I read almost all of the posts here but still, I don't see the point.
If avex choose to release the single on a safe week, she would be #1 for sure. I mean, her sales are dropped but it doesn't mean she can lose to someone unknown and without a big hit song.

It's not the first time avex doing it :shrug if they really care about her record.

^ That's what I think. avex and ayumi don't care about the position.
It's a fan obsession.

If they wanted number 1's they would have done a lot more with Party Queen and ASB.

They wouldn't have things released on the 8 of every month for the next 5 months when they know that most likely NONE of the things released will make it to number 1.
Especially November's date which is on a Thursday and going up against someone more popular right now (JUJU) and she is releasing 2 best albums.
December 8th is on a Saturday
January 8th - Tuesday
February 8th - Friday
March 8th - Friday.

January's release is the only 1 that might get a number 1 if its music and depends on what its up against...

Is this mini-album debate really happening :thud next are we gonna talk about if the Japanese public likes BEST albums or not? Like, hello how often do we even see top jpn artists release mini-albums nowadays. I shouldn't even use "nowadays" cause it never even was a popular thing to do.

I think since 2005, we had seen how ayu as a whole, had been drecreasing, slowly but is a fact, and is a natural thing, is not about ayu's doing something wrong, but, as a fan, personally, sometimes I feel upset about, other performers being number ones for example Perfume, just moving their lips along nakata's songs, it could never compare to ayu's great talent, but they are so famous and sell a lot, and it's ok, because things change, but for this reason I think its a good Idea to keep ayu's records and reputation. I prefer to say she's the queen than, se was :'(

don't understand what? are you ok :think getting a #2/under single means her consecutive record is set in stone, that's it. not releasing a single at this time gives them chances to further continue it in the future.

didn't think that was such a difficult concept but

Don't bother with it anymore tbh, lost cause.

Think that perhaps the reason they are releasing LOVE as a mini album and not a single is that they want to use this 8th thing as promotion. But, they can't release singles because if they don't release on a week where there is no competition they risk the ability to increase her consecutive record.

You know... somebody here could ask Ayu on twitter if she will ever release another single again.
They have the whole "how to get Ayu's attention on Twitter" and people have done so before, therefore it IS possible.

I think it's the only way to find out: contacting someone like Ayu or Avex.
It's not entirely farfetched cuz you CAN contact ayu...

^ that is true...
contact her and ask. I noticed somewhere some people were saying that L was going to be her last?? It was something about translations or what not... I think she was referring to L being the last in the set and not her single disco.

^ I would... If I had twitter.
And I unfortunately don't have the time to "get her to reply to my questions/comments" :(

Honestly, I don't know if Ayu would divulge that kinda info on Twitter. I can't see Avex being okay with that...

we can bombard her with 'we want singles!!'
much like the groups of people begging for the last ayu-mix releases.

Why you want single?

Good question I guess.

Imo, I want singles because they are fun to look forward to, I love my summer and winter singles tbh :innocent And it's interesting to see how the next album is shaping to be.

Also, I want ayu to stay relevant, and her most popular songs always seem to be from singles.

And if we don't get any new singles ever again, I think that I'll always feel a bit empty inside :thud

I'm glad she's changing up her release pattern. Keeps things interesting because now we never know what we're going to get. The same song and dance of singles we have gotten for so many years gets rather boring and stale. Ayu has always been rather unpredictable but now she's taking it to the extreme and I love it!

I just like the singles... It makes it less time betweeb albums for new music... Plus i like owning them!

I still think we're just lucky to receive albums every year. XD
It's been three years since Pearl Jam's last album. ;(

Anyway, back on topic.
I think this lack of singles is pretty relevant to the development her private life.
I mean, I feel soonish that she will settle down and have children (maybe, I'm not sure, but Sweet Season sure was a huge indication).
And then, we may only receive albums every three-four years like many other artists.
But, I don't think this is a terrible thing at all.
I have only liked very few songs since 2009. Despite becoming an Ayu fan in 2007, a lot of my fandom is correlated towards her earlier eras.
I think she needs time to develop her musical prowess and enjoy her private life once again, and if that means no singles, then I certainly am not offended as a fan. :D
I think she will always continue to make music though, just in the form of albums/digital singles.

I think this is the reason for no singles to be honest. I don't think it has anything to do with some record that she will probably keep for a billion years anyway.

I agree with this post :yes

EDIT: Sweet Season initiate