ARAMA! JAPAN | Page 1276 | Breaking J-Pop News and Celebrity Gossip

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

Once Seen As a Hasbeen, Namie Amuro Returned to Form in 2015

The Japan Times has recently began publishing its year end pieces on the current Japanese music industry. The first of these pieces comes from Patrick St. Michel. His pick for success of the year is Namie Amuro. Back in June, he reviewed her new album, “_genic”, for esteemed American music blog Pitchfork.

In his piece for the Japanese newspaper, Patrick starts by reliving the period a decade ago when Namie was a flop. Her sales were a fraction of what they were previously and she was being overshadowed by newer female soloists on the scene, such as Ayumi Hamasaki and Koda Kumi. Namie was regarded as a leftover relic from the 1990s.

Back in 2008 immi made a huge splash in the j-electro scene with her album Switch , similar acclaim followed with her next studio album Spiral. After the release of her second remix album in 2011 immi seemed to disappear completely from the music scene. During that time she gave birth to a baby girl and kept a low profile by quietly working on music for commercials.

After four years immi is finally back with original material! “Two Faced” is a collaboration with house artist A-bee, despite being called an “EP” only two songs are included (the other two tracks are instrumentals). A-bee and immi’s distinct styles are both beautifully showcased in this release, making this a must for any fan interested in the j-electro scene.

Two faced can be purchased digitally via iTunes, check out long previews of both songs below!

Arimura Kasumi and Kora Kengo co-star in FUJI TV’s Winter Getsu9 drama

Arimura Kasumi and Kora Kengo will be starring in Fuji TV’s Winter Getsu9 drama “Itsuka kono Koi wo Omidashite Kitto Naiteshimau”, which will air in January 2016, Mondays 9pm. This is the first time they are working together and taking the lead in a privately owned TV network. Scriptwriter will be Sakamoto Yuji, who worked on the hit drama “Tokyo Love Story”.

This is Arimura’s third time appearing in a Getsu9 (Shitsuren Chocolatier, Yokoso Wagaya e) but her first time as lead. Regarding her first time leading a Gekku, Arimura admitted that she feels the pressure but she hoped to not be too conscious of it and work hard on the drama instead.

The drama follows the story of love and growth of six young adults who moved to Tokyo from the countryside. Among them are Suigahara Ono (Arimura Kasumi) and Soda Neri (Kora Kengo). Sugihara Ono is raised by his adoptive parents in Hokkaido after her mother died. Even though she gave up having dreams, she lives cheerfully and bravely. This was challenged when her indebted parents plans to marry her off to a man 20 years her senior. Soda Neri is raised by his grandfather in Fukushima. His grandfather’s land was swindled from them by other people. He moves to Tokyo in order to earn money to recover the land and dreams of being able to live with his grandfather. The two met by chance in Hokkaido and decide to go to Tokyo to pursue their dreams.

(via Sanspo)

Latest numbers for the fall dramas are in! Check out the updated ratings chart below.

BENI Releases PVs for “BFF” and “TATTOO”

On November 25, BENI will release her new album, “Undress.” She recently released the music video for the album’s third track, “BFF.” The song is the sequel to her recent single “Forever.” In the clip, an older BENI looks over a photo album containing pictures of her friends from her youth, while the current BENI sings the song. BENI also recently release the full version of the music video for “TATTOO.” Check out both music videos after the jump!