Your Relationship with Ayumi Hamasaki

[relmy]

^ Oh I know about the first one, I've read the interviews. I just don't think it's a theme that's prominent past the first 6 or so songs.

I agree on GUILTY, I just didn't single it out in my post as it's my least favourite album and my feelings over the lack of concept stems more from me disliking the album.

[Andrenekoi]

I like how Guilty tries mixing melodic metal with jpop and dance... It could be a great album if she gave it time... But I think (considering she does seen to release albums when she doesn't feel like it) that Ayu's Avex contract asks for 1 new album every year... I don't feel like she was all that into her work while doing Guilty (she herself said something about it), and Secret just felt rushed... Well, half of it's tracks where rushed anyway xD

We are alway too off-topic... What about a concept discussion thread?

[emi♡]

^Go make it

I think it's really funny that a lot of people are annoyed with her on twitter, cause I really thought I was the only one lol At first it was so cool and great...but after seeing her interact with everyone...god, someone kill me. I still love and appreciate her as a person...but I think...ignoring her as really helped me not be so annoyed with her lol Especially after all her conversations with Leslie Kee. Thought I was gonna have to unfollow the both of them.


I can't respond to everyone...cause...whatever, but I was gonna say, back in the day, with her concepts, for me, it seemed like every song on an album contributed something to the entire album, and changed the feel of the album. I also felt like, all the different songs showed off a part of who she is...although these days, I'm not so sure.

I think sometimes Ayu herself also gets caught up in "Ayu the Entertainer". I think it's absolutely true that when she was younger she had a lot more raw emotion, and these days she doesnt.

One of my friends once said that, it's because she's gotten so much older, people at these different stages in their lives express themselves and their emotions differently...and maybe that's why a lot of us can't really relate anymore.

I think for me though, it was just something I accepted. These days, I don't look for emotion in Ayu's music anymore, cause I expect it to be there. From Ayu, I want a musical powerhouse.

I want her to be in line with those great artists who put so much emotion into their music, but also put out music that is technically great, or unique. This is why these days I like to compare her so much to hikki...which probably isn't great...but I really want her to hold her own, like she used to.



I really agree with the comment about her performances being contrived and over-dramatized, except that, I think it also applies to the music she's churning out...and I think the reason the songs are decent, is because she's working with talented musicians

I think she does need to find some time to find herself as an artist...but, then again, if she doesn't want to be an artist...if she just wants to be the Entertainer...I mean, we all have to accept that right? Maybe not lol

Long posts :/

[jbrat2219]

^ emiko, I agree with your friend. Ayu is definitely in a different place now and I feel a lot of fans are stuck in the past because they're emotionally stuck in the past and can only relate to the former Ayu. Now a days she's not that lost young woman trying to find her way anymore, she's found herself I think. But that doesn't mean she doesn't put emotion into her music anymore, maybe not the kind of emotion that everyone is use to but that doesn't mean it's not there. However, whether or not we can tune into that emotion or relate to it depends on the individual.

For example, a lot of people disliked GUILTY (and some still do) because Ayu said she didn't have much inspiration for the album, so that's how they view it. But for me, personally, I think it's probably her most emotional album since A song for XX. There's just so much in there I can relate to myself that I can feel all the emotion she portrayed even if she didn't mean to.

And then we get NEXT LEVEL - after the dark cloud that is GUILTY - which was an album she made for pure fun. You can tell from that album she was in a better place and just wanted to let loose and let her hair down. Isn't happiness an emotion? Sure none of the songs were masterpieces and people would claim that the songs are not that good at all but that's personal opinion which no one can argue with.

In Rock'n'Roll Circus, Ayu shows us she still has statements to make with tracks like count down, Don't look back and Sexy Little Things. Songs that portrayed her thoughts and feelings in TOTALLY different ways. I believe RnRC was just a mix bag of songs all with different atmospheres and different things she wanted to express. Yes, there is the generic fan songs like Sunrise and You were... But as I say all the time, Ayu's gems are rarely in her singles (particularly the A-sides). The real music in my opinion are in the albums.

A musician doesn't make music only for the fans, they make music to express themselves. I feel Ayu still does that but it's just not in the format we're all use to. I don't think anything Ayu does is just to please fans (obviously, look at the FIVE fiasco lol) I think she still puts a lot of her views, her opinions, her feelings, her message, her statements and herself in her music. The real Ayu isn't on Twitter or TA, it's in her music.

And I'm not saying you don't see that, I don't know if you do or don't, but I think a majority of her fans (particularly here) do not see that. And I believe it's because they just simply lost their connection to Ayu. And to wish for one thing or the other is silly in my opinion because with Ayu you're rarely going to get it because she expresses herself the way she wants regardless of what we want. I respect her for that. I respect her for not backing down, no matter how stubborn it seems. I don't think she's the type of person who doesn't take criticism when it's maturely presented to her but I think she's the type of person who follows her intuition above all.

As far as her performances, I typically enjoy them. I know a lot of people are frustrated with her over-dramatizing and getting carried away and they want raw-emotional Ayu back but like I said before, I'm not looking to be entertained by her so I don't care. When she does have a really emotional performance I feel it like everyone else but I won't complain if it's not there. But that's everyone's right and prerogative to be disappointed especially if they're paying for it (concert, dvd or otherwise). So I won't debate with you on that front.

But musically, I'm extremely satisfied with Ayu. I understand if people are not but what I don't understand is that if you're unsatisfied with any musician for a long period of time, why stick around? There are other talented, wonderful artists out there, one that can provide whatever Ayu is not giving you or ones you don't need whatever Ayu is not giving you. Ayu's my favorite but she's certainly not my only. In the event I'm not feeling her music I simply jam to others. Come back when you're ready and if you don't want to that's okay, too.

Sorry for the novel omg xD;.......

[CHE.R.RY]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I have a hard time seeing Ayu as a normal human being at times (not saying she isn't ofc ), just because she seems so flawless in her public appearances. I mean, I don't personally know her & am not familiar with her as a person, but more so as an entertainer. BUT as others have said, I do see her music as reflections of her life experiences & emotions, which I can relate to very well. Also, when I have seen her make mistakes while performing, such as falling & forgetting her lyrics, I am reminded of her being a human being even after all the fame & glam lol.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

One other thing I didn't mention in my previous answer was that the fact that she got married makes her seem more human. I've come to realize that as much as I want MORE music from her constantly (just because I'm hooked on her releases like crack ), I do want Ayu to take some time off & live a little. I enjoy getting spoiled with releases each year, but I just hope that doesn't eventually mean she must choose between personal life & her career. She has already accomplished so much throughout her 12 year stretch as a musician, so why not take a little break? Plus, if she took some time off, maybe it'd give her some fresh ideas to bring to her music (maybe even revive CREA ). This is what I would like to see from Ayu...

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of
her?

I don't personally use Twitter, but I think if I did I would see Ayu as more of a normal human being than I do now. From the comments I've seen, Ayu seems to be a little different on Twitter...but at least she sounds friendly . I've actually had dreams about Ayu being a ***** once I came face to face with her , so I think if I were to communicate with her, it would assuage some of my worries from before lol. Honestly though, I don't totally have a formulated opinion on this.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?

I admit that I sometimes feel a little defensive on the inside when I see scaving remarks on Ayu, but I think that's natural because I adore Ayu. I wouldn't consider myself a stan, but I do try to appreciate all of her releases. I rarely say anything to anybody though when they remark negatively on Ayu because over all I just try to not let it bother me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions & as others have said, what they think has no effect on the way I see Ayu or feel about her.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

Um, I'm not going to lie I can be at times. But I think it's important to stick by what you believe, think, or feel...it's not always a good thing to be easily swayed.


Geez I typed a lot more than I thought

[kendelle]

Awesome discussion points, emiko! It's nice to have a fair discussion without too much bloodshed Just what I needed to ramble on with after work today

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?
Initially, I only saw the entertainer. When I first got into her music about 2004 I didn't know anything about her and only had her albums RAINBOW and Ayu Trance 2. RAINBOW spoke to me in its own way but I didn't really begin to see Ayu as anything more until late 2005 after I came here and learned more about her. These days I see Ayu as a human being (and a close friend), which extends beyond her and to all artists I support. Getting close to Ayu's emotions and thought process through this forum has really opened my eyes to how other artist undoubtedly feel at one point or another.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?
I just want her to be happy. I guess that means I push my psuedo-friendship onto her in that way - I want to support her and ensure she can reach her dreams like a friend or family member would....?

Naturally I don't agree with everything she does (lol Sunrise/Sunset and the like) but for these times too, I'll still support her decision. I was pretty upset when she suddenly announced engagement+marriage to Mannie because from my view it was too fast for her but after the initial shock passed I felt more secure about it.

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of her?
Fo' sho'! Although for the better? I don't know...

Because she's so often on Twitter she feels so close, and its exciting for me as a fan to know she's "there", although on an iPhone 21 hours flight away I think it's the best and quickest way for her to communicate ideas and thoughts to fans and really heightens her appeal as approachable and caring.

Now if only she'd tweet me again sometime, dammit! That's the negative side, it feels more personal when you don't get a reply for that same reason xD Ayu you're like right theeeeeeeeeeeere!!! TWEET ME BACK ZOMG!

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?
I hate, hate, HATE when people throw their demands and wishes onto her expecting her to fulfil them. Like all this "omgAyucantcollabwiththatguyhesucks" discussion or "ohmanIwishAyuwoulddoanothersongjustlikethisonebut notquitethesameohnosheborrowedtheguitarsoloandalin efromthatoldsongImgoingtostoplisteningbecauseshesn owsooooooooooounogirinaldesu" wank whenever she does something new.

Ayu's got a bank of over 230 songs under her belt. You don't have to love them all. In fact, if you did love them all I'd question just how much you really paid attention and whether you were listening through rose-coated earphones

Ayu is her own person and while yes, she has chosen to live a life entertaining others it's not an excuse to force her to be unhappy within herself. If she's not allowed to try new things or branch out when she feels the time is right, she'll never develop as an artist and then be criticised for bring lazy. Ayu is not lazy by any definition.

I wish more of her fans would see her as a person and not a wish-fulfilment product. I also wish that people wouldn't call every new song either "epic masterpiece" or "emotionless tripe" (paraphrased). There's got to be something in the middle of these two, yeah? What's so bad/scary about saying "I like Ayu's vocals in progress but I'm not feeling the melody yet".....why does it always have to be I LOVE IT FOREVER AGREE WITH ME OR I STAB YOU IN FACE WITH BROKEN AVEX CD CASE vs I HATE IT AND YOU SHOULD HATE IT TOO OMG I STAB YOU IN NOT FACE BUT SOMEWHERE THAT HURTS.........?

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?
If I wasn't I wouldn't be able to call them "my opinions", rather "what so-and-so wants me to think at this given point" lol. I am pretty hard headed but I think I try and see alternative viewpoints, too~


jbrat - nice discussion on the albums, I think you're right and a lot of us are kind of "stuck" with past Ayu, when she's no longer lost. A nice interpretation and timeline I'll keep in mind when I next have a thorough listen to her albums right through :3

[Luvia]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I have always seen Ayu as a leader. Whenever I feel down, sad, depressed I just need to listen to her songs to make me feel more motivated. If I were to answer to your question, I think I see her as both human being and the Entertainer that really influences our thinking. Ayu always makes me realise (through her songs) the small little things in life that I seldom notice, and her songs, voice, and the emotions sang in the songs, always made me felt that we have a connection. Something like Ayu and I think alike, we have the same perspective when it comes to certain things.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

Other than the fact that I want to be as beautiful as her, nothing else really affects me. Just like what Ayu believes in: I am always be me. You will always be you. I really want Ayu to sing more songs and perform overseas. Sometimes, I really wanted to see Ayu live in concert, but I am not living near Japan and I don't really have the amount of $$ to travel to Japan to see concert..

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of her?

I think it does affects my view of her to a certain level. It makes me more possessive of Ayu, like keep on want to know what she is doing now, where is she, etc....


How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?
Sometimes, I felt really sad when there are negative opinions about Ayu. But as times goes by, I began to slowly accept them. We can't force them, don't we?

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

[ren'ai]

Hmm I see Ayu as an Entertainer/Artist.. I could really care less what she does in her personal, "human" life because that's not what I love about her. She could be killing puppies every other week and I wouldn't care as long as I like the music she makes

What I want from Ayu now is music that I like. It doesn't have to be amazing or masterpieces every other single and album as long as I like it or feel something for it. I was going off her after NEXT LEVEL but she won me straight back with You were... and R'n'RC right after. Things like her photoshoots, covers etc I've learnt not to have high expectations for. I'll either not like most of them or like some of them.

The twitter thing was cool at first.. but then it turned annoying, especially with Leslie Kee :| but I like when she tweets about her work and gives us sneak-peak pics of upcoming stuff

I have to say, I'm more critical of her then I am of Kumi, my favourite artist, but then I'm less critical of Ayu compared to any other artist I listen to.

[Possessionless]

well she doesn't reply to me on Twitter so our relationship is through! /JK

[YUKARI]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I hate to see her as the Entertainer, because it's been such a long time since I've become her fan. She is just like a friend for me, I've grown up with her.

But in 2007-2009 I saw only the Entertainer, that time I lost interest in her, cause she was releasing new things very quickly, they seem to be rushed and etc. I don't ever remember which tracks are on GUILTY and Secret albums.

I think I'm one of those fans who stuck in the past. It's always hard for me to accept her new releases. Since BLUE BIRD, all her new stuff needs time to grow on me. This is really sad, but it's true.

idk I don't know Ayumi personally, I've never even seen her, I can't judge. I hope she won't dissappoint me when I see her live.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

I want her to produce more unique music as she used to with her I am... album, for example. All the songs on this album are true, beautiful and very well-made.

People say she does everything what she wants, she doesn't care about pleasing her fans and etc. But I want to say how I was dissappointed when she released Greatful days (or how was this song called?). She looked so fake on PV, poorly acting all this fun stuff. And the song is so annoying! This was the first time when I felt that Ayumi was kinda forced to release a basic summer song, that she's a mainstream artist and she has to do something whether she wants it or not.

I want her to remember how great she used to be... Of course she's still great, but being a big fan of her, I can't even remember how some her recent songs sound! This is the thing that scares me.

And also I want her to improve her vocals. I couldn't enjoy her past works because of her terrible voice.... It's still good to watch her lives though. It seems like she doesn't put so much effort on album recording.

Anyways, I don't care that much about present Ayu. If I'm annoyed by her recent works I can still put on her old stuff and enjoy

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of
her?

No, not that much. I want her to reply me on Twitter, of course, but it's nothing special. Social media just made me feel closer to her, but I'm not sure it's really true.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?

idk I don't care. I think some people just idealize her too much.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

I'm lazy to google what "pig-headed" means

[PoetGirl]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I see empress of jpop, pop idol, queen of pop, the best pop singer ever etc. Its hard for me to see her just as a singer or as human being because her work is flawless, especially if you compare it to someone else's. Maybe Im just a hardcore fan, I dont know but I really see ayu very unique on mainstream scene, and not just japanese one. When you hear ayu you know its her, no one can replace her, her music is really her's no matter how many influences there are. Only human thing I feel about her is her human feelings in her songs, but the way she potrays them is 'larger than life'. I truly admire her.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

I dont have 'wishes' because I know she will amaze me with something, be it song, instrumental, cover, or her reason for doing so. There are some songs or albums I needed time to truly enjoy but I never seriously bashed her work 'cause I know she evolves as a person and as an artist and she's not just pop machine, her songs are mirrors of what her current place is, so if she feels something I do not at the moment, its not her fault nor mine, its just 'we agree to disagree' or in this context Im not in that place right now so I will listen to something I feel at the moment. Her discography is huge thank god.

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of
her?

I dont use twitter, nor read ayu tweets, I think Ive readed two times maybe, so her social network dont affect me at all.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?

I would be honest, I dont care. No one is right nor wrong, if you dont feel her music you are just not in that state to feel it, so go feel something else. Music we choose to listen depends of person we are and life we live, so its impossible that everyone likes everything. I couldnt care less what other people think.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

what does that mean lol.
is that like stubborn about your opinion? No, I think Im not. And when fans fight with each other which album is better or which album sucks its funny to me lol.

[Midori-chan]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?
The first song I heard by Ayu about nine years ago was "Endless sorrow" and after reading the lyrics to this song it was impossible for me not to see her as a human being.
I was in secondary school back then and was bullied by my schoolmates on a daily basis. I had no friends and neither my teachers nor my parents cared about what I was going through.
In Ayu I found a person who understood my pain. I became addicted to her music and her lyrics, because it felt like she wrote about my life. Her music was also very different from the music I had known so far. This girl didn't only write about love and sweet things, but about pain and hate and loss. But I could also hear hope in her words and the power not to give up.
Ayu gave me a reason to walk on. She told me that it's okay to believe in my dreams. That it's no childish to wish never to grow up.

I know that a lot of fans think that Ayu's lyrics have changed...and of course they have, because Ayu has changed!
She went through a lot, but she became stronger and learned how to deal with things.
I also have the feeling that her lyrics became more happier and positive (but not less meaningful). It's NOT a bad thing to be happy and to enjoy life. People need to understand that!

But I'm also aware that Ayu is an entertainer too. And I love her concerts, PVs and live performances.
But in the end I'll always see the human being Hamasaki Ayumi before I see the "Queen of JPop" Ayu.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?
As silly as this might sound, but I want Ayu to be happy. I know that a lot of fans think that Ayu writes her best lyrics when she is sad and depressed. But what kind of fan - what kind of human being - would I be, when I wish for her to be sad and depressed all the time only so that she can give us "good music"?!
I think that Ayu is a very independent person, who takes her work seriously (sometimes too seriously, because we all know that she is a workaholic). She does things her own way and not always plays it safe. That's one of the reasons why I love her, because I'm like this too.
And she cares about people, especially her fans. Some people might argue now that this is only show, but I really don't think so. I think Ayu really wants people to be happy and to accept each other.

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of her?
Not really.
I'm not online much. I get all news about Ayu from this site. I don't have Twitter or Weibo (well, I do have a Twitter account, but I don't use it), so social media doesn't affect me much, because I rarely come in touch with it.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?
To be honest, I don't really care. I read what other people think about Ayu on the net (mostly here on AHS), but I'm not a fan, who starts arguments with people who don't like Ayu. Most of them have already made up their minds about not liking Ayu and there is no way that you can change the way these people think (at least in my experience).

What I don't like is people who bash Ayu! Saying things like: "Oh, she is so ugly!" or "She is a ****." (like some so-called fans did after Ayu's "Naked shooting" in ViVi!) is just mean. These people really need to shut up!
There was a time when I would spend hours arguing with such people on the internet, but I grew tired of it. Like I've said, most of them have already made up their minds about Ayu and I don't feel like spending my time and energy on useless and hate-filled discussions.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?
No, I don't think so. I know perfectly well that at the end of the day Ayu is also "only" a human being like all of us. She is not a flawless queen. She makes mistakes and wrong decisions.
As much as I love her, I don't see her as a goddess or some kind of ubermensch.
But no matter how hard I think, Ayu has never given me a reason to doubt or hate her. It might sound crazy, but I trust this woman.
I've known her for more than nice years and I have gone through the good and the bad times with her (her and my good and bad times!).
It's not always easy to accept everything she does, but I guess that's what "relationships" are all about - accepting the other person no matter in what mood he/she might be in (as Ayu also always tells us so nicely in her lyrics!).

[xLuna&1LOVE]

I will read your posts later. Thanks emiko for making this thread. It does sound really interesting.

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I see Ayu as the role-model I admired my teenage years, but the things she did or she is doing now have no direct impact on me anymore. But, I say with honest that I had more interest in whatever she did for her career than the decisions she made in personal life. But I knew that those decisions would inspire her for songs. I see her as the diva who dares to express her true feelings in a song and put it in an act to entertain us, without releasing 'lied' songs. That's why I am fan of her . In my early teenage years it was about her music plus her glamour and glitter, now it's just the music.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

I want her to be true to her songs. I like Ayu's honesty and I would like to see that. But some over-the-top performances are too much for me. The focus is no longer Ayu's talent for singing, but her producers talent for giving us a memoriable show. Perhaps she is still true to her lyrics, but not to herself. Also with representing herself: maybe it's Japanese tradition to photoshop models into babydolls, but Ayu is growing up as well. I sometimes think that she or her managers want us to believe that Ayu will be young forever. But she is not. The young Ayu wasn't able to sing the songs she released recently. The matured Ayu is not able to write the songs she released earlier in her career. Her thoughts, morals and believings have changed; and so did her appearance. Ayu seems to like presenting herself in different ways like fierce, cute or classy. Who is Ayu really?

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of
her?

It's great that Ayu wants to be close(r) with her fans and use social media to do that. But I can remember that she once called us her 'babies' or something? Well, I dislike that sort of things, as if she is looking down on us. But yeah, I think she does that to 'connect' us more with her. And that is good.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?

There is always someone I can identify my thoughts with. I do not care how other people see Ayu, but I do ask people to give specific reasons why and how come when they say nasty stuff about her. With hope I can change their mind of course

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

I try not to be. I have my opinion, but I do not mind when people disagree. And I hope that people don''t mind when I disagree with their opinions. I respect their opinions and I ask the same of them. That's all.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by haikudasai

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I see a woman who became an entertainer. I saw how raw she was back when A Song For XX was released. I watched her grow. Watched her budget go up. Saw her face look less scary. I say that because now she knows where the light hits her and how to control her posture to look good. Another would for it would be polished.

Well she went scary in a new direction with the fish mouth and the deer-headlights eyes but at least in better clothes.

I think that the woman comes out here and there. I don't think she's as raw with emotion as she used to be. She has written all of the stories that she's lived through and it is hard to rewrite them well enough to be different.


How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

Like I said she's written so much and gone through enough that she is almost flat in a sense. I think that listening to a lot of songs that are new sound like repeats because she's not as fresh. It is so bashed on this forum to say that you don't like the new works or that they sound just like extensions of previous works but it really comes down to the fact that I believe she is just not inspired.

She may have bursts of inspiration but I don't feel the passion anymore. I just hear a lot of heavy harmonies and computerized instruments. There have been songs here and there that really do seem like the Artist Ayumi Hamasaki rather than the Pop Star Ayumi Hamasaki.

I want her to take a few years off. She has been working an insane life for over a decade. I would like for her to really throw herself into new music. She has been dabbled and such but she hasn't really reincarnated herself in a long time. I miss the risks she used to take with herself.

She is such a massive star that taking a risk now isn't going to hurt her career. It would make me respect her more.

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of
her?


I'm not close to her. I don't follow her twitter. I don't attempt to make contact with her. She isn't my friend and the only true relationship I feel to her is through her lyrics. I'd rather not tarnish the ideas I came to know through her music by knowing a woman who could explain the meaning of a song to be something different than I imagined. I hope that makes sense?

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?


This will probably make the topic get closed. LOL emiko~

I really think that it is honestly a great and wide spectrum throughout the world. That said, I think that there is a large concentration of condescending and rude members here that overpower those who maintain objective opinions and provide some sort of constructive criticism.

I've seen people post "I LOVE IT" time and time again. That is fine but you really provide nothing new to your words and eventually it makes the way you type about every release seem as if you are brain washed.

I really do enjoy reading people who write out WHY they like something. It shows that their opinion is thought out because of specific things and not only because its a release by "^ o ^ Ayu-chan~" (dramatization)

I actually stopped posting here because whenever I posted a comment about something in particular that I didn't like I'm told to leave, I'm told to go listen to her old works, I'm told that I'm not a fan, I'm told that I always post the same thing when I rarely post here anymore, I'm told I'm a "hater".

I really think people should learn what the word hate means. Not loving does not mean hating. The world is not black and white.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

No, I'm not. I don't tell people they need to leave because they love things too much. I don't think their idiots for having an opinion. Sometimes, I admit, I think that there are people too consumed and worship her as if she doesn't take a dump that is brown and stank.

I think that Ayumi has taught a lot of fans to love and deal with grief in ways that make her stans a lot easier to tolerate than Lady Gaga for instance (bringing her up because of the opinion stuff). I've seen Lady Gaga fans completely shred people with words and horrible hateful comments; all that while Lady Gaga always preaches that people should love and not hate lol. I haven't out right seen any Ayumi fans bash, trash, threaten, or any of the like. That's a good thing I suppose. Just don't tell people to leave because you can't handle opinions that don't match your own.

Opinions are not facts just because they're yours.

I'd love to type more but this subject has long been in my head whenever I come here. It is almost as if I have too many words to type.

It was cool to read your honest opinions I don't really see the thread getting closed because of what you said in that line (unless there's someone truly immature enough here to make a fuss out of something inoffensive LOL)

[stepho_chan]

When I look at Ayu i see an empowering woman. I have mad respect for her and everything she does for her fans and as an entertainer. Her music and image has also been a huge inspiration for my art work and stories. To put it short, she is one of my many artistic muses. If she were to die tomorrow, it would be a significant loss to me.

Of course shes a human being, and she has normal things to do like any of us, such as getting groceries for herself. If she were to die tomorrow, it would be a significant loss to me.

I think the media is just a bunch of money hungry morons exploiting people. Jerks.

I get angry when people mock or make fun of her cause she either sings in something "They dont understand"...I dont know 100% of what shes saying, but I still get the emotions she puts across. Also, i get annoyed when people say her name and make up something that sounds japanese for her last name, knowing full well thats not her name. It just comes off racist to me.

I try not to force my opinion down peoples throats, if it comes off that way i apologize. I respect others opinions, if they are just and know what they're saying.

[stepho_chan]

bah stupid copy paste...sorry a couple things got repeated in there.

[waterballoon]

When you look at Ayumi Hamasaki, do you see Ayu, the human being, or do you see Ayumi Hamasaki the Entertainer? Is there a grey area?

I think when I first got into Ayu, I was just really overwhelmed cos she's the very first artist whom could be so real, yet kinda obviously she IS a "product". I was amazed, impressed and I thought, "this is someone I respect."

Moreover, I think she really moved me along a period of my life when I had a ton of unrequited crushes and stuff... and her songs really helped me (I'll never forget the impact Days had on my life... it was ****ing epic.)

That just helped me to see her more and more as a human. Maybe to an extent where, if I knew she pickpocketed something in the past I'd be devastated lol.

But now, growing older, I think I lost that "angst" that I could relate to her songs back then. Now, Ayu's Ayu & she still inspires me a great deal and entertains me a hell lot, but I think I'm beginning to see her more as an entertainer.

How do you think that affects what you want from what she does? What do you want from her?

Nothing, to be honest. I've never expected anything from Ayu; I just get shocked time to time when I see herself just not.. trying at all (S/S covers, Kazuyoshi spree, etc). It almost comes across as a disappointment, cos I'm not upset because I want quality from her. I'm upset because I know she can do so much more & it's as if she's just wasting it away...

Do you think that being so close to Ayu with social media affects your view of her?

Haha. I was never close to her on Twitter (got 2 replies I guess), maybe cos i don't have that much time

But i think social media really helped to bring about a new perspective of Ayu, regardless if anyone likes it or not.

It's only through social media, that we can see her connecting publicly with other celebrities... and I suppose it gives a glimpse of how Ayu'd be like in private; friendly, sociable, funny, caring etc...

We even saw her giving *****y remarks and stuff to bad tweets, that's why I never believed the Twitter account was staged to get more fans lol.

How do you feel about the way other people see Ayu?

Hmm. It depends. Most of the time, I really can't be bothered with what other people think or feel about Ayu but sometimes it gets annoying. Really annoying.

I mean, there's a difference between being a fan of Ayu, being inspired, feeling close, wanting to get closer, wanting to know her more, to get her attention and behaving as if she's your real-life friend.

Let me give an example. If you find yourself tweeting to Ayu for "advice" cos you failed your exams/parents died/broke up with ur bf instead of being real and finding your friends to talk to, then it comes across as being stupid.

I think I didn't realize this when she first started Twitter, but really, whatever that happens, there's no way any of us can be a "true blue friend" of Ayu, because she has her life too, and she has her friends, her family, her LIFE. It's just disgusting, for anyone to expect her to open up a space for one fan, just because you're a fan and you spend 10 hours a day on Twitter trying to suck up to her.

I don't know if I'm gonna get banned, but I'll say it. I think Jorge was a fine example. Everyone thought it was cool how he got a mention in the AT 10 concert or something. Yes it was cool, it was a nice gesture from Ayu to mention him.

But then it went haywire when he started suspecting Mannie and her marriage, and other personal stuff of her life... I mean it's like, we've to realize we're fans, not friends.

And the truth is, there's only THAT MUCH of her life that Ayu can give to a fan/fans, and expecting so much that you wanna have a meal with her or be her bff... I think if Ayu sincerely wants to be your friend to an extent of her and Peco for example, she'd have DM-ed you on Twitter already.

Unfortunately, I think even Ayu gets blurred and is overwhelmed by this. I mean, I think when she first started with Twitter, she probably was overwhelmed by the surprise and I can bet you, she had no idea on how to react.

That's why we get her awkwardly coming into quarrels about Jaejoong, Max, etc... because it's her personality to care I suppose, but she didn't know how to react on a social media platform.

And I think, based on her personality, she's SO NICE, she's that kind and even stupid to a certain extent that she doesn't know how to draw a line between fans and friends.

I can understand when fans go gaga and really desperately wanna be your friend, but I really think Ayu doesn't know how to handle such a response, even till now.

And that's sick.

Because nowadays, it feels like many of her music/stuff are "for the fans", which is bleh.

Ayu. In her haydays, she doesn't give a **** about her fans and made songs her way, that she wanted.

When I heard "beloved"'s PV was made for the fans, I kinda face-palmed, cos I thought Ayu was just... giving in way too much.

She's a Libra I know, and they tend to lose themselves by compromising too much in a relationship, but I feel that, if it's so obvious that her quality of music IS going downhill ever since her exposure globally, then maybe she should restrain herself a little.

Are you a little pig-headed about your opinions?

Yes. You can try to reason with me. If I feel that you're not rude and not stupidly blinded, I will listen. And I don't think I say things for spite's sake, or I'm a "hater"... bleh whatever I've said what I felt.