The year is coming to a close, so the end of the year charts and rankings are upon us. Billboard Japan has now released its year end charts for 2017, measuring the period from 11/28/16 – 11/26/17. Hoshino Gen was named Top Artist of the year, while his 2016 hit “Koi” topped the year end Hot 100 chart for this year. Namie Amuro’s farewell best album, “Finally”, topped the year end Hot Albums chart. Check out more of these charts below!
This week’s episode features Mai Kuraki. This episode also marks her debut on SONGS. She is currently in the 18th year of her career and is returning to Kohaku Uta Gassen with her hit “Togetsukyou ~Kimi Omofu~.” This episode mainly focuses on Mai taking a tour of Kyoto. Mai also performed three songs.
Mai Kuraki – Togetsukyou ~Kimi Omofu~ / Love, Day After Tomorrow / Secret of my heart
This week, AKB48 topped the Hot 100 chart with their new single “11gatsu no Anklet.”
Namie Amuro topped the Hot Albums chart for the third consecutive week with “Finally.”
DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi topped the Streaming Songs chart with “Uchiage Hanabi” for the eighth non-consecutive week.
UNISON SQUARE GARDEN topped the Download Songs chart with their new single “fake town baby.”
Yonezu Kenshi topped the Download Albums chart with “BOOTLEG” for the second non-consecutive week.
Bed In will release their second album, “TOKYO”, on December 6. The album aims to capture the dynamic energy of the city when it was at its peak during the bubble era. The album’s cover captures the fast-paced city life during this time as well, featuring ladies of Bed In working, but also partying and going on vacation. The concept also extends into the video for the album’s second track, “City Girl wa Isogashii”, which was recently released. Check it out below, along with more information on Bed In’s new album!
Actor Shun Oguri was recently in South Korea to promote the live-action film version of Gintama.
Gintama is an action/gag manga set in an alternate universe of feudal Japan, where earth is invaded by aliens and interplanetary travel is commonplace. The protagonist, Sakata Gintoki, is an ex-samurai running an establishment called the Yorozuya that accepts any errands for a fee. It has been serializing since 2004 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump and is currently on its final arc. The series was adapted into a very popular anime series which began airing in September 2005.
Very exciting news for Utada Hikaru fans! Next year the singer will be embarking on a domestic concert tour for the first time in 12 years, the lasting being “UTADA UNITED” in 2006, supporting her studio album ULTRA BLUE.
Furthermore, along with the tour announcement Hikki’s official website also revealed that she is working on her 7th studio album which will also be released next year. This will be her very first studio album since making the switch from Universal Music to Sony’s EPIC records.
To celebrate these exciting announcements starting on Friday December 8th Hikki’s music will be available on numerous streaming music services including Apple Music. All of her releases starting with her debut single automatic, to her latest studio album Fantome will be included. Starting on January 8th her catalog will also be available on Spotify!
Next year makes her 20th anniversary. On December 9th, 1998 Hikki made her official solo debut with the legendary single automatic / time will tell. It went on to sell over 2 million units and charted for over 22 weeks. New album, new tour, does she have any other surprises up her sleeve?
(via utadahikaru.jp)
On December 6, Kato Miliyah will release her new single, “Shinyaku Dear Lonely Girl.” In 2005, Miliyah released “Dear Lonely Girl” as the answer song to the ECD and K DUB SHINE track “ECD no Lonely Girl.” Now she’s released a new version of the song, one which has more of a hip hop influence than her original song. Check out more information on the single, including its music video, below!
On December 6, Izumi Macra will release “5 Years”, her first best album. As the title suggests, this album is in celebration of her fifth anniversary. “5 Years” is comprised of two CDS; the first includes representative songs, while the second includes songs on which she features, along with some new tracks. Check out more information on the album below!