"Shinjuku Anison Scope" is a column by Sho Higuchi, the anime buyer at Tower Records Shinjuku store, known for its extensive selection of anime songs, where he shares insights into best-selling anime songs and firsthand accounts from the sales floor. The top two best-selling albums at the store from March 16th to 22nd were "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing TWO-MIX DIGITALLY REMASTERED" and "THE END OF THE ENDLESS WALTZ," both released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the music unit "TWO-MIX."
◇Last week's results
TWO-MIX is a unit consisting of Minami Takayama, who is in charge of main vocals and composition, and Shiina Nagano, who handles lyrics, composition, and arrangement. They were formed on April 29, 1995, and have worked on theme songs for TV anime such as "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing" and "Detective Conan."
The two albums that took first and second place contain theme songs from "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing." "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing TWO-MIX DIGITALLY REMASTERED" is the definitive collection of theme songs, with the original audio remastered using the latest technology under the supervision of Nagano. "THE END OF THE ENDLESS WALTZ" features newly arranged versions of each theme song by Nagano, presented in their latest versions. The 30th-anniversary theme song, "THE END OF THE ENDLESS WALTZ -PRELUDE-," is also included.
In 9th place was "Kyomu-san / Kazatte," the 12th single by "25-ji, Nightcord de.", a unit appearing in the smartphone game "Project Sekai Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku (ProSekai)," and in 10th place was "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Nanao Yuriko," a debut entry in the "SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS" project, which will release 52 solo collection CDs of all 52 idols from the popular game "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!" over 52 consecutive weeks.
◇This week's trends
We're highlighting "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER EX03 FAITH/TO/FAITH," which features songs from in-game events in the popular game "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! THEATER DAYS (Mirishita)," the original soundtrack for the movie "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway," "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway Original Soundtrack," the fifth character song CD for "Oshi no Ko,""TV Anime ' Oshi no Ko' Character Song CD Vol. 5," and "Detective Precure! Theme Song Single," which includes the theme song for "Detective Precure!".
◇Tower Records Shinjuku Store Anime Song Corner Ranking (From left: Title, Artist, Titles omitted)
1st Place: "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing TWO-MIX DIGITALLY REMASTERED" TWO-MIX Album
2nd Place: "THE END OF THE ENDLESS WALTZ" TWO-MIX Album
3rd Place: "Ex-Otogibanashi" by ryo (supercell) - Single
4th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 03 SHIMMER" - Anna Mochizuki (Shiina Shiina Natsukawa), Yuriko Nanao (Miku Miku Ito), Ami Futami (Asami Shimoda), Mirai Kasuga (Haruka Yamazaki) - Single
5th Place: "WAKE:WOKE/BURN:BORN" GKSS Single
6th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 05 Texting you" - Sayoko Takayama (Yuri Komagata), Akane Nonohara (Saki Ogasawara), Megumi Tokoro (Yukiyo Fujii) - Single
7th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 04 Mystery Discovery Lab!" Hinata Kinoshita (Nao Tamura), Kana Yabuki (Ibuki Kido), Tsumugi Shiraishi (Saki Minami) - Single
8th Place: "CPK! Remix [CD + Booklet] (DIGI)" ryo (supercell) Single
9th Place: "Kyomu-san / Kazatte" - 25-ji, Nightcord de. (Single)
10th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Nanao Yuriko" Nanao Yuriko (Miku Ito) Album
◇Profile
Sho Higuchi is the anime buyer for the 10th floor (Japanese music and sales promotion) at Tower Records Shinjuku store. His passion for anime began with works from the 1990s such as "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "BLUE SEED," and "VS Knight Ramune & 40 Flame." Among anime songs, he particularly enjoys character songs, especially those related to idol anime. His anthem is "Up! 10sion Pleeeeeeeeease!" from "THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!". His favorite anime and game titles include "Pretty Rhythm," "THE IDOLM@STER," "Photo Kano," and "Sakura Wars."
