2021: Reflecting on Ayu's career

[MKAyu]

You know, for me, among the great Heisei Utahime (Koda, Utada, Nami, Ayu), I like Ayu and not the others because I like Ayu's music best.

Nothing against the other three. It makes me happy to see them succeed, especially now that they're getting older in an industry that refuses to let anyone, especially women, get old. But I don't like their music. I'm more into rock and Ayu does great rock-laced music. I heard "Pride," which blew me away, and became a fan. I wasn't aware of any of the drama until years later!

BUT. The more aware I am, the more I adore her. The general public is cruel to her, everyone from people on the street to tabloids that hold polls like "What about Ayu makes you wince?" They shame her for daring to be sexy--doesn't she know she's so gross and fat and old? They scream at her having relationships and then kids without being married--doesn't she know she's a whore?

And while they rage, she keeps making music. She stands on stage and writes lyrics and experiments with different kinds of music and communicates honestly with her fan club and lives her damn life.

I don't blame anyone who doesn't like how flashy she is or doesn't like certain music or doesn't like her PR style, as others have mentioned. She's made plenty of errors. But I will never, ever stop being proud of her. She is Ayu, and she is the most badass person I've ever stanned. I've never loved any one public figure so much beyond their art.