Japanese boy band Ae! Group celebrates a significant milestone as their latest single “Gotta Be” debuts at the top spot on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart dated October 16th.
The title track, featured on the quintet’s second single, achieved impressive figures during its first week, selling 411,052 physical copies and securing the No. 4 position for radio airplay. While these figures fell short of their previous release, “A-Beginning,” which sold a staggering 782,835 copies in its first week, “Gotta Be” marks a historic achievement as Ae! Group’s first No. 1 hit on the chart.
New Releases Dominate the Top 10
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 welcomes several new entries, including NMB48’s “Ganbaranuwai” debuting at No. 2. This 30th single from the popular girl group sold an impressive 251,651 copies in its first week, securing the No. 2 spot on the sales chart.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE Continues Chart Success
Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s hit single “Lilac” holds strong at No. 3 on the chart. The lead track from their Oblivion Battery album continues to demonstrate remarkable performance across streaming (up 101%), downloads (up 112%), and karaoke (slight gain). “Lilac” has remained a chart-topper, holding a position within the top 3 for seven consecutive weeks and the top 5 for an impressive 26 weeks. As they celebrate this achievement, the three-man pop band embarks on an eight-day residency at K-Arena Yokohama, scheduled to conclude on November 20th.
Creepy Nuts Soar with ‘Otonoke’
Creepy Nuts experience a significant surge in popularity as their track “Otonoke” leaps from No. 32 to No. 4. This opening theme for the anime series Dandadan, released digitally on October 4th, has captivated audiences worldwide. Compared to the previous week, “Otonoke” witnessed a 337% increase in streaming, a 135% rise in downloads, and a remarkable 437% surge in radio airplay. Notably, the number of downloads for “Otonoke” in both its first and second weeks has surpassed those of the duo’s previous hit, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” indicating the potential for another long-term success.
International Appeal and Chart Methodology
Analyzing the first-week streaming data for “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” and “Otonoke” reveals intriguing insights into the tracks’ global reach. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” garnered 33% of its plays from Japan and 16% from the U.S., while “Otonoke” saw 41% from Japan and 18% from the U.S., indicating a slightly higher appeal within the U.S. market. Data from Luminate further reveals that “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” enjoyed more streams in European countries like Germany and Spain, while “Otonoke” found greater popularity in Southeast Asia and Latin America, including Mexico and Indonesia.
Other Notable Chart Movements
Official HIGE DANdism’s “Same Blue,” the opening theme for the anime series Blue Box, climbs from No. 7 to No. 5, driven by a 188% increase in streaming. Additionally, KID PHENOMENON’s “Unstoppable” makes a strong debut at No. 6, selling 66,499 copies and claiming the No. 3 position on the sales chart.
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s music landscape, combining data from physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views, and karaoke.
For a detailed look at this week’s chart (October 7th to 13th) and further insights into Japanese music trends, visit Billboard Japan’s website or follow their English X account.
