Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Mai Kuraki defeat Choutokkyuu and RADWIMPS. Mai is back this week, facing off against two newcomers. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: V6 – COLORS / Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi (not released physically)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdzlUfWPVfQ

Ronald: COLORS – This is ok. It’s a standard boyband midtempo, but this isn’t really single material. V6 is one of more more tolerable Johnny’s groups, so I wish they’d release something a bit more interesting. 5.5/10

Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi – After listening to the second A-side, I can’t help but ask why this single was released. This is is album track material, again, not single material. “COLORS” was nice in a generic way, but this is just really dull. 4/10

Single average: 4.8/10

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Recochoku #1: Mai Kuraki – Togetsukyou ~Kimi Omofu~ (Oricon #16 / iTunes #2 / Billboard #8)

Ronald: Same review as before: This is decent. The intro suggested that the song was going to be a lot more interesting than it ended up being. The use of traditional instruments was nice. Mai’s voice was soft and unforced. I will say that this song was just a pleasant listen, but nothing more than that. I just felt like it didn’t go anywhere. 5/10

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iTunes #1: BUMP OF CHICKEN – Ribbon (not released physically / Recochoku #4 / Billboard #2)

Ronald: I thought I was going to be bored by this at first, but it really grew on me as the song went on. It’s a deceptively simple song, but is full of emotion. I love how the song builds as it goes on. It left me feeling strangely peaceful. 7.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. iTunes #1: BUMP OF CHICKEN – Ribbon

2. Recochoku #1: Mai Kuraki – Togetsukyou ~Kimi Omofu~

3. Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: V6 – COLORS / Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi

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