Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for August 2022!

Unsurprisingly, Ado tops both the single and album charts with her new tracks from the movie ONE PIECE FILM RED. The singer provided the singing voice of Uta, a main character in the film which was released nationwide on August 6, 2022.

New Genesis, the theme from ONE PIECE FILM RED, was released ahead of the movie’s release on June 8, 2022. It ranked 4th in the monthly rankings for June and July, and following the film’s release in August, it shot to the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks, continuing to hold the #1 spot.

Ado also took first place in August’s album ranking with her collection of songs from ONE PIECE FILM RED. Released on August 19, 2022, the album features a number of tracks made for the film, with seven different artists helping to produce these now legendary songs.

For the daily ranking on August 11, the top seven singles were all from this one album. Starting at the top spot, the songs included were: New Genesis, Where the Wind Blows, Tot Musica, The World’s Continuation, Binks’ Sake, I’m Invincible, and Fleeting Lullaby.

In the album ranking, it was number one in the weekly ranking for three consecutive weeks since its release on August 17 and continued its momentum to take the top position in the monthly ranking for the month of August.

Ado had her first top single ranking in February 2021 with Usseewa, and her first #1 album in January and February 2022 with Kyogen.

 

If you haven’t listened to the singer’s collection of songs from the most recent ONE PIECE film, you’re missing out!

 

RecoChoku Monthly Music Award – August 2022 (Announced September 1, 2022)

 

Single Ranking

1st Place: New Genesis (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) – Ado (Released June 8, 2022)
2nd Place: Start Over – THE BEAT GARDEN
3rd Place: Ame Sansan – King Gnu
4th Place: Where the Wild Blows – Ado
5th Place: Mixed Nuts – Official HiGE DANdism

https://recochoku.jp/ranking/single/monthly/

Album Ranking

1st Place: Uta’s Songs from ONE PIECE FILM RED – Ado (Released August 10, 2022)
2nd Place: M – INI
3rd Place: BE:1 – BE:FIRST
4th Place: Falling into your eyes Record – Aimyon
5th Place: Suki Toiunowa Rock Daze! (Special Edition) – Nogizaka46

https://recochoku.jp/ranking/album/monthly/

 

©尾田栄一郎／2022「ワンピース」製作委員会

Popular singer Aimyon has released the music video for her song 3636 from her fourth original album, Falling Into Your Eyes Record. The album was released on August 17, 2022.

 

The video was directed by Classic 6, marking the first collaboration between the two. The lyrics of the song contain the phrase ‘delivery box,’ and this became a big theme in the direction of the video. Along with the video release, Aimyon and Classic 6 both released comments about the new creation, so be sure to read them below. 

 

3636 – Aimyon (Official Music Video)

Aimyon is currently on her largest-ever national tour, seeing the artist perform 28 shows in 14 cities throughout Japan. On November 5, Aimyon will perform her largest solo concert ever at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya. 

 

Comment from Aimyon

“When the delivery box wouldn’t open anymore, I felt as though my heart had been closed. I was so incredibly sad. I wondered if it had simply grown tired of me, and I went on a journey of endless delusion. I remembered what happened in that small room as the seasons passed.”

 

Comment from Classic 6

“When I heard the song, I pictured Aimyon riding on a train in a private compartment, something that isn’t common in Japan. It’s also a metaphor for the time, space, and heart that the delivery box and Aimyon shared. That’s what I imagined when I planned the video. I wanted it to be obvious. There was a way for both of them to keep going, to not stop along the way. Even now, the box alone is being carried somewhere far away.”

On June 8, popular singer Aimyon released her 13th single My First Love is Crying. Now, the music video is here–and it was filmed in a yakiniku restaurant!

 

The music video was directed by Tomokazu Yamada, who previously directed the videos for Aimyon’s Marigold, Let the Night, Harunohi, The Smell of a Midsummer Night, On This Day We Say Goodbye, and Naked Heart. The video itself was filmed in one shot at a yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo, showing Aimyon eating alone and crying. A stirring and emotional song paired with this moving video will be enough to stir any fan’s heart. 

 

 

My First Love is Crying – Aimyon

 

 

The coupling song, Satsuki, is available to stream now. The track is a continuation of the song Mini-Skirt and Hi-Lite from Aimyon’s 11th single. The track features Moto Kawabe, the first time a male has participated in one of Aimyon’s tracks. 

 

Aimyon is currently holding her largest-ever national tour, performing 28 concerts in 14 cities around Japan. 

 

 

Comments

 

Aimyon

“When I got dumped by the person I was dating, I can remember crying uncontrollably. 

I was asking myself “why me?” People would respond with “there’s nothing you can do,” or “this was for the best,” or “there are other fish in the sea!” 

I ate, I drank, I reminisced, I cried, I got angry, and as time went on, I realized that I had forgotten why I loved him so much in the first place. 

But I still love him a little bit–and that pisses me off! That’s the emotion I wanted to bring to this shoot.”

 

Tomokazu Yamada (Director)

“In this age when people can easily impersonate (or quote) someone else, people like Aimyon, who is unapologetically herself, seem to shine more brightly. Even in the midst of her sadness, she wants to show that side of her to someone else in the hopes that it can help. She has the power to light up anyone’s day with her honesty and sense of self.” 

 

 

Aimyon’s new track Futaba is now available to stream! The track was used as the theme song during the March 23 broadcast of ‘Aimyon 18 Festival’ on NHK. The show featured Aimyon collecting messages and videos from 17 to 20-year-olds across Japan which were then used to create the video. Ran Tondabayashi was in charge of the jacket photo and art direction.

 

The music video for Futaba will be released on March 31 at 20:00 on Aimyon’s official YouTube channel.

 

The singer will start her new tour–her largest ever–in April.

Singer-songwriter Aimyon will hold her first fan club tour starting in January 2022, along with a 14-city arena tour beginning in April. The artist has seen an incredible amount of success since her major debut in 2016, winning Artist of the Year at the Billboard Japan Music Awards in 2019. 

 

The fan club tour will start on January 20, 2022, at Tachikawa Stage Garden in Tokyo before moving on to seven more locations through February. Those who want to join the fan club can visit the official website below. 

 

Aimyon’s arena tour will start on April 16 at the World Hall in Kobe and will span 28 shows in 14 cities around Japan. This will be the singer’s largest ever tour. 

 

On the artist’s official website, a warning has been posted regarding the pandemic. Information and dates may change depending on the spread of COVID-19, so check the official tour page often. 

On November 24, 2021, singer-songwriter Aimyon will release her 12th single, Heart. Prior to the track’s official release, the official music video has been uploaded to the artist’s YouTube channel.

 

The video was directed by Rachel Chie Miller, who also directed the music videos for GOOD NIGHT BABY, Kimi wa Rock wo Kikanai, and Futari no Sekai. 

 

Heart – Aimyon [Official Music Video]

 

To celebrate the music video’s release, the design of the original A5-sized Heart clear folder–scheduled to be the first purchase bonus for the single–was unveiled. 

 

Aimyon will hold an additional performance of her current narrative tour ‘AIMYON Narative Tour 2021 -I Fell in Love With a Scar and a Demon!-’ on November 30, 2021, at Nippon Budokan. The artist is currently celebrating five years since her major label debut, and she doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

 

Comment from Aimyon

Does it depict the finale of the song, or the beginning? When I first saw the music video, I immediately realized how well it could capture someone’s imagination. That’s how amazing Rachel Chie Miller is! Living while consumed with thoughts of someone you love can only lead to the best kind of romance.

 

Comment from Rachel Chie Miller

Even when I’m trying my best to be calm, the more I think, the more restless I become and the more my mind wanders. I wanted to depict that here–that no matter how hectic your brain may be, life doesn’t care, and it marches on. 

Massively popular J-pop star Aimyon is scheduled to drop her new single Heart on November 24, 2021. As a gift for more impatient fans, the song will be available to stream ahead of the CD’s physical release, hitting a number of music platforms on October 20, 2021. 

 

In September, it was announced that the track would serve as the theme song for Konnintodoke ni Han wo Oshitadakedesuga (Only Just Married). The drama series will begin on October 19, 2021, and will star Nana Seino and Kentaro Sakaguchi in the lead roles.  

 

Along with this announcement, new artist photos have been released alongside the cover for the 12th single. A short video previewing the song is also available on YouTube, with art and video direction headed by Tondayashi Ran. 

 

Aimyon – Heart  [very short movie]

 

Starting October 9, those pre-saving or pre-adding Heart from the campaign page will be able to download an original image to use as a smartphone wallpaper!

Singer-songwriter Aimyon will provide the theme song for the upcoming TBS Tuesday drama Konnintodoke ni Han wo Oshitadakedesuga (Only Just Married), premiering on TBS on October 19, 2021. 

 

The drama will follow the story of a couple married under false pretenses, and will star Nana Seino and Kentaro Sakaguchi in the lead roles. The theme song, Heart, will be released on November 24. 

 

 

Comment from Aimyon

I’ve never once had to rewrite lyrics over once I’ve written them, but for this song, I read them over and over, sang them, and rewrote them over again. 

I kept fine-tuning the words, trying to keep them from being too cute, or too clumsy. 

When you think about the shape of a heart, they’re odd. Round on top, but pointed on the bottom. They can be soft, or they can be painful. I thought they were the perfect symbol for a strained relationship!

I’m really looking forward to hearing the music in this drama series. I’m also looking forward to working with the stars of the drama, and I hope that you enjoy Heart! ♡

 

 

Comment from Nana Seino

From the moment the intro began playing, I could feel my understanding of my character Akiha expanding. 

I want to thank Aimyon for providing us with such a wonderful song, and I can’t wait to see how the drama series and Aimyon’s song Heart blend together.

 

Comment from Kentaro Sakaguchi

This song perfectly encapsulates the frustrating and delicate relationship between Akiha and Momose. 

After filming the series little by little, I hope that my acting will be as gentle and incredible as this track. 

 

Aimyon posted a music video for her song Seishun to Seishun to Seishun on July 9. The track is originally taken from her 3rd single Kimi wa Rock o Kikanai which was released all the way back on August 2, 2017.

 

The song featured as a couple track on the single which dropped almost four years ago. It was made for a commercial for Kirin Beer’s Tanrei Green Label. It has always been a popular song amongst fans who are sure to be delighted at this long-awaited video.

 

Aimyon – “Seishun to Seishun to Seishun”【OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO】

The video was directed by Pennacky who also worked on Aimyon’s Choyo music video. It features Aimyon, the song’s producer Sunday Kamide, and his band in a tiny diorama of a train and its journey.

 

Aimyon | Comment

“I told my staff a long time ago that I wanted to make a music video of this song one day, but there wasn’t an opportunity and the days and months just began to build up. I never thought we’d pick up this song again in this way. My prayers were answered and we made a music video. We have that summer breeze and feeling of youthfulness on board. It’s an exciting video, so I hope people enjoy it together with the song.”

 

Pennacky (Director) | Comment

“It’s an honour to be the director of this famous song by Aimyon. I hope people who know about the song already, as well as those who have yet to hear it, will enjoy it.”

TOKYO FM and 37 other Japan FM radio networks are set to air a special program on April 22 at 19:00 (JST) titled Life Time Audio～My First Music “14-Year-Old’s Playlist.”

TOKYO FM celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 26, 2021. In line with the milestone, the radio network launched a new brand promise: Life Time Audio, a radio special that promotes audio content that enrichens people’s lives through music will weaving stories that connect with everyday people. It aims to be a place where people encounter musical experiences and audio content that gives people meaning as they broadcast each and every day their new show Life Time Audio～My First Music “14-Year-Old’s Playlist” is inspired by a New York Times article published in 2018 titled The Songs That Bind which looks at how music heard when you are 14 years of age sets in stone your music preferences.

The live broadcast will be hosted by Daisuke Tooyama who worked as the principal of the Japanese radio show SCHOOL OF LOCK! for 10 years until 2020. Listeners can submit the music they listened to when they were 14-years-old either on the show’s official website or on social media using the Japanese hashtag #14歳のプレイリスト (“14-Year-Old’s Playlist”) which will be discussed each episode. Guest artists will also talk about what music they were listening to back then. In the first episode, Masamune Kusano of Spitz talks with Aimyon. Aimyon has publicly stated that she has loved Spitz since elementary school. Masamune will talk Aimyon about other artists she listened to growing up, her music roots, and more. They will also talk about Spitz’s latest single Murasaki no Yoru o Koete as well as Aimyon’s new song Koi o Shiru Made wa which will be released on May 26 and is used as the main theme for the Japanese drama show Konto ga Hajimaru.

Official HIDE DANdism will also feature as guests on the show. The band formed while they were all in university. It is mentioned that members will talk about not having gone to school much, not getting along with people, their first live shows, and more. They will also talk about what music they want 14-year-olds to listen to.

More and more announcements have been rolling out about Japanese artists set to perform overseas in the latter half of 2019. Let’s take a look and see if one of them is coming to a city near you in Part 4.

 

・Aimyon

Singer-songwriter is set to take her enthralling set to Shanghai with a headline show. The music video for her hit song Marigold, taken from her album Shunkanteki Sixth Sense which released in February, was shot on the streets of Shanghai. Currently knee-deep in her Japan tour to promote her new album, this will mark Aimyon’s second time performing overseas following up from a successful show in Taiwan. Her popularity is steadily surging across the globe, be sure to check out her music available on Spotify as well as her many music videos.

 

Related Article: Aimyon Releases Music Video Teaser & CD Cover For New Song ‘Manatsu no Yoru no Nioi ga Suru’

 

▶︎AIMYON 2019 LIVE in SHANGHAI

Date: July 13, 2019

Venue: 世博中心—紅庁, Shanghai 2019

Japan Enquiries: http://www.accessbright.com/aimyon/

AIMYON Official Website: http://www.aimyong.net/

 

・OKAMOTO’S 

Celebrating 10 years since their debut, OKAMOTO’S are currently touring Japan nationwide in promotion of their new album BOY. The four-piece rock band performed what they called their “first and last” Nippon Budokan show on June 27 but are following that straight up with two concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. OKAMOTO’S are veterans when it comes to having performed overseas. They are the younger Japanese male act to play SXSW in Texas, US when they performed back in 2010. They also embarked on a 7-city US tour and have toured Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and other countries. Don’t miss out!

 

Related Article: OKAMOTO’S New ‘Dancing Boy’ Music Video Features Lots Of Guest Artists

 

▶︎OKAMOTO’S “BOY” CHINA TOUR 2019
2019/7/19 @ Beijing MAO Live House, Beijing
2019/7/21 @ Shanghai MAO Live House, Shangai

Tickets: https://www.showstart.com/event/list?type=1&tag=22685

OKAMOTO’S Official Website: https://www.okamotos.net

 

 

【お知らせ】

MY FIRST STORY初の中国・上海でのワンマンライブが決定🇨🇳！

MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

7/27(土) 19:30開演予定
中国・上海市静安体育センター

公演詳細は後日発表！#myfirststory#マイファス pic.twitter.com/BqEzLdAgj9

— MY FIRST STORY (@MyFirstStory_of) 2019年6月6日

・MY FIRST STORY

Since debuting in 2012, Japanese rock band MY FIRST STORY have performed at some of Japan’s biggest music festivals and have also collaborated with foreign musicians. Their lyrics are fluent English which have racked them up some real attention outside Japan. This will mark their first headline show in mainland China.

 

▶︎MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

2019/7/27 @ Jing’an Sports Center, Shanghai

MY FIRST STORY Official Website: http://www.myfirststory.net

 

・Yuzu

Yuzu’s popularity trickles down all generations having performed the song Muscat for the anime series Crayon Shin-chan. The duo have their eyes set on two days at Legacy MAX in Taipei on September 28 and 29. The musicians performed at the 30th Golden Melody Awards, which is nicknamed the “Taiwanese Grammy Awards,” on June 29 and hail as the only Japanese artists to do so.

 

Related Article: Yuzu Joined By Crayon Shin-chan On Stage to Sing New Song ‘Muscat’

 

▶︎YUZU ASIA LIVE 2019 YUZUNOMI

2019/9/28 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

2019/9/29 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

Tickets: https://ticket.ibon.com.tw/Web/ActivityInfo/Details/36025

YUZU Official Website: http://yuzu-official.com

 

・MAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION recently announced their US headline tour. They joined Jimmy Eat World and Stone Sour on tour back in fall 2017, but which is their first North American solo tour in five years. Full details can be found over on their official website.

 

Related Article: MAN WITH A MISSION To Embark on First North American Solo Tour in 5 Years

 

▶︎MAN WITH A MISSION presents Chasing the Horizon World Tour 2018/2019 -North American Tour-

2019/9/6 @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

2019/9/8 @ The Regent Theater, Los Angeles

2019/9/10 @ Canton Hall, Dallas

2019/9/16 @ Gramercy Theatre, New York

MAN WITH A MISSION Official Website: https://www.mwamjapan.info/

 

・BABYMETAL

BABYMETAL will released their new album METAL GALAXY this year on October 11 and follow it up with their GALAXY WORLD TOUR where they will hit up Europe, US and Russia. BABYMETAL’s unmatched force continues to be felt across the globe.

 

Related Article: BABYMETAL Announce New Album ‘METAL GALAXY’ & World Tour

 

▶︎BABYMETAL GALAXY WORLD TOUR

*For full dates, please check the band’s official website below.

BABYMETAL Official Website: http://www.babymetal.com

 

《TOUR》

＼💫SKY-HI × SALU TOUR決定！／

🎙Say Goodbye to the System

9/4：東京 Zepp DiverCity

9/24：大阪 なんばHatch

9/25：名古屋 名古屋ダイアモンドホール

9/29：韓国/ソウル

10/1：香港

10/4：台湾/台北

✅詳細はSKY-HI公式HPへ
【https://t.co/AOcUrXeEGL】#SKY_HI #SALU #TOUR pic.twitter.com/E5h8Svngff

— SKY-HI情報 (@skyhi_hidaka12) 2019年7月1日

・SKY-HI

SKY-HI will release his second collaborative album with SALU entitled Say Hello to My Minions 2 on September 4 which will be promoted with the “Say Goodbye to the System” Asia tour. SKY-HI has performed in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the past. Be sure to keep up to date with his tour schedule via his official website.

 

▶︎Say Goodbye to the System -ASIA TOUR-

2019/9/29 @ Seoul (Venue TBA)

2019/10/1 @ Hong Kong (Venue TBA)

2019/10/4 @ Taipei (Venue TBA)

SKY-HI Official Website: https://avex.jp/skyhi/

 

If you love Japanese music and an artist you like is heading to a city near you, be sure to show them love and support by getting your hands on a ticket!

Singer-songwriter Aimyon has unveiled the CD cover for her upcoming 8th single Manatsu no Yoru no Nioi ga Suru which is set to drop on July 24.

The CD cover sees Aimyon in a park at nighttime just like in the teaser for the music video below. Both the cover and music videos were created by Tondabayashi Ran who has worked with Aimyon on multiple occasions.

 

The song was released for digital download early today on iTunes in the run up to the CD release.