Who says that Ayu is loosing popularity...?

[taskinillusion]

I wouldn't say she's "not as popular" as she used to be, she's just not NEW anymore, you know? Her newness factor has worn off and she's now more like an icon; a staple in the J-pop scene.

[~X2RADialbomber~]

What about B'z? They're the most successful Japanese artists in my book.

[Ayumiko]

ayu's popularity had declined these few years...can't really deny it but that doesn't mean she's not popular anymore. In fact she is still very popular in Japan and in Asia. She's one of the most known Japanese artist in overseas countries. Here in canada, her cds and dvds are the most stocked in cd stores...compared to other Japanese artists, just a few. I always hear her songs in Japanese restaurants...from her oldest songs to her most updated ones. She had fans waiting outside her hotel in PARIS during MW pv filming and they're not asians too. I think that shows alot about her popularity.

btw...one of the mirrorcle world cd+dvd first press is sold out again for the second time @ cdjapan!!

[Dustie]

It's not like she's literally loosing popularity... Her time is just slowly passing by... Everyone in Japan knows her. A lot of her fans just grew up and aren't into her as much as they used to be, while the young people have the tendency to ignore acts who were big in the past and concentrate on the fresh faces.

[Melon Panda]

She's Ayumi Hamasaki - even if she's not at her peak era, she's still considered "queen/empress." While Koda Kumi, Ai, and YUI are popular now, their popularities still don't come close to Ayumi's popular at her peak. Ai and YUI seem more "trendy" than "popular" to me; people might remember them as artists of their era, but neither really stands out (though you can argue YUI's potential). BoA is unique in her own way and will probably be remembered in Japan and Korea as a kind of standard (like Ayumi), but I don't find her nearly as popular either. Koda Kumi will probably be remembered for her sexuality more than anything else.

To sum it up: stars like Ai, Yui, Koda, etc. are famous, but Ayumi is a legend.

[StaRR&]

Originally Posted by Melon Panda

She's Ayumi Hamasaki - even if she's not at her peak era, she's still considered "queen/empress." While Koda Kumi, Ai, and YUI are popular now, their popularities still don't come close to Ayumi's popular at her peak. Ai and YUI seem more "trendy" than "popular" to me; people might remember them as artists of their era, but neither really stands out (though you can argue YUI's potential). BoA is unique in her own way and will probably be remembered in Japan and Korea as a kind of standard (like Ayumi), but I don't find her nearly as popular either. Koda Kumi will probably be remembered for her sexuality more than anything else.

To sum it up: stars like Ai, Yui, Koda, etc. are famous, but Ayumi is a legend.

wow..that was like..everything i was going to say.

I agree that Ayu's popularity has declined. Her sales aren't as high as before and her "deaf ear" isn't helping the situation. But she has been in the industry for about 10 years now, and shes still going pretty strong. that's gotta count for something. Ayumi has broken so many records in japan, so even if her popularity does dwindle down, shes still going to be known as one of the most influencial artists ever.

[lumieregrl]

I've only kept up with Ayu in the last year or two, but from what I've seen her her popularity is lessening at home but expanding outside of it...in Asia, in Europe, in the Americas. In a sense, this is good for her in the long term because she's got so many new fans over here! It's not losing popularity *in general* but *where* she is popular is shifting.

[ImpactBreaker]

^Yeah, i know her popularity towards Asia is really going well. I wish she'd tour in places like singapore though, because she seems to have a huge fanbase there.

[RadnasticReggie]

I think the internet and being able to get a hold of music much easier is just bringing down her sales a lot is all.
She's probably more popular. Just less bought cds.

[Melon Panda]

Ayumi's gaining stability, which is important for any artist. She's built up so much popularity that I can't ever imagine her being "irrelevant" (though I know that's going to happen eventually) or out of the spotlight. If she left the music industry as of now, she'd certainly leave a void that'll be tough to fill for any one artist. By expanding into Asia, she's making sure that in a decade or two, if she still wants to tour, (former) fans from beyond Japan will remember her and attend her concerts. Madonna seems ANCIENT to me but her tours still gross ridiculous amounts.

Still, I think "popularity" is a relative term. Yes, her music is selling way less than it used to. Yes, she's getting wrinkly. Yes, audience members are starting to grow tired of her. She's still Ayumi Hamasaki - idol extraordinaire - and tons of people know her, even if they aren't her fans. It's better than being a total unknown, fresh but still in need of a big break.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by Melon Panda

Still, I think "popularity" is a relative term. Yes, her music is selling way less than it used to. Yes, she's getting wrinkly. Yes, audience members are starting to grow tired of her. She's still Ayumi Hamasaki - idol extraordinaire - and tons of people know her, even if they aren't her fans. It's better than being a total unknown, fresh but still in need of a big break.

Since several ppl have brought this issue up, the people who refer to her losing some popularity, including me, are not saying ayu is being forgotten. Definitely not. It's not like everyone in japan have developed alzheimer and forgotten she exists. When I mention drop in the popularity, I'm not saying ayu is being forgotten, but actually ignored. Some people know who ayu is, but they don't care anymore and don't really follow her as they did back in the day. That's what we mean about her "popularity" decreasing. Some ppl don't feel the urge in buying or following her stuff anymore. To me, I consider that a drop in popularity.

[AyUta]

I think Ayu is still very popular

[Qt Mashi]

thats nice to hear, thanks

[lumieregrl]

It makes me think of other artists (in particular I'm thinking of Amy Grant, at least in the circles I've been around) who were quite popular in the past, they peaked, they declined, and now they've settled with a steady fanbase. A lot of people know about her, but she's not *popular* as she was. Well known, well-supported, but not popular. I just hope MTV/VH1 doesn't tell Ayumi she's too old for them to play her pvs one day. lol

[taskinillusion]

Originally Posted by lumieregrl

It makes me think of other artists (in particular I'm thinking of Amy Grant, at least in the circles I've been around) who were quite popular in the past, they peaked, they declined, and now they've settled with a steady fanbase. A lot of people know about her, but she's not *popular* as she was. Well known, well-supported, but not popular. I just hope MTV/VH1 doesn't tell Ayumi she's too old for them to play her pvs one day. lol

Well, MTV/VH1 in the US still play MADONNA'S stuff, don't they?

[Catzi]

Very nice!

[che0173]

yea!
i've nvr heard of her losing popularity !!!
and if i ever do
we'll bring it back up!

[Minttulatte]

Considering on those said things and the sales on her albums, which are cool and huge, I'd say Ayu's popularity isn't decreasing that easily. I don't even care about her popularity that much, even if it's nice to follow her career and all. :3 Ayu has something really interesting in her because people still love her. It's awesome how she stays popular now ten years later, it's cool. <3

[JinHamasaki]

On a side note, the new Panasonic FX35 is DOMINATING the charts...

Ayu's influence on commercials still works!

http://bcnranking.jp/category/subcategory_0007.html

[lumieregrl]

Probably so, but she's got legend status. I was so po'd when I heard VH1 wouldn't play Amy Grant's new pvs because she's over. What kind of excuse is that? Anyway!! Ayu will be with us a long time if she has any say about it.