[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by greggerz189

I would really love to total up Ayu's TOTAL SALES number (including DVDs, singles and albums) as well as Hikaru's and Mika's and then compare them to see which one of the three has sold the most STUFF so far! ^__^

mika doesnt even compare to the modern day top 3 (ayu/hikki/namie). ayu has sold the most with like 45m+, hikki comes next with like 33-35m, then namie is like 30m.

Originally Posted by greggerz189

Unfortunately, I am not approving of her newest style (that which continues to lack more and more clothing, and the sex-based theme she has going on), but the Japanese public seems to be eating it up.

well, im guessing u've seen the koi no tsubomi covers, i dont see how she continues to lack more and more clothing. i think shes pretty consistent...

Originally Posted by greggerz189

Ai, however, doesn't really seem to have a focal point with her style. She's kind of all over the place, trying different things (which I like), but she doesn't have the blatant motivation that Kuu does to become Icon.

i kinda agree with u where ai doesnt really want to have that title. but,i disagree with u where shes all over the place. basically she does either ballads (planetarium, daisuki dayo etc.) or those cute hyperactive rock songs (sakuranbo, SMILY, Frienger etc.) one of the few exceptions would be the neko ni fuusen single.

Originally Posted by greggerz189

If she were to pursue it, she would have to really hone her craft; become more involved in her career (though I don't know much about her, I don't know if she writes her own songs or composes them, but I think that if she doesn't do those things, then she would have to start), become a bit more focused and less -everywhere!-, and really, above all, she has to WANT the iconship.

i think i can honestly say that ai is much more involved than ayu is when it comes to the music. she composes the song, writes the lyrics, and she does parts of the arrangement of the song. she does this to all of her songs, on the single and on her album. (not that it really has to do with anything) heck, her website is much more fancier than ayu's. but as i said, maybe she doesnt want to be "queen"?

Originally Posted by kournikova

time is different, we cant judge who can beat another based on its cd sales I think, becos:
1. There is iTunes
2. There is DL sections on some official sites...... like avex back then during pre-MY STORY

and I surely think, most of it iTunes, which makes the singles and albums sales drop so drastically, because I think people try to give it a listen whether it is "worth-buying"....

well, i read an article that computer DLs in japan respresented like 9% of the total digital DLs there, compared to like 65% in western countries. unless iTunes can be done on the cellphone in japan (i no it can be done here), i dont think iTunes is not yet a significant influence in japan yet, but rather mu-mo or the music programs the cellphone companies use is more significant rite now. (the article was from associated press).