You were... / BALLAD information thread [IV]

[Tom Punks]

^ Well This Is The One is an English language album... Which is probably the biggest reason no Japanese fans bought it.

[aura~]

^it was only a little example ^^ even though, for whatever reasons, This is the one sold 2/9 of what HS did, no ones gonna say that Hikki's over, and it's a BIG decrease... or Kuu-chan is like following the same patters as Ayu with albums and no one says Japan is sick of her (and her singles sell worse than Ayu's), Only examples... ^^ not compring nor anything

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

^ Well This Is The One is an English language album... Which is probably the biggest reason no Japanese fans bought it.

That sure didn't stop her fans from bragging that her NINKI was higher than NEXT LEVEL's, nor did it stop 1 million people from purchasing EXODUS, but that's another story now...

[StarSUCKER]

I think a Japanese student visiting my campus put it nicely...he said that it's completely inaccurate to say "Japan doesn't like Ayu anymore." In fact, he was surprised that I'd suggest such a thing. It's more like she has her fanbase as any other famous pop artist has his/her fanbase. Japan is not smitten with her anymore, but that doesn't mean she isn't liked by a good many people. Holding her up to the standard of her previous popularity is basically insane, with ANY artist, especially in the age of filesharing, globalization, and less-than-accurate charts. And by the way, I don't think he was a fan himself, and seemed pretty objective about it.

As for Ayu retiring, well, she could use a break for sure, but she said herself that music is her life, and I don't see her stopping anytime soon. And I'm perfectly okay with that no matter what direction she decides to go next.

[Suteisi]

I think several opinions are being generalized as if everyone thinks that way, and some are also being exagerated. But that's just my opinion.

On the other hand, I agree with zelenk0's japanese friend, as well as njanjayrp and ayumisrael have said.

[Picaflor 7/4]

I think people at ahs just over react and think too much. we all put way too much thought into things. I really don't think ayu's career is going anywhere near the dead end anytime soon.

[JackieRos]

nothing yet?

awww

which pv has she began filming?

[amorphose]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

That sure didn't stop her fans from bragging that her NINKI was higher than NEXT LEVEL's, nor did it stop 1 million people from purchasing EXODUS, but that's another story now...

EXODUS was released back when albums sold a lot more. It sold about 1/3 of what DEEP RIVER sold just like TiTO sold about 1/3 of what HEART STATION sold. It's like the same ratio.

[StarSUCKER]

Originally Posted by JackieRos

nothing yet?

awww

which pv has she began filming?

You were...

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by amorphose

EXODUS was released back when albums sold a lot more. It sold about 1/3 of what DEEP RIVER sold just like TiTO sold about 1/3 of what HEART STATION sold. It's like the same ratio.

Yes and it had nothing to do with the fact the album was in English. She simply lost some of her popularity as well...

[Keiichi_JPU]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Yes and it had nothing to do with the fact the album was in English. She simply lost some of her popularity as well...

It has everything to do with that.

Ultra Blue and Heart Station are both best-sellers.
Flavor of Life sold over 7 million (digital) copies.

Language is a very important factor here. Not the only one, but a damn important one

[amorphose]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Yes and it had nothing to do with the fact the album was in English. She simply lost some of her popularity as well...

I don't think Hikki (or Ayu) has lost very much popularity, to be honest. I think it just has to do with the economy and the growing popularity of online piracy and legal downloads (for the physical sales declining.)

But like Keiichi said, in Hikki's case of EXODUS v. DEEP RIVER and HEART STATION v. TiTO, language definitely did play a factor.

[Lanz16]

oh man, there's no music leak even a cover leak yet???

Oh well, I'll patiently wait for it

[JackieRos]

Originally Posted by zelenk0

You were...

oh cool thanks

wow first namie then utada here

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by amorphose

I don't think Hikki (or Ayu) has lost very much popularity, to be honest. I think it just has to do with the economy and the growing popularity of online piracy and legal downloads (for the physical sales declining.)

But like Keiichi said, in Hikki's case of EXODUS v. DEEP RIVER and HEART STATION v. TiTO, language definitely did play a factor.

Let's just talk about EXODUS and TiTO and leave her Japanese albums aside. The language did play a factor (I might've sounded as if it totally didn't, but that wasn't the point...I only wanted to point that the decline from EXODUS to TiTO didn't have a thing to do with the language as both the albums are in English). The fact is her sales also dropped by millions.

The economy isn't always the one to blame for people loosing interest. And whatever you might think I am positive both Ayu and Hikki are not as popular as they used to be with the general public. Hikki seems to be on better terms when it comes to pop stuff that people like and Ayu has a more hardcore fan base.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Neffiline

Lol I don't understand why you say "the general public in Japan is sick of her" because it certainly didn't look that way while I was in Tokyo for two weeks...

When did you go? I was just there and didn't see a single thing about Ayumi anywhere. Arashi and Namie were all over the place though. What you hear and see of Ayumi in Japan these days is like a teeny tiny fraction of what it used to be, even when she has a new single or something coming out.

Originally Posted by ayumisrael

NL/Sunrise is your personal idea.
The japanese public liked Sunrise more than even glitter and even more than Days (or at least as Days).

Honestly, Days seemed much better received. Even though Sunrise I guess sold more digitally, I have not gotten the feeling that Sunrise has made any kind of lasting impact over there.

Originally Posted by walking.proud

or Kuu-chan is like following the same patters as Ayu with albums and no one says Japan is sick of her (and her singles sell worse than Ayu's), Only examples... ^^ not compring nor anything

A lot of people in Japan hate Koda Kumi and are very vocal about it.

And the difference with Hikki is that it really does depend on the quality of each individual release. No one says that she is going down in popularity because she never stays down for long - one release might be somewhat low and the next one will be high and I've never once got the feeling that people in Japan are "over" her.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

When did you go? I was just there and didn't see a single thing about Ayumi anywhere. Arashi and Namie were all over the place though. What you hear and see of Ayumi in Japan these days is like a teeny tiny fraction of what it used to be, even when she has a new single or something coming out.

Sorry I'm bumping in, but the fact she isn't everywhere doesn't mean people hate her...I think we agreed that she is passed that point, she was everywhere during a certain period which is long gone. B'z aren't everywhere either nor obviously loads of other people and that still doesn't mean people don't care about them.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Sorry I'm bumping in, but the fact she isn't everywhere doesn't mean people hate her...I think we agreed that she is passed that point, she was everywhere during a certain period which is long gone. B'z aren't everywhere either nor obviously loads of other people and that still doesn't mean people don't care about them.

I didn't say that. I'm just pointing out that I was just there last week and there was no Ayu to be found and that seems to be more often the case than not with each time that I go. It used to be that Ayu was so prolific that even when she didn't have a new release out you would still see her presence in Tokyo; generally though, that is not the case anymore. So no, it doesn't mean that people hate her, but it is an indicator that many people are probably tired of seeing her all the time.

And about the B'z point, it seems people never get tired of them. I actually I did see some B'z stuff up and around. Basically you can always feel the presence B'z or Mr. Children or Southern etc at some point. I can't count the number of times that I have been to stores, restaurants etc and they have their songs playing for example.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

I didn't say that. I'm just pointing out that I was just there last week and there was no Ayu to be found and that seems to be more often the case than not with each time that I go. It used to be that Ayu was so prolific that even when she didn't have a new release out you would still see her presence in Tokyo; generally though, that is not the case anymore.

And about the B'z point, actually I did see some B'z stuff up and around. Basically you can always feel the presence B'z or Mr. Children or Southern etc at some point.

Isn't really the same as "being everywhere" but, I can't really say as I have never actually been there. I guess not everyone can remain "pop icons" during their whole career. You did say there are bits of her presence there though and that's something too, I guess. Considering she isn't as popular as she used to be that's kinda what I would expect.

[StarSUCKER]

Seriously though...Ayu's own sentiments have been that she's not going to stop singing anytime soon. So what's the difference? I'd love for her to do well, but she's basically a permanent fixture (for lack of a better term) of avex, and as long as her fans are there for her, that's all that matters. Keep in mind too, she has a good following in other parts of Asia besides Japan.

And look how much we're anticipating this single! Ayu's doing fine.