Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Nishino Kana win over NMB48. She’s back again this week, along with a recent winner and a newcomer. 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: Sexy Zone – Shouri no Hi Made (not released digitally)

Ronald: I don’t mind this. I really like the Latin / jazz flavor of the song. They were unexpected touches that gave a little something extra to a typical cheery Johnny’s song that I feel as if I’ve already reviewed a few times before. 5/10

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Recochoku #1: Utada Hikaru – Hanataba wo Kimi ni (not released physically / iTunes #2)

Listen here

Ronald: Same review as before – When I first heard this song, I was quite disappointed. “This isn’t the way to make a comeback after being on hiatus for years”, I thought. And I still do think that. I really expected more from Utada, not something that ayaka would release as a regular single. But the song is decent, and it does give a glimpse of Utada’s musical charm. But after all this time, I wanted more than a glimpse. I wanted to get punched. This song has a simplicity to it which is more akin to a tap on the shoulder. But that tap does get harder at the end, the best part of the song, with the vocal harmonies, strings, piano, and drums coming together to give us the Utada that we’ve come to know over the years. 6.5/10

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iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Anata no Suki na Tokoro (Oricon # / Recochoku #2)

Ronald: Same review as before – 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. Recochoku #1: Utada Hikaru – Hanataba wo Kimi ni

2. Oricon #1: Sexy Zone – Shouri no Hi Made

3. iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Anata no Suki na Tokoro

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