This week, Bodan Shonen Dan topped the Oricon single chart with their new single “MIC Drop / DNA / Crystal Snow”, selling 365,096 copies in its first week.
KinKi Kids topped the Oricon album chart with their new best album “The BEST”, selling 173,870 copies in its first week.
Shiina Ringo topped the Oricon digital album chart with her new self-cover album “Gyakuyunyuu ~Koukuukyoku~”, selling 9,376 copies in its first week.
Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi defeat AKB48 and UNISON SQUARE GARDEN. DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi is back again this week, facing off against two newcomers. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!
This week’s guests were back number, Masaharu Fukuyama, and Busaiku.
back number – Mabataki
Masaharu Fukuyama – Tomoe Gakuen
Busaiku – Shunkashuto, Kanka ~ Busaiku Tamashi
Several dramas have aired their last episodes already so this will be the 2nd to the last update of the ratings chart for fall season. Doctor X’s final episode pulls away with 25.3%. Check out the rest of the ratings below.
It’s been over 10 years since Nozomi Tsuji shocked the Japanese entertainment world by announcing her shotgun marriage to actor Taiyo Sugiura, and giving birth to their first child Noa. In a recent interview with AERA magazine Sugiura commented on his decade long married life with Tsuji, mainly on how they overcame their fatigue/differences from married life. The couple has constantly been a target for netziens and tabloids, but as the details of the interview spread it seems that some of their critics are having a change of heart.
2007 was a very eventful year for Tsuji. Her group W had been in limbo since January 2006 due to a scandal involving the other member Ai Kago, and in March 2007 Kago’s contract was officially terminated, effectively putting an end to the group. A new idol unit called Gyaruru was formed to be lead by Tsuji, but just weeks later she announced her marriage and pregnancy. This was the beginning of the end for her reputation online, she even faced some criticism from her peers in show business.
Akiko Wada famously went on a mini tirade during her weekly television show when the topic was brought up, calling the entire chain of events ridiculous especially with them acting like this all wasn’t an unplanned surprise. “The kid has no sense of responsibility“.
Singer Mika Nakashima will be releasing a new song titled KISS OF DEATH, it will be used as the main theme song for the anime series Darling in the FranXX which begins airing January 13th, 2018.
KISS OF DEATH was produced by L’Arc-en-Ciel frontman HYDE, who also co-wrote the lyrics. The last time HYDE and Nakashima collaborated together was 13 years ago for one of her most well known singles GLAMOROUS SKY, the official theme song for the NANA movie released back in 2005. Nakashima commented that she’s extremely happy to be working with HYDE again, and will sing the song in her own unique way so that many people will enjoy it.
Darling in the FranXX is a science fiction anime set in the distant future. With the land ruined humans are forced to live in mobile fort cities. The lives of the children there consist of carrying out missions to battle against giant mysterious lifeforms called Kyoryu. The children pilot giant robots called FranXX to face off against them, riding the FranXX is the only way they know how to prove their existence.
Listen to the preview below the jump.
After recently releasing the MV for their third single release, “Cotoeri”, alternative idol group Maison book girl has released yet another music video for one of its two B-Sides, “Juurokusai”. For this single, the group is delving into somewhat different musical territories with great success, something that fans from the group have been requesting for long time already. On the other hand, the music video features the four members quite close to each other in a dreamlike scenario creating a sweet and intimate atmosphere. Several clips of them hanging out are also shown, adding a melancholic touch to the track. Check the MV just after the jump!
On December 15, Seiho will have a new release titled “Purple Smoke.” This release will include three new songs. The title track is heavily influenced by 90s hard techno and trance. Seiho has recruited KID FRESNO to feature on the song “Cherry Pie.” Check out more information on this release below!