YOASOBI will release an English-language version of “Orion,” titled “Orion,” on July 10, 2026. The song is a collaboration with the video game Overwatch and originally appeared in Japanese as “Orion” (オリオン) on the duo’s new EP “THE BOOK for,” released June 26.
The track was written based on “The Fall of a Sparrow,” a short story tied to Overwatch’s new in-game setting of Tokyo. The story follows three of the game’s characters, Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko, as they revisit their memories and confront their own feelings. The English lyrics were written by Konnie Aoki, who aimed to preserve the sound, imagery, and atmosphere of the original Japanese lyrics rather than translating them literally.
Footage of “Orion” being performed on television for the first time has also been released for a limited time. The performance was filmed for the TBS music program CDTV Live! Live! at Toyota Arena Tokyo and uploaded to YouTube.
Who is YOASOBI?
YOASOBI is a Japanese music duo formed in 2019, made up of composer Ayase and vocalist ikura. The project is known for turning short stories into original songs, a concept reflected in “Orion” being based on the tie-in story “The Fall of a Sparrow.” YOASOBI rose to widespread popularity with hits such as “Yoru ni Kakeru” and “Idol,” the latter serving as the theme song for the anime “Oshi no Ko.” The duo has built an international fan base and frequently releases English versions of its songs, expanding its reach beyond Japan. Their latest EP, “THE BOOK for,” continues this pattern of pairing original storytelling with tie-in projects, this time through the collaboration with Overwatch.
