ORANGE RANGE Returns to THE FIRST TAKE with 2006 World Cup Anthem
The Okinawan rock band ORANGE RANGE is appearing on THE FIRST TAKE tonight to perform "Campione," the official NHK theme song for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The one-take performance marks their first appearance on the show in about a year.

ORANGE RANGE is heading to THE FIRST TAKE tonight to revisit one of their most iconic tracks. The Okinawan five-piece will perform "Campione" in a one-take format during the show's 674th episode, premiering at 10 p.m. on June 5th.
"Campione" holds special significance for the band—it served as the official theme song for NHK's coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The song's energy was built around collective momentum, something band member RYO highlighted in recent comments. "The chorus has this wordplay where it's like 'it's the chorus so let's get hyped,'" RYO explained. "The World Cup had that same spirit—'Now's the time, let's all go together.' It's a song that brings people together."
The band clearly cherishes memories tied to the track, with RYO noting they even traveled to Germany to watch matches in person. Two decades later, "Campione" remains a testament to ORANGE RANGE's ability to capture national moments through music.
This appearance comes at a busy time for the band. They're currently celebrating their 25th anniversary year, which kicked off in February with the new single "Mensore feat. Soy Sauce." More recently, they released another World Cup-themed song called "1000%" in late May, and their track "Agito—Supernatural War—" serves as the theme for an April film release.
ORANGE RANGE has experienced a major career resurgence lately. Last year, the 2002 song "Ikenai Taiyou" suddenly became a hit again, earning them a spot on NHK's prestigious Kohaku Uta Gassen year-end show—their first appearance in 19 years. Since their 2003 major debut, the band has delivered consistent hits including "Shanghai Honey," "Loco Roco," and "Kizuna," establishing themselves as one of Japan's most enduring rock acts.
THE FIRST TAKE fans will get to see why ORANGE RANGE remains relevant across generations when "Campione" drops tonight.
