^^ Agreed.
As much as I love both of them, Ayu and Kuu (especially Kuu, lol x_X) have been milked. It may not necessarily be their fault - I don't see either of them caring as much as other artists - but either way, it happened. And that goes for almost everybody under avex. It's just how it is, lol. avex finds something that sells, and they squeeze to get every last cent they can.
But I do agree with Nackar, about how they're true artists. Even if Ayu was shoved in people's faces for years, and even if Kuu's a release *****, when you read their interviews and see them perform, you can tell they're different than a lot of people. I love that about them. Although, I don't necessarily agree that Hikaru isn't a true artist. You can tell, if anything, she loves to write music, and it's often genuine... Well, her Japanese stuff is, at least. I can agree that both Utada's English work and Namie's music is produced for the masses, though. >_< On the other hand, both Ayumi and Kumi have had some mass-produced songs, too. It's just a pop star thing, really.
EDIT:
I put all that crap about Kumi, thinking I was in the Kumi thread. XD Lol...... I tried to veer back on topic, but ended up flying way in the other direction because it wasn't even the right thread. Oh my.
