ENGINE Announces Pre-orders for 2nd Single 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol' with Exclusive Short Story by Naoki Matayoshi and Audiobook Narrated by Sairi Itō

ENGINE Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Adachi-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tetsuro Kubota) has launched pre-orders today for the regular, first limited, and vinyl editions of its 2nd single, 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol'. The track was created as the theme song for 'TAXIATER (Taxi Theater)', Japan's first taxi film festival (※1). Vocal performance is by Takahara Pistol, arrangement by Shingo Sekiguchi, and lyrics and production by Tetsuro Kubota (ENGINE), who also plans and produces 'TAXIATER'.

The first limited edition offers an 'intense music experience' through exclusive content: an original short story titled 'Michinori' written by comedian and author Naoki Matayoshi (Peace), an audiobook of the story narrated by actress Sairi Itō, and an upcoming audio feature 'Michinori until Dawn' announcing cast members. Pre-orders for the first limited edition begin today, with reservations scheduled to close on August 31, 2026 (Monday).

💿 Special Website for ENGINE 2nd Single 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol'

https://engine-portfolio.studio.site/michinori/shop

※1: Based on internal research (April 2026), within Japan's 'film and film festival projects'.

ENGINE 2nd Single 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol'

The song 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol' follows the concept of the taxi film festival 'TAXIATER': 'LIFE IS MOVEMENTS. Life is a continuous series of movements.'

Vocals are performed by Takahara Pistol, a singer and actor whose CM tie-up song 'Yo, Soko no Wakai no' gained widespread attention, leading to his debut at the 68th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2017. Arrangement is handled by Shingo Sekiguchi, a renowned arranger and guitarist who has worked with artists such as Aimyon, Aina the End, and Uru. Lyrics and production are by Tetsuro Kubota (ENGINE), the planner and producer of 'TAXIATER'.

Inspired by 1970s and later folk music, Kubota wrote a narrative four-verse lyric set in a taxi driving through Shinjuku, Tokyo. The track, lasting approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds, blends Sekiguchi's emotive acoustic guitar-driven sound with Takahara Pistol's uniquely passionate vocals.

The song will be released on all major music streaming platforms starting August 5, 2026 (Wednesday). The artwork is created by contemporary artist Akihito Takuma, and the lyric video, to be released on the official ENGINE YouTube channel on the same day, is directed by photographer and filmmaker Takumi Gunji.

Participants

Singer: Takahara Pistol (Vocals)

Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1976. Formed the band 'Yakozen' in 1999 and made his major debut in 2003. Has been active as a solo artist since 2009. His album 'PEACE OUT' reached No. 5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart. Performed at the 2017 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Successfully held a concert at Nippon Budokan the following year. Also active as an actor, debuting in the film 'Seishun☆Metal Bat' (director: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri). Won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 40th Japan Academy Prize for 'The Long Excuse' (director: Miwa Nishikawa).

Arranger/Guitarist: Shingo Sekiguchi (Arrangement)

Guitarist, composer, and producer. Drawing from jazz, soul, rock, and pop, he has gained international acclaim for his unique sound. His album 'tender' surpassed 25 million total streams, with the track 'Elevator Lover' nominated for the 'Best Instrumental Music' at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026.

Active as a member of 'Ovall', performing across Asia and at major festivals. Also produces music for commercials, films, dramas, and anime, and provides songs, performances, and production for a wide range of artists.

Lyricist/Producer: Tetsuro Kubota (Lyrics/Production)

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1996. Founded ENGINE in 2021. Released the 1st single 'Yakan feat. Gudnight Kogata' in March 2024, along with a short film of the same name. In August 2026, plans to launch 'TAXIATER (Taxi Theater)', Japan's first taxi film festival, as a tie-in project for the 2nd single 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol'.

Artwork Design

Akihito Takuma, Lines of Flight op.1063 - Michinori, 2026, Oil on canvas, 100×100cm

The artwork for this track was created by contemporary artist Akihito Takuma, inspired by the song. Takuma's signature brushstroke effect is achieved by swiftly dragging a flat brush across wet oil paint—a one-time, high-stakes process resulting in a unique, unreproducible piece.

Contemporary Artist: Akihito Takuma (Artwork)

Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1966. Graduated from the Graduate School of Education, Art Education at Shiga University in 1993, then studied in Madrid. Known for his oil painting series 'Lines of Flight', using a self-made 2-meter brush to paint in a single stroke before the paint dries. The improvised lines, born from chance and necessity, serve as 'circuits' to disrupt rigid social systems and revive fundamental human sensations and vitality.

Lyric Video

The lyric video for this track was created by photographer and filmmaker Takumi Gunji, inspired by the music. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo's sleepless cityscape, it carefully visualizes the emotional world and extended lyrics crafted by lyricist and producer Tetsuro Kubota.

Photographer/Filmmaker: Takumi Gunji (Lyric Video)

Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1995. Affiliated with Coe Inc. Graduated from the Department of Basic Design at Musashino Art University, then participated in DRAWING AND MANUAL before going independent in 2021. Primarily handles self-shot and edited works, including music videos and documentaries.

First Limited Edition Includes Original Short Story by Naoki Matayoshi

Under its mission to deliver 'intense music experiences'—multi-layered, repeatable, and deeply immersive—ENGINE includes an original short story titled 'Michinori' by Naoki Matayoshi (Peace), winner of the 153rd Akutagawa Prize in 2015 for his novel 'Spark', in the first limited edition of the 2nd single 'Michinori feat. Takahara Pistol'.

The story follows 'Maya Yui', a hostess in Shinjuku's Kabukicho and one of the song's characters, who boards a taxi at dawn after work, carrying a secondhand guitar. Where is she headed? The life of this character, sketched by lyricist and producer Tetsuro Kubota, slowly unfolds in a rich, literary narrative penned by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Naoki Matayoshi.

Additionally, the edition includes an audiobook of the story narrated by actress Sairi Itō and the audio feature 'Michinori until Dawn', which will soon announce cast members.