Ayu ~Anything Goes: A Thread for XX~

[Kanariyatachi]

Originally Posted by kendelle

I really should listen to more songs until I remember their names off my heart. I'm much better at remembering the melody over the name of her songs......lol

Hahaha so true, I sometimes remember 75% of the song's lyrics, but not the title.
As for forgotten songs, I always enjoy Two Of Us when I remind myself it exists again.

[Karori]

This weekend my hubby bought me A BEST -15 Anniversary Edition- and LOVE again. I know, maybe not her best albums, but it was nice to see ayu stuff in a local store. Always wanted to have A BEST and because of the 15th anniversary, now I have it! It comes with a DVD containing the PVs and postcards with alternate covers. Everything Taiwan press, but I'm quite sure the quality is very close to Japanese press, right?

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by Karori

This weekend my hubby bought me A BEST -15 Anniversary Edition- and LOVE again. I know, maybe not her best albums, but it was nice to see ayu stuff in a local store. Always wanted to have A BEST and because of the 15th anniversary, now I have it! It comes with a DVD containing the PVs and postcards with alternate covers. Everything Taiwan press, but I'm quite sure the quality is very close to Japanese press, right?

I have Ayu albums and singles in both Korean, Hong Kong and Japan version and so far, have not noticed any difference in quality

[rainbow_smile]

I heard that Japan press is better in quality, but you can only hear it if you have very good speakers or something. Not sure how true this is, since 1) my headphones are not that good; 2) my ears are not sensitive enough to hear such a subtle difference in quality; 3) I only own Japan press albums, so I don't even have anything to compare to it

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by rainbow_smile

I heard that Japan press is better in quality, but you can only hear it if you have very good speakers or something. Not sure how true this is, since 1) my headphones are not that good; 2) my ears are not sensitive enough to hear such a subtle difference in quality

^Hah, true, didn't even think about that! How about on DVD, an Ayu concert, is the quality better in them if bought from Japan instead of Korea/China etc.?

[rainbow_smile]

Originally Posted by Sandy

^Hah, true, didn't even think about that! How about on DVD, an Ayu concert, is the quality better in them if bought from Japan instead of Korea/China etc.?

never bought overseas press of her DVDs neither haha

[voltron]

I feel like in today's day and age it really isn't an issue anymore. In earlier years the differences would be things like quality of paper and ink used for printing, exclusive gifts with purchase, etc. However, given the current state of the music industry and advances in technology, I'm not sure there's any difference anymore.

[voltron]

So I was reading "The Nakano Thrift Shop" by Hiromi Kawakami and came across this passage, and had to smile a little. It comes after the thirft shop owner comes across a Seiko Matsuda life-size standee and they're having some conversation about it (I'll add a little below to give some context).

'Seiko Matsuda is pretty, isn't she?' I said, and Mr. Nakano nodded. I've got a few of her records, he said.

Is that so? I nodded matter-of-factly. Mr Nakano must have taken a little offense, because he said, 'It has a slightly different meaning for someone my age to buy her records.'

'Meaning?'

'Seiko has a certain kitsch about her.'

As Mr. Nakano was talking, Takeo went out the back door. Is that so? Once again I nodded matter-of-factly at Mr. Nakano.

'For example, Hitomi, when you hear the word ayu, it calls to mind the delicately sweet fish and the pleasure of an otherwordly nature, does it not?' Mr. Nakano went on.

Ayu, I murmured. By Ayu, you mean the singer Ayumi Hamasaki? I asked, purposely imitating the way that Takeo talked. Mr. Nakano let both hands hang down loosely.

I was about to follow up by asking what he meant by otherworldly nature, but it wasn't the moment to tease Mr. Nakano, so I thought better of it.

Well, that's enough, Mr. Nakano said under his breath, and followed Takeo out. The life-size Seiko Matsuda was lying face up on the tatami. In one hand she held a sewing machine, while the other hand lightly pointed at her chest, and she wore a sweet smile.

Ayu, my lips formed the word one more time as I shook my head.

[EndOfTheWorld]

I think the sound quality is the same for all pressings. The main differences are the quality of the packaging and paper inserts/booklets. All of my Ayu CDs are Japan press except for A Complete which is Hong Kong press. I find the quality to be very good all around.

[Aderianu]

I have Korean version of AT2005. I remember that when I received it I thought that quality was really bad... Need to check it again

[jiarongisme]

I personally own a lot of OS press that originate from Taiwan and occasionally Hong Kong as well. They're pretty close to the Japanese press. The audio/video quality should stay the same unless there are errors in the post production with stuff like adding subtitles. PCDL DVD was an example – first Ayu DVD to include subtitles that you can switch on and off, but it got embedded and the video exported in the VCD quality. avex Taiwan then shortly offered a free one-to-one exchange.

With regards to print quality, the Taiwan press ones are often the closest to the original Japanese press. However, there will definitely be slight quality differences with regards to the colours or paper stock. I can't speak for Korean presses because I've never owned them, but I can say that the OS press that China produces are usually... pretty bad lmao.

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by jiarongisme

I personally own a lot of OS press that originate from Taiwan and occasionally Hong Kong as well. They're pretty close to the Japanese press. The audio/video quality should stay the same unless there are errors in the post production with stuff like adding subtitles. PCDL DVD was an example – first Ayu DVD to include subtitles that you can switch on and off, but it got embedded and the video exported in the VCD quality. avex Taiwan then shortly offered a free one-to-one exchange.

With regards to print quality, the Taiwan press ones are often the closest to the original Japanese press. However, there will definitely be slight quality differences with regards to the colours or paper stock. I can't speak for Korean presses because I've never owned them, but I can say that the OS press that China produces are usually... pretty bad lmao.

The thing is, I rarely ever buy the Japanese verion of Ayu DVDs/CDs because they're so much more expensive! I also haven't bought anything used since I want it new, but I did just realise I can purchase off e-bay and such. Just don't know how reliable that is... :/

[Gustavopc]

Aside from the different OBIs, I think Taiwan press looks pretty much like the Japanese one. As jiarongisme pointed out there may be a difference on the paper used or so but it's not a disastrous downgrade, it's just different sometimes.
I own some Korean singles and they also look pretty much okay, but I don't own DVDs so idk about the quality.
Overall Taiwan press are always a good choice if you ain't got the money for JP ones and/or doesn't really care about having the japanese press.

The only ''problem'' is that OS versions don't always have the same bonus as first press CDs from Japan, like slipcases, stickers or bundles, but then they sometimes add posters or stickers on their own.

[Karori]

In terms of sound, there shouldn't be differences, I think... And if there are any, maybe it is in the booklet.
And today my sister-in-law brought me from Japan (miss)understood and Secret, both CD+DVD version...

[mi|kshake]

So I was reading "The Nakano Thrift Shop" by Hiromi Kawakami and came across this passage, and had to smile a little. It comes after the thirft shop owner comes across a Seiko Matsuda life-size standee and they're having some conversation about it (I'll add a little below to give some context).

That's so cool, thank you for posting!

[EndOfTheWorld]

From my experience the China press is the worst. I have the China version of Dolce by Ami Suzuki and the color is not accurate at all. Everything about it looks low quality. But the audio sounds normal. I have the Taiwan press of Final Distance by Utada and the paper is nice and glossy. I don't know if the Japan version is the same but, the mastering seems very loud on it.
Oh and I also have the Malaysian press of Heart Station by Utada, I wouldn't recommend Malaysian versions.

[Miduhyo]

Not to completely change the subject but Dolls came on random for the first time in... well, actually several years. I forgot just how beautiful this song is. It's been on repeat ever since. <3

[jiarongisme]

Originally Posted by Miduhyo

Not to completely change the subject but Dolls came on random for the first time in... well, actually several years. I forgot just how beautiful this song is. It's been on repeat ever since. <3

Dolls is a gem in RAINBOW.

[truehappiness]

Ayu has so many magical songs that do that to you after not listening for a while. It's worth revisiting her discography every once in a while.

[pedronekoi]

Have you guys ever seen this impression of Ayu made by Hikari Mitsushima? LOL It's so good!!! The outfit is on point!



Hikari Mitsushima is a famous actress and singer. She have won a loit of awards and stuff.