Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw King & Prince defeat back number and Aimyon. Aimyon is back this week, facing off against a newcomer 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 Combined #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Physical #1: HKT48 – Ishi (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #61 / not available for streaming)

This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, with this being a 48 group. It’s not as cutesy as I expected. It’s more generic pop. 5.5/10

Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (not in the Oricon Combined top 10 / Billboard Hot 100 #4 / not in the Oricon Physical top 50 / not available for streaming)

Same review as before: Kenshi is a mixed bag. I liked him at first, then he fell out of my favor. I hated the singles from this last album, but the album itself was surprisingly strong. I think that may be happening again, because I’m not really wowed by this. There are some moments where I like the production, but overall, it sounds like something any other male singer-songwriter / male-front band would do. 5/10

Oricon Streaming #1 / Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Marigold (not in the Oricon Combined top 10 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / not in the Oricon Physical top 50 / Oricon Digital Singles #5 / Billboard Download Songs #5)

Same review as before: This is actually somewhat enjoyable. There is a nostalgia to the song that brings a sense of comfort. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it is quite pleasant. 6.5/10

Rank:

1. Oricon Streaming #1 / Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Marigold
2. Oricon Combined #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Physical #1: HKT48 – Ishi
3. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon