Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Hoshino Gen defeat A.B.C-Z and DA PUMP. Gen and DA PUMP are back this week, facing off against two newcomers. 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: Kanjani8 – Koko ni (not available for download or streaming)

I do have to applaud Kanjani8 for making this WANIMA-penned song actually sound like a WANIMA song. It’s uncanny. They’re like a WANIMA cover band with this song. That being said, I’m not a fan of WANIMA’s messy punk music since it reminds me of 00s Hot Topic fare, so therefore I’m not a fan of this. I normally like Kanjani8’s band songs, but they missed the mark for me by working with WANIMA. 4/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1: Hoshino Gen – Idea (not released physically / Billboard Hot 100 #4 / Billboard Download Songs #2 / Billboard Streaming Songs #18)

Same review as before: I’m going to go out a limb here and say that Gen is actually trying to break out of the “SUN” / “Koi” lane a bit with “Idea.” It’s not radically different, but it’s a step. The addition of STUTS’ beats gives the song a different feel than Gen’s recent hits. He also tried with the acoustic break, which I’m not a fan of. It just sounds really out of place and throws off the song. It’s an unneeded downer. 7/10

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Billboard Download Songs #1: Aimer – Black Bird (Oricon #5 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / Oricon Digital Singles #2 / Billboard Streaming Songs #12)

I don’t listen to Aimer, but I generally like her songs when they pop up here. This is no different. I love how grand and emotional it is. But even then, it’s still missing an extra emotional touch to take it over the edge for me. 6.5/10

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A. (Oricon #11 / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / Oricon Digital Singles #4 / Billboard Download Songs #4)

Same review as before: The eurobeat, the eurobeat, the eurobeat… I’m a bit of a sucker for it. It’s just so fun and nostalgic. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is what it is. 6.5/10

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Rank:

1. Oricon Digital Singles #1: Hoshino Gen – Idea

2. Billboard Download Songs #1: Aimer – Black Bird

3. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A.

4. Oricon #1: / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Kanjani8 – Koko ni

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