What this is
Free! Series ORCHESTRA CONCERT 2026 ―Beyond the New Journey― is a live orchestral concert tour celebrating the beloved Free! anime franchise, visiting four Japanese cities across summer and autumn 2026. The Free! series, produced by Kyoto Animation, follows competitive swimmers and has cultivated a passionate fanbase since its debut in 2013. The concert features music composed by Tatsuya Kato, conducted by Yukichi Yoshida, with the Heartbeat Symphony orchestra and Zinee&issei providing choral accompaniment. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya performances include special in-show voice content from the anime, while the Tottori stop is the highlight for fans — featuring live stage appearances by key cast members including Nobunaga Shimazaki and Daisuke Hirakawa. Special ticket bundles with exclusive goods ('Welcome!' Invitation Sets and a Tottori-exclusive 'Welcome Back!' Memory Set) make this a collector's event as much as a concert.
Who should go
This event is essential for fans of the Free! anime series and Kyoto Animation works, as well as anyone who enjoys orchestral arrangements of anime music in a concert hall setting. The atmosphere will be emotional and celebratory, drawing dedicated fans who know every track and character. Casual anime fans curious about the live orchestral anime concert format will also find it accessible and impressive. The Tottori date is the unmissable stop for superfans due to the live voice actor appearances. Book tickets early as these events sell out quickly — and consider the special goods bundles at checkout rather than hunting for them separately later.
Good to know
Tickets are sold through eplus.jp and pia.jp — both platforms accept foreign credit cards, and convenience store pickup (combini) at Lawson is the most hassle-free option for visitors without a Japanese mailing address. Special 'Welcome!' Invitation Set goods tickets are sold alongside standard tickets and are likely to sell out first, so check the official site for sale dates and act quickly. ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall is a prestigious seated concert venue with excellent acoustics, seating around 2,000; Tachikawa Stage Garden is a modern multi-purpose hall seating approximately 2,000 as well. The Tottori performance at Torigin Bunka Kaikan is the only date with live voice actor stage appearances, making it the most sought-after stop on the tour — expect heightened fan energy and longer merchandise queues. Merchandise lines at anime orchestra concerts typically open at door time, so arriving promptly at doors-open is strongly recommended if you want to buy goods before the show.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.