Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw GENERATIONS defeat NGT48 and Austin Mahone to take the top spot. This week, two newcomers facing off. 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: Arashi – I’ll be there (not release digitally / Billboard #1)

Ronald: No wonder this song flopped underperformed… I hear this and all I can think of is how much better SMAP was at doing these types of jazz songs (probably because Shiina Ringo was invovled). This just strikes me as really dull. While listening to it, nothing really grabbed me. It felt really flat, and didn’t build to anything. This is more of a B-side / album track than an actual single. 2/10

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Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Mai Kuraki – Togetsukyou ~Kimi Omofu~ (Oricon #9 / Billboard #2)

Ronald: 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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Ronald’s Rank:

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

2. Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: Arashi – I’ll be there

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