Agreed!

^ producer credits means thats who is paying for it to happen, or at least finds a way to pay for it; a better definition from wiki:
I'm trying to find the article I read about how concert venues work however and I cant seem to find it, but an artist (or company) buys out the place and then sells the tickets themselves. When it says that it's produced by Ayumi I would think that means she does it herself... if avex puts in some money then they would get a cut as well, but I don't see why she would do this.

EDIT: but I did forget to mention that you are right, it varies from artist to artist... a relative unknown could not do this alone and would need help, but when you are ayumi hamasaki, lol... you get it.

The term "producer" is so ambiguous in Jpop lol. Before she was credited as "Visualised by" then produced with Max and then just Ayu as the producer though her role probably didn't change that much as she's always been involved with everything from the start.
The "Executive producer" is the one typically in charge of money/business/etc while a "producer" is creatively involved in a project. Ayu has never been credited as an "executive producer", the Executive Producer on Power of Music for example is Max Matsuura.

It's different for Avex and Japanese stuff, US acts tours are handled by an outside company like Live Nation or a sponsor who have a contract/deal with the artist and not the record company. All of Ayu's tours are managed/handled inside Avex by Avex Live Creative. What I imagine is that Avex fiances the concert. Ayumi gets a nice percentage, Avex takes a percentage and a percentage is used to pay crew/dancers/etc. But this is all guess work, no one can know for sure unless they've seen Ayu's contract. Even elements from Ayu's staging and such have been reused in A-nation and other Avex acts like Koda Kumi's disco ball thing from the dome tour from the top of my head.

LOL MTE!!!
i think for whatever she does, ppl will just complain.

pleaseee... at least 1st day sales good.

^But yesterday was the first day and I don't think the Japanese pple r so uninitiated to be confused about the release date despite it being a little odd. I think this is the true measure of her popularity now.. I predict 4-5k today.

what a mess.


I hope someone on my twitter talks about her first week sales when they come out so I can know what they are lol

I like it when she does well, but for the most part i really don't care how she sells, I like the songs and PV's on this album and that's good enough for me (though i really think it should be called a single.)

I agree these aren't great numbers by comparison to her other albums, but wouldn't vast majority of artists love to have her "awful" sales?

I just want her to keep releasing music, if every now and then there is something that I don't like fine I'll just wait for the next one, it's happened before, and that's fine with me. The only reason I really care about sales because I worry there won't be a next one. I have no idea how the music industry works so I never really know if I should worry about this. I just kinda hope she'll keep releasing music forever

Im sorry but there's more to it, its not just a product. Product when in hands of people has its value. It means something to them or it represents their beliefs. You cant separate image and music. You cant look at the painting and close your eyes on some wrong details.

Image -the persona- represents the music. If -the persona- is doing something I feel its wrong/stupid/embarassing/bad I think its legit not to support the person, cause you dont think about background people and just music. You can simply download music for free or you can dislike -the persona- that much that you start to ignore it. She's a pop star, not a classical artist or some indie person we dont know face nor real name. And Im not even supportin' anybody's decision. I didnt even make a decision. Its more about music to me, but if she did something like rihanna did, basically supporting domestic violence Im sorry but I would never ever want to remember that I ever liked her. I would sell her cds and woudnt care anymore. And its not about 'oh I want to dictate Ayu's or anyone's life'. NO. Its just I have a right to decide whether I'll support somethin' or not, same as Ayu has or anyone else. So you should start respecting anyone's decision, like everyone else in the thread.

Well, even fans who follow Ayu weren't sure when it was finally going to pop up on shelves. I mean remember most of AHS a few days ago? People were wondering when it was going to leak (which it did eventually) since it was a bit later than we normally get downloads.

totally agreed :yes

For me, as long as her music is good, i'm satisfied.
Ayu has already redeemed herself with LOVE and again imo :luv2

honestly i hope this flops LOL its a dam single for crying out loud.. maybe avex will realize that they cant make akward releases

I totally agree with you. Although I'm not Japanese nor can I possibly speak for everyone, as a Taiwanese person with a decent sized amount of Asian connections, I'd say that I have a sound understanding of the Asian entertainment industry in general.

Although Ayu's relationship with Maro may be real (or it could really be a publicity stunt), to the general public it's just a cry for attention. As innovative as Ayu may be, the reality is that most people in Asia consider her as an icon from back in the day, and are generally not interested in her new works anymore. The fact that her marriage to Mannie coincided with Love songs, and she announced her relationship with Maro while again was about to be released just makes it seem like a cry for attention to the general public. I think what makes it worse is that the whole "single-in-disguise" is overloaded with Maro overtones, whether it be the positive covers or negative snowy kiss PV.

Speaking of which, consumers in general are not dumb either. I think that Ayu's sales for again would be an indication of how many die-hard fans would purchase a single release, rather than an indication of general album sales. I do believe that Ayu is definitely an artist who focuses on expression, but I think domestic fans are also fed up with her promotional antics. Without a clear indication for her path of releases up to her 15th anniversary, why would anyone other than die-hard fans want to buy these singles-in-disguise when they might have the chance to purchase all of the promotional main material (original mixes and videos) in a single set four months down the road?

I love that Ayu is still active in the music industry as an artist. I am slightly irritated that Maro is being pushed in my face with this release.

with fans like this, I really would prefer to have NO FANS. Haters have more respect to her than many of her fans.

today she's at 2nd place with 12,764 copies sold... I was expecting a few more... but, well, is fine :thud

Oo, a bit more. I wonder if the adjustment at the end of the week is going to be wildly high.

today sales go up
#2 .12k
yatta~~

4th Day
Position: #2
Sales: 12,764
Total Sales: 21,851

YAY!! :D
how much was first??

YAYYYY IT GOES UP !!!!!!!!!

Don't care about the sales,she' still the best singer with the level that no one in Japan music industries can reach her. I mean come on..15th years she's still can make my heartbeat run so faster everytime I heard her new song. For me LOVE and again mini album Is the best work she ever made in her career.