Kanjani8 is currently preparing for the release of their 45th single! The official J Storm YouTube channel has uploaded a special YouTube version of the MV for “Kimi to Mitai Sekai“

The song is currently the theme for the Fuji TV drama series “Familar Wife”, starring Kanjani8 member Tadayoshi Okura. As the single is being released near Valentines Day, special goods for the holiday will be included with one of the limited edition versions of the singles.

In an effort to expand its reach in China, Avex has signed a licensing agreement with the Chinese video streaming service bilibili. Avex is the first Japanese label to sign such a deal with bilibili. Around 3,300 Avex music videos will be available on bilibili as part of the licensing agreement. It will also include collaborations on online live events and other initiatives.

Chinese video streaming services, long known for their piracy, are now gaining an air of legitmacy as they sign more and more licensing deals. bilibili, in particular, is seeing remarkable growth. It has about 200 million monthly users, up 54% over last year. It also has 15 million paying users, up 89% over last year. bilibili was ranked as the top entertainment app among Generation Z in China.

YOASOBI is currently enjoying the release of their debut EP and very first physical release titled “The Book“. In just one week the EP sold an impressive 72k copies debuting at #2. Already back to work, the duo has already released a brand new single not included on the album.

“Monster” will serve as the theme song for the anime tv series “BEASTARS” based off of the popular manga series of the same name. The MV for “Monster” heavily features the main character from BEASTARS Legoshi, along with the supporting character Haru. Check it out below:

In November 2019 Arashi member Kazunaru Ninomiya pleasantly surprised fans when he revealed to them he was married! He made the announcement via a handwritten letter on Arashi’s official fan club website. The identity of his wife was never officially revealed, but it’s alleged that she is three years older than him.

SKE48 has uploaded the full MV for “Koi Ochi Flag“, and is the final SKE48 to feature ace 1st generation member Jurina Matsui. This is the groups 27th single overall, and will be released on February 3rd, 2020. Jurina initially announced her graduation on February 7th, 2020.

The MV is definitely a treat for Jurina fans, and features multiple reference throughout the video. In the opening scene Jurina is seen wearing an outfit from the track “Kamigami no Ryouiki”, a song by 1st generation SKE48 members originally released back in 2012. She is at the Chubu Centrair International Airport where their very first single “Tsuyokimono yo” was filmed.

See if you can spot more references by watching the MV below!

Johnny’s Jr has officially opened a brand new YouTube page! This will channel will serve as an outlet for music content for the next generation of up-and-coming Johnny’s Jr. stars. This is the second channel dedicated to Johnny’s Jr, with the first channel dedicated to various groups such as Kansai Johnny’s Jr, Travis Japan, and HiHi Jets.

The very first upload on the channel is a teaser for the track “Top Of The World” by IMPACTors who only became recognized as an official group in October 16th, 2020.

The second upload is from Jr.SP who was formally introduced back in March 2019. Check out both previews below!

This week, LiSA retook the top spot on the Combined Single chart with her single “Homura”, with 61,796 points in its 12th week, topping the chart for the fourth non-consecutive week.

Arashi retook the top spot on the Combined Album chart with their album “This is Arashi”, with 18,537 points in its ninth week, topping the chart for the second non-consecutive week.

NiziU retook the top spot on the Single chart with their single “Step and a step”, selling 12,106 copies in its fifth week, topping the chart for the second non-consecutive week.

Arashi also retook the top spot on the Album chart with “This is Arashi”, with 11,971 copies in its ninth week, topping the chart for the second non-consecutive week.

LiSA also topped the Digital Single chart for the 12th consecutive week with her single “Homura”, selling 46,525 copies its 12th week.

Soken Masayoshi topped the Digital Album chart with his soundtrack “FINAL FANTASY XIV: SHADOWBRINGERS – EP3”, selling 3,691 copies in its first week.

BTS topped the Streaming chart with their digital single “Dynamite”, with 10,080,761 streams in its 20th week, topping the chart for the ninth non-consecutive week.

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped the charts this week 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

This is the first post of 2021, and this year we will be covering 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016.