Hello AramaJapan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week, JUJU continued her reign at the top, beating off HKT48 and Nishino Kana. JUJU and Kana are back again this week along with 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: Sexy Zone – Otoko never give up (not released digitally)

Ronald: This song is kinda jarring for me… “Otoko” mean “man” in Japanese. This song doesn’t really give me “man” though. It’s kinda… too sparkly, too spangly, has too many bells and whistles going on to really give me “man.” It also doesn’t help that when I think of “otoko” I think of one of my favorite photography books which is like the complete opposite end of Japanese maleness as Sexy Zone. That being said, the instrumental to this isn’t all bad. Dated and generic, but decent. There are some vocal runs here that shouldn’t have been attempted. One of these boys is so nasally. Again, that’s jarring given the title of the song. Speaking of boys, isn’t like half this group missing? 3/10

Kanki:  I actually really like this song. I was expecting some generic sounding boy group song, but it’s actually a lot of fun. Reminds me of years ago when I used to dig these kinds of song more. I really only have one complaint…the one in the white (the youngest Im guessing?) when he sings just sounds too…prepubescent for my ears. But when they all sing together it sounds good and the other two sound nice. 7/10

Zara: Wow this is upbeat. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it does definitely (to me at least) have that boyband sound. All the moreso because their voices (in particular the one in white) sound still underdeveloped. It kind of reminds me, in a little way, of NYC or Kanjani8′s more upbeat songs. I liked the music video, very energetic and obviously suits the subject matter (which isn’t bad either). 5/10

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Recochoku: JUJU – Last Scene (Oricon #20 / iTunes #3)

Ronald: My thoughts from last week haven’t changed. 8/10

Kanki: Same as before. 7/10

Zara: My opinion hasn’t changed from last time. 8/10.

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iTunes: Nishino Kana – Darling (Oricon #66 / Recochoku #2)

Ronald: I still feel the same way about this song like a month later. 4/10

Kanki: Same as before. 9/10

Zara: My opinion is still the same. 7/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1 : JUJU – Last Scene

2. iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Darling

3. Oricon #1: Sexy Zone – Otoko never give up

Kanki’s Rank:

1.  iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Darling

2. Oricon #1: Sexy Zone – Otoko never give up / Recochoku #1 : JUJU – Last Scene

Zara’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1 : JUJU – Last Scene

2. iTunes #1: Nishino Kana – Darling

3. Oricon #1: Sexy Zone – Otoko never give up