Kana-Boon

2006–2013: Origins and early history

The group was initially formed in 2006 as part of Osaka Prefectural Izumisougou Senior High School's light music club in Sakai, Osaka,^[11] and officially formed as a band in 2008. Maguro Taniguchi initially invited Takahiro Koizumi to join the club, and later invited Hayato Koga and Yuuma Meshida. The band's name derives from popular internet slang and their music was inspired by popular bands like Alice In Chains, Arctic Monkeys, and Beastie Boys. ^[4] The band began performing live at the Mikunigaoka Fuzz live house in Osaka from 2010.^[11] During August to September 2011, bassist Hiroaki Hirose left the band, with Yuuma Meshida replacing Hirose. In December 2011, the band won the eo Music Try special prize award.^[12]

In April 2012, Kana-Boon won the Ki/oon 20 Years Audition out of 4000 contestants, and served as the opening act for Asian Kung-Fu Generation. On April 13, 2013, the band released their first music video, "Naimononedari", directed by Shinta Yamagishi, and announced their first nationally distributed work, Boku ga CD o dashitara (僕がCDを出したら), for release on April 24, 2013 through their management Hip Land Music.^[13] The album performed successfully, placing 14th on the Oricon Charts.^[14]

2013–2024: Major label debut; hiatuses and departure of band members

On August 5, 2013, the band announced it had signed with onto the major label Ki/oon Music, and announced their first major label single, "Jousha Hissui No Kotowari, Okotowari" (盛者必衰の理、お断り), and their first major label album, Doppel.^[15] The first song for the album, "1.2. step to you", was used in commercials for Docomo's dHits service in April 2014.^[16] On February 26, 2014, the band released their second single "Kesshōsei" (結晶星), a re-recording of their 2011 independently-released song of the same name.^[17] On May 21, 2014, the band released their third single, "Full Drive" (フルドライブ),^[18] becoming the band's best performing single, placing 6th on the Oricon Charts.^[19] On August 27, 2014, the band released their fourth single "Ikiteyuku" (生きてゆく).^[20] On September 8, 2014, Weekly Shōnen Jump revealed that Kana-Boon's fifth single, "Silhouette" (シルエット), would be used as the sixteenth opening theme for the anime series Naruto: Shippuden, and was released on November 26, 2014.^[21][22] On December 11, 2014, the band announced that they would be releasing their second album, Time, on January 21, 2015.^[23]

On March 23, 2015, it was revealed that their sixth single, "Nandemonedari" (なんでもねだり), would be used in commercials for Shiseido's Anessa cosmetics, and would be released on May 13, 2015.^[24] On June 15, 2015, it was announced that the band's seventh single, "Diver" (ダイバー), would be used as the theme song for the anime film Boruto: Naruto the Movie,^[25][26] and on June 29, 2015, it was announced the B-side track, "Spiral" (スパイラル), would be used as the theme song for the video game Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4.^[27] "Diver" was released on August 5, 2015.^[28] On September 3, 2015, it was announced that the band would be performing the opening theme song for the anime series The Perfect Insider titled "talking".^[29][30] "talking" was a rearrangement of the band's independently-released single "Kuchi o tozashite" (口をとざして) from 2013.^[31] The song was released as a split single with Scenarioart, who performed the ending theme song for the series, on November 11, 2015.^[32] In 2018, they released the first best album, containing most of B-side album "KBB vol.1"^[33] and a PV collection "KANA-BOON MOVIE 05 / KB CLIPS ~Sanagi kara Mozo Mozo-hen~" on March 14, as the first part of their fifth anniversary plan. They released the albums Origin in 2016, and Namida in 2017.

On 13 June 2019, bassist Meshida was reported missing with his bandmates being unable to contact him. The band's upcoming show on 15 June was subsequently cancelled.^[34] On 16 June, Meshida was found safe, however the band would be suspending all activities and enter a hiatus.^[35][36] On 12 November 2019, Meshida officially left the band due to his mental health concerns.^[37]

On 22 October 2020, Taniguchi stepped away from band activities citing health problems, effectively placing the band on hiatus.^[38][39] He returned to the band in April 2021.^[40]

Fifth studio album Honey & Darling was released in 2022.

In May 2023, it was revealed that the band would provide the opening to new anime Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead.^[41] The opening, titled "Song of the Dead" was released a single on 20 September.

On December 11, 2023, the band announced that drummer Koizumi and guitarist Koga would leave the band due to private issues. Taniguchi will continue working with Endō as a two-piece band, however all remaining activities for the year (including a nationwide tour and a Nippon Budokan 2-day live scheduled for November 2024) were suspended.^[42][43]

2024–Present: Reborn as a two-piece; a new era

On 19 April 2024, the band announced a return to live performances, with a one-man live titled "SUPER PHOENIX" in May in Osaka and Tokyo.^[44] Furthermore, they made appearances at music festivals including FLOW THE FESTIVAL 2024 in June.^[45]

On 25 September 2024, the band released their first song since becoming a two-piece band with "Love & MasterPeace".^[46] They then embarked on a national tour called "SOARING 'THE PHOENIX' TOUR" over October and November.^[47]

On 10 July 2025, the band digitally pre-released their new single "SUPERNOVA", which is the 7th opening of the Dr. Stone anime. The music video features their support members at the time, Yuriko Seki and Takayuki Yokoi, for the first time.^[48]

On 24 September 2025, Kana-Boon released a digital single in collaboration with Non called "GwGw". It was their second collaboration together, after she had appeared in the music video for "Song of the Dead". Featuring vocals and guitar by Non, the song was made for the Pokémon Music Collective, and was produced and written by Kana-Boon who sampled various sounds from the franchise, in the song.^[49][50]

From around September–October 2025, Kana-Boon's fifth single "Silhouette" had a revival due to its use on social media platforms, particularly on TikTok where dancing to the song became popular.^[51] By November, the song had topped Japan's TikTok music chart for three consecutive weeks.^[52] The song also re-entered the Billboard charts and achieved nine consecutive weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's JAPAN Hot Animation charts, as well as entering the top 10 of the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart.^[53] Additionally, it topped the Oricon Weekly Streaming Soaring ranking in November, which ranks songs based on the rate of increase in their average number of plays per day.^[54]

On 23 December 2025, the band announced that they would officially return to four members from 1 January 2026, with support members Seki and Yokoi joining the band full-time.^[55]

Following the announcement, the band returned to perform on The First Take, with a version of "Silhouette" subtitled "New Go-Line ver." featuring the new lineup premiering on 24 December. This version included an extra verse and guest appearances from Kenji Mihara (from Frederic), Asahi & Mossa (from Necry Talkie), TAMAYA2060% [ja] (from Wienners [ja]), Anri Endo (from Grape Kiki), and Yuho Kitazawa (from the peggies).^[56]

The band will be embarking on a nationwide 47-prefecture tour titled "CRITICAL HIT PARADE" starting in February 2026 in Tokyo, and ending in July in Osaka.^[55]

Timeline

Studio albums

Extended plays

Best albums

Singles

Covers

Other contributions

Official music videos