Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Namie Amuro defeat NMB48 and RADWIMPS. She’s back again this week, facing off against 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!
This week on Recochoku, Namie Amuro topped the chart for the third week in a row with “Hero.”
She also topped iTunes with the song for the first time.
Toy maker Brokker are well know for their miniature size recreation of popular bands. This time of around they’ve partnered up with Silent Siren to create their own mini-me. Silent Siren is the first girl-band that Brokker has decided to produce for their line! The girls and their instruments modeled for Brokker so that every little detail could be documented and made. While miniatures guitars and drums have been made before, Silent Siren also has another first with Brokker with their miniature keyboard. Pre-orders have started on 8/23 and the finished product is expected to be delivered late November. Other bands that Brokker has made figures of are Hi-STANDARD, The Bawdies, BRAHMAN, SiM and MAN WITH A MISSION.
These days it seems like every idol group is growing up. Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku faces this change with style and grace in the PV for their new single ‘Massugu‘. Appearing in the video are two sets of the girls; dressed all in white symbolizing their innocence and then dressed in more mature attire, showing that they’re no longer children. Their sound even takes on a some-what mature tone, that the group uses to show off their minimalist type dance. See how ladies of Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku enter into another stage of their life in the PV below.
As sasanomaly‘s new single “M(OTHER)” release date (September 7th 2016) is drawing closer, the MV for its main song, “M(OTHER)”, has been released. This song is said to be a tribute song to the legendary videogame saga MOTHER. The metaphorical MV features several hidden messages only visible using a blue-tinted transparent item so the yellow words and images stand out to the human eye, helping to understand the story! As usual, the MV has been directed by Atsushi Makino, and features the classical children “connect the dots” game and other ones such as mazes as storytelling tools. Check out the MV just after the jump!
On September 7, Izumi Macra will release her third album, “Identity.” This is her first released since her single “P.S.” last November. That single is on the album, along with 10 other songs.
Macra has now released the music video “Makura”, for one of the songs off her new album. The laid back hip hop song’s video revolves around a young woman on a solitary night drive. Check it out after the jump, along with more information on Macra’s new album!
This week’s guests were Yamazaki Ikusaburo and Dream Ami.
Yamazaki Ikusaburo – Kimi wa Bara Yori Utsukushii
Dream Ami – Try Everything
In an announcement made earlier today, television station NHK revealed that popular rock band Mr.Children will be performing the theme song for Autumn’s Asadora drama “Beppin-san”. The song will be titled “Hikari no Atelier” and has been described as a bright and hopeful, yet gentle number that the drama’s staff cannot wait for everyone to hear.
“Beppin-san” will tell the story of Sumire Bando (Kyoko Yoshine), a young mother whom holds a deep love of both sewing and embroidery. While Sumire waits for her husband to return towards the end of the Second World War, she loses her home and much of her property due to an air raid and is forced to start making children’s clothing in order to get by.
The release date for “Hikari no Atelier” has yet to be decided, but people will be able to get their first taste of the track when “Beppin-san” begins airing on October 3rd.
(via natalie)