"Shinjuku Anison Scope," a column by Sho Higuchi, the anime buyer at Tower Records Shinjuku store, known for its extensive selection of anime songs, shares the latest anime song sales trends and firsthand accounts from the sales floor. The number one seller at the store from May 18th to 24th was Lauren Iroas's debut mini-album, "No One," from the VTuber project "Nijisanji."
◇Last week's results
"No One" was released on April 22nd, topped the rankings from April 20th to 26th, and has now reclaimed the number one spot. Lauren Iroas is a young man who belongs to the city security force and has gained popularity with over 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. "No One" is based on the concept of "not just one face" and contains five songs that express Lauren Iroas' multifaceted world and expressions. From "Nijisanji," the first mini-album "Nighthawks" by the male unit "3SKM" also ranked at number two.
In third place is "NANA BEST," a best-of album featuring songs from the TV anime "NANA," and in fifth place is "samurai champloo music record “departure”," the soundtrack to the anime "Samurai Champloo," directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, known for works such as "Cowboy Bebop."
Coming in at number 6 is the analog record of "Completeness," the first album released in April 2025 by "Ave Mujica," a band from the popular anime and game series "BanG Dream!".
In ninth place was "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Minase Iori," part of 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. In tenth place was "Victory Goddess: NIKKE OST [BE MY STAR]," the soundtrack for the popular game "Victory Goddess: NIKKE."
◇This week's trends
We're highlighting "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 07 Fairy Days wa Taemanai," which features songs from in-game events in the popular game "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! THEATER DAYS (Mirishita)," "'World Diestar Yume no Stellarium' Vocal Album Vol.10 'Planetarium Revue Act-3'," which features songs sung by members of the theater troupe "Gingaza" from the smartphone music game app "World Diestar Yume no Stellarium (YumeSute)," and "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Kitakami Reika," part of the "SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS" series for "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!".
◇Tower Records Shinjuku Store Anime Song Corner Ranking (From left: Title, Artist, Titles omitted)
1st Place: "No One" - Lauren Iroas (Album)
2nd Place: "Nighthawks" - 3SKM Album
3rd Place: "NANA BEST" by Anna Tsuchiya and OLIVIA (Album)
4th Place: "LACE UP" - LiSA (Album)
5th Place: "samurai champloo music record “departure”" Nujabes, Fat Jon album
6th Place: "Completeness" (Limited Edition/Vinyl) Ave Mujica Album
7th Place: "Hiroshi Shinozawa 3rd Single 'Sunfaded'" - Hatsuboshi Gakuen Single
8th place: "Kessoku Band" (Kessoku Band album)
9th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Minase Iori" - Rie Kugimiya Album
10th Place: "Goddess of Victory: NIKKE OST [BE MY STAR]" GAME MUSIC 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."
