Mikochinese National Music Chart

Mikochinese National Music Chart

The Mikochinese National Music Chart is a government-run board that ranks the most popular songs in Mikochi. The chart is updated weekly, and songs are judged on total number of listens and sales. Every year since 1981, the board releases the top 50 most liked songs of the year, determined by a popular vote in Mikochi.

Number one by year

Table showing the number one song on the Mikochinese National Music Chart by year.

Number one by year

Year	Song	Artist	Notes
1981	"Young Man (M.P.L.A)"	Saijo Hideki	The song gained popularity for encouraging people to join the MPLA (Mikochinese People's Liberation Army) during the Mikochi Civil War. [ OOC: "YMCA" sung as "MPLA" ]
1982	"Advancing Socialism"	Botan Band
1983	"Internationale (Mikochi Version)"	PlaceHolder	A popular socialist song across the globe, translated into Mikochinese and performed with Mikochinese instruments. [ OOC: 4:40 - 9:02 ]
1984	"Kimi wa Tennen Shoku"	Eiichi Ohtaki
1985	"我愛你"	李
1986
1987	"Kesshite yuzuranai"		This song has recently regained popularity as being a song used to troll other internet users.
1988
1989	"A面で恋をして"	Niagara Triangle
1990	"来生たかお"	Takao Kisugi
1991	"私がオバさんになっても"	Chisato Moritaka
1992	"Den-en"	Koji Tamaki
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013	"ないものねだり"	KANA-BOON
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018	"Fireworks"	DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu
2019	"What is love?"	THRICE	"What is love?" was THRICE's first song to win the national chart, and has now solidified itself as the most sucessful music group in Mikochi.
2020	"Kirari"	Fujii Kaze
2021	"Feel Special"	THRICE
2022	"Dance the night away"	THRICE
2023	"I can't stop me"	THRICE
2024	"Shinunoga E-Wa"	Fujii Kaze

Trends

Early 1980s: Post-Civil War Era and International Socialist Influence

After the civil war, socialist war songs gained significant popularity in Mikochi, serving as symbols of the successful revolution. These songs were celebrated for their patriotic themes and messages of unity and perseverance. Tracks like "[SongName]" by [Artist] and "[SongName]" by [Artist] frequently topped the charts, resonating with a population eager to rebuild and look towards a hopeful future. These anthems were not only played at political rallies and public gatherings but also became a staple on the radio and in households across the nation, embedding themselves deeply into Mikochinese culture.

1983 - 1990s: The Rise of M-ROCK

Starting in 1983 with Eiichi Ohtaki's "Kimi wa Tennen Shoku", a new genre known as M-ROCK emerged and quickly became a cultural phenomenon in Mikochi. This form of pop-rock was characterized by its focus on themes of 'paradise' and good times, aiming to create feelings of joy and happiness through upbeat melodies and catchy lyrics. Artists like [Artist] with songs like "[SongName]" and [Artist] with "[SongName]" dominated the charts, providing a soundtrack for the country's economic boom and newfound optimism. M-ROCK concerts became major events, drawing large crowds in cities like [CityPlaceholder] and [CityPlaceholder], and the genre remained dominant until the late 90s.

Late 1990s - Early 2000s: Fusion-Jazz Era

As the influence of M-ROCK began to wane in the late 1990s, a new genre emerged to capture the public's imagination: fusion-jazz. This genre blended traditional jazz elements with modern pop and rock, creating a sophisticated and eclectic sound. Bands like [BandName] and solo artists like [Artist] gained widespread acclaim with albums such as "[AlbumName]" and hit singles like "[SongName]". Fusion-jazz clubs popped up across Mikochi, especially in Kagayaki, which became a hub for Fusion-jazz, where music enthusiasts gathered to enjoy live performances and the innovative sounds of the genre. This period saw a cultural shift towards more experimental and genre-blending music.

Mid 2000s: The Mikobeat Phenomenon

With the increasing popularity of electronic music in the mid to late 2000s, Mikochi experienced the Mikobeat phase. This high-energy genre gained traction largely due to the hit Mikochinese animation "Initial-T", which featured Mikobeat tracks in its intense race scenes. The show's widespread popularity and subsequent adaptation into video games catapulted Mikobeat into the mainstream. Songs like "[SongName]" by [Artist] became club anthems, and DJs like [DJName] became household names. Despite its initial explosive popularity, Mikobeat began to decline following the conclusion of the Initial-T anime, and while it remains a beloved genre in certain circles, it hasn't broken into the top 10 since 2011.

Early 2010s - Present: The M-POP Explosion

In the early 2010s, hip-hop's global influence reached Mikochi, leading to the rise of M-POP, a unique blend of hip-hop and pop music. Unlike traditional hip-hop, M-POP is typically produced by pop groups who focus heavily on their appearance and media image, creating a comprehensive entertainment package. Groups like THRICE with hits like "What is love?" and solo artists like Fujii Kaze with "Kirari" have become the faces of this genre. M-POP's influence extends beyond music, impacting fashion, television, and social media in Mikochi. The genre's stars often become cultural icons, known not just for their musical talent but also for their stylish personas and elaborate performances.

Criticism

The MNMC has recieved criticism from the international music community for not featuring foreign artists, however the board has stated that "[the] charts are for Mikiochinese people to vote on Mikochinese music. The purpose of the charts do not include the recognition of international artists".