What is Takuya Kimura's "Checkpoint"? Summary of tracklist, music video, and tour dates.

Takuya Kimura's new album, "Checkpoint," was released on August 12, 2026. This is his first album since moving to the new label "C&C STAGE." We'll provide a clear and concise overview of all the information we've been able to confirm, including the tracklist, the impressive lineup of songwriters such as Sanma Akashiya and Taka (ONE OK ROCK), the release information for the "Hikari no Naka de" music video, and the schedule for his 9-show live tour across 5 cities.

 

What is Takuya Kimura's "Checkpoint"? Summary of tracklist, music video, and tour dates.

Takuya Kimura released his first original album since moving to the new label "C&C STAGE," titled "Checkpoint," on August 12, 2026. This is his fourth solo album, and it's a highly anticipated release, featuring collaborations with various artists, the release of a new music video, and a live tour that includes his first solo overseas performance. Here, we'll summarize the information we've been able to confirm, from the album's contents to the upcoming tour dates.

 

Key points of this article

Q. What kind of album is Takuya Kimura's "Checkpoint"?

A. This is the first original album released after moving to the new label "C&C STAGE," and it was released on August 12, 2026. It is his fourth solo album, and it embodies the meaning of re-examining his "current position" and serving as a guidepost for the future.

Q. Who provides the music?

A. The participants are Sanma Akashiya, Tamio Okuda, Mitsuki Kimura (Yukadan), Taka (ONE OK ROCK), Rei, and Masayoshi Yamazaki.

Q. When and where will the live tour be held?

A. The "TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint" will begin on September 5, 2026, and will include 9 performances in 5 cities, including 3 cities in Japan (Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Chiba) as well as Seoul and Taipei.

 

table of contents

1. Basic information about Takuya Kimura's "Checkpoint"
2. The meaning behind the title "Checkpoint"
3. Tracklist (10 songs total)
4. Who provided the music? A look at the impressive lineup of artists.
5. "In the Light" MV and Chart Information
6. TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint Schedule
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Basic information about Takuya Kimura's "Checkpoint"

 

"Checkpoint" is Takuya Kimura's first original album since moving to the new label "C&C STAGE." It will be released on August 12, 2026, and will be his fourth album as a solo artist.

 

Since starting her solo career in 2020, Kimura has been creating works in collaboration with close friends and artists she respects. This stance remains unchanged in this album, and she has been more deeply involved in the production process than ever before, challenging herself with new forms of expression.

 

item	Content
title	Checkpoint
artist	Takuya Kimura
release date	August 12, 2026
label	C&C STAGE
Positioning	This is his first solo original album since switching labels, and his fourth overall.
form	First Edition A/First Edition B/Regular Edition/Crew Edition

 

Limited Edition A comes in a deluxe box set with a 60-page photobook, while Limited Edition B includes music videos and exclusive footage such as "C&C STAGE -Brand Movie-" that can only be seen in this release.

 

2. The meaning behind the title "Checkpoint"

 

The album title, "Checkpoint," reflects Takuya Kimura's own reflection on his current position, a position he has always held at the forefront of his field, and his confirmation of the path to a new future that lies ahead. "Signpost" That is the meaning behind it.

 

This work is positioned as a milestone that connects both the path taken so far and the path that will be taken from now on. The jacket photo expresses Kimura's presence in a stoic monochrome, and the artwork features the title "Checkpoint" written in his own handwriting overlaid in red.

 

3. Track List (10 songs total)

The tracklist for "Checkpoint" is as follows. Track 10, "Celery," is included only in the limited editions A and B.

 

No.	title
1	Take It Easy
2	Malibu Drive
3	Long Saturday
4	BLACK DENIM
5	Talk
6	High on you
7	As the wind blows
8	What a remarkable life!
9	In the light
10	Celery (included only in limited editions A and B)

 

Of these, "BLACK DENIM" was released digitally ahead of the album, and "Hikari no Naka de" is a noteworthy track whose music video premiered on the release date. "Celery" is a self-cover of a song by Masayoshi Yamazaki.

 

4. Who provided the music? An explanation of the impressive lineup of artists.

This album features contributions and production from a diverse group of artists spanning genres and generations. The participating artists are as follows:

 

artist	Related Information
Akashiya Sanma	Kimura takes on the blues, a genre he has never seriously tackled before.
Tamio Okuda	A danceable arrangement was adopted at Kimura's request.
Mitsuki Kimura (Yūkadan)	I was in charge of blues songs together with Sanma-san.
Taka (ONE OK ROCK)	Going beyond simply providing music, we collaborated through repeated exchanges of ideas to create the songs.
Rei	The previously released "BLACK DENIM" is available.
Masayoshi Yamazaki	Original version of the self-cover song "Celery"

 

In particular, the collaboration with Taka from ONE OK ROCK went beyond simply providing a song; the two exchanged ideas many times while creating the work, resulting in a song that symbolizes this album. Furthermore, in the song provided by Tamio Okuda, Kimura's own ideas were incorporated into the sound effects, giving it a playful finish.

 

Please note that information regarding which artist contributed to which song is currently limited. What is confirmed is that "BLACK DENIM" is a song provided by Rei, and "Celery" is a self-cover of a song by Masayoshi Yamazaki.

 

5. "In the Light" MV and Chart Information

The music video for the song "In the Light" premiered on YouTube at 8 PM on August 12, 2026, the album's release date.

 

Furthermore, "Hikari no Naka de" (In the Light) topped the USEN J-POP request chart on the same day. It was released as a noteworthy track following the previously released rock number "BLACK DENIM," which was provided by Rei.

 

6. Schedule for 'TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint'

The live tour titled "TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint," which shares its name with the album, will begin on September 5, 2026. The tour will consist of nine performances in five cities, including three cities in Japan (Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Chiba) as well as Seoul and Taipei, marking Kimura's first overseas live performances as a solo artist.

 

schedule	venue
Saturday, September 5th	Hyogo - GLION ARENA KOBE
September 6th (Sunday)	Hyogo - GLION ARENA KOBE
Saturday, September 26th	Seoul - INSPIRE ARENA
Wednesday, October 7th	Fukuoka - Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A
Friday, November 13th	Taipei・Taipei Music Center
Saturday, November 14th	Taipei・Taipei Music Center
Saturday, November 21st	Chiba, LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay
Sunday, November 22nd	Chiba, LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay
November 23rd (Monday/Holiday)	Chiba, LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay

 

Ticket application methods and availability vary by performance and region, and are updated regularly. For the latest details, we recommend checking the label's official website or individual ticket agencies.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Which album number is 'Checkpoint'?

A. This is Takuya Kimura's fourth original album as a solo artist, and his first album since moving to the new label "C&C STAGE".

Q2. What is the difference between the limited edition and the regular edition?

A. Limited Edition A and B include all 10 songs, including "Celery." Limited Edition A comes in a deluxe box and photobook, while Limited Edition B includes music videos and other video content. The regular edition and Crew edition include all 9 songs.

Q3. Where will your first solo overseas performance take place?

A. The concerts will be held in Seoul (INSPIRE ARENA) and Taipei (Taipei Music Center). This will be Takuya Kimura's first overseas live performance as a solo artist.

 

 

 

 

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