Singer Hamasaki Ayumi‘s 35th single “Step You/Is This Love?” is her tenth in a row to go straight to the top of the Oricon chart. It’s her 22nd No.1 single, moving her above 80s idol Nakamori Akina’s 21 and into 3rd place overall behind rock group B’z (34) and another 80s idol star Matsuda Seiko (25). All of these artists are still going, though with Seiko and Akina well into middle age, Ayu (26) seems to be the only one with even half a chance of rivalling B’z record. The latest chart toppers are:
- Step You/Is This Love? – Hamasaki Ayumi
- Sakura – Ketsumeishi
- Bokutachi no Yukue – Takahashi Hitomi
- Zenryoku Shonen – Sukima Suichi
- Hoshi no Kagayaki Yo/ Natsu wo Matsu Sail no You ni – Zard
As usual, all of the singles have commercial tie ups. Ayu’s latest features on a TV CM for Matsushita’s D-Snap Audio digital music player. The Zard single is the latest opening theme for the “Meitantei Conan” anime series on NTV. “Zenryoku Shonen” is the opener for the “Music Fighter” variety show, also on NTV. “Bokutachi no Yukue” opens the latest series of the “Gundam – Seed Destiny” anime series on TBS. “Sakura” is just cashing in on the popularity of the annual cherry blossom season.