JOYSOUND has just published its spring 2026 anime theme song karaoke rankings, and the results highlight a fascinating trend: the anime we're watching the most isn't necessarily the one whose songs we're singing. Yorushika's "Abuku," the opening theme for LIAR GAME, claimed the top karaoke spot, while That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 absolutely dominated streaming viewership with a commanding lead. Here's what the full picture looks like—and why these rankings matter more than you might think.
The Quick Version
- Yorushika's "Abuku" (opening theme for LIAR GAME) ranked first in JOYSOUND's spring 2026 anime karaoke chart
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 took first place in streaming viewership with 1,040 points—380 points ahead of second place
- Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE (3rd cour) placed second in streaming with 660 points, and Nihon Sangoku ranked third
- The rankings come from JOYSOUND (karaoke data) and GEM Partners (subscription streaming data) for anime that aired in the April 2026 cour
- This marks the third consecutive year where karaoke popularity and streaming viewership don't align perfectly
Why Yorushika's "Abuku" Connected With Karaoke Fans
Yorushika's "Abuku" securing the number-one karaoke spot for spring 2026 anime isn't just about the band's devoted following—though that certainly helped. The song serves as the opening theme for LIAR GAME Season 1, and according to official statements, its success stems from how well it captures the anime's tense, psychological atmosphere. The track's music video uses an infinite-loop visual style that mirrors the mind-game intensity of LIAR GAME itself, giving fans an additional layer of connection beyond the weekly episodes.
We've seen Yorushika build a reputation for crafting emotionally resonant anime themes, and "Abuku" appears to have hit that sweet spot where the song stands on its own while enhancing the viewing experience. The JOYSOUND rankings are based purely on how many times people chose to sing each track at karaoke venues across Japan during the spring season, which means "Abuku" had staying power beyond casual listeners—it's the kind of song people wanted to perform.
How "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" Season 4 Dominated Streaming
While Yorushika ruled the karaoke booths, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 absolutely crushed the streaming competition. GEM Partners' viewer ranking system awarded the series 1,040 points for the spring 2026 season—a massive 380-point gap over second-place Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE, which earned 660 points. To put that in perspective, Slime Season 4 didn't just win; it distanced itself from the rest of the field by more than half of what the runner-up scored.
This kind of dominance reflects the franchise's broad, loyal fanbase. By its fourth season, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has built a viewership that tunes in reliably across multiple streaming platforms. The GEM Partners data aggregates viewer activity from subscription video-on-demand services, giving us a picture of which shows people are actually watching week after week, not just sampling. Slime's lead suggests the series continues to deliver what longtime fans expect while remaining accessible enough to attract newcomers.
Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE (the third cour) and Nihon Sangoku rounded out the top three streaming positions, demonstrating strong viewer engagement even if they didn't match Slime's scale.
What the Gap Between Karaoke and Streaming Rankings Tells Us
Here's where things get interesting: the show with the most viewers didn't produce the most-sung song. This isn't a fluke—it's a pattern we've observed for several years now. In spring 2024, Mrs. GREEN APPLE's "Lilac" (the opening for Boukyaku Battery) topped the karaoke chart while That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 ranked second in streaming but had no songs in the karaoke ranking at all. That same year, Boukyaku Battery placed first in karaoke but only eighth in viewership, and WIND BREAKER was second in karaoke yet tenth in streaming.
The spring 2025 season offered a rare exception: Mrs. GREEN APPLE's "Kusushiki" (opening for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, second cour) claimed both the karaoke top spot and the streaming viewership lead, showing that occasionally a single title can capture both metrics. But that alignment appears to be the exception rather than the rule.
What we're seeing is that karaoke appeal and viewership success measure different things. A song can resonate deeply enough to make people want to sing it—perhaps because it's vocally engaging, emotionally cathartic, or simply fun to perform with friends—even if the anime itself isn't drawing the largest audience. Conversely, a massively popular series might not produce a karaoke hit if its themes don't inspire sing-along moments or if the songs don't fit the typical karaoke repertoire.
How JOYSOUND and GEM Partners Compile These Rankings
Understanding how these rankings work helps us appreciate what they're actually measuring. JOYSOUND, operated by Exing Co., Ltd. (part of the USEN & U-NEXT GROUP), runs one of Japan's major commercial karaoke services. The company compiles its anime theme song rankings by counting how many times each track is performed across its network of karaoke venues. When we say "Abuku" ranked first, we mean it was literally the most-requested spring 2026 anime song in JOYSOUND machines nationwide.
GEM Partners Inc., meanwhile, specializes in digital marketing and analytics for the entertainment industry. Their viewer rankings draw from subscription streaming platforms, using a points system that reflects actual viewing activity. The 1,040 points awarded to Slime Season 4 represent aggregated viewer engagement across multiple services—essentially, how many people were watching and how consistently they tuned in.
By presenting both datasets side by side, JOYSOUND and GEM Partners give us a more complete picture of how anime performs across different fan behaviors. One metric shows what we're watching; the other reveals what we're singing.
Why This Matters for Anime Fans and the Industry
These dual rankings offer value beyond trivia. For fans, they highlight shows and songs you might have missed—if LIAR GAME produced a karaoke chart-topper, it's worth checking out even if it didn't dominate streaming numbers. The data also validates different ways of engaging with anime: you can love a series without loving its music, or fall in love with a song from a show you never watched.
For the industry, the split between karaoke and streaming success underscores the importance of music as its own pillar of anime marketing. A hit theme song can extend a series' reach and lifespan, creating touchpoints with audiences who might never watch the show itself. Artists like Yorushika and Mrs. GREEN APPLE become ambassadors for anime culture, drawing listeners into the medium through music first.
The consistency of this pattern—where karaoke and viewership rankings diverge—also suggests that we shouldn't expect a single anime to "win" every metric. Spring 2026 had room for both Slime's streaming juggernaut and "Abuku"'s karaoke reign, each serving different audience needs.
What People Are Saying
"Honestly expected Slime to take both charts, but I'm not surprised Yorushika won karaoke—'Abuku' has that perfect build for singing with friends. The song just feels like a karaoke track." – @anime_melody_fan
"I love that LIAR GAME got recognition through the music even though it's not the biggest show. Sometimes the best openings come from series that fly under the radar, and Yorushika nailed the vibe." – @psychological_anime_club
"Slime Season 4 dominating streaming makes total sense—it's comfort-watch anime at its best, and the fanbase is huge. But I'm definitely adding 'Abuku' to my playlist now; didn't realize it was getting that much love." – @isekai_enthusiast
"The gap between these rankings every year is fascinating. It shows that what makes a great anime theme song isn't the same as what makes a great anime. Both can succeed on their own terms." – @anime_data_nerd
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I listen to Yorushika's "Abuku"?
The song is available on major music streaming platforms as the opening theme for LIAR GAME, and the music video has been released online. Specific platform availability hasn't been detailed in official announcements, but Yorushika's catalog is typically distributed widely.
Is "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" Season 4 still airing?
Season 4 aired during the spring 2026 cour (April through June). Whether additional episodes or cours are planned hasn't been confirmed in the current rankings announcement.
How does GEM Partners' points system work for streaming rankings?
GEM Partners aggregates viewer data from subscription video-on-demand services and converts it into a points-based ranking. The exact methodology isn't publicly detailed, but the points reflect cumulative viewer engagement across multiple platforms during the season.
Did any spring 2026 anime rank high in both karaoke and streaming?
The available data highlights Yorushika's "Abuku" at the top of karaoke and Slime Season 4 at the top of streaming, indicating the two metrics diverged for spring 2026—similar to spring 2024 but different from spring 2025, when The Apothecary Diaries led both.
Will JOYSOUND release rankings for summer 2026 anime?
JOYSOUND has published seasonal anime karaoke rankings for multiple years, including spring and summer seasons in previous years. While a summer 2026 ranking hasn't been officially announced yet, the pattern suggests it's likely.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch (and Sing) Next
The spring 2026 anime rankings remind us that success in this medium comes in many forms. Yorushika's "Abuku" gave LIAR GAME a karaoke legacy that will outlast the season, while That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 proved once again that a well-established franchise can command massive streaming audiences. Both achievements matter, and both reflect genuine fan enthusiasm.
As we move deeper into 2026, keep an eye on how summer anime perform across these same metrics. Will we see another split between karaoke and streaming leaders, or will a single breakout hit claim both? Either way, these rankings give us valuable insight into which songs and series are resonating—and remind us that there's no single way to measure an anime's impact.
If you haven't checked out LIAR GAME or given "Abuku" a listen, the karaoke charts just handed you a solid recommendation. And if you're already riding the Slime wave, you're in very good company.
