Yasuharu Takanashi (born 1963, Tokyo) is a Japanese composer and arranger whose anime soundtracks - Naruto Shippuden, Fairy Tail, Log Horizon, Record of Ragnarok and more - have made him one of the most-heard Japanese composers worldwide. He has won the JASRAC International Award eight times, and the Naruto Shippuden score topped Japan's overseas royalties ranking for the eighth time in fiscal 2025. In 2024 he launched Far East Groove, a live band project that performs his anime music in a heavy metal setting with an international lineup.
The Naruto Shippuden soundtrack topped Japan's overseas royalties ranking for the eighth time in fiscal 2025, according to JASRAC data.
Far East Groove announced a second European tour, 'The Battle for Glory', starting in Helsinki on September 30, 2026, and including a UK debut.
Far East Groove performed at Rock Imperium Festival 2025 in Spain, making Takanashi the first Japanese soundtrack composer to headline the main stage of a major European rock festival.
Far East Groove announced a collaboration with Finnish violinist Tuomas Rounakari for the 'Beginning the Quest Tour' in June 2025, covering Helsinki, Rock Imperium Festival and Milan.
Takanashi and Tuomas Rounakari performed a sold-out concert 'Epic East Meets Northern Beasts' at Sibeliustalo in Finland, which preceded the formation of Far East Groove.
