[Nanako]

Honestly, I can't think of a best album of the year. Crystal Kay, Thelma Aoyama, Miliyah Kato, SATOMI', Jamosa, and Kumi Koda all released good albums but I can't say they're the best. This year to me is the year of the Best-of collections. Pretty much half the artists in the J-pop industry have released best albums (DOUBLE, Namie Amuro, EXILE, Ayumi Hamasaki, Kou Shibasaki, MINMI, Bennie K, m-flo, Zeebra, Ryohei, melody., HI-D, Home Made, Toshinori Yonekura). The best albums have been outshining the original albums. There have been a few good mini albums like Hiromi's True Colors, Youngshim's Love Rain, ARIA's PHEROMONE, Metis's Bless, and Shion Miyawaki's Dear.

Singlewise the industry has been really good. I'd say Miho Fukuhara's Himawari is my favorite with Shota Shimizu's Aishiteru and HOME also being highlights. Munehiro, Crystal Kay, Daichi Miura, Yuko Ishida, Tenjo Chiki, Meisa Kuroki and SONOMI have been releasing good singles as well. A few big disappointments were Thelma Aoyama's Nando mo and Kumi Koda's MOON.

One great thing about this year are some great debuts from Shota Shimizu, Miho Fukuhara, Tiana Xiao, Hiromi, Youngshim, Kikyo Shiraishi, Shion (Candy Girl) and Kana Nishino. Plus, a few good reinventions like Juan to Yuko Ishida, Munehiro, and NUDYLINE. I'd put Maki Goto's name in there but I'd have to see if her switch to Avex really makes her a better artist.