Japan’s favorite artists named by 20,000 people

Weekly entertainment magazine “Only★Star” has revealed its 8th “20,000 Music Fans Select Their Favorite Artist Ranking”.

As expected, Arashi kept their position from last year, coming in at #1 for two consecutive years. Additionally, this year also saw some big leaps. Popular for their hit songs and infamous “Senbatsu General Election”, the girls of AKB48 jumped from #30 to #11. Meanwhile, Perfume jumped from #28 to #20 with their movie and CM appearances, marking  their first time in the Top 20.

Check out the Top 20 below!

[20,000 Music Fans Select Their Favorite Artist Ranking]

01. Arashi

02. Ikimonogakari

03. Mr. Children

04. Utada Hikaru

05. aiko

06. Fukuyama Masaharu

07. B’z

08. Kobukuro

09. Southern All-Stars

10. Yuzu

11. AKB48

12. YUI

13. DREAMS COME TRUE

14. Spitz

15. Porno Graffitti

16. Kuwata Keisuke

17. BUMP OF CHICKEN

18. Amuro Namie

19. GReeeeN

20. Perfume

–

[Favorite Among Teens]

01. Arashi

02. Ikimonogakari

03. YUI

04. AKB48

05. BUMP OF CHICKEN

–

[Favorite Among 20 Year Olds]

01. Arashi

02. Mr. Children

03. Ikimonogakari

04. Utada Hikaru

05. AKB48

–

[Favorite Among 30 Year Olds]

01. Mr. Children

02. Arashi

03. B’z

04. Ikimonogakari

05. Utada Hikaru

–

[Favorite Among 40 Year Olds]

01. Southern All-Stars

02. Ikimonogakari

03. Fukuyama Masaharu

04. Kuwata Keisuke

05. Arashi

–

[History Of The Top Artists]

2011: Arashi

2010: Arashi

2009: Mr. Children

2008: Utada Hikaru

2007: Utada Hikaru

2006: aiko

2005: aiko

2004: Utada Hikaru

Source: Oricon

Utada Hikaru and Ayaka to make a comeback?

Lately, there have been many rumors of several female singers who are currently on hiatus and that these artists are preparing to make their return to the music industry. The first person in question is Utada Hikaru. Last August, she announced that she will be going on an indefinite hiatus starting in 2011 to focus on ‘human activities’.
A person involved in management stated, “Producer Miyake Akira, who is also known as the founder of Utada Hikaru, transferred to Pony Canyon in June, and created a brand new label. In the music industry, there have been rumors saying, ‘Will Utada transfer to Pony Canyon also?’ However, Miyake is under contract with EMI, and he plans to continue working with Utada Hikaru. At the earliest, she will step forward to make a comeback in the first half of next year.”
On twitter, Utada Hikaru tweeted that she has installed music software onto her new computer, showing that she has been persistent with her creative activities. It also seems that her relationship with Fukuda Tenjin is going smooth, raising expectations of a return.
On the other hand, another singer who is most certain to make a comeback is Ayaka, who is on hiatus with Graves’ Disease. In her case, there are rumors that she will re-debut under avex.
The same management as mentioned above claims, “Ayaka made a sudden and unexpected marriage announcement to Mizushima Hiro, offending many people around her that caused her to resign from her agency. She has been receiving offers from avex, and has been greeting their affiliated companies. It is said that her time of ‘purifying’ will end within year. She is expected to sell several hundred thousands of CDs, and it seems she’s secretly preparing for recording.”
There have also been reports of the comeback of Ohguro Maki, who is on break due to uterine disease. Additionally, former Takarazuka Revue member Shibuki Jun is expanding her writing career, and is said to appear at various events.
Source: Cyzo