Hi! I'm new here and this is my first post xD; I've been reading this thread since the beginning and I've seen both opinions about Ayu's 10th anniversary and whether or not it's been disappointing. Let me first start off by saying I'm not disappointed. The only way Ayu can disappoint me is when she retires (only because I won't be able to hear her sing again, not against her personally xD; ).
That being said, in my opinion, I don't think anything is wrong. I don't think she's giving us less than 110%. The way I see it, she's trying something different. I think she's making this year a little more "intimate." I understand she hasn't been promoting as much, been on TV or in magazines and such or releasing anything new in a while (Only one new song this year so far is rather odd). But she extended this year's tour to be with the fans, imo. She's writing to us more, giving us more personal insight into her life (TA messages). That to me is more precious than a song. I don't just love AYUMI HAMASAKI the artist, I love her as a person.
Yeah others may be on TV or releasing and promoting new songs or whatever, which is lovely, but it kind of makes them "untouchable" if you know what I mean. They seem so far away, imo. Ayu is (or was) on stage giving it her all at every performance, getting closer with her fans. If I were able to go to a show, it would be like, "I saw Ayumi Hamasaki in person, I felt like she was singing just for me" not, "I saw her on TV or in a magazine... oh a new single is coming out." And yes, I understand that she has been on tour and released and promoted at the same time in the past. But the fact that she is not doing both this year, to me... and me only (cause I can only speak for myself) is not disappointing.
This is just how I'm looking at this year so far, I humbly respect both views on this matter.
