I disagree with people saying that Japanese people don't like ayu anymore. They love her and want her to do well most of the time, they just have the same problem that some of us in here do, we wanna support her but the latest releases were a joke.

They love going to her concerts, buying her goods, even if they are illegal ones from outside of the venues, etc.

I think that once she gets it right we will know, right now her team is lacking a lot and it shows, and she's allowing that to happen, so I guess we better wait until she actually takes over her artistic direction once again.

AVEX is just milking her desperately just how they're trying to milk what's left of other of their artists *hm hm* Ami Suzuki.

the fact she still reaches #1 in rankings it's the testimony japanese still like her

She reached #1 because no one else releasing at the time has any popularity to speak of. Her sales are horrible and the lack of fans compared to 2 years ago shows alot.

And as far as her taking charge like b4, she never was in charge. That whole documentary was staged and when they got any footage Avex didn't want anyone knowing about they were asked for the film and to refilm it especially interview segments where things Ayu answered something in a way her managers didn't like and it was redone. If you're ever around her and her staff, try to carry on a normal conversation and watch closely. She acts like she can't answer even a very simple question without checking with a manager first, that's far from ever being in control.

tours doesnt boost her album sales if it's that what you mean..

I feel the album is too .. safe. I want her to release something fun, upbeat and amazing. Whatever happened to Memorial Address? Or even something like the beginning of PQ. I would love for her to come out with a more dancey album, to see what she could do when really experimenting.

yeah, she seriously needs to make some upbeat hit :/

^as STEPyou or sparkle seriously

Of course if there were more competition she would not have been number one but the week before Mika Nakashima was number one with less than Ayu did and no one complains people should stop this thing ! A lot of artist would not have been number one if there were more competition ...we're not going to condemn her for being number 1 with 50 K O_o

I don't know why you bring this story about this documentary ? this has nothing to do with how she works and creates her music !! When we see the making of her concerts we can see that she control all aspect of her shows ! what you try to say is a bit out of context IMO !

3rd Week
1st Day
Position: #1
Sales: 1,066

yay!!

Definitely YAY! And I get my copy today! Go Ayu!

2nd Week
Position: #2
Official Sales: 15,564
Official Total Sales: 68,629

3rd Week

1st Day
Position: #1
Sales: 1,066
Total Sales: 69,695

im so happy about the 15k, i was afraid it would barely cross 10k...

any strong release this week??

V6 is the 1st artiste that came to my mind as their 1st album in 3 years Oh! My! Goodness! will be out tomorrow

Also , MISIA's Super Best Records - 15th Celebration - too . SUPER GiRLS is also releasing tomorrow but I don't know how both of them sell as I don't listen/support them

i just checked ninki

NINKI ratings for the week of 18/2~24/2/2012

Albums

01 81.60 V6 - Oh! My! Goodness!
02 74.20 MISIA - Super Best Records -15th Celebration-
03 49.30 BRAHMAN - Chokoku
04 44.30 SUPER☆GiRLS - Celebration
05 36.70 MONGOL800 - GOOD MORNING OKINAWA
06 25.70 Hanazawa Kana - claire
07 23.60 TOUYU - Tokyo Pleasure Ground
08 21.30 HUSKING BEE - SOMA
09 20.30 KREVA - SPACE Instrumentals
10 18.00 D=OUT - Kabuki Desuko

nice sales for ayumi! lets hope she stays in the top 10 this week!

Not on Oricon as it only count 1/3 of the venue sales... Still, for Ayu and Avex sales are sales, counted by Oricon or not.

may be that 5 releases present thing will help to boost the sales??

deep inside I always hoped that it would do it. like people would be dying for presents and then go and buy all 5 releases :laugh

Yea! That's cool! Back to the top!

Though her sales figure may not seems so good, but i think at least the sales are steady... At least she's in the top 5 for like this 3rd week...

For the past trends, it is like after the first week, it will dropped down very fast... Now, it looks quite steady... Even Mika Nakashima album ranking is quite steady also, only when there is new albums coming out, it seems that it will just temporary drop down...

Hopefully ayumi can stayed in the top 10 for 32 weeks!! :thud (am half joking...)

Glad that this album turned to No.1 for today
it's time for Ayu to release new pv as per SAKURA and Gloria did well on mumo and recochoku charts ^^also missing is back on chart

Good idea especially as Sakura is my favourite song on the album ^_^