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.

This week, Hoshino Gen’s single “Koi” retook the top spot on the Hot 100 chart, making this the song’s 11th non-consecutive week at #1.

back number’s best album “Encore” retook the top spot on the Hot Albums chart, making this the album’s third non-consecutive week at #1.

especia‘s ex-member Monari Wakita is back with her 2nd single, “Boy Friend”! She left the group in 2016 and debuted in November of the same year with “IN THE CITY”. As especia announced their disbandment and final tour due to March with a compilation album to follow, Wakita remains the only one to carry on the group’s legacy unless another member decides to debut with their trademark vaporwave sound.

The single is out on Wednesday, February 15. It is produced by a shibuya-kei / city pop duo microstar. You can watch the MV and catch up with the information on especia’s compilation album “Wizard” (out on March 22) if you missed it under the jump.

Singer and designer MEG shared some exciting news via her official Instagram account, she has given birth to her first child! The healthy baby girl was born in London, England. The exact date of birth was not revealed, but MEG did share that it was in late January. The father of the child is non-celebrity (assumed) British man. MEG joked that her child has unusually long fingers, a trait shared by MEG and her own mother. On the Instagram post MEG also shared a short message in English thanking her fans for their continued support. Once her physical health has improved MEG plans to return to Japan and slowly resume activities.

MEG’s last musical project was her 8th studio album CONTINUE, which was released on December 4th, 2013. After the release of CONTINUE MEG switched her attention to the fashion industry, focusing on her clothing line CAROLINA GLASER. In July 2016 she released a fashion book titled MEG FASHION DIARY.

MEG’s post on Instagram can be seen below!

A new trailer has been released for the highly anticipated Hollywood live-action adaptation of the classic manga Ghost In The Shell. The film follows “The Major”, a cyborg field commander, and her task force “Section 9” as they take on dangerous and cunning cyber terrorists and hackers. The main role of “The Major” will be played by American actress Scarlett Johansson. The choice to cast a Caucasian actress over an Asian actress has sparked many controversial debates on the subject of “White washing in Hollywood”, even Japanese netizens had their say on the controversy.

Despite that, there is still quite a bit of hype for the movie given how iconic the Ghost In The Shell franchise is.  The film will be released in North American theaters on March 31st, 2017. Do you plan on seeing it? Check out the new trailer below

Ayumi Hamasaki has announced plans to embark on a brand new tour later in the year. In a message released on a new website created specifically for the tour, it begins with the bold statement “The stage is the place where Ayumi Hamasaki lives”. The majority of the dates will be held at halls, however it’s expected that she will do a couple arena dates also,  all the specific dates and venues  she will be performing at has not been revealed yet.

Just the beginning -20- TOUR 2017 will be Ayu’s largest and most ambitious tour to date,  60 dates are currently scheduled in Japan alone. The 20 in the tours title signifies the start of her mission to her 20th anniversary, which will officially begin on April 8th, 2018. Ayu and her team are promising a very multifaceted show to give her fans the full experience. Elaborate stages, costumes, and dance numbers have been the norm at Ayu’s tours for many years now giving them a very theatrical ambiance. Describing the tour as “unprecedented”, she plans to completely change things up compared to her previous tour Arena Tour 2016 A ~M(a)de in Japan~.  This is leaving fans curious to see what she comes up with next.

In terms of the setlist her most famous chart toppers will be performed, along with songs marking the trajectory of her debut.  At Ayu’s last concert, COUNTDOWN LIVE 2016-2017, Ayu performed her single Kanariya for the very first time. Are there any hidden gems from her early discography you’re hoping make the setlist?

This week, Hoshino Gen topped Recochoku with “Koi”, for the 16th non-consecutive week.

“Koi” also retook the top spot on iTunes, making this the song’s 15th non-consecutive week at #1.

“Koi” also topped the Recochoku monthly chart for January, the fourth consecutive month.

This week’s guests were Tanimura Shinji, Mitsuura Yasuko, and Shimizu Michiko. Shinji also performed with Kanjani8.

Tanimura Shinji x Kanjani8 – Champion