K-On Character Image Song for Azusa Nakano ranked #3
For this week, a slew of new singles placed in the top 10 of the Oricon weekly charts. Leading the way is SMAP with their new single Sotto Kyutto/Superstar. Sotto Kyutto is the theme song of member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi’s drama Ninkyo Helper, which is currently enjoying ratings in the high teens. Ninkyo Helper is Kusanagi’s headlined return after he was arrested for public indecency last Spring. It seems that despite initial negativity from sponsors and broadcasting stations, Kusanagi and other SMAP members still have a lot of influence in the entertainment industry that they were able to overcome the backlash. Sotto Kyutto/Superstar sold 104723 on its first week.
Trailing behind SMAP are the girls from AKB48, whose single despite debuting at #1, did not have enough momentum to lead for the entire week in sales. Their single Iiwake, Maybe was released amidst the reshuffling of the teams of AKB48. Regardless of the changes among the teams, the group itself did not suffer major blows in their selling capabilities. Iiwake, Maybe sold 90,774 copies.
A major surprise this week is the release of anime K-On’s characters image songs. Image songs of the characters ranked #3, #5, and #6. Fans of the anime are rejoicing because character songs do not usually do this well in the Oricon charts. Doing so well in the singles chart is a great way to promote their show.
Other new releases in the Oricon weekly chart are Spitz’s Kimi wa Taiyou ranking #7, Abingdon Boy’s School’s Kimi no Uta at #9, and Buono’s Take It Easy at #10. Still holding on the charts are #4 B’z and #8 Kiyoshi Hikawa.
As for album sales, top idol group Arashi still fresh from their three-day performance at the Tokyo National Stadium this weekend, reigns supreme for the second week. It would seem that it is only a matter of time the 5-man group will overtake Mr. Children in total albums sales for the year.
Source: Oricon
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