After taking a two week hiatus for the holidays, the Oricon charts have returned with chart numbers for the week of 12/22 – 12/28!
Kis-My-Ft2 blow away the competition by selling 435,739 copies of their newest single “Thank you Jan!” while 3-member pop rock band Ikimonogakari continue their #1 album streak with their 7th album “FUN! FUN! FANFARE!” selling 101,211 copies.
Check out the top 10 of both charts below!
There is barely a day that you will not see Johnny’s talents on television. They are popular among people of all ages. But among those at Johnny’s, who are the ones that are thought as as most manly by men and women? Find out below!
Ikimonogakari – Kimagure Romantic / GOLDEN GIRL / Arigatou
Female soloists. For years they were counted among both the most influential and the highest selling artists in the Japanese music scene, yet in more recent times have found their popularity on a significant downturn. Why? This is a question posed by many fans, since it was artists like Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, and Koda Kumi that got more than a few of them interested in Japanese music to begin with. Could it be the oversaturation of the market which occurred a few years ago? Changing taste due to the changing times? The general decline of the Japanese music market, similar to what is happening in the rest of the world? Poor material? Not enough promo?
By examining the past and current statuses of a number of Japanese female soloists, young and old, Ryusenkai and I hope to provide some clarity on this issue. This isn’t to be taken as dogma, but it should serve as something of a guide to answer why this segment of the industry is currently performing the way it is.
This is part 1. Stay tuned for part 2.
Well known pop-rock band Mr.Children have chosen to usher in the New Year by releasing details about one of their newest songs. Titled “fantasy”, the track is being used by BMW in the commercial for their new Active Tourer model; the song itself has been described as a refreshing number that matches the CM’s themes of “blue skies” and “family”.
While no specific information about when or how “fantasy” will be released has been revealed yet, you can take a listen to the snippet of the song used in the commercial itself, which you’ll find right below the cut.
On December 31st, former Morning Musume member Natsumi Abe (33) announced her marriage with Ikusaburou Yamazaki (28), an actor.
It was reported they started dating in the summer of 2011. While the reports were denied at first, the two were having a romantic relationship in secret. Although the two are not living together yet, they have been going and staying at each other’s houses from time to time.
They have introduced each other to their families and have apparently been dating with intentions of being married in the future.
Congratulations to the couple!
(via Yahoo! Japan)
Today, Daichi Miura announced that he married a non-celebrity woman on New Year’s Day. Both he and his management company, Rising, released statements about the marriage. Of his new bride, Daichi says:
She has always been very warm-hearted and gentle, and a nice person that always is compassionate and supportive. I will continue to devote myself so I can repay everyone who has supported me in music and entertainment. I’m still a novice, but I appreciate your continued support.
Announced earlier today at the Hello! Project Winter Tour stop at Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza was the formation of a brand new unit! The unit name will be announced this month and their first indie single will be released in March.
The new unit consists of 8 members of the Hello Pro Kenshuusei: Rio Fujii, Ayaka Hirose, Minami Nomura, Rena Ogawa, Ayano Hamaura, Natsumi Taguchi, Sakurako Wada and Rei Inoue. Ayaka Hirose and Rei Inoue recently transferred from NICE GIRL Project! Kenshuusei on November 29, 2014 at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei’s November/December 2014 recital concert.
For more information on the girls from the new group, check out their profiles below.