Disappointing 10th anniversary.

[dawnss]

I am beginning to understand where you are coming from truehappiness, along with the other fans. What makes an individual famous is there ability to connect with their fans. Now I believe that I connect with AYU, when I read her lyrics because I am an individual who enjoys to read and I LOVE to break apart books and tell you why the it is important that the narrator in, The Handmaid's Tale, does not have a name and how the novel relates to feminine stereotypes. However, truehappiness you appear to be a fan who connects with AYU, when she multi tasks, I take you are a very hard worker. Whereas other fans, connect with AYU because she is a performer in their eyes. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I am starting to understand where a lot of the views are coming from. Some fans think she is not working hard enough and that she needs to step up her game. Wheres other fans believe she needs to slow down her work. And some might say that AYU should, continue at her current pace. I have come to the realization that everyone will not be pleased with everything even if an individual did put in their best effort, which is true with all of us. How many of you guys have tried to do something wholeheartdly and still failed to please everyone? Now I am not saying that AYU is not working hard or is working hard I just think that she is attempting a different approach with her fan base. Instead of releasing new material that blows us all away, it appears as if she is taking the time to show her gratitude to her fans for staying with her even though her musical styles have changed, the nasty(not crude, but mean) rumors, the drama of this year, and etc. What I am trying to say is that truehappiness makes a good point when he says that it sucks when us Western fans do not recieve some of AYU's attention also, correct me if I am wrong. However I do understand that her tour is meant for those who SHE believes have stuck by her. Frankly, I wonder if this would be the same issue if a Western artist like Madonna was to do the same? I apologize for the long meaningless rant, but I am now beginning to understand a different point of view.

[Rebirthia]

actually, a singer place is the stage, not the cover of a magazine. and i suppose she is quite conscious of her health problems (ear) and the possiblities she has, so i think she prefers to share those moments with the fans on the stage and in the arenas, and not fliming PV's or performances, which are colder than lives in the stadiums, etc...

and asiatic market is much more "safe" than overseas market... she was born thre, and she owes them this anniversary.

[dawnss]

Good point, however fans connect with an artist for different reasons. Don't get me wrong it must be an amazing rush to see an artists live. However, I believe that telling someone they have to perform is somewhat demeaning, since it places them in a box and it does not allow them to expand their horizon. But I do understand why the asian market is safer, trust me I do. And I can see why you think a MV is colder because emotionally it is, however don't you enjoy it when you watch a MV and experience the connection with that particular song in general? Sorry if I am being rude.

[truehappiness]

What I am trying to say is that truehappiness makes a good point when he says that it sucks when us Western fans do not recieve some of AYU's attention also, correct me if I am wrong.

I think you misread my posts just a bit too much.

I don't really want Ayu to come over and shove her face into the world of the West.. I actually want her to stay in Japan so I can kinda keep her to myself. Ohoho! People just keep bringing up that being in the USA/overseas doesn't let us see the anniversary as it happens, but I don't really think that's the case, since I'm sure plenty of people living in Japan aren't exactly feeling the vibes of a 10th anniversary from Ayu.. the year started out kinda okay with Mirrorcle, but then after that it kinda just died. Sure, she's been touring and the aneki story came out, but.. yeah.... not much has gone on since then.

[Rebirthia]

have you been told that? i mean, has any japanese fan told you they feel like that?

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by Ayesha

have you been told that? i mean, has any japanese fan told you they feel like that?

Obviously, not really.

We only have like a few fans that live in Japan at AHS.. perhaps you should ask them if they're satisfied or not? yatsuda, where are you...?

Sure, she's putting out an amazing concert, but that's just one thing you need to have 100% amazing anniversary imo.

[dawnss]

Please excuse my misinterpetition of your post, I can understand that you want to keep her to yourself, cause I think I do at times, frankly. But in all seriousness I think that it does not matter where you are some people from all around the world think this a great year for Ayu, while others don't no matter where they live.

[maikaru]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

UH. NO. Anyone can voice their opinions, but if you do have one, be ready to back it up with something a little more substantial than "she needs rest!~~~" or something.

You guys are not offering any explanations, just really bad excuses that don't really make any sense considering that just last year and the year before she was just fine, so those "explanations" really don't make any sense.

Obviously, you have no regard or respect for me and others who have gave some information as to WHY she needs rest to obviously patronize for my statement earlier.

When we give some information, you dismiss it and say only you are right.

People are telling you things, but you disregard them, obviously believing you are 100% right, and no one else who says different also has valid opinions.

A forum, I thought, was not so that you could say your speech, and then continue to say that without regarding any new ideas or information.
I thought it was to say your input, and then see what other people have to say, and then consider those informations.

I saw so many people in this thread say "I get where you're coming from, even though I also believe this this and this," but you don't seem to want to do any of that. You continue to just say what you believe, and tell everyone else they're wrong.

Sure, I would really love for a new single, or a new album (sorry didnt mean calender @_@), or new photo cover, but then, it's not happening right now. I'm not going to complain about her, because I know she directed her attention some place else.

If you believe an artist should appear on a cover is more important than a tour, or is a necessity for you, then why don't you find an additional artist or idol who is controlled, who is continously on a magazine cover? I'm sure you don't want such an artist.. so why cant you say "yeah, it's true I wanna her to have some photoshoots, but I understand she is doing other things." I just don't understand.

But like others said, an artist's place is on stage, and that's what she was doing for so many months in the beginning. I'm sorry that doesn't satisfy you, but again, she has not been wanting to satisfy anyone but those already mentioned.

Originally Posted by truehappiness

About that: I think that pictures are enough. [Then talking about magazine covers and the promotions.]

"Where did you go, Ayu?"

She is in HK, then come home.
If you want to know what she's doing, read the HK threads, and watch the news coverage of her if that's all that you want. Thats promotion too, right? What's the difference in that then the magazine covers?

I came here to believe that all people here wanna share their stories about ayumi, and share what they like, and because we all had something in common, we could talk like we could see other people's ideas, and we could talk peacefully and friendly, and regarding everyone's personal thoughts about ayumi.

I do understand about you wanting to do magazine promotions, and I wouldn't mind that kind of thing, but it didn't happen in the beginning of this year, because she focused on other things. Yeah, I understand you disagree with that, but we can't do anything but continue to support her, and criticizing and not understanding what her own ideas about this year, which she has already stated through her comments on A Complete, and her TA messages, is not that same support.

She is an artist, and she makes mistakes.
But maybe your vision of the 10th anniversary is not the same as another's vision.
Actually, it is.

I really wish that you could say the same thing that many others say. "I believe this, but I understand what you are saying too. What do you think?"" Because even if you don't think we make sense, obviouslysome of us do, and you wanna to ignore it, because we have offered so many kinds of proof for you, or situations, and you don't wanna do anything about that.

It's disappointing, we got it. Let's move on, and try to find positive things about the year, where it won't lead to arguement after arguements. Let's find common ground, and stop criticizing each other, so that we can move forward. And stop to mock people. -_-

EDIT: I forgot!! Didn't we have a survey a few weeks before that said that Ayumi is in the top ten of people who they wouldn't use for advertisement because of her "health condition?"
Isn't that SOME kind of reason for her not to be on magazines? That magazines don't WANT her right now, only 7 month after her announcement?

[jbrat2219]

Hi! I'm new here and this is my first post xD; I've been reading this thread since the beginning and I've seen both opinions about Ayu's 10th anniversary and whether or not it's been disappointing. Let me first start off by saying I'm not disappointed. The only way Ayu can disappoint me is when she retires (only because I won't be able to hear her sing again, not against her personally xD; ).

That being said, in my opinion, I don't think anything is wrong. I don't think she's giving us less than 110%. The way I see it, she's trying something different. I think she's making this year a little more "intimate." I understand she hasn't been promoting as much, been on TV or in magazines and such or releasing anything new in a while (Only one new song this year so far is rather odd). But she extended this year's tour to be with the fans, imo. She's writing to us more, giving us more personal insight into her life (TA messages). That to me is more precious than a song. I don't just love AYUMI HAMASAKI the artist, I love her as a person.

Yeah others may be on TV or releasing and promoting new songs or whatever, which is lovely, but it kind of makes them "untouchable" if you know what I mean. They seem so far away, imo. Ayu is (or was) on stage giving it her all at every performance, getting closer with her fans. If I were able to go to a show, it would be like, "I saw Ayumi Hamasaki in person, I felt like she was singing just for me" not, "I saw her on TV or in a magazine... oh a new single is coming out." And yes, I understand that she has been on tour and released and promoted at the same time in the past. But the fact that she is not doing both this year, to me... and me only (cause I can only speak for myself) is not disappointing.

This is just how I'm looking at this year so far, I humbly respect both views on this matter.

[truehappiness]

EDIT: I forgot!! Didn't we have a survey a few weeks before that said that Ayumi is in the top ten of people who they wouldn't use for advertisement because of her "health condition?"
Isn't that SOME kind of reason for her not to be on magazines? That magazines don't WANT her right now, only 7 month after her announcement?

That wasn't a real survey. It was from some idolblog anyway that's probably 100% unreliable.

tbh, your opinions are all valid, but they're not going to change my own opinion as much as you'd like to. My impression of the 10th anniversary is the way it is because it seems like there was no vision for this year, when there really should've been. Toss the fact that it's the 10th anniversary this year and you just have a really bad year for Ayu. I mean, yes, it's the 10th anniversary, but that only makes expectations higher. Had this been a regular year... it's still really really really disappointing.

Because even if you don't think we make sense, obviouslysome of us do, and you wanna to ignore it, because we have offered so many kinds of proof for you, or situations, and you don't wanna do anything about that.

This sentence sort of makes sense. Sort of. I don't think any of your [speaking to everyone that wants to try to make sense of this year] reasonings really explain anything. They pretty much TRY [key word here.] to justify the reasoning behind such a lackluster year in general, and fall short. I wish she would just explain to us what the heck is going on and why she was so inactive for Mirrorcle World's promotion or something. Come on, Ayu! You can do it! WooO~

If you believe an artist should appear on a cover is more important than a tour, or is a necessity for you, then why don't you find an additional artist or idol who is controlled, who is continously on a magazine cover? I'm sure you don't want such an artist.. so why cant you say "yeah, it's true I wanna her to have some photoshoots, but I understand she is doing other things." I just don't understand.

I'm not going to find anyone else, because there IS no one else. There is only Ayu, much like her lyrics in TO BE:

Because you were there, I'm always laughing.
Because you were there, I was always laughing. I was crying. I was living.
If you're not there, there's nothing.

It's like, I want her to do well and I want her to be the best that she can be, and that is why I'm saying that she needs to do more. It's not like I can just say "Oh I'm going to be into this artist now because Ayu is boring now!" because she's never been boring imo, and this year was just letting a lot of people down [in general outside of the name of the 10th anniversary]... if I was a weak fan who really didn't care, I'd probably have given up on Ayu already, but I'm a HUGE Ayu fan and I don't think there's any artist who can even attempt to fill her shoes [past, present, or future]... EVER.

[GRACE]

I think what maikaru-san's point was is it's not so much what you're saying that's bothering her and some others, it's the way you're saying it. Like your reasons are the only right ones and everyone else doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. At least, that's what I read out of your tone. You're not really willing to say "Well okay, I believe what I believe, but I sorta get where you're coming from", you seem more to be saying "I believe this, this is the right answer you're wrong."

None of us really know for sure anything. Even your belief on her condition and how she's handling things is an opinion, a relative truth, the only one in the world who truly for sure what's going on with Ayu is Ayu. The only one who knows why she's not doing everything we expected is Ayu. All we're trying to do is think of logical reasons for it till she decides to come out and tell us, or if she doesn't come out and tell us, a reason that makes it so we aren't upset with her for using this year the way she has.

[truehappiness]

You're not really willing to say "Well okay, I believe what I believe, but I sorta get where you're coming from", you seem more to be saying "I believe this, this is the right answer you're wrong."

That's because I don't get where some of these answers are coming from. They're not logical imo. If they were well founded with like, backup from past years, then it'd totally make sense and I'd be like "Oh, okay, that could be why." But everything doesn't fit together you know? This year seems like the odd one out for some reason.

[GRACE]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

That's because I don't get where some of these answers are coming from. They're not logical imo. If they were well founded with like, backup from past years, then it'd totally make sense and I'd be like "Oh, okay, that could be why." But everything doesn't fit together you know? This year seems like the odd one out for some reason.

She didn't lose a close friend in past years >.>... I'm still sure she hadn't yet come to terms with the fact that there was nothing she could do for her hearing in past years, it's not exactly something that you're just going to go "oh, okay" and move on, it's much more of a human reaction to try to ignore it, and to pretend nothing's wrong.

[truehappiness]

She lost her grandma when she debuted, remember that? I'm sure Ayu is dealing with the loss of ANEKI just as she dealt with the loss of her closest female relative. I have faith that Ayu is not crying herself to sleep every night over them, but rather, becoming stronger in dealing with her losses and such in the past year.

[Not~Yet]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

She lost her grandma when she debuted, remember that? I'm sure Ayu is dealing with the loss of ANEKI just as she dealt with the loss of her closest female relative. I have faith that Ayu is not crying herself to sleep every night over them, but rather, becoming stronger in dealing with her losses and such in the past year.

I'd just add, that it's kinda different now since it seems like Aneki did a suicide (at least that's what I'd believe from untitled~for her~ lyrics etc). So Ayu might feel seriously guilty over it, or feel like she wasn't a friend good enough or something like that.

But whatever happened, I agree with you, she'll most likely grow as a human and become even stronger through these kinds of stuff, real things of life.

[Melrose]

Wow, lots of arguements.

I've given it some thought too and I think this year is about celebrating the previous years and wrapping things up, instead of coming with a lot of new material. She's released new remix albums for all her previous songs. She's released a new collection with all the new previous songs including GUILTY. She's released a lot of the previously unreleased old a-nation performances. She's released lives from the old Team Ayu tour. Mirrorcle World was a remix of an old song, and Life a sort of "wrapping up" thing about Namiko (or w/e her friend's name was). Then she has a lot of 10th anniversary remixes of old songs. Even her Mirrorcle World PV and cover had a lot of references for me to her older work. And her 10th anniversary tour is doing a lot of old classics and doing classic performances again (my name's WOMEN and is this LOVE?). I'm seeing a pattern here.

If I look at it that way, this year has been very very succesful and great. =)

Also, if I look at it this way it seems likely to me that the Asia Tour 2008 DVD might be released before the end of the year, as it's still part of her 10th anniversary.

[alternarist]

yawnz. TH, it may sounds like i am attacking u. But that wasnt my intention really.

Everything just came out of my mouth naturally. I said that u like to increase post counts because u said tat u have been explaining the same thing over and over again and it seems like u are enjoying that. You could just explain it once and for all and ignore the rest. But i didnt ask u to do that. So yeah.

hahah i think i better get myself out of this argument. Happy debating and discussing.

[hiroshi_ben]

well...u can find my reason stupid...

but for me i can sort of understand...because shes too tired and she cant overwork her ears too much

[ayumisrael]

She's recording a new song

[sibby]

^ and we should rejoice for that matter. so we should really stop. whatever we're doing cause its so long-winded and all. >_>