The Weeknd Debuts “Tokyo” With Yoko Takahashi in Japan
By Riley Cruz · AI-assisted
The Weeknd had a very Japan-specific surprise ready as his tour arrived in Saitama.
According to NME, he debuted an unreleased song called “Tokyo” during his September 19, 2026 concert at Belluna Dome in Saitama, Japan. The moment came with a special guest, too: Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi joined him onstage for the live debut.
For fans who love when pop and pop culture overlap, this one has a fun twist. NME reports that “Tokyo” incorporates elements of “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” the opening theme from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
A new song with a familiar anime connection
“Tokyo” is still unreleased, which makes its live debut a big little breadcrumb for The Weeknd fans tracking what might come next.
The anime connection also gives the performance an extra layer. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” is tied directly to Neon Genesis Evangelion, and bringing Yoko Takahashi into the moment made the nod feel more like a true collaboration than just a sample popping up in the background.
After “Tokyo,” Takahashi performed “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” for the Belluna Dome crowd while The Weeknd played along onstage, according to NME. That’s the kind of concert-only moment that tends to stick with people, especially when it connects a new song to something listeners already recognize.
The Belluna Dome shows kicked off a major tour stretch
The timing matters here. NME notes that the Belluna Dome concerts launched the final Asian stretch of The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour.
He performed “Tokyo” again during his second Belluna Dome show on September 20, 2026, so this was not just a one-night surprise tucked into the set. For fans watching setlists from afar, that second performance makes the song feel like part of this tour chapter.
The After Hours Til Dawn tour is scheduled to conclude in Kuala Lumpur on November 4, 2026, according to NME.
Why fans are paying attention
The Weeknd has a deep catalog of songs built for big rooms, and “Tokyo” arriving during a stadium tour gives fans something new to talk about while the run continues.
There is also the contrast between a brand-new unreleased track and one of his most widely known hits. Official Charts identifies “Blinding Lights” as The Weeknd’s first UK Number 1 single and the biggest UK song of 2020. For many listeners, that song is a familiar entry point into his world.
“Tokyo” points somewhere different: a live debut tied to Japan, Yoko Takahashi, and an anime theme woven into the sound. It is a reminder that even during the final stretch of a huge tour, there can still be room for a fresh surprise.
We’ll keep the Mix 96.7 playlist ready for whatever The Weeknd decides to share next.
Sources: NME, Official Charts
This article was written with AI assistance from reporting by trusted music news sources.