Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw AKB48 defeat DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi. DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi are back again this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

Popular idol group Arashi will be releasing their 16th album 「untitled」, which is said to be a fusion of various genres, on October 16.  Even though the group recently celebrated their 18th anniversary on September 15, the quintet continues to challenge themselves in their music.

The album will feature past releases Power of Paradise, I’ll be There, and Tsunagu.  There will also be 11 new tracks by the group as well as 4 unit songs!

The covers and tracklists have been revealed!!

The Fashion Month train started in New York City, then went to London, and is now in Milan. Yesterday, Gucci held its show for its Spring / Summer 2018 collection. Gucci is one of the buzziest brands of the past few years due to its makeover by creative director Alessandro Michele, making this show highly anticipated. A few Japanese celebrities made the trip to Milan to check out the show. See who attended below!

Last year, SMAP disbanded after being together for over 20 years. On September 8, Inagaki Goro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, and Katori Shingo left Johnny & Associates. That trio has now launched a new fansite titled “Atarashii Chizu”, ran by the management company Culen.

Upon going to the site, it’s very noticeable that this trio has stepped into the present, leaving behind the dinosaur days of Johnny & Associates. This group will have its own accounts on FaceBook, Instagram, LINE, Twitter, Weibo, and YouTube. And not the only is the page available in Japanese, but also English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, and Korean. The site also features links to join the trio’s fanclub, which is accepting members from all around the world, not just Japan. Joining the fanclub will keep members in the know about the trio’s future activities, which are said to launch on October 16.

In addition to the “Atarashii Chizu” site, a video was released on YouTube today. In the clip, men and women from around the world are shown walking. Messages are also shown, which are translated as “Let’s run away,” “From things that tie you down,” “Let’s go beyond borders,” and “We love freedom and peace, armed with ideas and charm.”

Check out the video and site below!

On October 10, Gesu no Kiwami Otome. will release a new digital single “Anata ni wa Makenai.” The band debuted the song at the final show of their tour at Tokyo’s Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall.

Besides the A-side, the single will feature a new B-side and two remixes of older songs, one by PARKGOLF and the other by mabanua.

Gesu no Kiwami Otome. has released the music video for “Anata ni wa Makenai.” The song is a display of the band’s more electronic side. “Anata ni wa Makenai” features more prominent vocals by the members of the band besides Kawatani Enon. The video itself is a mixture of militaristic uniforms and video game destruction. Check it out below, along with more information on the new digital single!

Back in January of 2016, Irie Yo released his album “SF.” He has now returned with a new album, “FISH”, out September 20. Yo is releasing “FISH” on his new independent label MARUTENN BOOKS. “FISH” includes collaborations with the likes of BOMI and Oukura Mirai. Yo recently released the music video for one of the album’s tracks “Oshiete”, an upbeat electronic track with almost chant-like vocals. Check it out below, along with more information on the album!

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.