Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Utada Hikaru defeat Johnny’s WEST to stay on top for the second week in a row. This week, we have 2 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: NMB48 – Amagami Hime (Recochoku #28 / not in the iTunes top 50)

Ronald: I feel like I’ve given a review like this a million times before for these faceless, indistinguishable groups. This isn’t too different from what they normally do. I’m just glad it’s not some overly cutesy song. It’s as if these groups very rarely go outside of the box when they release something that’s not super saccharine. It’s just the same rehashed, unoffensive song, plodding along… 4/10

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Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Anata no Suki na Tokoro (Oricon #5)

Ronald: Nishino Kana is back to bore with her latest effort (can this even be called an “effort?”). This is shaping up to be the dullest era in recently memory by a big Japanese popstar. What happened to the fun? Kana used to create these really good songs, but it seems as if for the past few years she’s gradually been dumbing herself down, and in effect making her music more and more juvenile. The fact that this woman is knocking on 30’s door makes things even more tragic. This song is completely unmemorable. It just drags on and doesn’t even have a point. Kana’s hesitance to take a risk is one of the problems facing JPop today. 2.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: NMB48 – Amagami Hime

2. Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Anata no Suki na Tokoro

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