basically people are saying that everytime a new singer comes out, whether they sing bubblegum pop or r&b or in this case, gives off the sexy vibe, then they'd be replacing the forerunner in that category? no. i mean, how many female vocalists sing pop and have a cute persona? A LOT. that doesn't mean that they're replacing anyone else. theyre doing their own thing. and Maki is just doing her own thing, too.

Kuu is Kuu, Maki is Maki.

but this is Japan....:P
tokyoxjapanxfan :yes
Exactly what I said :D

The problem with that, and sometimes with labels, is that the artist is not always in control.

If Avex really did have plans to turn her into "the next kumi" whatever that means, do you really think she'd fight them, and not only risk losing her contract...but also risk her career?

I mean, she signed onto Avex. A-V-E-X. What does that tell you about her goals and what she wants?

Sure avex is known to be like controlling but it doesn't mean they have to keep following. Kumi is getting away from the image they wanted for her; Ayu...self-explanatory; Namie (yes on Rhythm Zone but still) did her own thing and she is definitely not controlled by avex. Maki doesn't have to do what she's told necessarily...

No, you're right.

But she's not as successful as Kumi, Namie, or Ayu either.

That's true...
But she has at least built a name for herself so that counts for something :)

not really...
shes basically starting from scratch again..
shes at the bottom of the Avex ladder...

Suzuki Ami was a holdhouse name and still is...
but look at her career now... its in the pits.....

Maki's back to square one... Avex will continue to control her until shes like crazy popular....

:hi5

But we are more carefree about the sex image and well, America has been using sexy for years so we are use to it. Japan is all sacred and stuff and the sex image is always a shocker there. =/

I agree. This reminds me of the time the media and fans where saying Ayaka was the "next Hikki". XD

This can mean a good thing tho. I mean, Mai Kuraki debut image was somewhat based off of Hikki's debut image. Look how her debut album turned out. :O She has the highest debut first-week sales ever and her album is in the top 10 best selling albums in Japan. Nothing wrong with that all. So we can say that Maki being marked as the new Kuu is a good thing....if we let it be a good thing. =/

Uh-oh! You better edit your post before my boi Triple D sees that ur dissin' Ami. :lmfao


I suspect that AVEX will pull the 12 weeks single-like plan with her. :think If not something similar to that but new. Like 6 month single release or something. (She releases a single every month for 6 months is what I meant by that.)

I think yes and no. You're right about Ami but at the same time, she did have at least some of her fanbase move along with her when she transferred. So Maki will at least have some fans move with her as she leaves H!P :yes

Ami....who?

:laugh

but I don't know...some fans of Maki's don't seem to like the way she's going...

I don't know exactly what the fanbase is like, but I'm sure if she does go the "sexy" path... you're right...she will both keep fans and lose them.

yep, the wota are not liking Maki right now. Not for the sexy thing but for leaving H!P and blah blah blah so I definitely think she lost a good chunk of her fanbase...
But she'll build a new one on avex and she does still have some fans from before. avex will do a better job promotion-wise I think:)