Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Namie Amuro defeat Kis-My-Ft2. This week, we have a returnee from the past 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: B’z – Seimai / Still Alive (not released digitally)

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Ronald: This is something different for B’z and I like it. It still has a foot in the past, but with a touch of the new in that it sounds like something a new band would do to revive the past. 6.5/10

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Recochoku #1: Che’Nelle – Destiny (Oricon #54 / iTunes #4 / Billboard #5)

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Ronald: Same review as before: I can’t help but laugh at the fact that the Recochoku chart is topped again this week by a non-Japanese Asian girl singing a drama theme. Like last week, I like this one as well. This one is a bit more subdued than Beverly’s song last week, but Che’Nelle is still bringing the vocals, but this song isn’t all about the vocals like Beverly’s song. This song reminds me quite a bit of JUJU’s “Last Scene” with the mix of urban music and classical music, but done in a more youthful way. 8/10

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iTunes #1: Ken Hirai – Nonfiction (Oricon #19 / Recochoku #4 / Billboard #7)

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Ronald: I like Ken, but normally his ballads bore me. In the case of this song, the more prominent guitar and harmonica made things a bit more interesting, but I still wish there was more to make me more interested. 5.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: Che’Nelle – Destiny

2. Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: B’z – Seimai / Still Alive

3. iTunes #1: Ken Hirai – Nonfiction

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