I think she'll sing Virgin Road

Probably crossroad or Microphone, or one of her new songs

I'm guessing Virgin Road since it's an epic ballad as well as her big 50th single song.

I really hope she doesn't do a rock song, I find her ballads are always a lot more fitting for Kouhaku. Or, if she really wanted to bring in the win, she could perform a classic like M or something :)

I know. Most of the enka singers I think have been there like 25+ times.

It always kind of, opens my eyes a little bit more.


Anyway..I hope she sings...I wouldnt mind You Were, crossroad, or Virgin road...

but i'd rather have a song like Microphone...

but I think a ballad might be best right now. I just hope it's not any of the string of ones that sound the same.


^omg neko, her performing a classic would be amazing. I didn't even think of that.

if she is going show opener again..
i don't think she will sing ballad song

^ I think ayu usally starts the show becasue she has to leave to go to her CDL concert which you can see a little bit in the CDL ~future classics~ making off when she comes still dressed from kouhaku and then changed into her I am.../moments kimono

Well with TOKIO, SMAP, and DCT, Ayu's one of the few contemporary artists who have appeared more than 10 times. All the other artists are enka singers for the most part.

I think this year is a COMPLETE toss-up, considering each team has a juggernaut member (AKB48 and Arashi).

As for the decline in numbers, I don't know if it's because of the dwindling popularity (the show is being watched by less and less people each year, but is still the most popular music-related special), or the plan for some artists to perform medleys. I also wouldn't be surprised if they have another musical dedication to someone or satellite guests like Enya last year. :/

Ayu's position has been first the past couple of times, but it doesn't necessarily mean she will open again. She has been in the latter half before, and STILL performed her CDL after.

Great news! Can't wait to hear the song she will sing.

can't wait to see what she'll sing! maybe a new song from Love songs...but probably crossroad or something. :shrug

I hope we have another super gorgeous princess-like dress, Ayu looks great in them!!
Looking forward to seeing her performance!! 'Cause that's probably the only one I'll watch (along with Arashi). I'll be watching another program instead (yes, I'm contributing to the viewship decline!)

Because I heard the broadcast of Kouhaku is going to start later (about 15 minutes.) If that's true, if you calculate 2:20 - 3:00 minutes, per each, that's about 5 acts accounted for.

I do not think that Shoujo Jidai and Kara etc were invited to Kouhaku. I'm pretty sure you must have debuted well before the Kouhaku is finalized, because Shoujo Jidai and Kara both debuted very very recently, probably after Kouhaku planning took place. The artists for Kouhaku probably accept their invitations or decline sometime in the fall, like end of September and October, because they must have more than 3 months to plan, rehearse, and execute final decisions for Kouhaku.

And besides, Tohoshinki was invited to Kouhaku even when they are still popular in Korea, and they accepted this invitation.

Despite recent booms in Korean Wave, I don't think the Korean groups have made as big an impact as it's been supposed in western forums which like Jpop. Yeah, the Korean Wave is back, but it's not as strong as when Tohoshinki was very popular. =\ There are many more talented Japanese artists who didn't get invited; I'd rather see them get invited than Kpop groups which yeah, they can sing what they are given, but again, better and more musically adept artists are out there in Japan.

if she's the opener,I wanna hear Last angel..
that song gonna kick ass! hahaha XDD

ayu's 12th year, kumi's 6th year :heart

kana's 1st year :heart

Ayu is there, so everything is good! :heart

I'm not reli interested in any other artist on the list...!


I hope, she will sing "crossroad" :heart or "Virgin Road" or maybe one of the new songs! :yes

According to this article, Ayu will in fact be the top batter for this year as well :)

For the 3rd time~

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertain...OHT1T00024.htm

As expected again. Her busy CDL schedule deserves the starting honor as always. But with declining viewer figures, I'm still concerned...

But it seems now that this was thought impossible is now possible: Could Ayu being dirst in the Kouhaku now becoming a trademark?

what is top batter?

The last half I presume?

L'Arc~en~Ciel! Woo-hoo! :D

The artist/act who performs first. Ayu has held this position for the past two years, I believe.