The Weeknd Presents New Song “Tokyo” With Yoko Takahashi in Japan

At the Belluna Dome outside Tokyo, at the start of the Asian leg of the After Hours Til Dawn Tour, the Weeknd introduced a new song called “Tokyo.” He was joined by Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi, whose 1995 recording “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” — the opening theme for the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion — forms the basis of the track.

Takahashi performed the original song while Tesfaye played along onstage, giving the sample a direct, physical presence rather than treating it as a detached loop. It follows another new Weeknd track, “Rio,” which appeared in April, and suggests Tesfaye is building out new material without a formal announcement.

The moment also addressed the recent back-and-forth over whether he would retire the Weeknd name. In a new interview with GQ Hong Kong, Tesfaye said, “At one point I thought, ‘What if I just stopped?’ But then I realized what a waste all of that inspiration would be.” He added, “I had a glimpse of what retirement looks like, and it isn’t for me.” His conclusion was plain: “The Weeknd isn’t going anywhere.”