I can only tell all of us to stay positive. :D

I'd be just glad to see another #1 in weeklies :yes

Number 1 today too! So she's obviously getting #1 for the weeklies.. Unless the other singles suddenly gain a surge in sales of about 100 000 copies..

I predict sales of: 128 000

Nah she's definitely going to get #1 for the weeklies. Let's see how much she sells then..

I really hope it'll sell more that 128k
sure its not bad, but in comparison to the other singles

I predict 160-170K

Well, if she does sell more than 150 000, I'll be so happy I'l even go vegetarian for a day.

I predict... a number between 100k and 200k :p

Wow go ayu for the #1 spot still, :) it's very good to see her single sell so well!

hahaha!!! you sound so devoted XD

I'm not suprised. Kuu is now the main focus of avex trax. They have forgot about Ayu.

Kind of sad. Especially since Koda Kumi is more than likely to drop in status after a period of time.

/cough ORANGE RANGE >>

Ayu really doesn't deserve to be put on the side.

That's possible but also it might be possible that Kumi might become a popular artist for the long term. I don't mind that but I wish avex focused on other artists rather than one only.

Actually, Koda Kumi have a better voice than Ayu.

And yes, she does deserve all the promotion she's getting and same for her growing popularity. The girl has been making music for 5 years and haven't got really notice. Sorry to say that if it offends anybody but... It's her time to shine.

... in your opinion .. >.>

Yeah it's a matter of opinion. Personally I prefer Ayu's voice because it's more versatile and enjoyable to the ears. I don't mind if Kumi gets exposure but avex is simply cheap by promoting Ayu so little for this single by giving her three magazine appearances only and not bothering to promote this single more as SunshineSlayer said.

Ayu has spent far more years than Kumi and has worked really hard and this seems a pretty poor way to repay a long term artist by throwing her aside and I really cannot find it in me to forgive avex for treating her so poorly imo.

^^ I guess Ayu had her time. It's time to move on. avex trax can't concentrate on Ayu for so long. It's been years and years of non-stop Ayumi here, Ayumi there. Tons and tons of Ayumi advertising. Her face on every magazines. Her face on every popular brand. And every music show. Simply everywhere. Other artists deserve some spotlight too, because they have major talent and they wanna show it. Although I do think Kuu's case had been a bit exagerated, she deserves it. At least, for now.


Yes.

wow I agree 100% with everything you have just said! I mean.. don't they know that they're taking a person who brought in billions for them and basically made them what they are today, and shoving her over.. What's wrong with them?! I mean, do they have any logical sense? Even with A BEST, when she was selling 4 or 5 million cds a year, they tried to get rid of her.. where's their sense?

Don't you get it? They don't care. They want money, that's it. Ayu USED to be the one who made 40% of avex's profits. Yes, she USED to be the top star. Yes, she USED to make lots and lots of money for avex and she was the artist of the moment. But you see, Ayu doesn't do that anymore. Kuu is.

I don't think Ayu had her time. She's still producing quality releases no? And her singles still go straight to #1. She's still a top artist and thus I don't see why avex shouldn't concentrate on her. I still see her high on Oricon popularity charts and she's still one of the most loved artists of all time. I don't see why we shouldn't see Ayu all the time. I enjoy seeing her and I'm pretty disappointed when I don't. Some artists are made to shine for a very long time and Ayu certainly is one of those people.

Hikki has been with Toshiba Emi for ages yet they don't just dump her for the latest artist and give her low promotion even if she's not as huge as she was before.

I don't know why avex is doing this, evolution. Maybe because they just want to focus on another artist because at some point Ayu became huge and that scared avex. We can only speculate. Guess avex wants somebody to make much more money than Ayu but to be honest I can't see Kumi selling too much unless she keeps up with releasing like crazy...

Yeah, her stuff still go straight on #1. But it seems like people care less about Ayu than they used to. So many new artist here and there. I think that if they did a survey on teens in Japan on who's there favorite artist, Ayu would not win. 3-4 years ago, of course. Now, I doubt so.

Yeah, there's rumours that they are scared of Ayu because she's too powerful. That would be a stupid reason to dump her.

Yeah but she still has a strong fanbase and her stuff still sells really well without any gimmicks which is something many artists seem to do nowadays to sell well. Putting her aside sounds a stupid move to me when she has the potential to sell so well.

It sounds a stupid reason to put her aside but we don't know what's really happening. For a while avex has been on the lookout for the artist who would replace Ayu.

I agree Demure. I mean, Ayu's still selling on average around 2-2.5 million a year, right? She's a top artist.. Judging by that statistic, people obviously do still care about Ayu. And personally, I think Ayumi is more of an artist than koda kumi.. she ALWAYS uses her music to express herself and never uses a co-lyricist.. pfft. but, getting back on track, I think Ayumi is still a top sellign artist and she is usually much stronger than Koda Kumi in the singles department (and in the original album department, some may say) so why not let her keep a budget that lets her shine her full potential? The company will obviously be recompensated in sales >.>

Yeah correct, but I think its the part where Avex is scared that Ayu becomes too powerful that deters this. Ayu is already an icon there, and possibly in the world too. Probably Avex is frightened of Ayu's influence in the future. All she needs is one book of memoirs on Avex's cruelty and they're as good as gone.

Well guys, if Ayu is still going on very strong. If she's still doing very well despite that the fact there's many other new female artists. If she still sales very very very well even though she has been around for a long time. If she's still at the top and if she still have a huge fanbase... If she still sale a lot of copies compared to many many other artists despite the weak promotion... Why are you complaining?

I mean, hey. Ayu still sale very well even if she doesn't have a lot of promotion compared to, say Kuu... You guys both said it, she's still at the top of the top. And doesn't need a lot of promotion to do so. Isn't that supposed to be something good? :shrug

it is good, I'm kinda glad she still has success even though her promotion is nowhere near the level it was 3-4 years ago. :) she doesn't need to be everywhere (magazines/tv) all the time, it's like giving the people a break without actually taking a break herself. :)

heh I love the way you put that XD and you're right. It makes me happy that she can destroy them XDXD mehehe.

believe it or not i want this single to sell 500k???????!!!!!!!

^^ Um.. I wouldn't get my hopes up for that =.=

lets make this clear again. ku is part of Rhythm Zone. ayu is part of avex. yes, Rhythm Zone is part of avex as the 'bigger' label, but i really doubt that max matsuura or any of the higher execs at the avex 'main' label have much control over wut happens at rhythm zone.
someone mentioned that ayu was getting 'too big' for the company (thru market share etc. yeah thats true and avex/sub-labels have been trying to diversify all they can and invest in other artists. wut would happen to avex when ayu finally decides to call it quits? thats not good for the company, so thats y they do this, its not like they are betraying ayu or anything. and we've seen wut avex/sub-labels invests in. ie: BoA, Otsuka Ai, Koda Kumi. it makes perfect sense to invest in them more than ayu cos they still have a long way ahead of them. at least 5 years (for BoA, like 10 years.) how many years does ayu have left? not very much. once artists, especially female ones hit 30, do u see the in the mainstream jpop world?
and i agree with asongforxx. if ayu can still be strong w/out the promo needed, y r u complaining?

I wonder why Avex chose now to use Koda like this..

Perhaps they wanted to choose the period where Ayu would be the least strong? x.x

/dies

Anyway, lets get back to Ayu.. xD Are there any strong contenders this week? I hope Startin' stays at #1 for the whole week and possibly the next.

~_~

Well, HINOI TEAM, Janne de arc, Morning Musume.. next week anyway... hm... the FFXII single by Angela Aki x.x..

That's all about worth mentioning. I think Ayu might be able to hold her position till next wednesday. :[

NEWS is getting #1 next week for sure. not only r they a JE group but their last singles have debuted at 180k+ on 1st week.

Oh THEM. >>

Yeah Ayu ain't gettin' no. 1 next week XDD probably this week only.

Damn JE people >>

Avex is a company, and they want to be less dependent of Ayu. Although it's kind of sad to see that they're somewhat "tossing" the older artist, from a business point of view it makes sense. As a company, their primary goal is to earn profit.

Most singers, especially pop, doesn't go beyond the age of 30 and strong. Ayu's considered pretty old in the pop world. Ayu done a pretty admiral feat of remaining strong after 7 years. Even Seiko Matsuda's status begins to fade after 5-6 years, as well as Namie Amuro. I figured that Avex probably thinks that Ayu's going to retire in a few years and when she does, the company won't suddenly collapse.

But Ayu has a pretty sturdy fanbase, and she can still sell, and I think Avex knows that. LIke Ayu_fan929 said, Ayu probably have few years ahead of her as a queen and there are younger artists with longer time. Strategically, it's a good move for Avex.

I think at a point Avex wondered if Ayu is too big for them to handle...but if they kick her out because she's too powerful, that's just kind of wierd...

I think if they kick her out, she'd probably just start something up again to release music and independently do her own music somehow. It's not like she needs avex to sing, does she? :\

Plus, they wouldn't be stealing her money if she went indie :p xD

I say Angela Aki's FF12 single gets number 1 next week.. >.> Final Fantasy = Success

Does it really?

/cough Koda Kumi

real emotion was..

Debut position: #6 Peak position: #3 Weeks in top 200: 28

And... less than 290k sales x.x

will the sales be out next week?

Yes! On Wednesday! ^_^

So Good!!!I like it!!!!.But i don't like anything is wrong ^___________^

i say >150k :D

I agree with you.. interesting.

I think avex can't hold ont to ayu like they used to but they can't let her go. avex gain popularity with ayu on their side, but if you ever fails they need some back up artists to keep moving. now they are tying to be equal.

And that's ok, but now more than ever you can see that her populatity is not all based on her image and promotions and CMs, and she still number 1, she;s not out of date and she's not slowing down (I believe).

I've never agreed fully with Avex's marketing strategies, but they have to do what will sustain their position at the top of Japan's music industry in the future. If that means neglecting the star that propelled them to that position, Ayu, then so be it.

Whatever the case, there's no doubt that Ayu is still selling CDs even now. A lesser person wouldn't be able to do it if they have also been in the music industry for 8 years.

Here's to another few more days at least at the #1 spot! :)

yar true. Few artist are able to maintain their sales after 8 years in the industry. Namie and MISIA are fine example. They can no longer sales as much as before and I fear that the same thing is goin to happen to BoA :(

(i think i read this here) i read that in the avex contract it states that once ur contract is finished with avex and u decide to leave, u cant sing with a different label for 3 yrs ot sumthing (i could be wrong tho)

Yes, as I was saying before AHS went screwy, this sales shows that Ayu is still at the top of her game. I don't think any other artiste has broke 100 000 on the first week so far..

yep. 1st 100k+ sales for singles since ENDLICHERI ENDLICHERI (released 2/01)

hehe. I want Ayu to do something to kill avex ;s they've done too much bad stuff to her and they don't even care.. and this is how they show their appreciation - release her single at the same time as another artist's BEST album.. >.> they're obviously just asking for her to fail. but I think Ayu is doing her best with what she can.. I mean, if someone else were to release a single on the same day as another person's BEST album, I wonder if it could do so well. >.> hmph. as soon as the hype goes away about Koda Kumi's best albums.. and she starts releasing normally again.. well hopefully then everything can go back to normal and Ayu can compete with Koda Kumi fairly like in the past.

this single had to be released cos of the tie-ins. i cant think of better date than 03/08 to release her single.

hm. maybe March 1st? Maybe February 20th. Maybe February 15th. Maybe February 16th. Maybe any date during the Olympics. Maybe February 25th. Maybe February 24th. The tie-ins were released in January and in the middle of February.. that doesnt justify why it was released on the EXACT date of koda kumi's Best album. >.>

(this is from the other thread. i copy-paste it in here)
then which date do u think avex should've put it in?
02/22: hikki/mika/hyde/w-inds.
03/01: EXILE/Remioromen
03/08:
03/15: NEWS
03/22: KAT-TUN
03/29: maybe here? (but EXILE album release)
04/05: BoA
04/12: Otsuka Ai/(i think) B'z.

to me, 03/08 is the best possible date for her. 03/29 is ok too, but 'Born To Be...' was an olympic tv song, so if it was released later, then not too many ppl will remember it. 03/15; 03/22 r off bounds. avex is not going to risk another possibility of ayu not getting #1. (she was almost knocked off the #1 spot twice [HEAVEN;Bold & Delicious/Pride] by JE groups]. altho if she released it on 02/22, she wouldve gotten #1 with 116k sales, avex isnt going to take risks and put her up against a post-NANA mika, hyde, and hikki. also 03/01 isnt good cos EXILE is technically under part of avex.

IN ADDITION
cds are also released on wednesdays. so mar 2, feb 20, feb 16 doesnt make sense etc.
also, do u think that it is in the best interests to release a single so soon. if it was released on 02/15 thats only wut, 6wks after (m)u, thats a bit too close for me. if it was released 02/15 then according to ur thinking, BoA's album mite affect the sales
lets go a week earlier: 02/08. TOKIO another JE group. altho not as strong, do u think avex would want her to go against them (and her bf)
02/01: ENDLICHERI ENDLICHERI (JE again)
01/25: WaT/B'z (B'z would win. theres no contest)
01/18: BoA/Tackey & Tsubasa. (not only both are part of avex, T&T are JE. theres a no go there)

I think any of those dates that you've stated are fine. Isnt it more fair and even logical for them to put her against hikki and mika for example, so that they'll be facing another company? and so that she'll actually have a fair competition? I think it'd be easier to go against other singles then a BEST album, which is one of largest CD releases that there can be..

i have faith in ayu!!!! this single will definitely break 300k copies....though i dun realli like this single much. nevertheless, go ayu!!!!! :D

so u think going up against JE groups is fine? if avex was actually stupid, and did that, then i would tell u that ayu would not get #1 for the week. 02/22, sure it mite have increased the sales, but would u want her to go against artists that can potentially do really well. avex isnt going to take risks n lose that #1 streak or the 3 records she has. theyre smart. 03/08 was the best date for ayu to secure the #1 spot.

also, while 'Born To Be...' was an olympic tv theme song. i dont really think THAT many japanese were interested (until they won the gold) cos the japanese team didnt even do that well

sometimes jasjasss i wish someone would slap you when you say this

Yeah, I agree it's a bit annoying how you're negative, jasjasss. The sales are actually way better than I expected.

I dont really accept those who are blinded only by Ayu and hate someone who is going to beat her...maybe you forgot but Ayu when she started to sing she didnt know how to sing at all, obviously they were using strong machines to change her voice and we have the results on her old performances..just watch her first concert in the begin which is the worst ever (not only the begin but the entire concert, even thought the begin is the worst part!) and if I were the fans in that concert I would get so angry to make me get back the money for the ticket!! Look at Koda's first performances and see if she doesnt know how to sing, or BoA or even Namie...I've got the first concers of both of them and they are very good at singin', not just like Ayu, its not matter of talent, it was matter of image they gave to her, because just be honest, Ayu is good on write songs but her voice wasn't that good and there are a lot of singers with better voice than her...of course now her voice is totally changed and it's good but it doesn't mean she is the best ever, Koda Kumi is a sensual icon yes but she does have talent! her voice is good and so her dances!!! so dont just say she doesnt deserve all this promotion, at least she have talent from the begin and after all this years she worked hard she didnt have any recognition...but now they have seen they made a mistake not to make her shine before..
Dont get wrong idea, I am a fan of Ayu, if not I wont be here but just be frank and obiective, not all Ayu does is good, she makes errors and she is not perfect, I also think she is one who pretend too much for what I heard and for what I see I think she is, but just recognize she didnt have any talent at all in the begin when other singers like BoA, Namie Amuro etc have shown their own talent in the very first concert and it makes you say "how it's possible this singer have such a great voice with even dancin' when Ayu who is in the top in the first concert sucks a lot?"

Totally Agree!!!

Let's just stick to the topic and continue discussing about this single rather than have a nasty fight over who sings better ne? We're getting really off-topic now. :)

rofl xD I dound his comment risiculously hillarious..

in any case, its safe to say that this single wont reach 300 000.. Even 200 000 seems far off.. it all depends on how well it carries itself throughout the next week. However, excellent sales though, she's still queeenn!

I wonder what the highest single sales will be at the end of this ORICON year..

[remember this beginning all over again..]

Maybe B'z?

Just wanted to add that Ayu had indeed singing talent... you can't be good in singing or even drawing, if you aren't born with this talent... talent is there to learn how to use it... she just didn't sound as if she had any singing lessons at all at first, but Ayu is born with talent. She has music in her blood :) .
I think she just didn't have a major interest in (professional) singing, her mom didn't want her to sing or/and she didn't have someone to seriously support her, to give her singing lessons and to push her in the right direction when she was still very young... I mean, when exactly did BoA start her pro-singing and when exactly did Ayu ^^;... it does make a big difference. I hope someone understands what I mean to say X__x.

Well, I'm really surprised, that this single sold less than 200.000 copies (I did buy one :yes ).... if it hadn't the Onimusha-promotion and the Olympics-theme, it probably would have sold even less than 90.000...

You shouldn't be surprised, Ayu don't sell 200k in the first week since 2003.

I'm still surprised BECAUSE both songs had a bit extra promotion (for a very popular game and for the japanese olympics theme (?!)), her other singles had not..... or am I false informed -_- ?...

i dont know about Startin', but for Born To Be... even though it was for the olympics, i wouldnt be surprised if very little ppl actually paid attention to the olympics given dismal results by japan's team.

^ Actually, the olympics are very popular in Japan.

All Ayu songs have big promotions and important tie-ins, so this isn't a first.

I know for sure B'z won't be at the top, I'm putting my bets on KAT-TUN. Their debut is going to be OUT OF CONTROL.

I thought that was an album xD I was going to say KAT-TUN too but I don't think they'll release too frequently..

plus its the ALLBBUMMM~

no they are releasing an album/single/dvd on the same day

^Yup, all 3 formats on the same day. Probably will reach #1 on all 3 too.

KAT-TUN with the top single of the year? A bit too early to say that, but going by the sales of Seishun Amigo, and also with Tak Matsumoto giving them help in composition, it looks likely. Even if I still find REAL FACE not too impressive.

Well seems this single fell down to #8.

what's going on with ayu;'s sales....~ Her recording sales had plummeted ever since in 2002, does this mean people are losing interest in ayu by virtue of her age or personalities????~

probably by the virtue of age? as she grows older, not many ppl (ie: young girls) will call her the "in" person, thus losing sales.

Why do you always say that Ayu should shoot herself?!

What do you mean? Don't you like Ayu?

If you treat Ayu as your idol, just support her. Don't say anything meaningless.

8th ? quite a big drop, isn't it ?

8th? Wow... I know it's wednesday and all, but that's really bad =|

No. 8? Thank goodness I'm too sleepy to feel sad about it :P

IMO Ayumi has more voice charisma. I think she's one of the best at emoting.

Um, would you please stop saying "Ayu should really shoot herself," because it's really bothersome. It really isn't her fault that not many people are buying her singles :rolleyes

He's said it before o.o

i really dont see how hes being sarcastic. well at least its a really bad attempt at it.

o man..such a huge drop

~X2RADialbomber~
I dont see how he's being sarcastic.. or even remotely close at funny


... and wow, from 1st to 8th like that... .. such a sudden and large drop.

Hasn't this happened before? lol

When a lot of singles come out [aka wednesdays] the Ayu single usually drops a bit, but it rises up a bit after a while because she sells more steadily and the others sort of just drop down after selling 50k or so a day. No biggie. :] It just so happened that a lot of singles came out today [seriously o-o]

~_~

I don't think it's anything to worry about that she's dropped. o.o At least she already is #1

true true.. Tommorrow its gonna climb back up again..

Um, I don't really see anything sarcastic about what having 'Ayu shoot herself' because of her low sales.

<_< Fine I'll edit my message.

He/she said that in the (miss) understood oricon Daily thread. Notice the emotes ,_.

....wow.

I just got my copy of the single... they pulled the stops on the booklet-y thing!

It's SUPER glossy o-o. Better than the miss.understood paper.. and certainly better than the 2005 singles' paper.

<3

#8 is such a big drop.
But I'm sure her position will be better tomorrow.

But I don't see the humour :(

I wonder if she'll manage to get another weekly #1 for this single..

I think he said it because alot of people worry over Ayu's sales if they are low.

Weird. I found the "shoot herself" comment really funny. You don't see people saying that everyday do you? Its hillarious. And the emoticon only strengthens the fact that it was a sarcasm. Besides, if he really wants Ayu to die, do you think he'd even bother to update the first post daily?

Yay someone agrees with me :D

:yes

Yeah and those 3 magazines aren't really high profile other than Sweet. I saw the TOKYO mag cover and it's a jumbled mess and doesn't contain anything about Ayu on the inside from what I paged through. However, maybe Ayu wanted to hold back with promotion for this single a bit since she was in the midst of perparing her tour.

While I do agree that Koda has a nice voice, I would have rather seen Otsuka Ai get this kind of promotional blitz from Avex since she at least writes her own material. I like a few of Koda's songs such as Cutey Honey, Butterfly, and 1000 Words, but the vast majority of them are just lacking something to make them memorable imo.

It could be true. However I remember when she released STEP you last year she still promoted this single fairly well. Maybe it's possible since she released this album so late she was more busy or just needed a break. However I agree with you. The promotion was lacking.

I though avex was going to promote Ai more before they started this huge Kumi promotion but seems Kumi appeals more to teens though I admit Ai has more potential imo because she does release material which is quite of high quality.

I don't think that's true at all. I'm a big Namie fan, so I can appreciate a great well trained voice. However, the flaws in Ayu's voice at the begining, I thought were a good thing. It made her more human and relatable, not a robot singing with a voice coach at the side of the stage. There is more to being a succesful singer than just having good voice control and range. Ayu exchanged her vocal handicaps for stage presence and the ability to connect with an audience better than any Japanese singer(and most western ones too) that I have seen. Ayu's voice is more trained and controlled now and I like it, but I also liked the raw emotion that her old voice had. And personally I love her first concert - her voice, immature and undeveloped was a reflection of who she actually was at the time and reflected the character and emotional resonance of songs that she wrote then - that's far more rare than hearing someone hold a note perfectly.

Yeah, the only difference is that when Step YOU was released, the tour was already in full swing. However this time the single was released right before the first date of the concert, so I'd imagine she is even more busy now than at the time Step YOU was released.

Like Max Matsuura has said, Ayu will be the first to do it. :) Well actually, I think Namie will beat her to it, but I think Ayu will be the only one who is at the top top when she is in her 30s.

^Whatever it is, let's just hope that Ayu doesn't overwork herself to the extent that she has to be hospitalised or something yes? Besides, it's good that the single managed to stay #1 for the entire week.

Yes. Seems it's stuck on #8 today too.