takeda, and drummer Toyoharu Yoshida (with Satoshi Yamaguchi on hiatus since 2015), was crafted during sessions that revisited the band’s early rawness while pushing sonic boundaries, as Noda shared in a Billboard Japan interview on September 13, emphasizing Anew’s role in “redefining our sound for the next decade.” 3

To honor their 20-year milestone since the 2005 major label debut with single “25kome No Senshokutai,” RADWIMPS is releasing Anew in a 20th Anniversary Special Box edition, priced at ¥19,800 (tax included) and available exclusively through Rariru Records, Universal Music Store (Japan), and the Official RADWIMPS Overseas Store for international fans. 4 This limited collector’s set bundles the CD with a Blu-ray packed with exclusive footage: the full June 29, 2025, special studio performance of “Tamamono” and “Meidai,” behind-the-scenes glimpses into the album’s creation, candid interviews reflecting on two decades of evolution, and rare archival clips from their groundbreaking first arena concert at Yokohama Arena on August 30, 2007—capturing the youthful energy of “September San,” “EDP -Tonde Hi ni Iru Natsu no Kimi-,” and “25kome No Senshokutai.” 5 Adding to the nostalgia, it includes four full songs from their triumphant FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘25 headlining set on July 27, 2025—“Tamamono,” “DARMA GRAND PRIX,” “Meidai,” and “SUMMER DAZE 2021”—showcasing the band’s seamless blend of high-energy rock and emotional balladry on one of Japan’s premier stages. 5 The box also features an original anniversary pouch with three limited-edition goods: a custom enamel pin set evoking their iconic album covers, a commemorative tote bag emblazoned with the Anew logo, and a signed photo card from the Yokohama Arena era, all designed exclusively for this milestone. 1 Pre-orders opened immediately, with international fans urged to act fast due to limited stocks, as the set not only celebrates RADWIMPS’ journey but also bridges their indie origins—starting with the self-released 2003 debut album—to their current status as J-rock titans with nine studio albums under their belt. 9

RADWIMPS’ 20th anniversary extends beyond the album with the RADWIMPS 20th ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR, a massive 17-show arena run across nine major Japanese cities, kicking off in late October and building to a climactic finale on November 23, 2025—their exact anniversary date—at Tokyo Dome, promising an unforgettable spectacle of hits, deep cuts, and visual extravaganzas. 2 The tour itinerary includes multi-night stands at Yokohama Arena (October 25-26), Osaka-Jo Hall (October 29-30, November 1), Nagoya’s Aichi Sky Expo (November 4-5), Fukuoka’s Marine Messe (November 8-9), Hiroshima’s Green Arena (November 12), Sapporo’s Makomanai Sekisui House Ice Arena (November 15-16), Sendai’s Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium (November 19), and the Tokyo Dome closer, with tickets available via lottery system on the official site. 2 Noda teased in a Rockin’On Japan feature on September 15 that the setlist will weave Anew tracks with rarities from their 2007 Yokohama show, creating a “time-bending narrative” of their evolution. 3 This tour follows their extensive 2024 jaunts across Latin America and Asia—including sold-out dates in Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta, and Bangkok—where they drew massive crowds at venues like the Philippine Arena, solidifying their status as a regional powerhouse with Indonesia at No. 2, the Philippines at No. 4, Thailand at No. 6, Taiwan at No. 7, and Malaysia at No. 9 in their top global streaming markets. 1

Formed in 2001 by high school friends Yojiro Noda (vocals/guitar), Yusuke Takeda (bass), and Toyoharu Yoshida (drums)—with Akira Kuwahara (guitar) departing in 2023 after 22 years—RADWIMPS exploded onto the scene with their self-released 2003 debut album, quickly building a core fanbase among Japan’s youth through indie tours and raw, emotive songwriting. 9 Their 2005 major label debut with “25kome No Senshokutai” under Universal Music Japan launched a string of nine studio albums, from the punk-infused Radwimps 4: Okazu no Gohan (2006) to the pandemic-born FOREVER DAZE (2021), which Noda described as a “sonic diary of isolation and hope,” featuring diverse collaborators and experimental edges amid global lockdowns. 9 The band’s true global breakthrough came through their film scores: the transcendent Your Name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019) earned Japanese Academy Awards for Best Original Score, while their 2022 collaboration with composer Kazuma Jinnouchi on Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume—blending orchestral swells with rock anthems—propelled them to international arenas, including sold-out 2023 tours in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. 9 Suzume‘s soundtrack, released to coincide with the film’s worldwide rollout, featured tracks like “Suzume” and “Idol,” which topped Oricon charts and amassed billions of streams, further elevating RADWIMPS’ profile. 3

Anew builds on this legacy, with its 10 new tracks—“MAAFAKA,” “World End Girl Friend,” “DASAI DAZAI,” “How should I,” “MOUNTAIN VANILLA,” “Odakyu Line,” “Hitsu Zetsu,” “Period.,” “Echo in the Ruins,” and “Piaf”—exploring themes of renewal and existential flux, as Noda hinted in a Billboard Japan teaser on September 13, drawing from personal reflections during their 2024 Latin America tour. 3 The album’s production, helmed by the band at studios in Tokyo and Los Angeles, incorporates subtle electronic elements and orchestral flourishes, echoing their film work while reclaiming their rock roots—think the raw urgency of early hits like “Order Made” (2008) fused with the cinematic scope of Suzume. 9 Early fan reactions on X praise “Echo in the Ruins” as a “haunting masterpiece” and “Piaf” as a “gut-punch closer,” with posts from @RADWIMPSfansPH amplifying the excitement in the Philippines, where the band drew 50,000 fans to the Philippine Arena in 2024. 1

The 20th anniversary festivities kicked off on February 6, 2025, with a new band photo and dedicated website, followed by monthly vinyl reissues of early albums: Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To (May 7), Zettaizetsumei (June 4), Arutokoroni No Teiri (July 9), RADWIMPS 4 -Okazu No Gohan (August 6), and RADWIMPS 3 -Mujintou ni Motteikiwasureta Ichimai (September 3), each as limited 2LP pressings priced at USD 60, available internationally via the Overseas Store. 3 These reissues, mastered from original tapes, celebrate the band’s indie-to-major arc, from the punk-fueled debut to the orchestral heights of their Shinkai collaborations, which not only won Academy Awards but also propelled tracks like “Sparkle” from Your Name to over 500 million streams. 9 The Special Box’s Blu-ray, in particular, weaves a narrative arc from 2007’s Yokohama rawness—featuring Noda’s youthful screams on “September San”—to 2025’s FUJI ROCK polish, where “DARMA GRAND PRIX” thundered across Niigata’s Naeba Ski Resort, drawing 100,000 attendees. 5

RADWIMPS’ anniversary tour, with general ticket sales via lottery confirmed for all dates except Yokohama, promises intimate arena spectacles blending Anew debuts with fan-favorite deep cuts, as Takeda shared in a Rockin’On preview on September 15, hinting at guest appearances from past collaborators like Kazuma Jinnouchi. 3 The Tokyo Dome finale on November 23 will feature a full retrospective set, potentially including rarities from their Misoshiru side project—their Groucho-glasses-clad punk alter ego that released Me So She Loose in 2013. 9 For international fans, the Overseas Store’s pre-order surge—already selling out initial Special Box batches—highlights RADWIMPS’ global pull, with Asia’s streaming dominance (Indonesia No. 2, Philippines No. 4) fueling demand for vinyl and merch like the collab sneakers with atmos and CONVERSE, on lottery sale since September 10. 0

From their 2001 formation as high school friends in Tokyo—Noda inspired by Oasis to pen lyrics of youthful angst—to becoming J-rock icons with nine albums and film scores that redefined anime soundtracks, RADWIMPS’ journey is one of relentless innovation. 9 FOREVER DAZE (2021), born from pandemic isolation, experimented with electronic and orchestral elements, earning Oricon No. 1 and a nationwide tour that sold out amid restrictions. 9 Their Suzume score with Jinnouchi (2022) won acclaim at the Japanese Academy Awards, blending rock anthems with sweeping orchestration to accompany Shinkai’s tale of closure, leading to 2023’s sold-out world tours across North America (headlining The Wiltern in L.A.), Europe (O2 Academy Brixton), Australia (Enmore Theatre), and Asia (Manila’s Araneta Coliseum). 9 2024’s Latin America leg—Sao Paulo’s Allianz Parque, Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional—drew 200,000 fans, with Suzume’s “Idol” surpassing 1 billion YouTube views. 3

Anew‘s arrival, amid WILD BUNCH FEST. 2025 merch drops and vinyl reissues, reaffirms RADWIMPS’ vitality, with Noda teasing in Billboard Japan that the album’s “new songs push our boundaries, honoring our past while charging forward.” 3 Pre-order now—the Special Box’s limited stock and tour tickets are vanishing fast. For more, visit radwimps.jp/en. As their 20th year unfolds, RADWIMPS isn’t just renewing—they’re redefining rock’s emotional core.