Arashi tops Oricon weekly album chart 2 weeks in a row

Arashi's 12th original album "LOVE" (released on October 23) sold 62,000 copies in the second week (732,000 copies in total), and it once again topped Oricon's weekly album chart for the 2nd week in a row.

This is the first time in 3 years and 3 months for a group's album to top the weekly chart for 2 consecutive weeks. Arashi was the last to achieve this with their 9th original album "Boku no Miteiru Fukei" (relased in August 2010).

"LOVE" is also the first album in 2013 that sold over 700,000 copies.
Source: Oricon

Arashi's new album tops Oricon weekly chart, currently in 1st place on yearly ranking

Popular group Arashi's 12th original album "LOVE" (released on October 23) topped Oricon's weekly chart selling 670,000 copies in the first week. 


The first week sales have already exceeded the sales of B'z' best-of album "B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998" which sold 579,000 copies, and thus, "LOVE" is currently in 1st place on Oricon yearly ranking for this year.

This is also their 11th consecutive chart-topping album (12th album in total) since their 4th one "Iza, Now" (released in July 2004), and the number of consecutive years for topping the album ranking for the group has reached the 10th year. Arashi is now the 2nd group/male artist to achieve it after EXILE who has topped the album ranking for 11 consecutive years.

Source: Oricon

Arashi tops the annual 'favorite artists' ranking 4 years in a row

On October 25, entertainment magazine 'Ori★Suta' revealed their 10th annual "favorite artist" ranking.

First place for this year's ranking went to none other than Arashi. With this, they have become the first artist to take first place for this ranking 4 years in a row. They have also surpassed Utada Hikaru who held the #1 title a total of 3 times.

Arashi has hosted the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' for 4 consecutive years and held a live at the National Olympic Stadium for 6 consecutive years. The members have also been successful with their solo careers, starring in various dramas, CMs, variety programs, and movies.

The full ranking can be seen below.

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1. Arashi
2. Ikimonogakari
3. Mr.Children
4. Fukuyama Masaharu
5. Yuzu
6. Utada Hikaru
7. B'z
8. Southern All Stars
9. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
10. Kobukuro
11. Amuro Namie
12. Spitz
13. Porno Graffitti
14. Momoiro Clover Z
15. Perfume
16. YUI
17. aiko
18. Kuwata Keisuke
19. EXILE
20. BUMP OF CHICKEN

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Source: Oricon
Image: Johnny's net

Which celebrities had the most CM contracts in the first half of 2013?

  

The media analysts at Nihon Monitor have released their half-yearly list that breaks down which celebrities had the most commercial contracts in the last six months of the whole year.

For the male celebrity ranking, it's absolutely no surprise to see pro golfer Ishikawa Ryo at the top again, topping the list for the fourth consecutive time. However, this time he had to share first place with Arashi's Sakurai Sho and actor Mukai Osamu. Are those two going to threaten his throne in the coming rankings? Child actor Suzuki Fuku also proves to be one of the few exceptions when it comes to the fading popularity of child actors in the commercial sector.

The female celebrity ranking experienced a remarkable change of order compared to the previous year. In the 2012 ranking, the complete top 4 was claimed by current and former members of AKB48 and their sister groups. This year the idols have lost a lot of ground to actresses and other talents again, with the young actress Takei Emi snatching the crown all by herself. Her total amount of 15 CM contracts even makes all the top male celebrities look like amateurs this time.

Last year's CM Queen Shinoda Mariko ranked second this time, followed by Rola and Goriki Ayame on the third place. Of course, there is also still very high demand for Takei and Goriki's agency senior Ueto Aya.

As for the second half of the year, it will be interesting to see how long the child actors Suzuki Fuku and Tani Kanon will be able to maintain their high popularity. Fellow child actress Ashida Mana, who had 15 contracts last year, already didn't make it into the ranking this time. Will Ishikawa Ryo catch up with Kimura Takuya and top the ranking for five consecutive times? Moreover, AKB48 will have to push new members to become their CM queens after the graduation of Shinoda Mariko and Itano Tomomi later this year.

Now check out the rankings below!

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CM Ranking First Half of 2013 - Male Celebrities

01 - 10 Contracts - Ishikawa Ryo
01 - 10 Contracts - Sakurai Sho (Arashi)
01 - 10 Contracts - Mukai Osamu
02 - 9 Contracts - Suzuki Fuku
03 - 8 Contracts - Aiba Masaki (Arashi)
03 - 8 Contracts - Ohno Satoshi (Arashi)
03 - 8 Contracts - Ninomiya Kazunari (Arashi)
03 - 8 Contracts - Matsuoka Shuzo
04 - 7 Contracts - Ichiro
04 - 7 Contracts - Kimura Takuya (SMAP)
04 - 7 Contracts - Kokubun Taichi (TOKIO)
04 - 7 Contracts - Matsumoto Jun (Arashi)
05 - 6 Contracts - Kamenashi Kazuya (KAT-TUN)
05 - 6 Contracts - Tsumabuki Satoshi
05 - 6 Contracts - Nagase Tomoya (TOKIO)
05 - 6 Contracts - Nishikido Ryo (Kanjani8)
05 - 6 Contracts - Matsuzaka Tori
05 - 6 Contracts - Yamaguchi Tatsuya (TOKIO)

CM Ranking First Half of 2013 - Female Celebrities

01 - 15 Contracts - Takei Emi
02 - 13 Contracts - Shinoda Mariko (AKB48)
03 - 12 Contracts - Goriki Ayame
03 - 12 Contracts - Rola
04 - 10 Contracts - Ueto Aya
04 - 10 Contracts - Becky
04 - 10 Contracts - Horikita Maki
05 - 9 Contracts - Amami Yuki
05 - 9 Contracts - Itano Tomomi (AKB48)
05 - 9 Contracts - Kiritani Mirei
05 - 9 Contracts - Kojima Haruna (AKB48)
05 - 9 Contracts - Shimazaki Haruka (AKB48)
05 - 9 Contracts - Tani Kanon
06 - 8 Contracts - Ishihara Satomi
06 - 8 Contracts - Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
06 - 8 Contracts - Sasaki Nozomi

Inquiry Period: January 1st ~ June 30th
Target Networks: NTV, TBS, TV ASAHI, TV TOKYO, FUJI TV
Important Note: As usual, self-promotions for CDs, DVDs/Blu-rays, video games, digital music, movies, and performances in PVs have been excluded!

Source: N-Monitor

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Arashi’s latest single sells 550,000 copies + tops Oricon weekly chart

Arashi’s latest single, “Wild at Heart“, has sold 550,000 copies, taking the number one spot on the Oricon Weekly Single Ranking for the week of March 19th! With this, the boys have accomplished 26th consecutive singles atop the Oricon charts, 33 in total.

Following B’z (45 singles) and Hamasaki Ayumi (37 singles), Arashi now ranks 3rd for the total number of singles to top the Oricon charts. They have also surpassed Hamasaki Ayumi (25 singles) with the number of first place consecutive singles.

“Wild at Heart” is Arashi’s 37th single, and is the theme song for the Fuji TV drama, “Lucky Seven“, starring Matsumoto Jun.

Source: Oricon

RIAJ reveals hard copy sales certifications for December 2011

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (or ‘RIAJ’) has just released their hard copy sales certifications for the month of December 2011.

This certification is based off the total numbers of CDs and DVDs sold to retailers.

RIAJ hands out these awards based on the following standards:

Gold – 100,000 units sold
Platinum – 250,000 units sold; Double Platinum – 500,000 units sold; Triple Platinum – 750,000 units sold
Million – 1,000,000 units sold; 2 Million – 2,000,000 units sold; 3 Million – 3,000,000 units sold
4 Million – 4,000,000 units sold; 5 Million – 5,000,000 units sold

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December Certifications

< Japanese Albums >

# Million

“Beautiful World” – Arashi : 2011/07/06

# Triple Platinum

“GIRLS’ GENERATION” – Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) : 2011/06/01

# Double Platinum

“Thank you, Love” – Nishino Kana : 2011/06/22

# Platinum

“THE BADDEST~Hit Parade~” – Kubota Toshinobu : 2011/11/23

“FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 4″ – FUNKY MONKEY BABYS : 2011/12/21

# Gold

“Ketsu no Arashi ~Haru BEST~” – Ketsumeishi : 2011/12/21

“Ketsu no Arashi ~Natsu BEST~” – Ketsumeishi : 2011/12/21

“Ketsu no Arashi ~Aki BEST~” – Ketsumeishi : 2011/12/21

“Ketsu no Arashi ~Fuyu BEST~” – Ketsumeishi : 2011/12/21

“TRIBAL SOUL” – Sandaime J Soul Brothers : 2011/12/07

“THE FIRST” – SHINee : 2011/12/07

“DELICIOUS” – JUJU : 2011/11/30

“TEST DRIVE featuring JASON DERULO” – JIN AKANISHI : 2011/12/07

“THE MUSEUM II” – Mizuki Nana : 2011/11/23

“guitarissimo” – miwa : 2011/04/06

“1969″ – Yuki Saori & Pink Martini : 2011/10/12

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< Japanese Singles >

# Million

“Ue Kara Mariko” – AKB48 : 2011/12/07

# Platinum

“BIRTH” – KAT-TUN : 2011/11/30

“We never give up!” – Kis-My-Ft2 : 2011/11/30

# Gold

“Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!/Love Story” – Amuro Namie : 2011/12/07

“Yasashiku Naritai” – Saito Kazuyoshi : 2011/11/02

“Mr.Simple” – SUPER JUNIOR : 2011/12/07

“Boku no Hanbun” – SMAP : 2011/12/21

“Ultra Lover” – 2PM : 2011/11/02

“Pedicure Day” – No Sleeves : 2011/12/28

“Unmei♪wa♪Endless!” – HO-KAGO TEA TIME : 2011/12/07

“Singing!” – HO-KAGO TEA TIME : 2011/12/07

“CHASE” – L’Arc~en~Ciel : 2011/12/21

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< Japanese Music DVDs >

# Gold

“JAPAN FIRST TOUR GIRLS’ GENERATION” – Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) : 2011/12/14

“THANKS FOR BEIJING!!” – SMAP : 2011/12/07

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< Non-Japanese Albums >

# Double Platinum

“Super Girl” – KARA : 2011/11/23 *

# Platinum

“Love Songs” – CheNelle : 2006/11/15

# Gold

“Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry : 2010/08/25

* The RIAJ categorizes KARA as non-Japanese.

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Overview of Million Sellers in 2011

# Single

“Sakura no Ki ni Narou” – AKB48 : 2011/02/06 (certified in 2011/02)

“Everyday, Kachuusha” – AKB48 : 2011/05/25 (certified in 2011/06)

“Flying Get” – AKB48 : 2011/08/24 (certified in 2011/09)

“Kaze wa Fuiteru” – AKB48 : 2011/10/26 (certified in 2011/11)

“Ue Kara Mariko” – AKB48 : 2011/12/07 (certified in 2011/12)

# Album

“Negai no Tou” – EXILE : 2011/03/09 (certified in 2011/05)

“Koko ni Ita Koto” – AKB48 : 2011/06/08 (certified in 2011/06)

“The Fame” – Lady Gaga : 2009/05/20 (certified in 2011/07)

“Beautiful World” – Arashi : 2011/07/06 (certified in 2011/12)

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Source: RIAJ