Pop Japan

2017 has been full of Jpop and Jrock exposès that left everybody shookt.

Here is Pop Japan’s list of the most promising, the most surprising and the most controversial entertainment happening this year of the rooster.

Utada Hikaru and her comeback tour after 12 years

An exhilirating news for Utada Hikaru’s fans! For the first time in 12 years, Utada Hikaru announced that she will be having her domestic concert tour and a new album release in 2018. Will she be conquering the Jpop scene in 2018? That’s something to watch out for!

Mayu Watanabe's graduation from AKB48

Another Jpop news made 2017 a bit sad for AKB 48 fans. This year, just like other idols, Mayu Watanabe, one of the most promising members of the group, graduated. However, the despair of fans readily vanished upon the release of her solo album on December 20.

Weddings and Surprises

Seems love was in the air this 2017 as some of the artists in the music industry got married. Two members of the Jrock band, ONE OK ROCK, just got married this year. Bassist Ryota Kohama married Michelle Lavigne, the sister of rock royalty Avril Lavigne. Tomoya Kanki, the drummer of the band also got married. Towards the end of the year, the two became fathers right away.

Another Japanese rock band, SEKAI NO OWARI members Saori and Nakajin also announced their marriage this year.

Yoshiki's Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

A rattling year it is for the fans of X Japan. On May 9, Yoshiki announced that he needed to undergo an emergency cervical artificial disc replacement. Because of this shocking news, he needed to cancel a series of shows with his rock band. But nothing can stop a rockstar from performing, while he was recovering, he just played the piano on stage, to the delight of his fans.

Jun Matsumoto's Comeback Movie  

On October 7, fans of Arashi’s Jun Matsumoto celebrated the release of Narratage, the comeback movie of the idol after four years. The movie featured a matured MatsuJun, engaging in a role with a forbidden love story.

Most-Awaited Live Actions

No, we are not talking about Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost in the Shell and Netflix’s Death Note. A Japanese work can only be given justice by the Japanese. And some of the great anime that has been translated to the silver screen this year were Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Gintama, and of course, the much-awaited Fullmetal Alchemist.

Oricon Chart-toppers

You can only be considered as a Jpop or Jrock star if you have topped the Oricon charts of Japan.  Some of the year-long mainstays at the number 1 spot are AKB48, Arashi, Mr. Children and Hey! Say! JUMP.

Ayumi Hamasaki went deaf

This year, fans of Jpop Empress Ayumi Hamasaki were shookt when she announced that she was becoming completely deaf. Ayumi Hamasaki has already lost her hearing on her left ear and her right ear was starting to weaken, making it really difficult for the singer who has been one of the most promising in the industry.

Namie Amuro has retired

One of the most prominent figures on the J-pop industry has stepped down from her throne! Jpop singer Namie Amuro has shocked the world after announcing her plans to retire from the industry next September 2018. Thank you for the 25 years of Jpop prowess, Queen.

Sakurai Sho as Johnny’s Face of the Year

2017 is not going to end without a Johnny’s Face of the Year. Who did stand out among the Johnny idols? Readers reserved their votes for Sakurai Sho who got 903 votes! Other idols who ranked in the list were Kamenashi Kazuya, Yamashita Tomohisa, Tamamori Yuta, YAmada Ryosuke, Matsumoto Jun, Hirano Sho, Aiba Masaki, Arioka Daiki, and Nakajima Kento. 

2017 was really a hodgepodge of the best and worst topics for the Jpop and Jrock industry. What could be the exposès of 2018?