The 15th anniversary of A BEST sold 18k overall, so 30k for LOVEppears was out of the question lol

I guess some people overestimated the impact the book all that buzz would have on physical sales. I mean, if it was maybe a new EP or album it would have some, but a re-release with an expensive version? Not much likely.

I think this re-release was probably only Avex doing, just an excuse to get some more money until the CDL, I may be wrong but that's what I think. Besides some videos and posts on social media there was almost no promotion, no live performances, so this was something to keep hardcore fans and/or collectors bussy while she's preparing the CDL, new tour and maybe (just maybe) new material. Also, almost 8k copies sold at THAT price and with almost no effort (little promotion, no new vocals recording, etc) sounds like a win to me.

Maybe it will get 30k with the ongoing drama, don't forget about me ;)

As big as a fan as I am... I only purchased the digital version. I know I won't listen to old dance remixes from 20 years old, the package was nice, nothing out of ordinary and would eventually finish in my closet. As for buying the standard edition, I don't need two physical copies of the same album in the same cover and format. As for the paper bag and the postcard... they are some of the cheapest goods they ever made.

They did a good job on the remaster work though and it is totally worth the digital purchase.

The package is really really nice.

To make a comparison Madonna re-issued her album Celebration in Japan in 2016 and sold 863 copies

Also Mariah Carey released a 25th Anniversary Version of her album Merry Christmas THIS MONTH in Japan and sold 599 copies

Namie Amuro too, released last year a remastered version of her very first album ORIGINAL TRACKS VOL.1 and sold 13,397 copies

As you can see ayu's sales are very high in comparison to other female artists comparable releases

When you put it that way, that makes it look very impressive for Ayu. She has the most die hard fans.

Yeah. People keep comparing her to her peak, or to the artists who manage to keep up a career over decades (Namie or Utada for Japan). But almost all artists slide from where they were. Ayu being where she is after over 20 years is actually vanishingly rare. She has no reason to retire when she can sell out concerts, have best-selling books, and do advertising with video games (We are the Queens) and lingerie (La Perla).

Any news about an OS press?

^ I’ve read there’ll be a Taiwan Version coming soon...
Only 4CD+DVD Version available for about 30$, i think.

I've heard she didn't sell out one date last year. Can anyone confirm?

^Even if she doesnt sell out every date, if she is selling like 80% or so of the tickets it still is a success.

Yeah. My bad with the hyperbole, she doesn't necessarily sell out all the time. But she sells WELL.

PLUS, keep in mind that "half of Japan" owns the original version at home ;D

I think the most accurate comparison would be when Utada re-released First Love. Don't know the figures for that one though.

^ According to Generasia:
Total Reported Sales: 21,905* (-15th Anniversary Edition-) (ranked as #256 in the yearly Oricon albums 2014 chart)

Mystery is gone, I've just read on the booklet

[LOVEppears / appears -20th Anniversary Edition-]

DISC 1 and 3
Mastered by Shigeo Miyamoto

Shigeo Miyamoto has worked recently mastering Do As Infinity and Aikawa Nanase albums.
He previously worked with ayu on mastering MADE IN JAPAN, A ONE and sixxxxxx

DISC 2 and 4
Mastered by Rena Koyanagi (form THE MASTER)

This one is a typo should be from THE MASTER. She used to release a CD series for Avex under the name THE MASTER.
Rena Koyanagi masters mostly Ai Otsuka albums.
She previously worked with ayu on mastering the ayu-mi-x 7 series