This week’s guests were Sandaime J Soul Brothers and Sonar Pocket. There was also a preview of upcoming February releases.
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Eeny, meeny, miny, moe!
Sonar Pocket – Modara nai Love Story.
Trailer for the Japanese comedy movie “April Fools” has been released. It is the first feature length film directed by Ishikawa Junichi. Ishikawa and screenwriter Kosawa Ryota previously worked together on the Fuji TV drama series “Legal High” franchise. Filming took place early June, 2014 and will be released on April 1, 2015.
The movie stars Toda Erika as Nitta Ayumi who suffers anthropophobia (extreme shyness & fear of people). She discovers she’s pregnant after a one night stand with Wataru Makino (Matsuzaka Tori). Check out the trailer and details below.
SMAP’s 54th single will be a double A-side to be released on February 18. “Karei naru Gyakushu” is currently used as the theme song of FUJI TV drama “Zeni no Sensou” starring member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi. Shiina Ringo wrote and composed the song. She previously provided the song “Manatsu no Datsugokusha” for the 2012 album “GIFT OF SMAP”, but this is the first time she is providing a single for the group. The song is described as a sexy medium tempo tune that displays the coolness of an adult and is a perfect match for the drama. It is a danceable, adult pop song that combines both the worlds of Shiina Ringo and SMAP. Kodama Yuichi, who has directed several of Shiina Ringo’s music videos, will direct the video for “Karei naru Gyakushu”.
The other A-side, “Humor Shichau yo” is the project song for SHIDAX Heart & Smile. Gonpa Naruhiro wrote the happy and fun lyrics for “Humor SHICHAUYO” and Ichikawa Yoshiyasu and Mashiko Tatsuro composed groovy, medium tempo music.
Sakai Masato will be starring in NTV’s new drama titled “Dr. Rintaro” starting from April (10pm, Wednesdays). This is his first drama after one and a half years since Legal High 2. The drama will be written by Nakazano Miho (Doctor X, Hanako to Anne) and directed by by Nobuo Mizuta (“Maiko haaaan!!!”/”The Apology King”). As Nakazono is a big fan of Sakai, she is looking forward to their first collaboration.
Sakai will play a sought-after psychiatrist, Dr. Rintaro Hino, who uses his sharp observation to untangle his patients’ severe illnesses. Because of his genius treatment methods, even the Chief Cabinet Secretary is his regular patient. He has has written many books and also appears as a guest on TV. He is so in demand that patients have to wait more than 2 months to see him. One day, a woman appears in front of Dr. Rintaro and his life changes because of her.
Pop duo moumoon has revealed the music video for their upcoming single titled “Hello, shooting-star”, which will be released on February 25 . The song is currently being used as as the ending theme to the anime “Assassination Classroom”. On the other hand, the coupling track “BF” was used as the theme song for the drama “Dear Sister”.
In most scenes in the PV, singer YUKA keeps her eyes closed to refer to the heartwarming scenes that one can see behind one’s eyes that may be no longer exist if opened. Check out the sentimental and nostalgic atmosphere of the music video for the mid tempo song below.
On March 18, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will release her new single, “Mondai Girl.” As previously reported, “Mondai Girl” is the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Mondai no Aru Restaurant“, which began airing on January 15. The single’s 2 B-sides, “KISEKAE” and “My Room”, both have tie-ins as well. “KISEKAE” is the CM song for the New Nintendo 3DS, while “My Room” is the CM song for CHINTAI, a room rental app. The limited edition of the single will contain a DVD with footage from Kyary’s concerts in London, Hawaii, and Tokyo. It also includes a sticker and a 7-inch-LP-sized cover. Check out the covers and tracklist for the single as well as clips of all 3 songs after the jump!
After a temporary delay, we here at AramaJapan have revived our Japanese Soundscan chart posts. For those who are unfamiliar with this chart, a primer:
While a physical chart like Oricon, Soundscan breaks down the sales of any one particular release by version and shows you exactly how much each of these versions have sold in a Top 20 format (for both Singles and Albums).
Of note, this chart doesn’t include copies sold by Avex’s Mu-mo shop, Pony Canyon’s shop, AKB48′s Chara-Ani, GLAY’s G-Direct (though Oricon doesn’t count these guys either), and the like. As such, it’s not necessarily as complete of a chart as Oricon, but it does provide an interesting look into what those who use conventional methods to purchase music within Japan are buying. Plus, there are rare moments where a release can sell a higher amount of copies on Soundscan as well.
Also of note is that because it’s version-based, one variant of a particular release can top a week’s Soundscan chart and not actually be the highest selling release overall (counting all charting versions) on Soundscan that week. As such, rather than just telling you about who topped the Soundscan chart one week, I might have to give a bit more background about how the chart shaped up.
With that being said, let’s see what this week’s charts were like.
This week’s guests were Sandaime J Soul Brothers, 2PM, Nishiuchi Mariya, Rihwa, and La PomPon.
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – O.R.I.O.N.
2PM – Guilty Love
Nishiuchi Mariya – 7 WONDERS
Rihwa – Snowing Day
La PomPon – BUMP!!