Disappointing 10th anniversary.

[Melon Panda]

It may not be that Ayumi doesn't want to go all out - it may be that Avex is limiting her. Her tenth anniversary is important to her, but to Avex, she's a ten-year-old entertainer who's past her peak and bound to go on the decline sooner or later. Avex may have wanted to devote more time and publicity to its other acts, such as Koda Kumi, EXILE, etc. This is just one hypothesis.

Another hypothesis is that Ayumi went through some rough patches, and while years ago she was climbing up the mountain of success, right now, she's looking down from the summit. The Ayumi of the present is different from the Ayumi from the past. Things have changed for her.

That said, I actually want her to release another summer single - I'm tired of her ballads. They're good, but I suppose I'm just not in a ballad mood.

[GRACE]

Originally Posted by Melon Panda

It may not be that Ayumi doesn't want to go all out - it may be that Avex is limiting her. Her tenth anniversary is important to her, but to Avex, she's a ten-year-old entertainer who's past her peak and bound to go on the decline sooner or later. Avex may have wanted to devote more time and publicity to its other acts, such as Koda Kumi, EXILE, etc. This is just one hypothesis.

Another hypothesis is that Ayumi went through some rough patches, and while years ago she was climbing up the mountain of success, right now, she's looking down from the summit. The Ayumi of the present is different from the Ayumi from the past. Things have changed for her.

That's true. I'm sure Avex is focusing it's efforts on more current acts. Ayumi is popular, but she's a big veteran. Her name is really enough to give a single decent sales.

I could see Ayumi seeing this as high as she can go, or maybe she sees this as the climb down. She's lost one of her ears, that makes it a lot harder than you'd think it would to sing. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the other one goes. She could be slowly easing us into her approaching end.