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.

Earlier today, Fuji TV aired the first night of the 2017 FNS Kayousai. The show featured performances by Arashi, Shiina Ringo, Daichi Miura, CHEMISTRY, Koda Kumi, JUJU, B’z, V6, and many more. Check it out below!

As 2017 draws to a close, Oricon has finally chosen to publish the results of their annual Favorite Artist poll.  This ranking is based on a survey that the company runs each year which polls 20,000 Japanese citizens of various different age groups in order to acquire a respectable representation of the public’s opinion. While it is likely not totally accurate, the poll remains a very interesting statistic to consider, particularly when compared to the results for previous years.

There have been a number of shifts over the past year, most notably that popular rock band Mr.Children have risen to the top of the ranking for the first time in 8 years.  Many respondents cited the band’s mature musical style and the ‘humanity’ present within their lyrics as key factors for their choice.  Following them at #2 is singer/songwriter Hikaru Utada, who was #5 last year, and well-known idol group Arashi falls to #3 after topping the ranking for 7 consecutive years.  Also of note is the rise of acts back number and Gen Hoshino, who have placed at #6 and #9 respectively, both largely garnering support from Japan’s young people.

Read on below for a look at both the full Favorite Artist ranking and the Demographic breakdowns.

On December 6 at 7 PM JST, Fuji TV will air the first night of the 2017 FNS Kayousai. The show will feature performances by the likes of Arashi, CHEMISTRY, Koda Kumi, JUJU, B’z, V6, Shiina Ringo, Daichi Miura, and more.

There is a live stream of the show and Arama! Japan will be hosting a chat on Discord so that readers can chat with each other during the show! Links to the show and the chat are after the jump!

Gengoroh Tagame is known for his sexually explicit manga aimed at gay men. He shifted gears in 2014 when he created the manga “Otouto no Otto”, known in English as “My Brother’s Husband.” The manga tells the story of single father Yaichi, his daughter Kana, and a Canadian named Mike Flanagan. Mike is the husband of Ryoji, Yaichi’s recently deceased twin. During the course of the manga, Yaichi comes to terms with his brother’s sexuality, and Mike learns what caused the brothers to drift apart, with Ryoji eventually moving to Canada. The manga serves as a means to fight Japan’s more discreet brand of homophobia.

“Otouto no Otto” ran monthly from November 2014 to May 2017 in  Futabasha’s Monthly Action, later being compiled into four volumes. In 2015, the manga won the Excellence Prize in the manga category at the 19th Japan Media Arts Festival. In 2017, “Otouto no Otto” was translated into English and published by Pantheon Books in North America as “My Brother’s Husband.”

Earlier today, this year’s edition of the Japan Yusen Taisho was held. The winner of the Grand Prize was Hikawa Kiyoshi. He beat out of the likes of AKB48, Keyakizaka46, Daichi Miura, and Nishino Kana for the win.

Check out the full show below!

This week’s guests were Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and UNISON SQUARE GARDEN.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra – Shiro to Kuro no Montuno feat. Saito Kousuke (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN)

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN – fake town baby / Invisible Sensation

This week’s guests were Tamada Tomu, Pierre Nakano, Yamazaki Hironari, and Adachi Rika. Pierre and Tomu also performed with Kanjani8.

Pierre Nakano x Tamada Tomu x Kanjani8 – Yuuwaku