Orion (Yoasobi song)

"Orion"
English version cover
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book For,
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedJune 26, 2026
Genre
Length3:26
Label
ComposerAyase
Lyricists
  • Ayase
  • Konnie Aoki
ProducerAyase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Baby"
(2026)		 "Orion"
(2026)
Music video
"Orion" on YouTube
English version on YouTube

"Orion" (Japanese: オリオン) is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their fourth EP, The Book For,. It was released through Echoes and Sony Music Entertainment Japan on June 26, 2026, concurrently with its parent EP. Written by Ayase, co-written English lyrics by Konnie Aoki, and based on E. C. Myers's short story The Fall of a Sparrow, the song serves as a promotional song for the duo's collaborative project to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the video game franchise Overwatch and the launch of the game's third seasonal content after its rebranding, "Into the Tiger's Den". A-1 Pictures and Ijigen Tokyo produced its music video, which premiered on July 4.

Background and release

On May 13, 2026, video game franchise Overwatch posted a screenshot of a text conversation between Overwatch and Japanese duo Yoasobi.[1] It shows each appreciating the other side, and Overwatch said, "Imagine what we could do together," hinting at a collaboration for the video game's tenth anniversary.[2] Following the announcement of the duo's fourth Japanese-language EP, The Book For, it was confirmed that the collaborative track will be added on the EP.[3]

On May 28, the duo appeared at the Overwatch × Yoasobi Collaboration and New Season Announcement Event in Tokyo, where the collaboration was formally announced and began on July 1,[4] alongside the game's Tokyo-themed new map Neon Junction,[5] which later became part of the game's third seasonal content, "Into the Tiger's Den".[6] The contents consists of the original short story The Fall of a Sparrow (地に堕ちた雀, Ji ni Ochita Suzume), the song "Orion", animated music video produced by A-1 Pictures, and skins for the game's characters.[7] "Orion" was released as a track of The Book For, on June 26.[8][9] The English version was released on July 10.[10]

Lyrics and composition

American writer E. C. Myers wrote a short story specifically for "Orion", titled The Fall of a Sparrow. It was published on the Overwatch official website on May 28, 2026.[11] The story depicts Genji returns to Tokyo to reconnoiter about Hashimoto Clan criminal organization that assassinated his and Hanzo's father, Sojiro Shimada, and discovering their alliance with the terrorist organization Talon,[12] and discovering reports of mysterious weapons, resembling those once forged for the Shimada clan.[13] Hanzo and Kiriko also join the mission. Genji allows himself to be captured by Hashimoto to gather more information. After the release, Genji meets a mysterious character with "a mechanical, robotic tinge to her voice."[14]

The lyrics of "Orion" compare Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko to Orion's Belt (pictured)

Lyrically, "Orion" centers on the relationship among Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko, as they retrace their memories and confront their own feelings,[15] likening them to the three stars of Orion's Belt, which appear close together despite their great distance from one another.[16] The lyrics switch perspectives between Kiriko and a "bird's-eye view" narrator.[17] Driven by "futuristic" drum and bass and futurecore,[18] the song incorporated the sound of Japanese traditional string instrument koto,[19] and contains star-sparkling sound effect.[20] Writing for Read Sound, music critic Tomoyuki Mori additionally noted "Orion" about its lyrics that using "realistic" words, in contrast with the game's fictional worldview, as well as J-pop-styled lyricism and "stylishly polished soundscape".[21]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Orion" premiered on July 4, 2026,[22] preceded by a teaser video.[23] Produced by A-1 Pictures and Ijigen Tokyo and, the animated visuals follow the story of The Fall of a Sparrow, which express the pasts and struggles of all Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko, as well as action scenes.[24] The English version's music video was uploaded on July 10.[25]

Live performances

Yoasobi debuted the performance of "Orion" on June 29, 2026, at the Platinum Live segment of CDTV Live! Live!.[26] Filmed at Toyota Arena Tokyo with 600 fans, its footage was uploaded via YouTube for limited period on July 6.[27] The duo added the song to the setlist for their North American Never Ending Stories Tour.[28]

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Orion"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Japan Digital Singles (Oricon)[29] 7
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)[30] 25

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Orion"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various June 26, 2026 Original [31]
July 10, 2026 English [32]

References

  1. ↑ "「オーバーウォッチ」，音楽ユニット·YOASOBIとのコラボを示唆。近日中にさらなる情報を公開へ". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). May 13, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  2. ↑ "『オーバーウォッチ』がYOASOBIとの意外すぎるコラボを匂わせ? 実現すれば音楽ユニットとのコラボは2回目". Game Spark (in Japanese). May 13, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  3. ↑ "『オーバーウォッチ』と「YOASOBI」のコラボ詳細が発表。"ハナムラ"を思わせる限定アナログ盤が海外向けに登場". Denfaminicogamer (in Japanese). May 16, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  4. ↑ Tapioca (May 28, 2026). "Overwatch x YOASOBI collaboration is official!". Saiga NAK. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  5. ↑ "YOASOBI×『オーバーウォッチ』コラボ 東京舞台の新ストーリーから新曲を書き下ろし". Kai-You (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ "「オーバーウォッチ」新ヒーロー・シオンの戦闘スタイルやオムニックらしさを追求した細部へのこだわり―開発陣が語り尽くした新シーズン「虎の住処へ」発表会レポート". Gamer (in Japanese). June 16, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ "『オーバーウォッチ』×YOASOBIの大型コラボが発表。短編小説から着想を得た楽曲「オリオン」を書き下ろす". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ "YOASOBI、ゲーム"オーバーウォッチ"コラボ発表。"東京"舞台の新ストーリー描く短編小説公開&コラボ楽曲「オリオン」書き下ろし。US限定アナログ盤ジャケ写も". Skream! (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ "YOASOBI、人気ゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』とコラボ 新曲『オリオン』書き下ろし". Encount (in Japanese). May 29, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "YOASOBI「オリオン」英語版を配信リリース、『CDTVライブ!ライブ!』でのパフォーマンス映像が公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ "『オーバーウォッチ』×YOASOBIコラボ7月1日開始! ゲンジが東京を訪れる短編小説「地に堕ちた雀」も公開". Inside (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ Jia, Si (May 28, 2026). "J-pop Superduo Yoasobi Races Into 'Overwatch' With Tie-In Song, Animated MV & More". Geek Culture. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  13. ↑ Bernado, Anna (July 2, 2026). "Overwatch x YOASOBI collaboration revealed with six Legendary skins and new lore for Genji and Hanzo". Gosugamers. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  14. ↑ Chen, Amy (May 28, 2026). "Kiriko, Genji, and Hanzo get AMV in Overwatch x YOASOBI collab". Esports.gg. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  15. ↑ "YOASOBI×世界的人気ゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』コラボ曲「オリオン」MVティザー公開". The First Times (in Japanese). July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  16. ↑ Saitō, Naoki (May 28, 2026). "東京をイメージした舞台のマップでYOASOBIの新曲「オリオン」をバックにバトル! 世界的人気ゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』がYOASOBIのコラボレーションを発表". Spice (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ Shepard, Kenneth (June 30, 2026). "YOASOBI Talks Collaborating With Overwatch For 'Orion' Song". Kotaku. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Tatsuta, Yūki (June 2, 2026). "YOASOBIが明かす、『オーバーウォッチ』に寄せた楽曲「オリオン」へ込められた世界観 新シーズン発表会レポ". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Tanaka, Takanobu (May 28, 2026). "YOASOBI、「オーバーウォッチ」とコラボ決定 Ayase「我々の"J-POP魂"もしっかり乗せて作りました」". The TV (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ Im, Audrey (July 7, 2026). "With THE BOOK for, YOASOBI Is Ready for Their Next Chapter". Anime Trending. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ Mori, Tomoyuki; Ishii, Eriko (July 3, 2026). "YOASOBI、INI、アイナ・ジ・エンド、中森明菜、生田斗真、名誉伝説......注目新譜6作をレビュー". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ "YOASOBI、世界的人気ゲーム"オーバーウォッチ"とのコラボ楽曲「オリオン」コラボレーションMV公開". Skream! (in Japanese). July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ "「オーバーウォッチ」x「YOASOBI」コラボの新たなティザー映像が公開、近く"Orion"のミュージックビデオがお披露目". Doope! (in Japanese). July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  24. ↑ "YOASOBI、ゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』×「オリオン」のコラボMV公開。ユニクロ「UT」とのコラボ商品発売決定も". Barks (in Japanese). July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "YOASOBI「オリオン」英語版を本日リリース、MVはこのあと公開". Music Natalie (in Japanese). July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  26. ↑ "6月29日放送「CDTV」出演アーティストはYOASOBI・SixTONES・=LOVE・IVE 楽曲も発表". Modelpress (in Japanese). June 8, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ "YOASOBI「オリオン」英語版配信リリース決定! 『CDTVライブ!ライブ!』での「オリオン」パフォーマンス映像も公開". The First Times (in Japanese). July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  28. ↑ Im, Audrey; Mizutani, James (August 21, 2026). "YOASOBI Lights Up the Night for Their Never Ending Stories Tour in Oakland". Anime Trending. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Singles: 2026-07-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: Week of July 8, 2026". Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  31. ↑ "世界的人気を誇るゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』コラボが発表! "東京"舞台の新ストーリーを描く短編小説公開&コラボ楽曲「オリオン」書き下ろし、US限定アナログ盤のジャケット写真を公開!". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  32. ↑ "YOASOBI、世界的人気ゲーム『オーバーウォッチ』とのコラボ楽曲「オリオン」英語版を、本日配信リリース! さらに、MVを本日23時にYouTubeプレミア公開決定!". PR Times (in Japanese). July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
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