Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw HKT48 defeat SingTuyo and Nishino Kana. This week, we have two newcomers facing off against 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: BOYS AND MEN – Shinka Riron (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #44/ not in the Billboard Streamings Songs top 100)

Ronald: A basic anime song. How unique! 2/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (Oricon #19 / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / not available for streaming)

Ronald: 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

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Koi to Ai (not released physically / Billboard Hot 100 #9 / not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / not in the Billboard Download Songs top 100)

Ronald: I’m glad that Sandaime J Soul Brothers have laid off of the tryhard ratchet pop for a moment, but could they make something that is actually interesting? This isn’t as good as their previous ballads and seems more like an attempt to get a hit than anything else. 4.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon

2. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Koi to Ai

3. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: BOYS AND MEN – Shinka Riron

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