New Collaboration Between MAPPA and Kenshi Yonezu: Special Short Anime Released for "Karasu"

One of the biggest names in the J-pop world, Kenshi Yonezu, and the studio shaping the animation industry, MAPPA, have come together once again for a new project that has fans excited. The special short anime created for Yonezu's "Karasu" (Crow) song, prepared as the 2026 NHK Football Theme, was released on the artist's official YouTube channel on June 25, 2026. Arriving while the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has gripped the entire world, this video blends the spirit of football and individual perseverance with mesmerizing visuals.

This short anime offers much more than an ordinary music video. Staying true to the "manga world" theme in the lyrics, the video features a nostalgic and artistic texture reminiscent of pencil drawings. The story follows the football journey of a young boy, starting from neighborhood pitches all the way to the Japan national team. The names behind the production are also quite familiar: Hiroyuki Takashima sits in the director's chair, while Takeshi Noda serves as the animation director. Cinematographer Ryuya stands out as one of the key figures who reinforces the video's characteristic atmosphere.

This partnership between MAPPA and Kenshi Yonezu has actually started to become a tradition. The duo took the internet by storm in 2022 with the Chainsaw Man opening clip "KICK BACK", and subsequently worked together on the 2025 film Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc. Yonezu is not just a singer, but also an artist who has brought soul to series like My Hero Academia and March Comes in Like a Lion. MAPPA, on the other hand, is a studio that has proven its quality to the whole world with projects like Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan: The Final Season. This new collaboration once again shows how much both parties can push their artistic boundaries.

Yonezu states that while composing the song "Karasu", he wanted to emphasize that football is not just a team game, but also a struggle for an individual to protect their own identity. Playing a central role in NHK's World Cup broadcasts, this track brings the unifying power of sports to screens through the art of anime. If you are a fan of both high-quality animation and powerful J-pop melodies, we recommend you do not miss this visual feast from MAPPA. It seems certain that we will see more projects from this duo in the future!