Hello, AramaJapan readers! We are back with this week’s edition of #1 Song Review! Last week was a battle between SKE48, ONE OK ROCK, and BUMP OF CHICKEN. It was a tight race but SKE48 managed to get just enough votes to win. We have 2 new songs this week. Check out what the staff thought of the songs that topped Oricon, Recochoku, and iTunes this week, then give us your reviews and vote for which one you like the most.

Oricon #1: Eight Ranger (Kanjani8) – ER2 (not released digitally)

 

Ronald:

Remember how last week I said I’m not here for idols? This is the reason why. This honestly is the one of the worst songs I’ve heard in quite a while. What is the appeal of this? The lack of vocal ability… The cheesy/basic rock track… The lame “rapping”… These guys are in their 30s and I feel embarrassed for them to be quite honest. With age should come maturity and this song lacks that completely. 0/10

Ryan: When I asked for chanting last week, I didn’t mean this!

Let me start this with the fact I think the design work for the covers is amazing so I had high standards for this single (even though they’re never related really). That sleekness isn’t exactly carried through to the video that just slaps in some footage Eight Ranger 2.

I’ve seen people talk about this being a BLITZ leftover track and that makes a lot of sense because the song very much fits into the normal visual kei-esque rock arrangement. The bridge is the peak of the song for me with its bizarre overly compressed vocals. But it’s important to think of the context. It’s used as the theme song and insert song for a movie and in that way the energy of the song complements the movie genre. 4.5/10

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Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Hata Motohiro – Himawari no Yakusoku (Oricon #10)

 

Ronald: This is pleasant enough. It’s a nice soothing song. I do like Motohiro’s voice. It fits well with the song. Very relaxing. Maybe a tad too pedestrian for me to say I really like it but it’s good enough. It’s a welcome relief after that mess of a song I had to review before this. 7/10

Ryan: Well it sounds like a Hata Motohiro song. I’m excited for the Doraemon movie so after watching some promotional materials about it, this song has grown on me. I’m not usually one for ballads, and it doesn’t have much of a memorable melody, but I think his voice and tone is unique enough to carry it. It really fits the nostalgic theme of growing up from the series.

I usually have complaints about how soundtrack song videos incorporate both the artist and the film it’s for, but this one did it pretty seamlessly with the Anywhere Door concept from Doraemon. The sunflower scenes are so gorgeous. 7/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Hata Motohiro – Himawari no Yakusoku

2. Oricon #1: Eight Ranger (Kanjani8) – ER2

Ryan’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Hata Motohiro – Himawari no Yakusoku

2. Oricon #1: Eight Ranger (Kanjani8) – ER2