GYM's "Fever to Future" #1 on Oricon Weekly

[gat-x303.livejournal.com]

Some of you were concerned about GYM's "Fever to Future" dropping to #2 on the Oricon singles daily ranking so quickly. You needn't have worried. There is never any doubt that "Fever to Future" would land on #1 on the first day. I worry more about how long it will stay there (3 days, as it turned out), and how many copies it will sell in the long run.

If you take a look at Yamapi's history of singles releases (with NEWS, Shuuji to Akira, and solo), you would know that they have all gotten #1 on the weekly rankings. This is largely due to Yamapi's popularity. Even though I love NEWS as a unit, as most of you do, I have to say NEWS sell because of Yamapi. This is not to say the other members make no contributions to the group or have no fanbase; only, since Yamapi was the leader of Johnny's Jr. then, he was the one fans wanted the most. If you're new to Johnny's and ever wonder why Yamapi gets the most attention and screentime on TV or most pages on magazines for NEWS related events, that's your answer. Of course, now I can honestly say NEWS sell because it's made up of members who stand out on their own, support each other, and have strong bonds.

Shuuji to Akira's "Seishun Amigo" sells extremely well because it is made of -THE- two most popular idols from Johnny's Jimusho. Then, and now. Here I'll state I'm excluding people outside of You&J and Johnny's Jr., in case conflicts were to arise regarding previously debuted groups. Yamapi is the icon for NEWS, while Kamenashi Kazuya is the unofficial leader for KAT-TUN (ironically I used to assume that was Akanishi Jin's role). And of course the song itself is great. So is the PV, the dance, etc...

Lastly, Yamashita Tomohisa's solo sells. I've already explained why earlier. In fact, Johnny's Jimusho is so intent on making more money on Yamapi that we fans will be crying with joy soon (also sorrow at how wallets will be empty) from the amount of Yamapi-related merchandises that are to come. Aside from the "Kurosagi" DVD box, the 1998 drama "Shounen-tachi" will finally be released on DVD. I hope this means they'll be releasing "P.P.O.I." as well, for I've been waiting for that since 1999. There is also plans for a new Yamapi DVD and music CD (release dates and content yet unknown). I suspect it has something to do with his 10th year anniversary in Johnny's, and of course his recent spike in popularity that makes him known to people outside of the usual fangirls. A Yamashita Tomohisa photobook will also be released on September 15th... making this his second one, if including the Four Tops photobook.

So, you ask, why did "Fever to Future" drop so quickly? Simple. Most of the loyal Yamapi fangirls are not going to risk missing out on the limited edition CD. They probably sent in pre-order slips before the stores are ready! I mean, have you seen how fast the pre-orders for the limited edition CDs sold out online when it first became available? Then sold out a second time after the stores replenished its stock? The available limited edition copies you see now are restocked after the initial pre-orders rush. That alone guarantees a #1 spot on Oricon's singles daily rankings. Now that all the fangirls are done, it's up to the general public to keep GYM on #1. It may have worked, only Amane Kaoru comes along with "Taiyou no Uta." Singles with songs used in TV dramas get that extra boost as promotions so tend to sell well, and this is no exception. It's one of those singles that people see in the stores and buy before they walk out. So while "Fever to Future" pulls in most of its sales by pre-orders, "Taiyou no Uta" is the type that gains its sales gradually.

But! With only one week's time, "Fever to Future" sells more copies than "Taiyou no Uta." Fear those pre-orders! There should be a saying, if it doesn't already exist: "Don't underestimate the power of fangirls." :P

Oricon Singles Weekly Ranking: [info posted on 2006.09.05]

#1 GYM "Fever to Future" (226,000 copies sold)

#2 Amane Kaoru "Taiyou no Uta" (150,000 copies sold)

...and so on.

PS. Not related to rankings, but Koichi is LOVE! On GYM's 2006.09.03 appearance on "Shin Domoto Kyoudai," he asks Yamapi out of the blue, "but aren't you in NEWS?" XDDDD Like I said, LOVE.

Comments

[theresa-lynne.livejournal.com]

I'm only watching dramas when they are subbed as they are subbed. I find it too hard to watch the dramas without knowing what's going on. I watched Episodes 7-11 of Long Love Letter, though, without subtitles. That was hard but I just really wanted to see the ending. I hate when I start dramas I can't finish.

I haven't finished watching much of Stand Up!! and Lunch Queen I have the last episode to see. I have only watched one episode of Sore wa... So far, I love every single Pi drama. I'm just easy to please. Haha.

[gat-x303.livejournal.com]

Ahh... "Kabachitare" does get complicated due to the subject matter. But the Yamapi parts are easy to understand! You don't really need to know much Japanese to be able to enjoy them. I think. His character is also great. I keep wanting to do commentaries whenever I watch him in it. XD;

I agree that "Long Love Letter" makes you really want to know the ending. It was sad that things don't turn out the way people want them to, but that very last scene was love.

Heh. I can say I love Yamapi in every drama, just not necessarily the drama themselves. :P