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.

Tonight, MTV VMAJ 2018 -THE LIVE- was held at Shinkiba STUDIO COAST in Tokyo. This was the live portion of the MTV VMAJ 2018. Some of the winners appeared in person, while others sent in taped messages. The big winner of the night was Yonezu Kenshi, who took home the night’s top prize, Best Video of the Year, for “Lemon”. Kenshi was also the winner of Best Male Video -Japan- for that video. The show featured performances by Daichi Miura, BLACKPINK, Official HIGE DANdism, E-girls, SKY-HI, Keyakizaka46, Little Glee Monster, Anne-Marie, DEAN FUJIOKA, and aiko. Check out photos from the show below!

This week’s guests were Golden Bomber and SHE’S.

Golden Bomber – Tatsuo . . . Yome wo Ore ni Kure

SHE’S – Yorokobi no Hi

This week, Hello Pro All Stars topped the Hot 100 single chart with their debut single “YEAH YEAH YEAH.”

iKON topped the Hot Albums chart with their new album “RETURN.”

DA PUMP topped the Streaming Songs chart for the 15th non-consecutive week with their single “U.S.A.”

BUMP OF CHICKEN topped the Download Songs chart with their new single “Sirius.”

Yumi Matsutoya topped the Download Albums chart with her newly available digitally best album “40 Shunen Kinen Best Album ‘Nihon no Koi to, Yuming to.’”

After their successful debut with “Cinderella Girl”, King & Prince released their highly anticipated 2nd single “Memorial” last October 10. The single lands atop the Oricon chart, selling 273,760 copies on its first day.

The title song is the theme song of NTV’s adaptation of the manga “Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka?” starring members Takahashi Kaito, Jinguji Yuta and Iwahashi Genki. Meanwhile, side track “High on Love!” is the theme song of the Hirano Sho starring film “Ui, Rabu”. The Regular Edition also includes “Glass Flower”, a fan voted song chosen to be included in the single.

The guys of King & Prince plays your ideal boyfriend in the music video for “Memorial”. Towards the end, the group is seen holding a ‘tiara’, a clear reference to their fans. Check out the released their videos below.

After nearly three years of digital-only releases, pop-rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN have finally announced that they will be releasing a new physical single on November 14th.  Titled “Hanashi ga Shitai yo / Sirius / Spica,” this Triple A-side release will include the group’s two songs for anime “Juushinki Pandora,” as well as their theme song for the upcoming film “Oku Otoko.”

The single will be released in two different versions, with information about the DVD which will be packaged with the Limited Edition to be revealed at a later date.  In conjunction with the announcement, however, the band have published a short music video for lead song “Hanashi ga Shitai yo,” which pairs the magnificent ballad with some of the climactic scenes from the movie it’s attached to.

You’ll find this collaboration PV, as well as the cover and track list for the single below.

Folk/pop duo Kobukuro are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary since their debut in the music industry.  As part of the festivities, the group have confirmed that they will be releasing both a new single on November 7th and their first Complete Best Album on December 5th.

The single, titled “Kaze wo Mitsumete,” will include both the A-side as well as a pair of B-side tracks.  Of note, the lead song has already been selected as both the image song for TV Tokyo’s 55th anniversary and the theme song of drama “Harassment Game.”

The compilation, meanwhile, will be titled “ALL TIME BEST 1998-2018” and is set to include four discs containing 58 tracks which span the pair’s entire career, from their early days as street musicians to the current era.  This record will be released in three versions:  a regular CD-Only Edition; a Limited Edition which will come packaged with a DVD containing both 120 minutes of carefully curated live footage selected by Kobukuro themselves; and a Fan-Club Edition which will package a History DVD and 60-page History book along with the “20th Memorial Set,” which includes a denim Marche Bag, a rubber key chain, and a memorial pass that, when presented at live events, will entitle the holder to an additional over-the-shoulder bag.

As an additional part of the celebration, the pair have also released a special digital single titled “Harebare” which is meant to serve as the group’s theme song for the year.  They recently published the PV for the track, which features a supercut of their live footage from over the years, to their YouTube channel.

You’ll find the music video for “Harebare,” as well as the complete track list for both “Kaze wo Mitsumete” and “ALL TIME BEST 1998-2018” right after the jump.

Following up on a pair of singles released earlier this year, popular rock band RADWIMPS have announced that they will be releasing a new full-length album on December 12th.  Though no information about its track list has been confirmed, it is likely that the record will include the group’s previously released songs “Saihate Ai ni,” “Sennou,” and “Catharsist.”  The album’s Limited Edition will include a DVD featuring interviews with the band’s members which will endeavor to bridge the gap between “Kimi no Na wa.,” “Ningen Kaika,” and this latest record.

In addition, the band will also be releasing a new Live DVD/Blu-ray on the same date.  The release will contain footage from the Yokohama Arena show of the group’s recent “Road to Catharsis” tour.

You’ll find the full track list for this live DVD/Blu-ray below, and look forward to any additional information about both releases as it is revealed.