"Shinjuku Anime Song Scope" is a series where 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 seller at the store from June 22nd to 28th was "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 08 Prima Princess!!", a CD based on the popular game "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! THEATER DAYS (Mirishita)".
◇Last week's results
The top-ranking CD, "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 08 Prima Princess!!", is the eighth installment in the "BATTLE OF THE@TER" CD series, which features songs from in-game events in "Million Live! Theater Days". In addition to the title track "Prima Princess!!" and a drama segment, it includes "PRINCESS PRETTY Ver." sung by Emily Stewart and Kotoha Tanaka, and "PRINCESS GIRLY Ver." sung by Arisa Matsuda, Umi Kosaka, and Minako Satake.
In third place is "Forever Fast - 35th Anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog," a compilation album commemorating the 35th anniversary of Sega's popular "Sonic" game series. It includes vocal themes from titles throughout the series, from the first 3D game "Sonic Adventure" to the latest "Sonic Racing Crossworld." It also features a newly recorded version of "Escape From The City" sung by Nathan Sharp, who sang at the "Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony" concert celebrating Sonic's 30th anniversary.
Coming in at number 7 is "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Anna Mochizuki," a debut release from 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.
"NANA BEST," which includes the theme songs and insert songs from the TV anime "NANA," ranked 6th, and "COWBOY BEBOP," an album containing songs from the popular 1998 anime "Cowboy Bebop," ranked 10th, demonstrating their enduring popularity.
◇This week's trends
I'm paying attention to "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Matsuda Arisa" from the "SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS" project of "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!", the single "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Song for Prism Tokyo Jiyukei*Girl/My time" from the game "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Song for Prism (ShaniSon)", and the new album "TA13OO" from the male vocal unit "Urashimasakatasen".
◇Tower Records Shinjuku Store Anime Song Corner Ranking (From left: Title, Artist, Titles omitted)
1st Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 08 Prima Princess!!" - Arisa Matsuda (Rie Murakawa), Emily Stewart (Yu Ikuhara), Umi Kosaka (Reina Ueda), Minako Satake (Eri Ozeki), Kotoha Tanaka (Risa Taneda) - Single
2nd Place: "Ave Musica" (Ave Mujica album)
3rd Place: "Forever Fast - 35th Anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog" SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Album
4th Place: "Dou-Da? DOING! / REGAIN AGAIN LLLLOVE" (Regular Edition) - Ikizurai-bu! Single
5th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 07 Fairy Days are Never Ending" - Loco (Atsuki Nakamura), Takane Shijou (Yumi Hara), Chihaya Kisaragi (Asami Imai), Shizuka Mogami (Azusa Tadokoro), Chizuru Nikaido (Kanako Nomura) - Single
6th place: "NANA BEST" (Regular Edition) - Anna Tsuchiya, OLIVIA album
7th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! SPECIAL SOLO RECORDS Anna Mochizuki" Anna Mochizuki (Shiina Natsukawa) Album
8th Place: "THE IDOLM@STER MILLION BATTLE OF THE@TER 06 Especially Angel" - Toyokawa Fuka (Suegara Rie), Futami Mami (Shimoda Asami), Miura Azusa (Takahashi Chiaki), Kitakami Reika (Hirayama Emi), Shimabara Elena (Kakumoto Asuka), Baba Konomi (Takahashi Minami) - Single
9th place: "Kessoku Band" (Kessoku Band album)
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."
