"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 insights into best-selling anime songs and firsthand accounts from the sales floor. The number one album at the store from June 1st to 7th was "RI PATHOS" by Riko Sasaki, who is active as a singer and voice actress.
◇Last week's results
The album that topped the charts, "RI PATHOS," is a full album with 10 tracks, all of which are brand new songs. Each song is themed around something connected to Sasaki, and the album is structured to connect "the past" with "the future." The limited edition includes "Tezukuri no Uta," the first song written and composed by Sasaki, as a bonus track.
Coming in at second place is the single "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Song for Prism Sanka / Benibana" from the game "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Song for Prism (ShaniSon)". It includes two new songs by the new unit "Higanryu," consisting of five members: Natsuha Arisugawa, Mei Izumi, Chiyuki Kuwayama, Hiori Kazeno, and Sakuya Shirase.
Coming in at number 4 is the new album "Hanbunko." by voice actress and singer Yukari Tamura. Like Sasaki's "RI PATHOS," which took the top spot, all the tracks on this album are new songs written specifically for it, making it a condensed collection of Tamura's charm.
In 7th place is the single "Love Live! Sakeba Yume Kakeru / Hikari no Naka de Love Live!," which includes an insert song from the theatrical anime film "Love Live! Live! Hasuno Sora Girls' Academy School Idol Club Bloom Garden Party," featuring the school idol group "Hasuno Sora Girls' Academy School Idol Club" from the popular "Love Live!" series smartphone app "Link! Like! Love Live!".
In third and fifth place are "SHINEPOST Character Song Collection," a character song album from the media mix idol project "Shinepost," which is also making headlines with its first major live concert in approximately three years to be held in September, and "Wonder Starter / Palette Girls," a single by the idol unit "TINGS."
◇This week's trends
We're highlighting "WHAT AN EXPLOSION," the 15th single from "RAISE A SUILEN," a girls' band featured in the popular anime and game series "BanG Dream!", and "Dou-Da? Love Live!/REGAIN AGAIN LLLLOVE," the 2nd single from "Ikizurai-bu!", a school idol group featured in "Ikizurai! LOVELIVE! BLUEBIRD," a new project in the "Love Live!" series.
◇Tower Records Shinjuku Store Anime Song Corner Ranking (From left: Title, Artist, Titles omitted)
1st place “RI PATHOS” Riko Sasaki Album
2nd place “THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Song for Prism Sanka-sanka-/Benibana-” Higanryu Single
3rd Place: "SHINEPOST Character Song Collection" TINGS, Hotaru (Ayaka Ohashi), HY:RAIN (Album)
4th Place: "Hanbunko." (Half and Half) - Yukari Tamura (Album)
5th Place: "Wonder Starter / Palette Girls" TINGS Single
6th Place: "Game App 'World Diestar: Dream Stellarium' Vocal Album Vol.10 'Planetarium Revue Act-3'" Gingaza Album
7th Place: "Hana Sakuba Yume Kakeru / Hikari no Naka de Hana Saite" - Hasuno Sora Girls' Academy School Idol Club (Single)
8th place: "NANA BEST" by Anna Tsuchiya and OLIVIA (album)
9th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 07 Fairy Days Never End" - Loco (Atsuki Nakamura), Takane Shijou (Yumi Hara), Chihaya Kisaragi (Asami Imai), Shizuka Mogami (Azusa Tadokoro), Chizuru Nikaido (Kanako Nomura) - Single
10th Place: "COWBOY BEBOP" - Yoko Kanno (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."
