Fujii Kaze's "You" has taken the number-one spot on Oricon's weekly streaming surge ranking, announced on October 1, 2026, with a remarkable 141.0% increase in average daily streams. The track, from his third album Prema, led a diverse chart that also saw strong showings from Vaundy, timelesz, and even the 1978 classic "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. We're breaking down the full ranking, what makes this chart unique, and what's fueling the momentum behind these songs.
The Quick Version
- "You" by Fujii Kaze topped the Oricon weekly streaming surge ranking for the chart period September 21–27, 2026, with a 141.0% increase in daily streams.
- The track appears on Prema, Fujii's all-English third album released on September 5, 2025.
- Timelesz's "Kienai Hanabi" ("Everlasting Fireworks") took second place with a 49.3% surge, followed by Vaundy's "Shiwawase" at 28.8%.
- Earth, Wind & Fire's disco-funk anthem "September" claimed fourth place, marking a notable resurgence for the nearly 50-year-old song.
- The surge ranking measures momentum—how quickly streams are growing—rather than total volume, meaning newer or rediscovered tracks can outrank perennial favorites.
Understanding the Streaming Surge Chart
Before we dive into the songs themselves, it's worth understanding what this particular chart actually measures. Oricon's weekly streaming surge ranking isn't the same as the overall streaming chart—it's specifically designed to capture momentum. The ranking examines songs within the weekly streaming chart's top 500 and calculates the percentage increase in each song's average daily streams compared to the previous week.
What that means in practice is that a song doesn't need to have the highest overall stream count to rank highly here. Instead, it needs to be growing faster than everything else. A track that doubled its audience in a week will rank higher than a song with ten times as many total streams but steady numbers. It's a snapshot of what's catching fire right now, making it particularly interesting for spotting trends and understanding what's resonating with listeners in real time.
The ranking announced on October 1, 2026, covers the chart period from September 21 through September 27, 2026, and corresponds to Oricon's chart dated October 5, 2026.
Fujii Kaze's "You" and the Prema Era
Fujii Kaze's "You" claimed the top spot with a 141.0% surge—more than doubling its daily streams in a single week. The track is drawn from Prema, Fujii's third studio album, which was released on September 5, 2025. What makes Prema particularly distinctive is that all nine tracks feature entirely English lyrics, marking a deliberate artistic choice by the Okayama-born singer-songwriter who typically alternates between Japanese and English in his work.
The surge appears to reflect renewed attention to the Prema era more than a year after the album's release. While the exact catalyst for the 141% jump hasn't been officially confirmed, renewed interest in album tracks often correlates with music video releases, playlist placements, social media trends, or live performances that bring older material back into the spotlight. What's clear is that "You" connected with a significantly larger audience during the week of September 21–27 than it had the week before.
Fujii Kaze has built a reputation for his soulful vocals, piano-driven arrangements, and lyrical introspection that draws from both his Japanese roots and global influences. His ability to sustain momentum on tracks more than a year after their album release speaks to the depth of his catalog and the loyalty of his audience.
The Rest of the Top Ten
The second spot went to timelesz with "Kienai Hanabi" ("Everlasting Fireworks"), which saw a 49.3% increase. The track was released for streaming on July 29, 2026, and its surge appears to have been tied to television exposure, with reports indicating that the song benefited from airtime during the week covered by the chart.
In third place, Vaundy's "Shiwawase" posted a 28.8% rise. Vaundy, one of Japan's most prolific and genre-fluid young artists, continues to demonstrate consistent streaming power across his growing catalog.
Perhaps the most surprising entry was Earth, Wind & Fire's "September" in fourth place. The 1978 disco-funk classic has become a perennial favorite, especially around the month it celebrates, and its appearance on a surge chart in late September 2026 suggests that the annual tradition of streaming the song around its titular month remains strong. The exact percentage increase for "September" wasn't detailed in the available reporting, but its placement among the week's biggest risers is notable for a song approaching its 50th anniversary.
Rounding out the reported rankings were BABYMONSTER's "WE GO UP," RADWIMPS' "Sparkle (original ver.)," Sukima Switch's "Zenryoku Shounen" ("Full-Power Boy"), Wasureranneyo's "Nanmonee," Remioromen's "Konayuki" ("Powder Snow"), and Snow Man's "Kiseki" ("Miracle"). The inclusion of both current releases and nostalgic favorites reflects the eclectic streaming habits of Japanese listeners, where catalog depth and seasonal traditions shape the charts as much as new releases do.
Why These Songs Surged
Each song on the surge chart has its own story. For newer releases like timelesz's "Kienai Hanabi," television appearances and promotional cycles can create immediate spikes. For catalog tracks like "You," sustained interest often points to the song finding new audiences through playlists, social media virality, or simply word-of-mouth discovery.
The presence of "September" reminds us that streaming has given seasonal and nostalgic songs a kind of permanence they never had in the physical-sales era. We've seen similar patterns with holiday songs, anime themes that resurge during anniversary events, and tracks that become associated with specific times of year. "September" benefits from both its inherent catchiness and a collective cultural moment each year when listeners around the world press play on September 21st (as the lyrics famously declare, "Do you remember the 21st night of September?").
For artists like Fujii Kaze and Vaundy, the surge chart reflects their ability to maintain active, engaged fan bases that return to their catalogs repeatedly. In an era when a song's commercial life can extend far beyond its initial release week, this kind of sustained momentum is increasingly valuable.
What People Are Saying
"'You' has been on repeat for me since Prema dropped, so it's amazing to see it finally getting the recognition it deserves. That song hits different every time."
— Fan comment on social media
"The fact that 'September' is still charting in 2026 just proves that some songs are genuinely timeless. It's the ultimate feel-good track, and people clearly agree year after year."
— Music listener online
"Vaundy never misses. 'Shiwawase' deserves all the love it's getting, and I'm glad the streaming numbers are reflecting that. He's one of the most consistent artists out there right now."
— Listener response
"I love that the surge chart mixes brand-new songs with older tracks that people are rediscovering. It shows that good music doesn't have an expiration date."
— Comment from streaming platform user
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this chart ranking announced?
The ranking was announced on October 1, 2026, covering streams collected from September 21 through September 27, 2026. It corresponds to Oricon's chart dated October 5, 2026.
Where can I listen to "You" by Fujii Kaze?
The track is available on major streaming platforms as part of Fujii Kaze's third album, Prema, which was released on September 5, 2025. Specific platform details have not been confirmed in the current reporting.
How is the surge ranking different from the regular streaming chart?
The surge ranking measures momentum—specifically, the percentage increase in a song's average daily streams compared to the previous week—rather than total stream volume. A song can rank highly on the surge chart even if it doesn't have the most overall streams, as long as its audience is growing quickly.
Why is "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire still charting?
The song has become a seasonal favorite, with listeners around the world streaming it each September, particularly around the 21st of the month, which is referenced in the lyrics. Its enduring popularity and annual resurgence make it a consistent chart presence during this time of year.
Will there be future surge chart updates?
Yes, Oricon publishes the weekly streaming surge ranking regularly, tracking momentum across the Japanese streaming landscape. Each week's ranking provides a fresh snapshot of which songs are gaining the most traction with listeners.
Looking Ahead
Fujii Kaze's chart-topping surge with "You" underscores the staying power of his Prema album and his ability to connect with listeners long after an initial release. The diverse mix of artists and eras represented in the top rankings—from Vaundy's contemporary sound to Earth, Wind & Fire's timeless groove—reflects the broad and evolving tastes of streaming audiences. As we move deeper into the fall of 2026, it will be fascinating to see which tracks capture momentum next, whether they're new releases riding promotional waves or beloved catalog cuts finding fresh audiences. For now, "You" stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of thoughtful songwriting and the unpredictable paths that songs take to reach listeners.
