Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (May 24, 2012)
May 25, 2012 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
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or purchase from:
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NOTE: AKB48 takes #1, NYC at #2 and SKE48 at #3
- AKB48 – Manatsu no Sounds Good!
- NYC – Haina!
- SKE48 – Aishite Raburu!
- GLAY – Bible
- Yuzu – with you
- Kana Nishino – Watashitachi
- Arashi – Face Down
- Ushiro Kara Haiyori Tai G – Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
- T-ARA – Lovey-Dovey (Japanese Ver.)
- Choshinsei – Stupid Love/COME BACK TO ME
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to KEYTALK 0 for “KTEP2 (MABOROSHI SUMMER)”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
- Mr. Children – 2005-2010<macro>
- Kyaru Pamyu Pamyu – Pamyu Pamyu Revolution
- Mr. Children – 2001-2005 <micro>
- Tomoyuki Morikawa – Shukan Soine CD Series Tokubetsu Hen Masaya
- Yuzu – Yuzu You [2006-2011]
- Aquarion EVOL
- BENI – COVERS
- Tsuyoshi Nagbuchi – Stay Alive
- Nobuhiko Okamoto – Palette
- Durararapping!! Durarara! Character Song Collection
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): SKE48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (May 9, 2012)
May 17, 2012 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
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or purchase from:
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NOTE: SKE48 takes #1, AAA at #2 and SHINee at #3
- SKE48 – Aishite Raburu!
- AAA – Still Love You
- SHINee – sherlock
- DREAMS COME TRUE – MY TIME TO SHINE
- Arashi – Face Down
- ViViD – REAL
- Leo Ieiri – Shine
- Kaera Kimura – Mamifuru
- NMB48 – Nagichi
- StylipS – MIRACLE RUSH
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to AKBN 0 for “純情サテライト”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
- Mr. Children – 2005-2010<macro>
- Mr. Children – 2001-2005 <micro>
- FTISLAND – 20[twenty]
- Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi – Stay Alive
- Kenshi Yonezu – diorama
- Yuzu – Yuzu You [2006-2011]
- Beni – COVERS
- Ms. OOJA – HEART
- Mr. Children – Mr. Children 1992-1995
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): Arashi takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (May 9, 2012)
May 10, 2012 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
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or purchase from:
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NOTE: Arashi takes #1, NMB48 takes #2 and Super Junior takes #3
- Arashi – Face Down
- NMB48 – Nagichi
- Super Junior – Opera
- Nogizaka46 – Oide Shampoo
- SID – S
- Mr. Children – Inori – Namida no Kido / End of the day / pieces
- May’n – Chase the world
- TUBE – Itsumo, Itsumade
- Kiyoshi Hikawa – Sakura
- Rino Sashihara – Soredemo Daisuki Dayo (Type-A)
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to イ・ジュンギ for “Deucer (Together)”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
- Mr. Children – 2005-2010<macro>
- Mr. Children – 2001-2005 <micro>
- Ms. OOJA – HEART
- Yuzu – Yuzu You [2006-2011]
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC Original Soundtrack 3
- Beni – COVERS
- Def Tech – GREATEST HITS
- Tha Blue Herb – TOTAL
- Naoto Inti Raymi – Kazauta Caravan
- Mahotsukani no Yoru Original Soundtrack
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Naoto Inti Raymi takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (April 18, 2012)
April 19, 2012 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
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or purchase from:
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NOTE: Mr. Children takes #1, INFINITE at #2 and The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 002 at #3
- Mr. Children – Inori – Namida no Kido / End of the day / pieces
- INFINITE – Be Mine
- The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 002
- FTISLAND – NEVERLAND
- C-ute – Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku
- The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 001
- The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 004
- The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 003
- E-Girls – One Two Three
- The Idolm@ster Cinderella Master 005
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to access for “Wild Butterfly”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
- Naoto Inti Raymi – Kazauta Caravan
- Def Tech – GREATEST HITS
- Various Artists – DJ Kaori’s JMIX V
- Mamoru Miyano – FANTASISTA
- ORANGE RANGE – NEO POP STANDARD
- EXIT TUNES PRESENTS SEKIHAN the Treasure
- ClariS – BIRTHDAY
- Aobouzu – Noctiluca
- BENI – COVERS
- Akiakane – Boroboro ni Ikizama.
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts (JAPAN): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (12.01.10)
December 10, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
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or purchase from: |
NOTE: AKB48 takes the #1 spot, and two anime singles for “Girl’s Dead Monster” take the #2 and #3 positions.
- AKB48 – Chance no Junban
- Girls Dead Monster starring Marina – Last Song
- Girls Dead Monster starring LiSA – Ichiban no Takaramono ~Yui final ver.~
- Kaela Kimura – A winter fairy is melting a snowman
- TUBE – Sora to umi ga aru youni
- Sata Andagi – Taisetsu na Hito
- KinKi Kids – Family ~Hitotsu ni Narukoto
- Choshinsei – Shining Star
- Kobukuro – Ryusei
- Mamoru Miyano – hikari, hikaru
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to Champagne for You’re So Sweet & I Love You.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: Mr. Children takes the #1 spot, Hetalai Drama CD takes #2 and Dragon Ash at #3
- Mr. Children – SENSE
- Hetalia Drama CD Interpol Vol. 2
- Dragon Ash – MIXTURE
- Ikimonogakari – Ikimongakari~Members BEST Selection~
- Hikaru Utada – Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2
- INFINITY 16 – INFINITY 16 BEST
- Yuna Ito – LOVE ~ Singles Best 2005-2010~
- BENI – Jewel
- GARNET CROW – parallel universe
- Masaharu Fukuyama – THE BEST BANG!!
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Mr. Children – Atomic Heart (a J!-ENT World Groove Classic Album Review)
August 14, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“The album that was the spark that helped make Mr. Children one of the top bands in Japan of all time.”
BAND: Mr. Children
ALBUM: Atomic Heart
LABEL: Toy’s Factory
CATALOG #: TFCC-88052
DURATION: 54:03
RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1994
- Printing
- Dance Dance Dance
- ラヴ コネクション
- innocent world
- クラスメイト
- Cross Road
- ジェラシー
- Asia(エイジア)
- Rain
- 雨のち晴れ
- Round About ～孤独の肖像～
- Over
It was back in 1993 when J!-ENT was just an electronic BBS (as part of the neo-tokio 2099 BBS) and Japanese living in the US and Japanese music fans would tell me about Mr. Children.
I remember when I was sent a tape by a friend featuring the CD single for “Cross Road” and I was instantly hooked.
I just remember watching their brief music video clips on various Japanese music shows and just felt that the music was well-sung, felt unique compared to other music at that time and the vocals were just awesome. Especially the lyrics to the songs. Just awesome!
I received “Atomic Heart” as a gift from my friend Hiroshi when we were in college and both Hiroshi and I were just passionate about the music of Mr. Children and would play the guitar and sing the songs.
And here I am 15 years later, re-reviewing an album that I have treasured for so long.
Mr. Children is a rock band that consists of lead vocalist Sakurai Kazutoshi, guitarist Tahara Kenichi, bassist Nakagawa Keisuke and Suzuki Hideya on drums.
Also, the band’s music would feature a longtime friendship and collaboration with Sakurai and producer/musician Kobayashi Takeshi (Southern All Stars, My Little Lover and many more).
“Atomic Heart” was the band’s fourth album and would feature two CD singles “Cross Road” (4th CD single) and “innocent world” (5th CD single). “innocent world” alone that would dominated 1994 with over 1.9 million copies sold and by the end of 1994, the band would win the 36th Annual Nihon Record Taishou’s coveted Grand Prix Award for best artist of the year (which they would win the coveted award again ten year’s later in 2004).
The two CD singles help create the Mr. Children phenomenon and “Atomic Heart” to be one of the most sold albums by the band.
The first track “Printing” is more or less a short intro with sounds of printing that would lead into the second track “Dance Dance Dance”.
I loved this song like crazy that I would play it over a million times as it featured an upbeat sound that would feature cool lyrics and vocals by Sakurai and Kobayashi’s experimental music used in the background. The lyrics “give me love, give you up, give me one true” sung throughout the background and the enjoyable music just created an electric atmosphere. Overall a fantastic song from the band.
The third track “Love Connection” featured another collaboration with Kobayashi and had this Billy Joel rock diddly. Very cool song and had this jazzy/rock feeling to it.
The fourth track “innocent world” is one of my favorite Japanese songs of all time. Sakurai Kazutoshi has penned many awesome classic hits but this song (and “Tomorrow Never Knows”) will be in my playlist for many more years to come.
Awesome arrangement, cool lyrics and Sakurai just sings this song beautifully. Magnificent song!
Another track that is poetically written by Sakurai, a style that he’s known for. Here are excerpts from lyrics from “innocent world”:
Itsu no hi mo Kono mune ni nagareteru merodii
(This melody which is always flowing within me)
Setsunakute Yasashikute Kokoro ga itai yo
(Tryingly and gently, this heart is in pain)
Hi no ataru sakamichi o noboru Sono mae ni
(Before ascending the hill, to the road which is bathed in sunlight)
Mata dokoka de Aeru to ii na
(It would be good if I could meet you again somewhere)
Sono toki wa waratte Niji no kanata e hanatsu no sa Inosento waarudo
(At that time [I hope] you’ll be smiling into the rainbow [in this] Innocent world)
Hateshinaku tsuzuku Inosento waarudo
(Carrying on endlessly [in this] Innocent world)
The fifth track “Classmate” is a very cool ballad and what I enjoyed with tracks like this, especially classic Mr. Children songs is the brass arrangement. Another cool track!
The sixth track “Cross Road” introduced me to Mr. Children and another classic and was an interesting song because it was featured on the drama “Dousoukai” but a song that lingered on the Oricon Charts for a long period of time and eventually became the band’s first million copies sold single. A beautiful and awesome song!
The track featured references to Beatles songs with words such as “Ticket to Ride”, “Winding Road”, a song that showcases Sakurai Kazutoshi’s lyrics that are quite poetic:
Tsumetai kaze ni fukarete Tatazumu materiaru waarudo
(Being blown by the cold wind, the material world stands still)
Tachidomaru cross road Samayou winding road
(The cross road which is standing still, the winding road which is wandering)
Kizutsukezuni wa aisenai
(I cannot love without hurting [you])
The seventh track “Jealousy” is another collaboration track with Sakurai and Kobayashi. And Kobayashi’s experimentalism is employed in this track with the electronic drums and synth feel of the overall track.
The eighth track “Asia” is an interesting track featuring music by Mr. Children drummer Suzuki Hideya and in a style and sound that would feature a string arrangement but a rock sound that would become more prominent in later Mr. Children songs.
The ninth track “Rain” is a 20-second clip featuring the sound of rain and would lead up to the tenth track “Ame Nochihare” that would feature another collaboration with Sakurai and Kobayashi.
The song would feature another experimentation in sound and music, especially with guitars and beats for the overall track. Another cool track on the album.
The eleventh track “Round About ～孤独の肖像～” (or Round About ~Portrait of Loneliness) is a very cool rock ballad and cool arrangement by the band, music by Sakurai and brass arrangement by Yamamoto Takuo (who did the brass arrangement for “Love Connection”).
The twelfth track “Over” is a breakup song that never was released as a CD single but yet is known by many Japanese and featured on various Japanese music show segments of songs to listen to after a break-up.
A very cool ballad and where their love ballad “Dakishimetai” was about love, Sakurai pens a ballad which is more or less saying goodbye to a person you once loved.
As for the CD insert, the insert features the lyrics to the songs, pictures (not of the band but scientific theories, outer space, hands, eyes, etc.) and production credits.
“Atomic Heart” is simply a classic. The album featured two of the songs that helped catapult Mr. Children to the top and would be the beginning of their awesome career.
An album that would not showcase awesome music, awesome vocals but music and lyrics that coincide like a work of art.
An album that deserves to be in the collection of Mr. Children fans. More than a decade later, this album is still highly recommended!
BUY THIS ALBUM:
Mr. Children – Hikari no Sasu Hou e (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)
January 13, 1999 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Mr. Children kicks of New Year 1999 with a rock track and a cool ballad. “Hikari no Sasu Hou e” is another awesome single from the band!
BAND: Mr. Children
CD SINGLE: Hikari no Sasu Hou e
LABEL: Toy’s Factory
CATALOG #: TFDC-28099
DURATION: 10:18
RELEASE DATE: January 13, 1999
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:
- 光の射す方へ
- 独り言
It’s 1999 and Mr. Children kicks off the new year with a new single titled “Hikari no Sasu Hou e” (towards the shining light), the band’s 16th CD single. And since June 1994, the band has been one of the few bands that have consistently debuted at #1 and once again, this single has debuted #1 on the Oricon Charts.
“Hikari no Sasu Hou e” is written by lead vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai and is produced by Takeshi Kobayashi and Mr. Children. The single is an upbeat rock track and another cool track that really showcases the music. Usually for a Mr. Children single, I am complimenting Sakurai’s vocals and his vocals are still top notch, but the arrangement of this song shows off the band’s music, especially drummer Hideya Suzuki. Another awesome rock track from the band.
The coupling song “Hitori Koto” (which translates to soliloquy). It has a retro feel that harks back to ’70s rock music. The track is driven by acoustic guitar and harmonica. An awesome ballad by Mr. Children that doesn’t require much, and if there is one thing that Kazutoshi Sakurai knows what to do, he knows how to write and sing ballads.
Overall, “Hikari no Sasu Hou e” is another awesome CD single from Mr. Children. A cool upbeat rock track and a wonderful ballad! Unfortunately, no karaoke tracks or instrumental versions of the songs but still is a wonderful single that Mr. Children fans will definitely want to pick up!
BUY THIS CD SINGLE:
Mr. Children – Nishie Higashie (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)
February 11, 1998 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
And interesting single from Mr. Children as we get a more rock-driven track and the rare inclusion of two remixes of the main track. Another awesome single from Mr. Children to kick of 1998!
BAND: Mr. Children
CD SINGLE: Nishie Higashie
LABEL: Toy’s Factory
CATALOG #: TFDC-28080
DURATION: 17:41
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 1998
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:
- ニシエヒガシエ
- ニシエヒガシエ EAST Remix
- ニシエヒガシエ WEST Remix
Mr. Children is back with their 14th CD single to kick off 1998 with the rock track “Nishie Higashie”. An awesome rock-driven track that is pretty uncharacteristic of the band thus far, but then again, this single is pretty different as you get the main rock track but then two remixes of the song which you never see on a Mr. Children single.
“Nishie Higashie” features lyrics and music courtesy of lead vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai. The track features a little digital experimentation at the beginning but the song becomes a rock-driven track with electric guitars, pronounced drums and even Kazutoshi Sakurai rockin’ out with his vocals. It’s a pretty cool rock track and a fresh surprise from Mr. Children.
As for the coupling tracks, as mentioned, remixed Mr. Children songs is something you just don’t find on their singles but in the case of “Nishie Higashie”, we get two.
For “Nishie Higashie EAST Remix”, we get a remix from Takeshi Kobayashi and Takeshi Fujii. A beat driven track with electric guitars playing in the background. Whike “Nishie Higashie WEST Remix” features a remix by James Lavelle and Masayuki Kudo for U.N.K.L.E & Major Force West Productions. A more beat-driven remix with cool beats and rhythmic bass line.
Overall, “Nishie Higashie” is an interesting and fresh 180 from a usual Mr. Children offering. “Nishie Higashie” is a very cool single but as for the remixes, that’s pretty much subjective to the listener and if they are open to remixes. Otherwise, another cool single from Mr. Children!
BUY THIS CD SINGLE:
Mr. Children – Hana -Memento-Mori- (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single)
April 10, 1996 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Another wonderful single from Mr. Children. The single is a budget-priced release with only track. Despite no coupling track or karaoke track, it’s still an awesome single!
BAND: Mr. Children
CD SINGLE: Hana – Memento-Mori-
LABEL: Toy’s Factory
CATALOG #: TFDC-28042
DURATION: 4:45
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 1996
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:
- 花 -Memento-Mori-
In Japan, there are not many bands who can continuously get #1 hits. We see it with many pop artists but for rock bands, not many are consistent with #1 hits. But for Mr. Children, they are in a different position than most bands. Having won the Grand Prix for the Nihon Record Taishou Awards in 1994, the group has continued to release a string of #1′s and also have sold over a million copies of their CD singles. And this has been going on since 1994 with the release of “Innocent World”.
Their 11th CD single “Hana -Memento-Mori-” is their seventh consecutive #1 single and another single that has sold over a million copies in Japan.
The single marks a change in musical style for Mr. Children. The single is written and composed by lead vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai and features an arrangement by Mr. Children and producer Takeshi Kobayashi. A more rock-driven style with an emphasis in electric guitar and a single that really showcases Sakurai’s vocals. “Hana -Memento-Mori-” is another outstanding single from the band.
The single is budget priced at Y500 and that is because there is only one track on this single. Unfortunately, there is no coupling track nor is there a karaoke/instrumental track of “Hana -Memento-Mori-” included on the single.
But for a one-track single, “Hana – Memento-Mori-” is an awesome song but I wish there was more included on this CD Single. Still, a must-buy for Misuchiru fans!
BUY THIS CD SINGLE:
Keisuke Kuwata & Mr. Children – Kiseki no Hoshi (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)
January 23, 1995 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
A single to benefit “Act Against Aids”, this rare collaboration between Southern All Star vocalist Keisuke Kuwata and Mr. Children, along with producer Takeshi Kobayashi is awesome!
ARTIST: Keisuke Kuwata & Mr. Children
CD SINGLE: Kiseki no Hoshi
LABEL: Act Against Aids
CATALOG #: AAA-1
DURATION: 9:44
RELEASE DATE: January 23, 1995
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:
- 奇跡の地球
- 奇跡の地球 (Instrumental Version)
In 1995, the Southern All Stars vocalist Keisuke Kuwata, rock band Mr. Children and producer Takeshi Kobayashi united together for a single to support “Act Against AIDS” which would be the beginning of the National HIV Testing Day. The group released “Kiseki no Hoshi” in which proceeds would go to Act Against Aids.
Needless to say, the collaboration of both artists was a significant collaboration and the single climbed up the charts to the #1 position.
“Kiseki no Hoshi” is a wonderful collaboration and a single that showcases Kuwata and Sakurai’s vocals. A catchy, rock track with synth and brass featured prominently in the opening and transitioning to a music that allows both vocalists to shine. The second track features the instrumental version of “Kiseki no Hoshi”.
This is probably a rare occasion to see Keisuke Kuwata (the solo artist) performing with any other talent and a single that is highly recommended!
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