2026 First Half Trend Review: 'Escapism' is the Keyword. How to Live in an Era Where Everything Exists but Nothing Matters.
We have reached the halfway point of 2026. Looking at the trend reports released in succession by major media outlets like Dentsu, TikTok, and Pinterest, a common keyword has emerged. In this episode, Kazma and Riku unravel the true nature of the 'escapism' we crave in this era of digital saturation.
The keyword identified by Dentsu and TikTok was 'Escapism'.
Looking at the trend reports that have come out from various sources, it seems that surprisingly similar words are lined up. 'Escapism' has been cited as the symbolic trend for the first half of 2026. The two discuss the essence of the 'escapism' that modern young people, exhausted by the daily grind of SNS mutual surveillance, constant notifications, and algorithms, are subconsciously seeking, while incorporating the real-world perspective they gain at live music venues.
We are being asked how to live in an era where 'Everything exists but nothing matters'.
If the 1980s could be described as an era where 'nothing existed but everything mattered,' then today is an era where 'everything exists but nothing matters.' The music industry has also seen its consumption patterns change drastically as digitalization has progressed. For the two, who advocate for 'Sangenshugi' (the three actualities principle) on their podcast, this word 'escapism' is the fundamental theme underlying their daily activities. During the episode, Kazma shares his candid thoughts after reading a certain company's report, and his take is quite sharp... if you are curious, please listen to the full episode.
* This summary is generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.