Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw AKB48 defeat Yonezu Kenshi, FranChouChou, and Aimyon. Aimyon is back this week, facing off against two newcomers and a blast from the past. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Sexy Zone – Karakuri Darake no Tenderness (not available for download or streaming)

Over the past year, Sexy Zone has really stepped their game up. They’re actually making decent songs now, and not just decent for a Johnny’s act, but decent in general. I really enjoyed the upbeat jazz sound that this song had. It’s something different for them. A welcome step in the right direction. 6.5/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1: Uru – Prologue (Oricon #11 / Billboard Hot 100 #8 / Billboard Download Songs #2 / not available for streaming)

The theme song for the pedophilic teacher drama… I will admit that when I was in Japan, I did watch the drama every time it came on. It was super dramatic, and this song fits it well. Not because the song itself is super dramatic, but because it’s more mellow, an antidote of sorts. There is a sadness to the song that matches the drama well without being too much. And even without the drama, the song’s emotions resonate. 7/10

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Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Flamingo (Oricon #25 / Billboard Hot 100 #7 / Oricon Digital Singles #2 / not available for streaming)

Surprise, surprise, another Yonezu Kenshi single that is “just OK” for me. I want to like him more, but I feel like his singles are just there. He does excel more when it comes to accompanying tracks. I did like the bits of enka here though. 5.5/10

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Konya Kono Mama (not in the Oricon top 50 / Billboard Hot 100 #9 / Oricon Digital Singles #8 / Billboard Download Songs #9)

Same review as before: I haven’t listen to Aimyon much, but I can see her appeal. She’s an earnest singer-songwriter that doesn’t have the theatrics around her like the divas of yore, and people go for that today. I wouldn’t say that this song is exciting or all that interesting, but it is decent. 5/10

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Rank:

1. Oricon Digital Singles #1: Uru – Prologue

2. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Sexy Zone – Karakuri Darake no Tenderness

3. Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Flamingo

4. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Konya Kono Mama

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