Article on Oricon.co.jp
I think there is some confusion somewhere (though not on this comm) concerning this article over on Oricon. The article's word choice plus a simple translation of the title and the internet may have created some misconceptions.
As far as I am aware, TOKIO is not taking a break.
The article translates roughly as follows: TOKIO arriving at a time of fulfillment, get their first break in 12 years!?
TOKIO's single "Sorafune/do! do! do!" released on August 23rd is selling well. It shined as number one on the single charts for September 4th and this week, mixed in with new singles, is number four, and sales have passed 180,000 copies. Additionally, it's kept a good position on the daily charts and keeps going strong.
Looking at their recent singles, "AMBITIOUS JAPAN" released in October 2003 was a hit with over 210,000 copies sold, but easily surpassing it was "Message" which included "Hitoribotchi no Haburashi" sung by Nagase Tomoya as Sakuraba Yuichiro with sales of 430,000 copies. Surpassing that was their debut single "LOVE YOU ONLY" which sold 520,000 copies, which might be in range for "Sorafune" to surpass.
This "Sorafune" was not only picked up because it was written by Nakajima Miyuki, but also the simple greatness as a song and the great Funeyama Motoki's arrangement, abundant use of strings and horns, giving the song weight within it's lightness, make it a brilliant piece that stays with you after hearing it just once.
And the drama for which it is a theme song, My Boss My Hero, staring Nagase Tomoya is, among the current cool dramas, the only one to continuely reach 20% audience share. The song and drama fit together perfectly. And the drama, as it heads towards the final episode, looks as though its ratings will increase and accordingly, "Sorafune" looks as though it will still be selling more and more.
TOKIO is currently having an acoustic live house tour, traveling the Zepps around the country, and played 3 shows in Zepp Tokyo on September 1st and 2nd. With no support members, visuals, or flashy lighting, it is a show of "Just the music of the five of them." And it is easy to tell that they are completely enjoying themselves.
In dramas and variety shows, the individuality of each member blooms. Each show is a hit and as musicians, the five members of TOKIO have reached a time of fulfillment. It would not be wrong to say that that fulfillment is embodied in this one single, "Sorafune." Perhaps that is the reason it is a piece that lingers with you and a piece that sells.
The chart is of TOKIO's top selling singles as of September 11th.
The commotion it's creating within Japanese bloggers is that Oricon is being quite rude to imply that TOKIO hasn't had a break since they debuted. Others are just mad that Oricon put question mark at the end of the title of the article. Personal opinion, Oricon is saying TOKIO is cool, while all the fans already knew that. But Oricon is about rankings and sales and Japan is a country that is more than easily swayed by hype than anything else. Seriously, "Sorafune" got lowered on the weekly charts by three songs, two of which currently rank lower on the daily charts. "Sorafune" will still be there as the others fade away.
As far as I am aware, TOKIO is not taking a break.
The article translates roughly as follows: TOKIO arriving at a time of fulfillment, get their first break in 12 years!?
TOKIO's single "Sorafune/do! do! do!" released on August 23rd is selling well. It shined as number one on the single charts for September 4th and this week, mixed in with new singles, is number four, and sales have passed 180,000 copies. Additionally, it's kept a good position on the daily charts and keeps going strong.
Looking at their recent singles, "AMBITIOUS JAPAN" released in October 2003 was a hit with over 210,000 copies sold, but easily surpassing it was "Message" which included "Hitoribotchi no Haburashi" sung by Nagase Tomoya as Sakuraba Yuichiro with sales of 430,000 copies. Surpassing that was their debut single "LOVE YOU ONLY" which sold 520,000 copies, which might be in range for "Sorafune" to surpass.
This "Sorafune" was not only picked up because it was written by Nakajima Miyuki, but also the simple greatness as a song and the great Funeyama Motoki's arrangement, abundant use of strings and horns, giving the song weight within it's lightness, make it a brilliant piece that stays with you after hearing it just once.
And the drama for which it is a theme song, My Boss My Hero, staring Nagase Tomoya is, among the current cool dramas, the only one to continuely reach 20% audience share. The song and drama fit together perfectly. And the drama, as it heads towards the final episode, looks as though its ratings will increase and accordingly, "Sorafune" looks as though it will still be selling more and more.
TOKIO is currently having an acoustic live house tour, traveling the Zepps around the country, and played 3 shows in Zepp Tokyo on September 1st and 2nd. With no support members, visuals, or flashy lighting, it is a show of "Just the music of the five of them." And it is easy to tell that they are completely enjoying themselves.
In dramas and variety shows, the individuality of each member blooms. Each show is a hit and as musicians, the five members of TOKIO have reached a time of fulfillment. It would not be wrong to say that that fulfillment is embodied in this one single, "Sorafune." Perhaps that is the reason it is a piece that lingers with you and a piece that sells.
The chart is of TOKIO's top selling singles as of September 11th.
The commotion it's creating within Japanese bloggers is that Oricon is being quite rude to imply that TOKIO hasn't had a break since they debuted. Others are just mad that Oricon put question mark at the end of the title of the article. Personal opinion, Oricon is saying TOKIO is cool, while all the fans already knew that. But Oricon is about rankings and sales and Japan is a country that is more than easily swayed by hype than anything else. Seriously, "Sorafune" got lowered on the weekly charts by three songs, two of which currently rank lower on the daily charts. "Sorafune" will still be there as the others fade away.