Billboard Japan unveiled its mid-year charts for 2025 early Friday morning (June 6), and Mrs. GREEN APPLE dominated the three major domestic rankings for the first time in the platform’s history: the all-genre Japan Hot 100 song chart, the Hot Albums tally, and the Artist 100 list compiled from the sum of the former two charts.
The three-man band’s songs old and new are loved by a wide audience, including the long-running hit “Lilac,” streamed approximately 270 million times during the mid-year tallying period. As they forge ahead with projects marking the tenth anniversary of their major-label debut, members Motoki Omori, Hiloto Wakai, and Ryoka Fujisawa shared their thoughts on the band’s monumental achievement during a packed schedule, repeatedly expressing their gratitude to everyone who listens to their music.
“Lilac” is the No. 1 song on Billboard Japan’s mid-year Japan Hot 100. Mrs. GREEN APPLE also remains atop the Artist 100 chart following your reign over the year-end list for 2024, and your album ANTENNA tops the Hot Albums tally for the first time. Congratulations! How do you feel about this unprecedented accomplishment?
Motoki Omori (vocals, guitar): I’m thrilled. I also feel humbled, but the fact that so many people are listening to our music just makes me so happy. I’d like to continue making music sincerely from now on as well. Thank you.
Hiloto Wakai (guitar): It makes me really happy to know that our music is reaching so many people in this way. “Lilac” is a song from last year, and since we aim to make songs that will be loved for a long time, it’s very gratifying. Thank you.
Ryoka Fujisawa (keyboards): Mrs. GREEN APPLE is celebrating its tenth anniversary since its debut this year. From the time we formed the band, we’ve continued to place importance on putting out the music that Omori writes, so I feel very happy and grateful that it’s being listened to by many and appreciated like this. Thank you.
And Mr. Omori, you’re on your way to becoming the Top Lyricist and Top Composer for the third year straight, after topping the mid-year results for 2025. In addition to “Lilac,” “Bitter Vacances,” “Que Sera Sera,” “Darling,” and “Soranji” are also charting in the top 10, proving that many listeners are inspired by your words, and the melodies that create the world of your songs.
Omori: You know what, I’m just really pleased to hear such kind words from each person and also about the fact that our songs are blending into everyday life and adding color to it. Like, “I danced to your song on our school’s sports day,” or “It was playing at such-and-such a place,” for example. I still find it hard to believe that my music has become a part of people’s everyday lives, but it really gives me joy. Writing music is a necessity in my life, not just something I enjoy doing. It’s something very important for me to be able to live my life as who I am, so I feel really fortunate that the recognition meshes properly with that and am grateful for it.
You’ve had many opportunities to do solo work in addition to working as a band. Do you feel that you’ve grown from those experiences?
Wakai: I’ve done solo work before, but used to always be like, “What if I mess up?” and sometimes things didn’t go well. But now that I’m being tapped to work as an individual on more occasions, I’m starting to gradually enjoy myself more, so that feels like proof that I’m growing as a person.
Omori: I’ve had more opportunities to do acting, and it’s the first time in four years that I’ve done any solo work. I feel very reassured by the magnitude of our band and the fact that Wakai and Fujisawa are protecting it as my allies. I’m able to lean on them now, and that feels like personal growth, or that time has passed. I’m truly grateful to both of them.
Fujisawa: I’ve been watching Omori and Wakai working hard on their solo endeavors and like them, I’m determined to do my best representing our band, but I don’t think I’m in a position to speak of such ambitions yet. When I’m working on my own, it really hits home how important Omori and Wakai are to me. Like the things they say, or words of encouragement they give me when we’re working together. I really appreciate that kind of casual, everyday communication. Every day I realize how grateful I am that they’re there.
The tenth anniversary of your debut, as well as your anniversary concerts and dome tour are coming up. What do you think are the highlights and things to look out for in these events for fans looking forward to them?
Omori: I think the best way to experience the latest Mrs. GREEN APPLE is at one of our live shows, so I hope everyone will enjoy our energy to the fullest. I’m just looking forward to meeting many people. I want to express my gratitude directly to the people who support us so much, so I hope we’ll have more opportunities to do so. Everything is going to be fun, so I really hope people will enjoy it from the bottom of their hearts without hesitation. That’s all I can say.
Wakai: There are some songs we haven’t performed live yet, so I hope people have fun waiting to see if they’ll be played or not. We’re all excited getting prepared, so let’s go full-out and create some fun memories together! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Fujisawa: This year is our MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS celebration, and we intend to unleash lots of things that everyone will enjoy. As the other two said, we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone, and more than anything, we’re grateful to be able to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our major-label debut in this way. All we feel is gratitude, and I hope everyone is really, really looking forward to it!
–This interview by Mariko Ikitake first appeared on Billboard Japan
