Disappointing 10th anniversary.

[jonneh]

Lol. I didn't read through the entire thread, but I think I must be the only one who doesn't really mind that much. Her 10th anniversary is this year, yeah, and..? Why does that mean she has to overwork her already-extremely-overworked-self x's 10? Her close friend has died sort of recently, her 7(I think?) year relationship has died sort of recently, her left ear has died sort of recently - all of this yet when it all happened she still basically told us she was going to keep going until all her hearing is out, in the end. Also, not to mention I get the feeling sometimes that AVEX are a bunch of asses to her. OH, andddd you have to keep in mind that she's slightly losing popularity to the younger, newer, hipper gals out in Japan now. (just slightly and slowly).She may not show it, but that's got to hurt a little bit, especially when combined with all the other things I mentioned above. She puts out so much effort into every single thing she does, especially touring/performing. So, I don't know. I don't really mind that she's kind of just being cute and giggly (while still working hard and steady) in all her little blog messages, instead of pouring 1,000,000,000,000 gallons of sweat into a "10th anniversary" year, which is technically just another year. But, that's just my take on it.

I say, go home, take your shoes off and relax, Ayu.
And if I see you on another hilarious episode of Hey!Hey!Hey!, then I'll see you. (here's hoping!)



edit: Okay, I took the time to read through some of this now-gigantic thread. Yikes. I'd like not to be a part of this eXXXtreme talk, yeah, so, try not to reply to me, please. haha
P.S:

Originally Posted by truehappiness

About that: I think that pictures are enough. Just knowing that Ayu gets these huge dedicated displays and weird promotions during her releases is enough to get the point across to us, as I think if we really were saturated in all of that Ayu culture, we might get a little sick of it. I'd say that she just lacks the side of her promotion that usually ends up reaching us [the TV talks, magazine scans, etc..] this year, and thus we feel like "Where did you go, Ayu?"... Like.. the magazines this year were really good [Cawaii, and ViVi..] but I feel that the 10th anniversary deserved a little bit more of a bang instead of like 3 magazines celebrating "WE <3 AYU 10th!" or something. Like, there was a huge celebration in ORICON STYLE during post-BLUE BIRD because of her 20 million+ singles and she was gorgeous.. I guess I just expected something like that.

While about 90% of your posts in this thread I don't exactly agree on, I do have to say I agree with most of that quote. I've been kind of wondering where Ayu's been, TV-wise.

[SheFliesHigher]

In the end, Ayu is going to do what she wants to do, and I am not going to worry about it.

[truehappiness]

I guess Ayu is going to be "backloading" this year as opposed to evenly distributing material throughout the year. It's definitely something that no Ayu fan should be used to [unless they're fans of artists like OLIVIA or something]..

Hopefully, we'll see her more than we did [if at all] in April... come on Ayu! I have hope that you'll make the second half of the year like, a m a z i n g.

Also, I know that in the end, Ayu will do what she wants, but that doesn't mean that we can't be vocal about our feelings about what she chooses to do (and not do.)... It's like, if she does a concert and has a fugly costume, I'm sure many people would have something to say about it. I do miss her big dresses.. the lack of a winter single since 2005 has made us wait until Kouhaku for it each year..

[ayumu24]

I agree. The activities of this year are not enough for me (or many of ayu's fans) as the 10th year.

This is what I expected at the beginning of 2008.

2008 1.1. 9th Full Album "GUILTY"
2008 3.31. "A COMPLETE - Single Collection"
2008 4.8. 43rd Single (not Mirrorcle World, but something very new)
2008 4- ASIA TOUR in Japan
2008 7. 44th Single (4-side Single)
2008 9. 45th Single (Ballad Song)
2008 12. 10th Anniversary Full Album

This must have been perfect!

[Ayumiko]

now that she's releasing a complete, I would like ayu to release a new album at the end of next year with ofcourse singles in between.

I hope her schedule for the second half of the year to the end of 2009 will be like this:

2008:
a-nation
a complete- with many tv performances of old hits and many magazine shots
asia tour
new single released around oct with tv performances and magazine shots
year end shows performing new single
CDL- if that is possible

2009:
new single in spring with tv performances and magazine shots
A museum type tour starting in spring, ends in june (A Complete Museum? XD) No asia tour!
summer single with tv performances and magazine shots
a-nation
concert dvd releases some time next year (asia tour 2008, CDL 08-09 if there's any)
fall single release with tv performances and magazine shots
new album
year end shows
CDL

[rikku411]

I never really had any high expectations for this year for Ayu, and not because of her or anything like that. I just thought, "Ooh, 10th anniversary, cool!" My eyes weren't glazed over while I thought, "omg, she has to release 3 singles this year, be on every magazine, have the fact that she's spent 10 years in the industry announced at every corner." I was just like, "Another year of good stuff, I hope."

So when she released GUILTY, which I loved, I was happy. When ayu-mi-x 6 came out, I was happy. Same for AT 2007 and MW. To me it was like, just another set of releases that I liked.

And I'm overjoyed at the prospect of A COMPLETE, too, since, I don't own any of her stuff from back in the days -- only from A BEST 2 onwards. (I also want to get my hands on the performances and the photobook.)

Sure, the space between MW and A COMPLETE is LONG, but she had/has a tour to focus on (which, from what I've seen, has been spectacular) and I can understand why she can't/doesn't want to be superwoman.

And I also think we should realize that Ayu is not the only person in charge of her career. AVEX also has a say in what she does, and though we may never know, she could have very well wanted to do more things, but couldn't -- regardless of how important she is to the company. Business is business.

I can't wait for the new song, of course, but I think this year has been pretty good.

[Kikaru]

Originally Posted by rikku411

I never really had any high expectations for this year for Ayu, and not because of her or anything like that. I just thought, "Ooh, 10th anniversary, cool!" My eyes weren't glazed over while I thought, "omg, she has to release 3 singles this year, be on every magazine, have the fact that she's spent 10 years in the industry announced at every corner." I was just like, "Another year of good stuff, I hope."

So when she released GUILTY, which I loved, I was happy. When ayu-mi-x 6 came out, I was happy. Same for AT 2007 and MW. To me it was like, just another set of releases that I liked.

And I'm overjoyed at the aspect of A COMPLETE, too, since, I don't own any of her stuff from back in the days -- only from A BEST 2 onwards. (I also want to get my hands on the performances and the photobook.)

Sure, the space between MW to A COMPLETE is LONG, but she had/has a tour to focus on (which, from what I've seen, has been spectacular) and I can understand why she can't/doesn't want to be superwoman.

And I also think we should realize that Ayu is not the only person in charge of her career. AVEX also has a say in what she does, and though we may never know, she could have very well wanted to do more things, but couldn't -- regardless of how important she is. Business is business.

I can't wait for the new song, of course, but I think this year has been pretty good.

Good point. Also agreed on the avex thing. I think while Ayu might have somewhat decent control over the creative part of her career and image, I think avex definitely is still a very big player in marketing.

[jonneh]

Originally Posted by rikku411

I never really had any high expectations for this year for Ayu, and not because of her or anything like that. I just thought, "Ooh, 10th anniversary, cool!" My eyes weren't glazed over while I thought, "omg, she has to release 3 singles this year, be on every magazine, have the fact that she's spent 10 years in the industry announced at every corner." I was just like, "Another year of good stuff, I hope."

Yes, this! This is what I was trying to say for myself as well in my post above. I knew it was her 10th anniversary so I was like "Ooh wow! Neat!". My eyes definitely did not glaze over thinking about all the stuff she "has" to put out for her adoring fans, lol. ****, I'm happy she just cares about her fans in Japan enough to do such long tours.

[YumeHamasaki]

Like some others have said, Ayu is working hard but her focus seems to be more on her fans that have been with her forever, not undiscovered ones that she wants to lure in with a new single this year. Touring is a very tiresome thing, i don't know if people realize that, i wouldn't want Ayu to be doing to much crap and recording while touring, it'd be a lot since her touring this year is much more than usual. I'm fine with the idea of "Hey, i'm gonna have a big arena party with my fans!!" She set herself up well for all the touring by releasing so much in the beginning of the year. I wasn't expecting crap louds of singles and Ayu to pull out actual good dancing from her but. She's still human, and she prolly knows what she wants to do. Ayu has never shown too much care for how many fans she has, but the loyalty i guess, that's why it's prolly okay for her to see her sales slipping. She's still like the highest selling female artist. her concern is more on her current fans not to grab new ones, this is how i look at it.^^

I dunno why people are into the whole OCD, pattern that she releases singles, i wish she surprised me more actually.

Oh and i forgot, she's been through crap. Tell me if you think you could do half of what she's doing. And don't give me the whole, she's a pro and should dish out. i've said it years ago that she needs to take a break.

[alternarist]

So far after ayu's ASIA TOUR 2008, she has only endorsed the WACOAL lingerie and shoot the 2009 calender. The A complete doesnt need her to bother other than re-singing Who...

So i really wonder what ayu is up to.. REALLY.

Or probably practicing for a nation?????

[SolarAngel]

I get this impression that ayu has her team and avex just gives budgets to her creative or production manager and ayu and her team plans what is to be done. I don't think avex cares what they do so long as they bring in the moolah. 2009 calendar and A Complete is a good step i suppose.

[panda87]

i think she's working real hard. i mean, she's doing Asia Tours now, not like back then where she did more but only within the boundaries of Japan. but in comparison to what i've seen in other celebs in other countries and Japan as well, she's not doing much. there's singers who are actresses and designers as well who come out with new things at a good pace to satisfy fans. and then, in comparison to Utada, Ayu seems to has given more. things with Utada has gotten slow and "bleh" for me that i've lost interest in her. i think has become more low-key lately in her terms, yet i'm dyin for a new single or song now. it's been quite awhile. but with the recent upcoming releases, she's doing ok.

but like some said, she probably doesn't want to be so high and mighty proud or arrogant and be like "hey, it's my 10th anniversary" and force into everyone's head how special it is. i think its a very personal and precious moment in her life where she wants to see her fans and how far and wide she's reached and how she can get closer to them as they call for her. i think she wants to share it with us like a our friend, not as our idol.

[SolarAngel]

Originally Posted by panda87

i think she's working real hard. i mean, she's doing Asia Tours now, not like back then where she did more but only within the boundaries of Japan. but in comparison to what i've seen in other celebs in other countries and Japan as well, she's not doing much. there's singers who are actresses and designers as well who come out with new things at a good pace to satisfy fans. and then, in comparison to Utada, Ayu seems to has given more. things with Utada has gotten slow and "bleh" for me that i've lost interest in her. i think has become more low-key lately in her terms, yet i'm dyin for a new single or song now. it's been quite awhile. but with the recent upcoming releases, she's doing ok.

I think this is a matter of specialization. In other asian countries, you have celebrities who do tons of stuff but are half-past six in everything. They are mediocre singers, actors etc. We know ayu's singing isn't great but we also know her songs are of a certain quality and her performances are usually stellar. Also many celebrities are just given a script or told what to do but i think ayu is part of the planning and production process. I feel that's why Johnny's boys can do dramas, concerts etc as opposed to ayu who does 'less'. Level of involvement in the different stages of the whole product could be a reason. And to be realistic, this is what ayu may want to fall back on when she's past her 'prime'.
This is my opinion.

[M_aria]

Well, after ten years you'd think you can go "low key" without it being such a issue. But I guess that's really just fan love and support even if it comes off as complaning. I kind of keep forgetting its her tenth year anniversary because its been so quiet but she's done so many amazing things in the past that maybe she just wants to reflect on that now. And while I was dissapointed about the lack of a summer single, since the previous ones have been some of my favorite songs, its not like its expected or in her contract or anything... but oh well, ill live and love ayu...

[LEOyumi]

I'm actually feeling happy that she didn't release any more singles. MW is more than enough, she could release a single only next year and I wouldn't be angry about it. I want her to rest (although she's not ¬¬).

I wasn't expecting anything for her 10th anniversary, so that's okay. There are being lots of releases from her this year, so I don't think we need more =P

[TakaSama]

After reading this whole exhausting thread, I thought I'd throw in my two cents from inside Japan.

Ayu has dedicated fans, but she isn't super popular to new crowds anymore. As others have stated, a 10th anniversary is a way to remind the Japanese public that she's "old," and that actually isn't beneficial to her image. Fans want to see her in person more than they want to see her on TV or in magazines, so the tour is a good route for her to take.

She is still everywhere though. Whenever I go to an electronics store, I see her pictures on Panasonic camera/mp3 player adds. At music stores, they still have her products on display separate from the regular shelves and they have large posters. Now that A Complete has been announced, there is a table at the entrance to the store with a HUGE poster of one of the Mirrorcle World single covers announcing the release date and that preorders have started. At karaoke, BDam has teamed up with Ayu's 10th anniversary celebration and now has not only all of her discography but several concerts and remixes available to sing too. When you select a song by her, her 10th anniversary logo flashes. No other artists have this kind of promotion through karaoke.

Also, when Mirrorcle World came out, maybe she didn't perform on Music Station, but at literally every store I went into, and even at the gas station, I heard the song being played. The radio play for Mirrorcle World was far more frequent than the radio play for Talkin' 2 Myself. Yes, this has died down, but I expect I'll be hearing a lot more of her once again now that A Complete and the new single are coming out soon.

On top of that, Ayu barely finished recording GUILTY. She said herself that creating the album was a miracle because she was going to give up. And although I love the album, I think Ayu is in a period of severe creative burn out. The reason we haven't had a new single for the summer is probably because Ayu hasn't had any new lyrics until recently. Unlike other artists, no lyrics = no song because she writes her lyrics herself. Yes, it is very unfortunate that her burnout coincides with her 10th anniversary, but I personally would rather her come up with quality work than to try to push out subpar music just to make it a "productive year."

While I liked Mirrorcle World, I felt like that was a warning that she was getting to that point - yes Mirrorcle World is good, and Life is even better, but both of them give me the impression that she had to squeeze her creative juices to make them. And I half suspect, although I have absolutely no proof, that due to the way Life sounds, the song was originally written some time before and only recorded now. I seriously reminds me of Heartplace from RAINBOW..

Anyway, if Ayu has no new single, that of course means no new magazine or TV promotion. It's a shame but her burning out musically leads to silence on the promotion front. I suspect she's been writing a lot of lyrics over the last few months and the new single is the result of her finally being satisfied with the product - the 10th anniversary has little to do with its release.

[criminal]

Originally Posted by TakaSama

Whenever I go to an electronics store, I see her pictures on Panasonic camera/mp3 player adds.

Oh, really? I thought that Ayumi wasn't used for audio advertisements anymore. At least she isn't shown on the Panasonic website in the D-snap and D-dock sites.

[truehappiness]

Wow, I can't believe you read the entire thread! That's amazing, especially considering how huge some of the posts are.

In response, I think you're right in that Ayu has been somewhat close to a burnout in terms of lyrics/musical production, something that I really should've seen as an Ayu fan having read the 10th anniversary article in which she states that GUILTY was a "miracle" to have been produced with basically no emotion whatsoever. Although, I sort of wondered how she's been dealing with things in the last few months.. the happy times and the sad times... like, has anything inspired her since GUILTY? I wonder if the lack of tie-ups in general has allowed Ayu to sort of relax as opposed to churning out singles like in previous years [Many Panasonic tie-ins, VISEE, Morinaga.. etc.]... well, whatever she does put out, I'll be happy with. I usually am, anyway.

I wonder if Ayu herself questions the quality of her work after it comes out.. despite not listening to it much after release, sometimes even forgetting that she made stuff years after. Maybe she really wants to create something truly worthy of the 10th anniversary? Something big perhaps? Like, she doesn't want to just put out any song, and it's as you say that she may be finally satisfied with something. I just hope that this new "kakkoii / cool" song really is as she says.

[truehappiness]

I think Ayu still has the D-snap contract, it's just that she hasn't had a song tied up with it lately.

Her last "official" tie-up to it was like 1 LOVE in 2006. I remember they sorta skipped Ayu a few times for LUMIX as well when a song wasn't coming out.. I guess we'll see. The new songs coming up might have a future D-snap as a tie-in.

[Isthan]

I don't think she's been slacking off, I'm not disappointed in her. No summer single so no TV and magazine promotion so that's why we haven't been hearing about her so much these days, I guess... Sure it has felt like a silent year so far, I've been listening more to other artists lately but that's what I always do when there's only little news about someone.

So I'm not complaining, it's just more quiet time for her now. But of course I'd want more Ayu! So I hope the autumn single will be a blast!