Really? That's just plain weird to me ... one song does not equal an actual CD.

At least, not in my book, but maybe I'm old fashioned : P

^Full downloads meaning the entire album/single LOL

I don't understand why Oricon refuses to count downloads.....its pretty much a standard everywhere else in the world now.

I wouldn't mind a seperate download chart, not at all ...

Maybe they don't see it as necessary. After all, there's Recochoku and the RIAJ also ranks them. Besides, PC downloads are of no importance whatsoever, and the two I just mentioned have got mobile downloads covered XD

^/^^ Downloads are administered by other organizations/companies, not Oricon, I think.

How are PC downloads of no importance? There are MANY, MANY people who buy albums on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, ect.. PC downloads are just as important as buying physical CD's (talking in terms of buying albums online, not single songs.)

Saying they aren't as important is like saying McDonald's is better than Burger King or Pepsi is better than Coke. People buy albums online the same reason they buy CD's. They enjoy the artist and want to hear the album. It's a sale.

Maybe I chose the wrong wording, calm down XD. I meant to say that, in comparison to mobile sales, the percentage of total sales it involves is pretty small. PC downloads account for TEN percent of the total downloads in Japan. That's not a lot and a much, much smaller number than, say, in the US, where nearly all single sales are done through iTunes and the like,

In a change of subject, what activities do you guys and gals think Hikki we'll take on to leave the industry "with a bang"?

Here's hoping for a Utada United 2010.

I doubt she'd be touring for a while. If there are awesome new songs on Single Collection Vol. 2, a few TV lives, and at least one new PV, then I'll be satisfied. I also hope that the In The Flesh Tour @ Irving Plaza will come out soon....cmon already. That's it. She doesn't need to do much to go out with a bang. I hope she can sell a million.

^I agree. As long as the songs are good, there's one PV, and a few TV appearances I'm good. If she can sell a million that'll be amazzzzing! :D I believe she can still! And if we get an In The Flesh DVD (especially if it's the NYC show) I'll be SOOOO HAPPPPYYY!

I want more news... I thought this thread would be a lot more crazy with her finally releasing something new and all but it's barely moved.

Well, I'm late again to hear the news that Hikaru's taking a hiatus... for 2-5+ years!!!!

So, my second favorite jpop singer (Rina Aiuchi) is completely quitting the music industry this year, and Hikaru's taking a super-long hiatus. Hikaru was the first jpop singer I ever got into back in 2000ish... bleh..

2010 hasn't been so great for jpop for me...

almost time for a new thread
wow surprisingly :laugh

I'm guessing 350K~380K, realistically. Though, who knows? =P

Who actually thinks hikki won't sell a million? Under these circumstances I highly belive she can and if she doesn't then that's just really weird

Btw. Is there like any more news on all this stuff?

No news yet. :( I'm betting we get a release date either this week or the following week and I'm betting on a release date for the first or second week of October. I'll guess the 6th or the 13th.

Yeah....I know its best album but sometimes those don't sell the way they are expected....like Ayu....only getting 800kish with A-Complete....and Kumi's last best was a fail. Then again...this IS Utada....and she doesn't release all that often so that could be a factor too. I'm confident in her ability as a million seller.

the album is set for a November 9th release, according to livedoor. but i'm not sure if it's 100% true, though.

I'll be preordering as soon as the link comes out :P

But this is different. Ayu had just released a best. Then she's also not leaving. (I wouldn't have bought that lol)
And kuu is kuu

Hikki hasn't released one in forever. She IS leaving. And it includes previously unreleased songs (which I'm excited for hehe). So this selling less than a complete would be somewhat ridiculous.
Even I who usually could care less about buying bests am going to. Beg my parents to order this if I like the new songs. Although it seems hopeless. Especially cuz I also want L... X)
This could sell a million. If funky monkey babies sold as much as they did. Hikki can double it lol. I believe she has that power.

Ugh. I want more info though. In the meantime ill consider getting a job to pay for my new wants.

^Yeah. I need to find a job soon too now that you mention it x_____x

I've gotta sell my whole Ayu collection to get money to buy Perfume's GAME CD+DVD and Hikki's new best.