”Zenzenzense” isn’t the only song getting new English vocals from original Japanese singer Yojiro Noda.
While English-dubbed character dialogue has carved out what appears to be a permanent place for itself in the Western anime market, English re-recordings of anime songs have largely met with the opposite fate. After a brief rash of attempts in the 1990s, which were almost summarily dismissed and/or derided by Western consumers, most English-territory anime publishers went back to using the Japanese vocals for both subtitled and dubbed versions of their products.
So it’s kind of surprising that for its North American dubbed screenings, the handlers of hit anime film Your Name are flipping the pages of the playbook back and using new versions of the movie’s songs that have English vocals. But there’s a twist, in that the English versions are written and performed by the same person responsible for the Japanese originals: Japanese rock band Radwimps’ singer Yojiro Noda.
Last month, we got a preview of the English version of “Zenzenzense,” the infectiously upbeat anthem most strongly associated with the film. But that’s just one of the songs in Your Name which feature Noda’s voice, and this new video showcases all four in their English forms.
In addition to “Zenzenzense,” the video shares samples of the powerful “Dream lantern,” emotional “Sparkle,” and simultaneously driving and soothing “Nandemonaiya.”
Theatergoers in Japan who attended special Your Name screenings which replaced the original songs while keeping the Japanese dialogue in place have been enjoying these songs since last month, but the CD release of the new music is coming up on February 22 in Japan. And, of course, they’ll be present in the dubbed North American release of Your Name, which is coming in less than two months, on April 7.
Source, images: YouTube/radwimpsstaff
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s still grateful to his dad for taking him to see that showing of the Silent Mobius movie back before he had a driver’s license.

Official English version of anime Your Name’s theme song sounds cool as Japanese original【Video】
Radwimps singer offers apology/explanation after new song is accused of inappropriate nationalism
The trailer for Makoto Shinkai’s new anime, Weathering with You is here, and jaw-dropping【Video】
Anime Your Name’s home video release announced, has English subtitles and is region-free
Is there still something love can do? Radwimp’s song soothes hearts after tragic anime arson
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Reinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
New trailer for “your Name.”, newest anime from Makoto Shinkai, is packed with emotion【Video】
English-dubbed trailer released for anime film Your Name 【Video】
Twitter is abuzz over gorgeous new visual promotion for the hit anime film Your Name
Anime voice actress Maaya Sakamoto covers Katy Perry’s “Firework” in spectacular fashion【Video】
New Makoto Shinkai short anime is a gorgeous music video partially set in Singapore【Video】
Your Name’s animated storyboards show anime phenomenon like you’ve never seen it before【Video】
An English cover of the title song from Your Name hits all the right notes【Video】
Netlflix stop-motion Pokémon series has new preview video, theme song from city pop legend【Vid】
What would anime hit Your Name look like without its biggest storytelling cheat? Manga shows us
Anime Your Name to be remade as Hollywood live-action movie produced by J.J. Abrams
Hit anime film Your Name’s Academy Award qualification run dates officially announced
Video accuses Your Name of copying two of its animation sequences from other anime【Video】
J-pop star Utada Hikaru teases new music video in preview for her latest anime theme【Videos】