The music video for "BOW AND ARROW," the opening theme of the anime ‘Medalist,’ was released on March 6 on Kenshi Yonezu’s official YouTube channel. The video features an extraordinary collaboration between two-time Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and Kenshi Yonezu, captivating audiences worldwide. In just half a day, the MV surpassed 2 million views.

A Stunning Collaboration Between Two Legends

The "BOW AND ARROW" MV showcases Kenshi Yonezu singing against a vast sky, while Yuzuru Hanyu delivers a breathtaking and powerful skating performance on ice. The choreography was personally designed by Hanyu, and the video was directed by Kyotaro Hayashi.

The MV’s dynamic visuals capture the sparking synergy between Yonezu’s music and Hanyu’s artistry, creating an unforgettable sense of motion and flight.

‘Medalist’ – A Story of Passion and Growth

Medalist is a figure skating anime following Inori Yuitsuka, a young skater discovering her talent, and Tsukasa Akeuraji, a coach striving for growth. Together, they aim for glory as medalists.

The original manga by Tsurumaikada has received widespread acclaim, winning:
🏆 1st place in "Next Manga Award 2022" (Comics Division)
🏆 The 48th Kodansha Manga Award (General Category)

The TV anime adaptation premiered in January 2024.

"BOW AND ARROW" – A Song of Aspiration

The song "BOW AND ARROW" was written, composed, and arranged by Kenshi Yonezu. The single’s cover art features an exclusive illustration of Inori Yuitsuka from ‘Medalist’.

Global Reactions: "A Historic MV!"

The unexpected collaboration between a real-life Olympic medalist and the theme song of ‘Medalist’ has left fans in awe:
💬 "Having an actual medalist in the MV of ‘Medalist’ is almost unfair!"
💬 "Starting with a quadruple Lutz? Insane!"
💬 "Hanyu's beauty is giving me chills. The tension and sense of flight are incredible."
💬 "Watching Hanyu from this camera angle feels like an absolute luxury."
💬 "Hanyu Yuzuru is one of those rare people who surpass fiction itself."
💬 "Two of Japan’s top talents in one MV – this is history in the making!"

On X (formerly Twitter), ‘Medalist’ trended No.1 worldwide, and the MV surpassed 2 million views within 12 hours.

Anime songs created by Kenshi Yonezu

2017: "orion" – March Comes in Like a Lion (Ending Theme)​
2017: "Peace Sign" – My Hero Academia Season 2 (Opening Theme)​
2019: "Umi no Yuurei" (Spirits of the Sea) – Children of the Sea (Ending Theme)​
2022: "KICK BACK" – Chainsaw Man (Opening Theme)​
2023: "Chikyugi" (Globe) – The Boy and the Heron (Theme Song)​
2025: "Plazma" -Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-
2025: "BOW AND ARROW" – Medalist (Opening Theme)

Kenshi Yonezu "BOW AND ARROW" MV

Source : ORICON NEWS