Ado Announces First Official Music Collab with Sanrio’s Kuromi
Image by James RichardsonSanrio’s Kuromi and Japanese singer Ado have announced their first official collaboration, teaming up for a new song titled “DND feat. KUROMI” that will be released later this month.
The collaboration was initiated by Kuromi herself, who approached Ado as part of her continuing efforts to expand her music career and reach audiences around the world.
Kuromi made her major music debut through TOY’S FACTORY in October 2025 as part of Sanrio’s ongoing “KUROMIfy the World Project,” which has expanded the character beyond traditional merchandise and appearances into music and live performances.
Her first EP, “KUROMI IN MY HEAD,” followed that same month, while 2026 has already seen Kuromi complete her first Zepp tour across Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka before releasing her second EP, “HYPER KUROMISM,” in June.
Kuromi has also continued appearing in other music-focused Sanrio projects, including the new rhythm game “Sanrio Kawaii Me Live!,” where her song “Greedy Greedy” is part of the soundtrack and she recently appeared as a 3D artist during promotional performances.
Ado has become one of Japan’s biggest contemporary singers since making her major debut with “Usseewa” in 2020, later providing the singing voice for Uta in One Piece Film: Red and taking her music around the world through increasingly large international tours.
She also recently worked with adidas and the Japan national football team on the official 2026 home uniform song “Kira,” which also saw the release of a special replica jersey featuring Ado’s signature blue rose and character artwork.
For their first collaboration together, Kuromi and Ado will share vocals on “DND feat. KUROMI,” with the title standing for “Do Not Disturb”.
The song centers on ignoring outside noise and other people’s expectations while continuing toward your own goals, matching the confident personality that Sanrio has increasingly built around Kuromi’s music career.
Ado and Kuromi trade powerful vocals throughout the track, with the song written by Kanata Okajima and monii and composed by Johnny R, monii, Ari and KIRA.
Ari, KIRA, monii and Johnny R also handled the arrangement, with the track created specifically for the collaboration by Asteroid Music Team.
A new collaboration visual has been revealed, showing Ado with twin tails designed to connect visually with Kuromi’s familiar black jester hood.
Kuromi explained that she spent the summer practicing singing and dancing ahead of working with Ado, while Ado described the track as a strong, beat-driven song built around the pair facing down the noise around them.
The collaboration arrives shortly before Kuromi’s birthday on October 31, which Sanrio is also celebrating this year with several new releases including an idol-inspired birthday collection featuring Kuromi and My Melody in matching stage outfits.
Image by James Richardson“DND feat. KUROMI” will be released digitally through Universal Music on September 25, 2026 at 12:00 AM JST, with the song set to become available through major music streaming and download services.
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