2. XG - GALA

Average: 8.30

Highest score: Curaga, romiskes, illia, Kyle-x (10)

Lowest score: conatus (4.5)

I hesitated to add XG to the rate as their standing is ambiguous. Are they really j-pop? I wouldn't be surprised if their songs made it to the k-pop rate since some believe they're that, too. Their ambiguity is also their strength. J-pop idol groups may have a certain stigma associated with them, so they're free of that. They're... cool and trendy enough. Congrats on finally getting it right, avex. Now they have a non-binary member, which is an amazing milestone. Their music can be hit or miss, and I'm fond of the AI usage in their videos. Still, they're a significant presence, and I don't think we can discuss the current state of j-pop without bringing them up.

Curaga: Wait, this is kinda fresh af...!

romiskes: Top group realness, XG keeps on serving great pop music.

illia: I just know the Shinjuku gay clubs went feral when this came out. So did I

conatus: So corny. Not everyone is destined to serve *****. Production's cute.

Kyle-x: They ate.

1. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Kuru Kuru Harajuku (Come Come Harajuku)

Average: 8.75

Highest score: Curaga, AMIT, illia (10)

Lowest score: romiskes (6)

Truly a song that could only win on ATRL. After CANDY RACER, which some actually considered to be Kyary's best yet, she's been mostly focused on her family while dropping an occasional song now and then. They haven't made much noise, and KKH is hardly an exception. It takes us back to where it all began - her debut mini was titled Moshi Moshi Harajuku, and she was immediately considered a Harajuku fashion icon upon her debut. Some of you highlighted the unexpected quality, and I have to agree that there's something about it that makes it stand out. Now that Perfume are out of the picture, she's going to be Nakata's only project sans Capsule, so her next album could be really something.

Curaga: Forgive me, but I love Kyary × Nakata... This starts off on what sounds like the wrong note, but once all the elements come into play, it totally works.

mathekr: Nakata came swinging between this and Perfume

illia: INSANE production wtfffff. This is what Chanmina tried to do with Work Hard

conatus: Wait, when did Kyary Pamyu Pamyu get good?

Kyle-x: Abit kyunty.

Well, congrats Fadry

the better song won we cheered

Oh wow, I really expected Kyary to crash around #15 or so, so this is such a surprise!

Good for her.

Thank you so much for putting this together and doing all that research on these songs to get us familiar with what the current J-pop landscape is like

11 minutes ago, Suilen said:

Congrats on finally getting it right, avex.

Wait I didn't realize XG is under avex. Ugh, I hate to see #that man winning

Kyary deserved the win, the song is insanely good

4 minutes ago, Curaga said:

Thank you so much for putting this together and doing all that research on these songs to get us familiar with what the current J-pop landscape is like

I second this. This was so much fun and you did an amazing job @Suilen Hopefully we can do this again at the end of this year!

Thanks to everyone who has participated and left their comments, it all turned out to be much better than I thought. Unfortunately, the second Showa rate is still months away, but there's going to be a controversial Japanese entry in my upcoming International Britneys and Gagas rate, and you will also get a chance to rate some of BoA's Korean tracks to complement her selection in the Divas of Japan rate. Hoping to see you all there!

2012 fad being the best thing about 2025 Jpop… maybe the industry is cooked.

Would've liked mimosa in the top 10 but I'm pleased with the results

32 minutes ago, Suilen said:

Thanks to everyone who has participated and left their comments, it all turned out to be much better than I thought. Unfortunately, the second Showa rate is still months away, but there's going to be a controversial Japanese entry in my upcoming International Britneys and Gagas rate, and you will also get a chance to rate some of BoA's Korean tracks to complement her selection in the Divas of Japan rate. Hoping to see you all there!

Will Maki Goto be participating?

2 minutes ago, Kyle-x said:

Will Maki Goto be participating?

She deserves her own discography rate if we're being honest.

35 minutes ago, Suilen said:

She deserves her own discography rate if we're being honest.

Oh absolutely what about Hayami Kishimoto and her BOMT rip off PV?

ニコニコ動画

【PV】探偵学園Q「迷Q!-迷宮-MAKE★YOU-」

【PV】探偵学園Q「迷Q!-迷宮-MAKE★YOU-」 [アニメ] 高画質1080P化

1 minute ago, Kyle-x said:

Oh absolutely what about Hayami Kishimoto and her BOMT rip off PV?

ニコニコ動画

【PV】探偵学園Q「迷Q!-迷宮-MAKE★YOU-」

【PV】探偵学園Q「迷Q!-迷宮-MAKE★YOU-」 [アニメ] 高画質1080P化

Well, Japan is going to be on the Gaga side, which is not going to be as obvious as 'Kyary is the Japanese Gaga', though additional Britneys might get an extra rate with enough demand.

A shame Perfume went out on such a boring album. But they remain the greatest pop act of all time.

The better song won. You're welcome, everyone, for saving the results once again.

Her recent music made me forget how much she was snapping back in the 00s

This year marks 10 years since I saw Kumiko live oh wow

And not a single good song from her in that time! Impressive!

2 hours ago, conatus said:

And not a single good song from her in that time! Impressive!

Let's all be thankful it was a greatest hits tour then!

2 hours ago, conatus said:

And not a single good song from her in that time! Impressive!

Your loss, I guess!

Kumi is the only big four divas I have yet to do a discog deep dive on. One day.

This bop remains evergreen tho, the way I'm in debt to miss Britfan for introducing me.