ReoNa's signature song "ANIMA" has made a return to THE FIRST TAKE's YouTube channel, but this time it's not the intimate studio session we remember from 2020. On August 11, 2026, THE FIRST TAKE published a live performance video of "ANIMA" captured at CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026 in Yokohama, giving us a chance to hear how ReoNa delivers this beloved track in front of a festival crowd.
If you've been wondering what makes this new version different from the acoustic take that introduced many of us to ReoNa's artistry six years ago, or where you can watch it, we've gathered everything you need to know.
The Quick Version
- ReoNa's live performance of "ANIMA" from CENTRAL26 was published on THE FIRST TAKE's YouTube channel on August 11, 2026
- The performance was recorded on April 4, 2026, at CENTRAL LAB in Yokohama during the CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026
- This is a festival performance, unlike the 2020 acoustic studio version that first appeared on THE FIRST TAKE as Episode 60
- "ANIMA" is the opening theme for the anime Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld and reached No. 1 on major digital platforms in Japan
- The original THE FIRST TAKE version was released as a single on December 25, 2020
How This Performance Differs From the 2020 Original
When ReoNa first stepped into THE FIRST TAKE studio on October 9, 2020, she gave us an acoustic arrangement of "ANIMA" featuring piano and guitar — a stripped-down, one-take performance that showcased the raw emotion in her voice. That version became Episode 60 of the series and later saw a standalone release on streaming platforms on December 25, 2020.
The 2026 version captures something entirely different. Recorded at CENTRAL LAB during the April 2026 festival, this is ReoNa performing "ANIMA" in a live concert setting, complete with the energy and immediacy of a festival crowd. We're hearing the song as it exists on stage, not in the carefully controlled environment of a studio session.
For those of us who have followed ReoNa's career, it's a fascinating comparison. The 2020 performance let us hear every subtle vocal inflection and the delicate interplay between voice and instrument. This new live recording shows us how she commands a stage and connects with an audience in real time.
About CENTRAL26 and the Performance Venue
The performance took place at CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026, an urban music festival held in Yokohama. The specific venue was CENTRAL LAB, and ReoNa's set occurred on April 4, 2026.
While we don't have extensive details about the full festival lineup or other performers, the fact that THE FIRST TAKE chose to capture and publish this particular performance speaks to the significance of both the song and ReoNa's interpretation of it in a live context.
Why "ANIMA" Remains a Signature Song
If you're new to ReoNa's work, "ANIMA" is more than just another anime theme — it's the song that helped establish her as a major voice in the anisong world. As the opening theme for Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld, it reached audiences far beyond Japan's borders and climbed to No. 1 on major digital platforms in Japan.
The song's title — "ANIMA," meaning soul or life force — fits both the anime's themes and ReoNa's vocal style, which blends ethereal beauty with surprising power. When she first performed it on THE FIRST TAKE in 2020, it marked her debut on the platform, introducing many international viewers to her unique sound.
That the song is now getting a second life on THE FIRST TAKE in live form tells us it's become an enduring part of her catalog, the kind of track that resonates differently depending on how and where it's performed.
Where to Watch the Performance
The live performance video is available now on THE FIRST TAKE's YouTube channel under the title "ReoNa - ANIMA / Live at CENTRAL26." The channel has published it alongside their extensive catalog of one-take performances, though this one stands out as a live festival recording rather than their typical studio format.
If you want to compare the two versions, the original 2020 acoustic performance remains available on the same channel as THE FIRST TAKE Episode 60. The studio version was also released as "ANIMA - From THE FIRST TAKE" on streaming platforms including YouTube Music and Apple Music on December 25, 2020.
What People Are Saying
Fans who've watched the new live version have been quick to share their reactions, and many are struck by how different the festival performance feels compared to the intimate 2020 take.
"Hearing ANIMA in a live setting hits completely different. You can feel the energy from the crowd and it changes the whole vibe of the song."
Others have noted how the two versions showcase different aspects of ReoNa's artistry.
"The First Take version from 2020 made me cry with how delicate it was. This live version makes me want to stand up and cheer. Same song, completely different emotions."
Long-time followers of the series have also appreciated THE FIRST TAKE's decision to branch out from their traditional format.
"It's cool that THE FIRST TAKE is documenting live performances now, not just studio sessions. We get to see another side of these artists and how they adapt their songs for different contexts."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch ReoNa's live performance of "ANIMA"?
The performance is available on THE FIRST TAKE's YouTube channel under the title "ReoNa - ANIMA / Live at CENTRAL26." You can watch it for free alongside the original 2020 acoustic version.
When was this live performance recorded?
The performance was recorded on April 4, 2026, at CENTRAL LAB during the CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026 in Yokohama. THE FIRST TAKE published the video on August 11, 2026.
How is this different from the original THE FIRST TAKE version?
The 2020 version was an acoustic studio performance with piano and guitar in THE FIRST TAKE's signature one-take format. The 2026 version is a full live performance captured at a music festival, giving it a different energy and arrangement.
Is ReoNa planning more appearances on THE FIRST TAKE?
While we don't have confirmation of future appearances, the fact that THE FIRST TAKE has now published two different versions of "ANIMA" suggests a strong ongoing relationship between the artist and the platform.
What anime is "ANIMA" from?
"ANIMA" is the opening theme for Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld. The song helped establish ReoNa's presence in the anime music scene and reached No. 1 on major digital platforms in Japan.
Why This Matters for ReoNa's Evolving Artistry
What we're seeing with these two versions of "ANIMA" is a snapshot of how an artist grows and how a song can live multiple lives. The 2020 performance captured ReoNa at a moment when many international fans were just discovering her work through THE FIRST TAKE's platform. That acoustic arrangement emphasized vulnerability and vocal precision — the qualities that make THE FIRST TAKE performances so compelling.
Six years later, the live festival recording shows us an artist who's fully comfortable commanding a stage, someone who knows how to translate studio precision into festival-scale energy. For fans who've followed her journey, it's a satisfying progression. For newcomers, having both versions available offers a fuller picture of what ReoNa brings to her craft.
The live performance from CENTRAL26 is streaming now on THE FIRST TAKE's YouTube channel, and whether you're revisiting "ANIMA" or hearing it for the first time, both versions offer something worth experiencing. We'll be watching to see if THE FIRST TAKE continues to document live performances alongside their studio sessions — it's a direction that could give us even more perspectives on the artists we love.
