ORICON RANKING DAILY [Startin'/Born To Be]

[~X2RADialbomber~]

Yes! On Wednesday! ^_^

[fairyland]

So Good!!!I like it!!!!.But i don't like anything is wrong ^___________^

[darkswordz]

i say >150k

[minkAYuko]

Originally Posted by Kikaru

Avex is a company, and they want to be less dependent of Ayu. Although it's kind of sad to see that they're somewhat "tossing" the older artist, from a business point of view it makes sense. As a company, their primary goal is to earn profit.

Most singers, especially pop, doesn't go beyond the age of 30 and strong. Ayu's considered pretty old in the pop world. Ayu done a pretty admiral feat of remaining strong after 7 years. Even Seiko Matsuda's status begins to fade after 5-6 years, as well as Namie Amuro. I figured that Avex probably thinks that Ayu's going to retire in a few years and when she does, the company won't suddenly collapse.

But Ayu has a pretty sturdy fanbase, and she can still sell, and I think Avex knows that. LIke Ayu_fan929 said, Ayu probably have few years ahead of her as a queen and there are younger artists with longer time. Strategically, it's a good move for Avex.

I think at a point Avex wondered if Ayu is too big for them to handle...but if they kick her out because she's too powerful, that's just kind of wierd...

I agree with you.. interesting.

I think avex can't hold ont to ayu like they used to but they can't let her go. avex gain popularity with ayu on their side, but if you ever fails they need some back up artists to keep moving. now they are tying to be equal.

And that's ok, but now more than ever you can see that her populatity is not all based on her image and promotions and CMs, and she still number 1, she;s not out of date and she's not slowing down (I believe).

[hallelujah_united]

I've never agreed fully with Avex's marketing strategies, but they have to do what will sustain their position at the top of Japan's music industry in the future. If that means neglecting the star that propelled them to that position, Ayu, then so be it.

Whatever the case, there's no doubt that Ayu is still selling CDs even now. A lesser person wouldn't be able to do it if they have also been in the music industry for 8 years.

Here's to another few more days at least at the #1 spot!

[darkswordz]

yar true. Few artist are able to maintain their sales after 8 years in the industry. Namie and MISIA are fine example. They can no longer sales as much as before and I fear that the same thing is goin to happen to BoA

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think if they kick her out, she'd probably just start something up again to release music and independently do her own music somehow. It's not like she needs avex to sing, does she? :\

Plus, they wouldn't be stealing her money if she went indie :p xD

(i think i read this here) i read that in the avex contract it states that once ur contract is finished with avex and u decide to leave, u cant sing with a different label for 3 yrs ot sumthing (i could be wrong tho)

[Mad_Cactuar]

Yes, as I was saying before AHS went screwy, this sales shows that Ayu is still at the top of her game. I don't think any other artiste has broke 100 000 on the first week so far..

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

Yes, as I was saying before AHS went screwy, this sales shows that Ayu is still at the top of her game. I don't think any other artiste has broke 100 000 on the first week so far..

yep. 1st 100k+ sales for singles since ENDLICHERI ENDLICHERI (released 2/01)

[evolution7931]

hehe. I want Ayu to do something to kill avex ;s they've done too much bad stuff to her and they don't even care.. and this is how they show their appreciation - release her single at the same time as another artist's BEST album.. >.> they're obviously just asking for her to fail. but I think Ayu is doing her best with what she can.. I mean, if someone else were to release a single on the same day as another person's BEST album, I wonder if it could do so well. >.> hmph. as soon as the hype goes away about Koda Kumi's best albums.. and she starts releasing normally again.. well hopefully then everything can go back to normal and Ayu can compete with Koda Kumi fairly like in the past.

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by evolution7931

hehe. I want Ayu to do something to kill avex ;s they've done too much bad stuff to her and they don't even care.. and this is how they show their appreciation - release her single at the same time as another artist's BEST album.. >.> they're obviously just asking for her to fail. but I think Ayu is doing her best with what she can.. I mean, if someone else were to release a single on the same day as another person's BEST album, I wonder if it could do so well. >.> hmph. as soon as the hype goes away about Koda Kumi's best albums.. and she starts releasing normally again.. well hopefully then everything can go back to normal and Ayu can compete with Koda Kumi fairly like in the past.

this single had to be released cos of the tie-ins. i cant think of better date than 03/08 to release her single.

[evolution7931]

Originally Posted by ayu_fan929

this single had to be released cos of the tie-ins. i cant think of better date than 03/08 to release her single.

hm. maybe March 1st? Maybe February 20th. Maybe February 15th. Maybe February 16th. Maybe any date during the Olympics. Maybe February 25th. Maybe February 24th. The tie-ins were released in January and in the middle of February.. that doesnt justify why it was released on the EXACT date of koda kumi's Best album. >.>

[ayu_fan929]

(this is from the other thread. i copy-paste it in here)
then which date do u think avex should've put it in?
02/22: hikki/mika/hyde/w-inds.
03/01: EXILE/Remioromen
03/08:
03/15: NEWS
03/22: KAT-TUN
03/29: maybe here? (but EXILE album release)
04/05: BoA
04/12: Otsuka Ai/(i think) B'z.

to me, 03/08 is the best possible date for her. 03/29 is ok too, but 'Born To Be...' was an olympic tv song, so if it was released later, then not too many ppl will remember it. 03/15; 03/22 r off bounds. avex is not going to risk another possibility of ayu not getting #1. (she was almost knocked off the #1 spot twice [HEAVEN;Bold & Delicious/Pride] by JE groups]. altho if she released it on 02/22, she wouldve gotten #1 with 116k sales, avex isnt going to take risks and put her up against a post-NANA mika, hyde, and hikki. also 03/01 isnt good cos EXILE is technically under part of avex.

IN ADDITION
cds are also released on wednesdays. so mar 2, feb 20, feb 16 doesnt make sense etc.
also, do u think that it is in the best interests to release a single so soon. if it was released on 02/15 thats only wut, 6wks after (m)u, thats a bit too close for me. if it was released 02/15 then according to ur thinking, BoA's album mite affect the sales
lets go a week earlier: 02/08. TOKIO another JE group. altho not as strong, do u think avex would want her to go against them (and her bf)
02/01: ENDLICHERI ENDLICHERI (JE again)
01/25: WaT/B'z (B'z would win. theres no contest)
01/18: BoA/Tackey & Tsubasa. (not only both are part of avex, T&T are JE. theres a no go there)

[evolution7931]

I think any of those dates that you've stated are fine. Isnt it more fair and even logical for them to put her against hikki and mika for example, so that they'll be facing another company? and so that she'll actually have a fair competition? I think it'd be easier to go against other singles then a BEST album, which is one of largest CD releases that there can be..

[Manross]

i have faith in ayu!!!! this single will definitely break 300k copies....though i dun realli like this single much. nevertheless, go ayu!!!!!

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by evolution7931

I think any of those dates that you've stated are fine. Isnt it more fair and even logical for them to put her against hikki and mika for example, so that they'll be facing another company? and so that she'll actually have a fair competition? I think it'd be easier to go against other singles then a BEST album, which is one of largest CD releases that there can be..

so u think going up against JE groups is fine? if avex was actually stupid, and did that, then i would tell u that ayu would not get #1 for the week. 02/22, sure it mite have increased the sales, but would u want her to go against artists that can potentially do really well. avex isnt going to take risks n lose that #1 streak or the 3 records she has. theyre smart. 03/08 was the best date for ayu to secure the #1 spot.

also, while 'Born To Be...' was an olympic tv theme song. i dont really think THAT many japanese were interested (until they won the gold) cos the japanese team didnt even do that well

[~*Mabushii*~]

sometimes jasjasss i wish someone would slap you when you say this

Originally Posted by jasjasss

AYU Should really shoot herself ... look at this low sales !

[elepop]

Originally Posted by ~*Kisarune*~

sometimes jasjasss i wish someone would slap you when you say this

Yeah, I agree it's a bit annoying how you're negative, jasjasss. The sales are actually way better than I expected.

[Alessia_Tateno]

Originally Posted by Axel_Grease

Koda doesn't deserve all that promotion since she's mostly selling from her sex appeal and not actual talent. <.< But it's good to hear that Ayu still got #1 even though she had so little promotion.


Nah, she should change to Toshiba-EMI; then she could do some collaboration with Utada. ^_^

I dont really accept those who are blinded only by Ayu and hate someone who is going to beat her...maybe you forgot but Ayu when she started to sing she didnt know how to sing at all, obviously they were using strong machines to change her voice and we have the results on her old performances..just watch her first concert in the begin which is the worst ever (not only the begin but the entire concert, even thought the begin is the worst part!) and if I were the fans in that concert I would get so angry to make me get back the money for the ticket!! Look at Koda's first performances and see if she doesnt know how to sing, or BoA or even Namie...I've got the first concers of both of them and they are very good at singin', not just like Ayu, its not matter of talent, it was matter of image they gave to her, because just be honest, Ayu is good on write songs but her voice wasn't that good and there are a lot of singers with better voice than her...of course now her voice is totally changed and it's good but it doesn't mean she is the best ever, Koda Kumi is a sensual icon yes but she does have talent! her voice is good and so her dances!!! so dont just say she doesnt deserve all this promotion, at least she have talent from the begin and after all this years she worked hard she didnt have any recognition...but now they have seen they made a mistake not to make her shine before..
Dont get wrong idea, I am a fan of Ayu, if not I wont be here but just be frank and obiective, not all Ayu does is good, she makes errors and she is not perfect, I also think she is one who pretend too much for what I heard and for what I see I think she is, but just recognize she didnt have any talent at all in the begin when other singers like BoA, Namie Amuro etc have shown their own talent in the very first concert and it makes you say "how it's possible this singer have such a great voice with even dancin' when Ayu who is in the top in the first concert sucks a lot?"

Originally Posted by Asongforxx

I have being honest and I am happy I can write this now, because it's what I feel..

Actually, Koda Kumi have a better voice than Ayu.

And yes, she does deserve all the promotion she's getting and same for her growing popularity. The girl has been making music for 5 years and haven't got really notice. Sorry to say that if it offends anybody but... It's her time to shine.

Totally Agree!!!

[hallelujah_united]

Let's just stick to the topic and continue discussing about this single rather than have a nasty fight over who sings better ne? We're getting really off-topic now.