The Weeknd visited the SHIFT UP studio and played the in-development Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN, and his After Hours Til Dawn Tour's Japan shows featured a video collaboration between NieR:Automata and Neon Genesis Evangelion produced by Yoko Taro and Yoko Takahashi.
The Weeknd's public profile in Japan is a run of crossovers with games and anime, and the returns are unconfirmed. His After Hours Til Dawn Tour played two Japan dates at Belluna Dome on September 19 and 20, 2026, with Creepy Nuts as special guest both days and YOUSUKE YUKIMATSU joining on September 20. The staging carried a video collaboration between NieR:Automata and Neon Genesis Evangelion, produced by NieR:Automata director Yoko Taro and singer Yoko Takahashi, using clips from Neon Genesis Evangelion and samples of Takahashi's "A Cruel Angel's Thesis." The September 19 show is the one account ties to the visual.
Then the games side moved from watching to participating. The Weeknd posted photos of a visit to SHIFT UP, the studio behind Stellar Blade, including a shot with CEO Kim Hyung-tae and one taken in what appears to be a scanning facility. NEWSIS reported that SHIFT UP said he played the in-development Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN. The studio has not said whether he was scanned or whether any data will be used in the game, so the visit is confirmed and the outcome is not.
Earlier, on July 29, The Weeknd's official X account posted what appears to be a tattoo of Persona 5 character Tae Takemi, which drew fan reactions and a response from Crunchyroll. The image had been posted before and its authenticity is unconfirmed. The same account of his Persona activity notes support for Persona 5 Royal, a visit to Atlus, and play sessions on early builds of Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6. Across the year the pattern is the same: a star appears inside other companies' properties, and the properties confirm the appearance while the tie-in stays unannounced.
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The Weeknd posted photos of a visit to SHIFT UP, the studio behind Stellar Blade, including a shot with CEO Kim Hyung-tae and one taken in what appears to be a scanning facility. According to the Korean outlet NEWSIS, SHIFT UP said he played the in-development Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN. The studio has not said whether he was scanned or whether any data will be used in the game.
The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour presented a visual piece produced by NieR:Automata director Yoko Taro and singer Yoko Takahashi. It ran during the September 19 show at Saitama's Belluna Dome and uses clips from Neon Genesis Evangelion, samples of Takahashi's "A Cruel Angel's Thesis," and Evangelion-style imagery. Cast and staff shared photos and video afterward.
The official NieR and Evangelion X accounts announced a video collaboration between NieR:Automata and Neon Genesis Evangelion, presented as a special live production during The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour shows in Japan. The concerts run September 19 and 20, 2026 at Belluna Dome. Creepy Nuts appear as special guest both days, with YOUSUKE YUKIMATSU joining on September 20.
On July 29, The Weeknd's official X account posted what appears to be a tattoo of Persona 5 character Tae Takemi, sparking reactions from fans and Crunchyroll. The authenticity is unconfirmed since the image was previously posted. The Weeknd has shown support for Persona 5 Royal, visited Atlus, and played early builds of Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6.
The unit formed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and rapper JP THE WAVY released their fourth single 'SHUTOKO TOKYO' on May 22. The music video, directed by New York duo BRTHR, connects the Shuto Expressway with the world of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga 'AKIRA.'