A Ballads cover

[SurrealDreams]

I personally don't have a problem with the cover at all.
But it seems some people don't like it much.

I wonder what Avex had in mind when they made this, they must have known what the people would think. Or we might have to wait until the 'real' cover comes out? Who knows.

At first I thought it was a bit unusual! But that didn't matter because the cover looked really nice and made sense. Especially after referring to what matt said.

Again, I really like this cover. Its a kiss, implying a close relationship between the old Ayu and the new Ayu.
Sweeeeeeet!

[bulmasman]

I personally think the cover is beautiful. I love the idea or Ayu past and Ayu future coming together in such a loving pose.

My own interpretation is that Ayu is proud of everything she has done in her career up until now and so she loves that aspect of herself (but not in a big headed way). I think it is saying that you should not hate yourself for anything that you have done in your life. But thene again, that's just my interpretation.

I think this is beautiful beyond belief but I also can see what everyone else is getting at with this thread. I admit this will stir up controversy, but I am very comfortable with the image myself.

Originally posted by jxxxxxxxxxxxxx
biscuitgirl says: "Aye, you're jumping in there a little late, bud!"

since when is there a limit on when someone can add their opinion? would you have said that to anyone who would have posted next, or are you just holding a grudge?

chibinina4 reports: "Again, people are giving titles to people that they don't even know including everyone in the forum who dislikes the picture... ...Plus it's not yours nor anyone's position to label people that you don't even know just because they have opinions contrary to your liking."

i dont get it. you quoted my words yourself in big bold print. you could NOT have missed the words "it is possible..." but i guess you did.

i wasnt calling anyone anything. you dont have to lecture me on "its not your place to label people." 'cause i didnt.

but if youre the type of person to see the words "homophobia" and "conservative," and immediately defend yourself (when your not even a target) then maybe its a little too defensive for somebody whos not those things. get my drift?

so ill stand by my opinion too: this is a beautiful image. im very proud of ayumi hamasaki posing for such a cover, knowing how controversial it could be. whether it was her own idea or not, she's very brave. can that be agreed on (at least)?

Alright, Mr. Debater, who always enjoys jumping in on the controversy. Funny, I never seem to see you post unless you want stur up some heat. Anyway, I have already explained my reasons for my opinions, and I think that you should just drop it and accept Krystal's and my opinions. That's only fair, as I am not going to retaliate and challenge yours. This is not a debate forum, it is a discussion forum. Discuss your opinions, but don't challenge others.

[JTYC]

i think that cover's so coool..heee...
so huggy also....^0^

[nmskalmn]

Some more info was posted at Ayu's oficial site:

http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/info/index.htm

It says 4 different booklet patterns. Not sure about the rest...

[jxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Funny, I never seem to see you post unless you want stur up some heat.

dude get off my back already.. thats already been said sooo many times. this is a forum (fo-rum: a medium of open discussion or voicing of ideas).

i post way more about vinyls and mixing then anything else (maybe you dont read those or something, but try to know what youre talking about on at least some level)

...I think that you should just drop it and accept Krystal's and my opinions

I think youre in no place to bark such as suggestion.

see, i cant even post about ayu now because youve turned it into a discussion about me and attacked my character. i find it frustrating that if i post, all of the attention of my post will be directed towards the fact that i posted and not about what i had to say. you guys seriously need to get over it.

[Grantith]

Ok guys, calm down. People can express their opinions as long as they aren't rude to other people. And instigating an argument by name calling isn't a good way to prove a point. So let's drop this guys. There are ways of expressing your opinions without fighting. Let's keep things friendly.

[Belinda]

ha...i would think the guys think that the picture is interesting ^^;; but maybe not muaha its fun reading the controversy (spell wrong....i cant spell ok?) just over a cover =P her other covers probably have 2 of her in each one.. holding hands....hugging...hmmm i dunno =P*

[trainspotter01]

from the avex site, it says there will be a special internet site for the first press cds, 4 covers, and re-arrange of vocal/music (guessing this one)

[Grantith]

Another special internet site? wow! Thanks for the info!

[CREA]

I hope there aren't 4 variations.. XP Cause I have to always buy all the versions. And I always buy jpn versions, so even more expensive. meh :F

Not sure why there's so much drama about gays/lesbians on this site. How many straight people are there that like Anime/J-pop. It's a common fact that most gay guys like it.

You all probably speak to at least one homosexual just by being on the internet. If indeed this cover was to stir controversy, good. I don't like how's she's portrayed as something she's not, but she is putting the idea out there: Gays/lesbians are all around. We deal with them everyday. And though some of us may not condone the lifestyle, they're still there, and we're gonna have to get over it.


Oh by the way, I know I'm jumping in late too... but I'm allowed to express my opinions.

Anyway, I doubt it's even that. Again, she made the choice to pose. She knew how it would look. And she probably wanted to send out a totally different message. I think it's probably to love yourself as you'd love someone else. How else can you show someone loving themself? They can't very well just be standing there!

[CREA]

Very well put samurai. Very well put.

[Grantith]

There isn't any hate here surrounding gays and lesbians. Any kind of hate speech is not tolerated at this forum.

People might not like the cover, but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't like lesbians. I think it's weird that Ayu is kissing herself. That does not mean that I don't like lesbians. That's jumping to conclusions that aren't true. And when people start jumping to conclusions it'll cause conflict. So unless someone directly says something negative about homosexuality, we don't have to drag this issue out and cause more problems because it's not necessary. Some people might not be entirely comfortable with it, but as long as they don't post hate speech here, we won't have priblems.

No one here has said anything hateful, so let's keep it that way and drop this because no one has been disrespectful about it.

This topic has started some conflicts, so lets please try to respect each other's opinions and try to be nice to each other. Everyone doesn't have to agree about everything, but we can be respectful and avoid arguments. Ok? This is a friendly place, so lets try to not to fight.

I'm not trying to fight. I just saw Jxxx and Krystal and Buiscuit arguing, and I was stating a point. We deal with homosexuals everyday, and there are people... not specific people, but there are people out there who don't like it. We as a whole society need to get over it. I wasn't naming names or pointing fingers at anyone here. Just making a general comment.

[kazuni]

IMHO it's an awesome cover - probably will buy it just because of that

[ImpactBreaker]

Although the cover makes you think about it, it isn't about homosexuality. It's Ayu with Ayu, not Ayu with another woman and it's not Ayu with a twin sister. If I kissed myself on the mirror I wouldn't be a gay person but a narcissist one. The intention of the cover isn't about homosexuality in my opinion. It can be about narcissism though but not necessarily.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally posted by samuraiDRIVE
Not sure why there's so much drama about gays/lesbians on this site. How many straight people are there that like Anime/J-pop. It's a common fact that most gay guys like it.

Didn't understand much of it. The fact that some anime talk freely about homosexuality is not a reason for gay people liking it in my opinion. If most gay/lesbian people liked it than it would be a really great amount of people appreciating japanese culture and JPOP would be more well known, but that doesn't happen at all.

You're talking to someone who's friends with quite a few gays/lesbians. Most of whom happen to appreciate the Japanese culture. But going back to your other post, I agree. I put that at the end of my other post. I don't think it's about being homosexual, but about loving yourself. And you can't see someone loving themself just by standing there. How else would you show it but by admiring yourself? I think it's a great album cover, whatever the message is. It's unique, it's personal, it sends a message.

[kawai]

Read my translation here.
There's no lesbian issue here. End of argument.


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Comfirmed info from Official Website

Initial press: special casing + booklet (4 patterns)
Password for website on PC and Mobile Phone.