Disappointing 10th anniversary.
 

I know it's only halfway through the year but DANG.

I always dreamt that Ayu's 10th anniversary was going to be filled with amazing things, like new singles every few months, and amazing looks and tons of magazine covers and Ayu just looking AMAZING... but it seems as though this year has been the total opposite of that. Sure, we've had a few good looks once in a while, but 2008 is looking to be a really REALLY bad year for Ayu. She's only had one single when she should've had two by now, she barely promoted Mirrorcle World with only like two TV performances and like 4 or 5 magazines [her smallest amount since her debut I'd say] and it's just been... not very 10th anniversary-like. [though I know she's been working hard at the tour, but come on now. She's done it before.]

Does anyone else feel that Ayu just isn't delivering right now in the "WOW" department? It seems like her 10th anniversary should be her STRONGEST year or at least, she should be pulling all the stops, but it's looking to be one of her quietest and least interesting years with less appearances at a-nation and a super-extended ASIA TOUR.

Basically this year is a mirror image of last year except with MW [a half single imo] in the place of A BEST 2 and a "September" [assumed, not confirmed] single coming in the place of t2m along with an ASIA TOUR. All of this of course with like 95% less promotion.. Agh! She's basically saying: "I'm sort of uh, not into my anniversary. Sorreh! kthx4thesupport!."

WHY DOESN'T AYU WORK IT?

-end rant-

To rename this year similarly to EXILE'S PERFECT YEAR..
Ayu's 10th IMPERFECT YEAR [so far...].

I don't know what avex is up too.

I think she should have done A BEST 2 this year instead of last year.

I agree. Not that I'm saying that I want her to overwork herself, but I expected more. I hate to bring up comparisons, but look at EXILE and their 'Perfect Year' with Best albums and Dome Tours. I thought that she would do something like that, but maybe not with so many Best albums :P

IMO, she should've waited to release A BEST 2 this year that way AVEX could package more stuff with it, and you know people would've still bought it.

The only way she can salvage this year, imo, is to not release anymore singles, and just burst out with a completely new album with several 10th anniversary bonuses(maybe a re-issue of poker face, or a new recording of the ASFXX album.)

It's about time for a new single. she should stop the tourings for a while honestly :no

I believe the reasoning for A BEST 2's release in 2007 was because it would've probably killed her to do the "10th anniversary tour of her dreams" right after promoting A BEST 2.

Other than that, there's no real reason for her to have done it in 2007. Same goes for the BEST of CDL. Sorta strange.

This year has been very disappointing. :/ I agree, A BEST 2 last year was stupid, it would have made much more sense to release it this year. I don't know why she's being so inactive this year, maybe she's running out of steam?

We basically got 0.5 music releases this year. I expected much more, a 4 a-side summer single and a good winter single. But now we don't even know what she's going to release. Sure she may be tired and working hard, but she should be putting effort into what matters for her 10th anniversary. Doing what she does best: recording music.

This was the year I was expecting her to reclaim her popularity, but it just seems to be declining as usual. D: I dunno, most artists do a lot of things in their 10th years, but Ayu has done nothing but tour. :(

I hope she releases a re-arranged and re-recorded version of ASFXX, that would make it a lot better. :3

I think we will have surprises because of CDL 2008-2009? new single and new album. Maybe some box. Maybe ASIA TOUR 2008 will be released right after overseas part of it.

Yeah but I think Ayu's 10th Anniversary Tour this year is really for the fans that are still with her after all these years. I mean, AT08 is huge. It's amazing. I guess avex or I'd say Ayu just really wanted to focus on the current fans that really love and support Ayu rather than trying to suck new ones in.

maybe since her ear problem she starts to slow down? like starts to cut down TV live perfs...but its so ridiculous that there's no summer single this year

maybe it was like, 10TH YEAR -prelude-

i think she's just too concentrated on her tour wich started right after MW release
and WACOAL campaing is a part of 10th anniversary promotion

It is only july, and she is busy with this really long tour this year. Afterall with all the tragedy she has had lately we are lucky she is this active. I think we will still be getting a summer single, and perhapes something else around CDL. i think Ayu has some surprises instore for us this othere half of year. besides her 10th anv isnt really until Jan 1st 2009.

...

You guys are kidding, right?

She needs a BREAK and you guys are expecting, like, magic to come flying out of her butt!

Okay, let me start over.

We've had an album at the beginning of 2008. Okay, so it didn't hit the number one spot like her other albums. So? Big deal. A lot of people seemed to like it anyway.

She's released two (TWO!) remix albums after a whopping six years! In my opinion, a lot of people were very impressed with them (even with the bad "Greatful days" remix! XD).

The ASIA TOUR 2007 package was finally released after practically a year. This tour was filled with amazing performances and tons of behind-the-scenes footage that was just incredible to see.

She released the extended version of the miraculous "Mirror" into "Mirrorcle World" (no pun intended) exactly ten years after the release of "poker face." Sure, I've heard both positive and negative reviews, but a majority seem to love this song.

She's holding a SECOND ASIA TOUR; not only that, but it's extended throughout the year with Japan in the spring/summer and the rest of Asia in the fall. I'm sure a lot of people in Asia (outside of Japan) are thrilled. Not only that, but the tracklist, the costumes, the set, all of it seems to be getting high and positive reviews.

As for magazines, she's appeared in not only regular issues, but ones such as VoCE and Kodokawa (after three years!). She had a photoshoot in two issues of Bea's Up, Cawaii, SCawaii, Sweet, and two issues of ViVi!

Think that was enough? Our dear Ayu even squeezed in a date for a-nation '08 even when she wasn't initially going to perform!

And Ayumi_lover reminded me of another thing by mentioning WACOAL promotion. That was such a huge (well, big) step of something new from Ayu. I must say I admire her bravery yet pride in her beauty.

The girl's lost a boyfriend, a close friend, and her hearing all before her tenth anniversary, yet she is staying strong! She could've easily dropped everything and said, "I need a break!" But no, my friends. Ayumi Hamasaki has worked her butt off in not only staying strong, but trying to continue to keep her fans (and staff!) happy. I must say, brava for her!

Yes, this is my opinion. And, no, you may not agree with it. But I just want to state my opinion(s) and raise my voice. I've received more from Ayu than I honestly expected. Sorry if anything sounds harsh, but I just want people to realize all that she's done so far (and the year's only half over!). You can stick with your opinions, for I don't expect anyone's to change after reading mine. Once again, I just wanted to state them.

going on tour takes a lot more work than i think some people here are appreciating. she's focusing her energy doing that, going to see her fans live rather than releasing new material. it just so happens that she also has international fans in different hemispheres. but that isn't really her fault, and just because you feel raw about not being able to take part of the 10th anniversary celebrations doesn't mean you can say she's not working it. she's out and about, she does have a fair bit going on, she's released a couple of things this year already (CDL, AT07, Ayu-mi-x G/S, etc).

yeah it sucks she isn't releasing anything for the summer, but holding her up to that standard, making her some sort of music machine that should create at your whim isn't really an ideal we should hold her to either. i don't really know what is happening with her right now, i'm happy she's taking it a bit easier, hopefully taking care of herself, because i'd rather see her be a little bit slower and be around in another 10 years than to go crazy with releases, over work herself and have even more serious health problems.


i'm sorry, but i'm just sick and tired of people complaining about no summer single. it's sort of childish and people should grow up. it's so materialistic.

I gotta agree 100% with the last two posts. She has really been busting her ass, and with everything that has happened to her we should be happy how hard she is working for her fans. besides it is only July, and im sure Ayu isnt done yet!

I agree that ayu has been working her butt off and all that but perhaps she is doing it in the 'wrong' way? I think truehappiness was expecting something like 2001 with a dome tour, seasonal single releases and a smashing album at the end not to mention tv appearances (of which she only did 2 this year) to highlight her 10th anniversary. Nobody's saying she's slacking. I just wished her direction was a little different. Maybe she's getting more involved with production issues which i feel maybe she could leave to the professionals? This could be giving her less time for photoshoots and promotional events.

I know what you mean. I mean. I absolutely understand that she is continuously working very hard, especially w/ the asia tour and all that that calls for (traveling, rehearsals, crazy fans mobs, stress, etc.). She is certainly not half assing anything right now. I continue to appreciate that. I'm sure for the fans that can actually go see her in person is even more grateful and honored by all her hardwork.

I'm sure SHE definitely feels like she's having the time of her life w/ the asia tour to celebrate her 10th anniversary, being able to meet all these people that support her and all.

But as for me, who can't see her live, feel like this 10th anniversary time has produced zelch. Nada. Nothing. Because all in all, WE can't see the performances. WE have NOTHING from her besides tiny Mirrocle World. She hasn't even had her typical summer single like before. And for that, to have LESS than usual in comparison to her past years where there are mag covers and singles coming out every month or however often, it does feel empty.

As a fan of her works and the lack of them right now, I'm complaining. As supporter and admirer of Ayu the person, I continue to see how much heart she gives to her fans.

I actually thought she has done a lot already this year.

EDIT: Also, I think every year should be amazing or special, not just a tenth year.

2nd EDIT lol: And I say that because once the 11th year comes, I don't want to expect anything less from the previous years. I just want another good year. Doesn't matter what number it is.

Yes it sucks that she isn't releasing a summer single, but to be honest, I can stand a break from the strand of summer singles starting from July 1st that to be honest, are beginning to sound the same. And let's face it, every time she releases a summer single it seems like a lot of reaction from this board are pretty negative. Just experimental wise, I would like to see what happened if she didn't release a single for the summer. Would it affect her fall release?

She has experienced a great deal of trauma before her tenth year, and I agree with chibi_venus. She isn't a machine. She can't just produce music at every whim.

She's active, just a different level. Do I want her to release a fall single? absolutely. Do I want more magazine promotion and TV appearances, yes. But rumor has it that she's already working on a new single and I though MW was brilliant as a song. Yes, she's touring a lot, but this year she's really focusing more on her fans. She's communicating more, and I think that's huge for her, because she always seemed closed off emotionally wise.

I like 2001, but let's face it, back then she was younger and probably had more energy. And the quantity of releases were great for short-term sales, but for long term I think it was an double-edged sword. Sometimes I wonder if her CD sales would be higher had she spanned out more. But that's my ramble for another subject.

I dunno how to say, I was both disappointed and *quite* excited with what she done this year...though all seems ordinary,,

IMO she needs some rest but still, she could do a better job even though she's taking a break,, well at least release a new single....

I think a lot people complain every year how she doesn't deliver anymore. Does it really matter that her 10th anniversary is "subpar"? What if she has an awesome 11th year? People won't care about this year anymore, hahaha

I'm not at all disappointed in Ayu's level of output this year. I AM kinda wondering why Avex hasn't released something that half of us love and the other half get angry about. You know, like A BALLADS or her remix albums.

I'm still waiting for full-length versions of some of ayu's remixes. There's ample opportunity there. Where's the ayu-mi-x 5 stuff? HMM? There's still one remix from ayu-mi-x 3 that we still don't have yet, and long versions of TONS of remixes that we've only heard radio edits of.

Come on avex, take advantage of us, please? Some of us actually WANT this stuff released. ;_;

Either that or a CD of demos & such. The CM versions or earlier incarnations of songs. I'd love to hear that stuff. but nooo. ;_;

Avex makes me sad.

i have to say i 'm really bouring about this "all-the-year-on-stage" stuff, and just 3 single per year :(

and more frutating is the fact that all her last concert (2007/2008) are really really LAME as an eternal DEJA VU
about the 2008 concert reading the set list and watching the pictures sounds like another "so so" concert

the high point of ayu was the arena 2005 and 2006 tours..after that she is recycling her great past ideas.

Maybe some of us were just expecting AVEX to milk the hell out of Ayu's 10th anniversary :laugh

I'm in a way also disappointed about this year in terms of the releases. I rather her replace the remix albums and the 10 vinyls to some kind of box set or a re-recorded version of her first album. I was also hoping for a 3 single release this year but it doesn't look like it will happen unless she releases her next one in september and her third one in november before she releases a new album in december or january.

Right now I'm starting to not like how she looks so chunky and showing her cleavage so much. She was so healthy fit back in 2005. Its not like she's fat right now...her stomach isn't sticking out or anything but she doesn't have a waist anymore...its like straight down. Its so weird...she wasn't as chunky like late 07 and early 08.

I REALLY wanna stress what Chibi_Venus said earlier!

Which is TOTALLY true. Together When... is still one of my ringtones. I thought that album was truly something that only Ayu can pull off (sure, some songs may have been weaker than it should have been, but think about it. She put A LOT more time and effort than Secret, so it must have much more feeling in it, too.)

Again, TOTALLY true. Every year for six years, countless people complain that they wanted more remixes. Then when she finally releases them, those same people (that are loud enough) COMPLAIN about them. I mean, give her (and her remixers) a break! She put out top-notch material (aren't they the highest charting remix albums in a while?), so suck it up and deal with it.

My ONLY complaint would be the inability to view the concert, then view the documentary. The concert loses steam with the clips shoved inbetween, so an option to remove/insert it would have been nice, along with an option to view the documentary seperately in its entirety. But other than that, the concert was AMAZING (the 1 LOVE, until that Day..., and Boys & Girls performances were stuck in my head for the longest time), and it was refreshing to see her boundless energy mirror the energy given from her crowds (not to mention seeing her dance!).

Mirrorcle World is the PERFECT song for her 10th anniversary. The lyrics match PERFECTLY with the theme of her career: sorrow. Just think about it, that last part of the song. IT'S FREAKIN' PERFECT.

AND TO THOSE THAT COMPLAIN THAT SHE'S ONLY FOCUSING ON HER TOUR: remember that she was based solely in Japan. She caters to her loyal Japanese fans because that's where she is, that's where 99% of her important sales come from. Only recently has she spread herself (on her terms, basically) into other regions of the world, so she's putting an importance to her expansion. She knows about us other countries, but she doesn't feel ready to cater to us yet.

I never really cared about magazines myself unless she's on the cover. Ahaha, then I'll buy it. But without much to promote, it's amazing that she's doing this much at all. Right?

Which is AMAZING, considering she would need to make more costumes and may be even routines.

I think that it really was a big step in her career to do the WACOAL promotion. Of course, it's for "Mama", so she would do it to start with, but to do it internationally will really jettison her into the spotlight around the world. She's not gonna be one of those models that try to sing or do other things; SHE ALREADY DID IT. It's really good that she's doing this, since she can pull off a Madonna and start taking over the world.

Chibi_Venus' comment was one of the most level-headed posts I've seen in my three years here, since it was based on many different factors, not just releases and other physical stuff. Thanks for your insight, it brought a lot of stuff to my attention, and made me think more as if I was in Japan, compared to if I really was in Hawaii; it made me realize that Ayu must be ALL OVER Japan right now.

I agree with you so much.

We still don't know what will happen next too!
She might end up this year with another single (or two) and a new album.

AMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!! :bow39:bow39 Let her rest please! You all act like she is super woman! I really have nothing else to add to this comment! :applause:

the only thing that's really awesome in this year is the fact that she got Ayu-mi-x back! When that happened, it seemed like it'd be a real 10th anniversary-year... but now it kinda isn't... But the year's not over, as you said.. Maybe the next single will be surprisingly good, and there'll be other things in store for us... who knows.. as for the break-thing? Ayu's a superstar; they shouldn't rest all in 1 go; they should rest in between. And this year it seems like she's been able to do that.. but of course you don't know what she's working on that we don't know about

Life was a new song (1), MW was a remix (0.5), DoY minor remix (0.25), YOU minor remix (0.25): 2-A side single. Fine in my books lol. I dont really get what you're all expecting.. A triple A-side single like H and &? I doubt that's ever going to happen. She probably wants to keep new songs to her album so it sells better. Imagine if t2m would have had (d)lma and glitter had MY ALL. Lol way down go the album sales. Idk. I guess compared with western artists she's still holy esh fast. Avril only releases every 3 years or so. XD

@Chibi_Venus: Ummm she didn't lose her (half) hearing right before her anniversary.. And her A-Nation performance was probably planned way ahead.

maybe the best's yet to come since there's still time before 2009 rolls out

There hasn't been much releases, yes, but there's still time for Ayu and Avex to produce something once the tour is over, who knows, they might have something planned for then. With such a big tour this year, it's hard to produce music, it seems like Ayu is busy enough at the moment.

Nope, I wasn't disappointed or something about her 10th year anniversary.
I was so happy for her that she made a very huge contribution on the Jpop industry like a home to her.

The one thing that I was terribly sad is that she releases "less" new singles.

As of now, Ayu focuses more on her upcoming 2nd Asian tour than making a new single which we all anticipating a-LOT(Including me)!

Oh well, I hope AVEX do something to produce more singles, a strong album, or even more tours in the future(or even now).

lol you guys were talking about this issue & then a fairy godmother came along & bring you this -> http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showth...15#post1558115

Sad to say that the tour of 2008 is also the most saddening one. Every single news is focusing on ayu's deafness and the death of her best friend. It's filled with sorrow i guess.

But hey!! 2008 is only 50% over!! we still have more to come!! or probably there will be more albums released in the future!! :D

Wow, I never thought you of all people would make this thread because usually bad opinions about Ayu get slapped upon by you since you adore ayu the most in the forum I think :p

However, "Does anyone else feel that Ayu just isn't delivering right now in the "WOW" department?"

Ayu hasn't been delivering in the "WOW department" since 2006 if you ask me. I am totally uninterested in Ayu these days. I'm following artists that are very creative and inspiring to me right now, such as Namie Amuro, BoA, Koda Kumi and a few older artists I only discovered just now (such as Yuki Kimura).

Ayu, I'm sure she's doing her best, but for a 10th anniversary what she's doing is indeed mwaaah (mediocre) and I can't say I like anythign about Ayu recently. If I'm listening to Ayu at all these days it's old songs I love or ayu trance.

I just think Ayu's super great "WOW" days are over. Sad to say, but that's what I think.

^ EXACTLY. -__-"

LOL YEA THATS WAD I TOT...its better than nothing...

Brava! You said all that I wanted to all. (:

I think that she should take a short break (maybe 2-3 months?), rest (her ear!!! O: ) and get refreshed after her tour.
She may be Ayu, but she's still human afterall.
(And she can come back, swoop us off our feet with a great new single! :luv2 )

Idk, what defines a WOW factor? ;p In 2007 she didn't even release a new album, and imo the GUILTY factor was too rockish. XD But for someone who loves rock maybe this era was the wow factor for them? Idk I dont really need a wow factor. Its good music and thats all that counts for me ^^

Also I thought that AT08 was the best tour ever. :x And not saying that because it's new. FINALLY no AUDIENCE or UNITE or Boys & Girls in the main set list!! =D And the set list is just amazing..<33 I just wish she'd come up with something new for the "sexy dance" session >_> aka. my name's WOMEN/GAME aka. 1 LOVE/until that Day... aka. (don't)Leave me alone/decision. It's so easy to come up with new stuff. =o I mean, she could stand on a pillar that rises from the ground at the catwalk area? Or maybe being lift in the air with a huge cape that kind of covers the back of the stage and images are projected on it? Idk she needs to get a new creative designer

Artists can't rest, otherwise they'd fade into obscurity. :\

^Yeah, I think so too, specially in the case of ayu, since she's way too conservative about her career. I'd accept a break if she were to actually take her time to improve her musical abilities in any way, either working with a very different composer/arranger, or learning how to play an instrument or writing compositions. But, after a long break, I'd just imagine she'd be back to her usual H/\L/CMJK/samecomposerssamearrangers and do the same usual stuff she's used to, so imo, her fanbase would drop madly. I'm not saying that I want her to change to a different style, but for a break followed by a come back, the artist has to show what did they take their time for, otherwise, yeah, they will just fade into oblivion lol

You all are going on and on about what she's ****ing released.

GUILTY might as well be with the 2007 year. It even actually hit shelves on Christmas secretly, right? Honestly. That doesn't count

2 Remix albums. ALL SHE DID WAS SHOOT THE COVERS! She didn't have to provide any vocals or rewrite any songs! OTHER PEOPLE REMIXED THE MUSIC. So she picks out 30 songs and goes "These go on this album and these go on that..." And frankly both of them were horrible.

1 single with 2 new songs, one which is very very very very very forgettable. What was it called again?

And she does a tour every year. She did Asia tour last year, and she was still popping out singles, so I don't see it as being an excuse. Especially now that she isn't touring right now. We all were expecting a new single, but no, we get this compliation where again, the only effort required on her part is MAYBE a cover (probably just her logo so not even) and picking out what goes on it.

I'm sorry, I agree. I'm heavily disappointed.

Namie has much much more happening this year than ayumi... >_<

And that's saying something considering when she fell of the face of the planet after CSCEIS XD

I personally have been pretty happy with the releases this year o.o
I dunno', there's always been something to buy XD

The compilation has new who... recording...

Anyways I gotta say that I agree with a post before..
She is doing the Asian Tour, which is made solely for Japan + China.
Maybe it doesn't seem like she's not doing anything, but for them, she is in the news a lot.
The Asia tour is a bit bigger this year, so I think she's focusing on that a lot.
For her, I think the tour is more important. I think for Japan and China, it's the same way.
They wanna see her on her 10th anniversery.

Also, maybe she's taking a step back, and looking at her musical avenues.
Lately, her single and album were not received THE BEST, so it's possible she wants to wait..
So she gets inspiration, and she creates a really good song.
Before, I was saying "I want a new song!!~" since I really loved mirrorcle world.
But now, if she is taking her time to create a single that we can say "wow!! *o*~~"
then I will wait for that patiently!!!

But yeah, she is still much more active than many artists in Japan.
Utada Hikaru, where is she right now?
Same with Otsuka Ai?

At least we know exactly what's going with Ayumi~ in HK.
\^o^/ I'm waiting~~

Maybe,she's doing it on purpose.She wants us to antecipate to death,and when our hopes are gone,she'll do something new...

I don't think it's really Ayu's fault. I'm sure that she would've want to do something big. But avex is simply not focusing on her anymore. Now, they have EXILE. And Namie is starting to get her fame back also. She had a fantastic single with amazing sales. Her album did really well. She's getting a new best-of. Plus, she's getting incredible promotion. I guess since Ayu's sales have been declining a lot, they decided to not put all their money on her 10th anniversary. MW did sell pretty well, but let's face it. It wouldn't have been #1 or sold that well if avex didn't do anything about it.

Honestly though, I wasn't expecting all that much from her. So I'm not that disappointed.

MW was pretty much a sucky single with a bad title song. A COMPLETE is kinda useless. Not really interested. :shrug

Some people just expected more and spreading across Asia isn't enough for them. That's more than what many Japanese singers has ever done. Even compared to other singers, she is more active now (even without her fashion/photoshoot life). Seriously, with all the things she has done already and with all the songs she has under her belt, what is there to be dissappointed?

If I'm dissappointed with Ayu, then I'm dissappointed with almost every other musical artist out there because they are not "active enough". Think of any musical artist, they all had some "down time".

she has been freakin' busy all year!
some really sad things happenned to her and no matter what she continued to do releases, and her tour. She didn't even wanted to write GUILTY but she did it!

She did another Asia Tour, she rearranged Mirror to make it a full song. We've waited for so long for the 1st Asia Tour, which is completly amazing.

Why is everyone like that ? I'm sorry, I'm just kinda tired to hear so many people complaining about what she should have done (no offense.). She worked so hard during the year, and I think that what she did is great. I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED.
I'm really happy of everything she released for this 10th Anniversary. Honestly, what could we ask more than that?! an album, 2 remixes album, a single in 4 versions, Asia Tour 1-2, a best of singles + TA LIVE & A-nation performances.

yeah she did not do a summer single and so what? she did other things instead !

I think there's nothing disappointing and that we should just be grateful of ALL THIS.
I am NOT DISAPPOINTED!

Yeah, you're right. We SHOULD be grateful for all these releases. Though, I don't really enjoy GUILTY, I don't listen to the two new remix albums, I don't like MW at all and I don't remember what Life sounds like, plus I'm really not interested in A COMPLETE. Even though she's releasing so much, I don't enjoy them. :shrug I've learn to deal with that since (m)u though. I still have hopes for the new "Who..." version though. (It's my favorite Ayu ballad! <3)

Well, i guess it really depends on what kind of fan you are.

I'm the fan that only cares for her studio music releases. I don't care for her tours, TV appearances and annoying magazine photoshoots. I don't give a crap for those, and I'd love if in that aspect, ayu pulled a Hikki (not on taaking her very sweeet time to release new songs though).

So this year, ayu HAS dissapointed me, and I can voice that pretty clearly. Saying that she has dissapointed is not saying she is a dissapointment, that's two completely different things. I know she's been working hard, I definitely recognize that, but I'd rather she's spent that energy into making a new song :P I'm used to following her constant releases, and her career revolves around her music, her songs. She didn't became famous solely because of her live performances. Seeing how this is her 10th year, I do expect she'd put some thought into releasing a song. The only new song she has truly delivered us this year was Life and that's it. :shrug

Where's Utada now? some might say...well, there's a reason why I'm a member of AHS, and not any Hikki forum, even though I love Hikki.

Well this thread was made before the A COMPLETE set was announced. XD I am kinda happier about this year now, a single collection is quite fitting. :3

That announcement and crap were the same to me. I want some new material to enjoy :laugh

I agree. D: But at least there's something there to mark her 10th year.
I don't think much promotion needs to be done for this single collection, so I hope SOME kind of release will happen soon after this release.

^^ Same here. Sorry, but I'm not interested in this release at all.

After the announcement of "A COMPLETE ALL SINGLES" I just thought about this thread and laughed to myself =P this year is so not dissapointing for me and I'm going to order it since it's an album full of great stuff (and I still lack some studio albums of ayu so until I'll get them I want it the DVD and the photobook). I thank avex for releasing it meanwhile ayu tours until there will be a new single!

I'm glad it's not just one CD best though, it would be stupid.

Who... (10th anniversary version) must be amazing too!

truehappiness, i am really surprised you actually wrote this. i thought you absolutely adore every single thing Ayu does/makes/whatever. This is what I get from your posts.

I realise you have written this before the news about the comple box (or did u already know it?)

Have you changed your mind? I don't think so, considering the content of the collection. (I am quite shocked, and surprised to see people's reactions, going like CRAZY to order it... but people can waste their money as their like, also, I'm surprised, am I the only people who tries to save money here?)

I think that ayu could have made much more, could have one much better to celebrate her 10th anniversary.

My reference artist is KOKIA, with her 10th anniversary as well. The tour in Europe was not very good in my opinion, (I started to lose my "faith" there) but she has released an album, a DVD live, the first time she has realised WORLDWIDE a DVD of this kind, smth which fans were waiting for desperately, but unfortunately, it has come too late, because i am going through a crisis--> chouwa live does not move me at all, that's serious!

And it's been confirmed a concept album with 8 songs for september.

Of course, she has made many many concerts in Japan.

Considering the difference between both aritsits, I think KOKIA has celebrated her music anniversary better than Ayu.

I am suprised by the way Ayu is getting on this anniversary year. A lingerie promotion campaign? that's weird, I do not think it is bad, but i do not think it's the best to "celebrate" your 10 years in music industry (and i know it's not been made to celebrate anything, but every move Ayu makes this year is supposed to follow a single direction, which is celebrating and consolidating her career as a singer).

Well i think the announcement of A COMPLETE makes this thread kinda pointless... Though it still seems some of you still are not happy, but you will have those kinda people who are never satisfied:P

A COMPLETE singles is a pointless release on it's own, so it doesn't make this thread pointless. You can still buy A BEST, A BEST 2 -BLACK- and A BEST 2 -WHITE- and there you go!!! Also, it's really annoying that they're releasing a SINGLE COLLECTION just a year after a BEST album has been released.

Oh I meant that I laughed because for me it's the opposite of dissaponiting (not that this thread is pointless). XD
There are a lot of tracks I still didn't get on CDs (and Mirrorcle World (Yes there are people that love Mirrorcle World =P)) .the photobook and the live footages so it makes this album more than valueable for me and I'm kinda glad avex release it.

I think that ayu will release a single until October as well with new songs, if not then it would be dissapointing. But meanwhile there is something "new" to fill in the empty released days and fits the 10th anniversary mood so I'm glad about it.

Oh no, I wasn't referring to your post, so no worries there LOL


I think this is the proper time for a compilation release, but only if she hadn't just quite recently released one. There are the differences, obviously, and it will probably be less expensive than buying all 3 BEST alums, but still...

The A Collection is for those who want the DVD from TA Live and A-Nation. Or the 48 pages worth of photos. The new "Who..." is just a bonus. And it's also good for new Ayu fans who don't have many of her tracks to begin with. Also, you can't go wrong with 43 tracks. That's a lot. (I just wish they include instrumentals).

Thus, I say it's different enough from A Best 2.

yeah... and the year is NOT OVER yet.
we dont really know WHAT is happening with ayumi all this year, what she has planned.
While I do think that A Best 2 should have been released THIS year, and not the singles collections,
I feel like fans are really looking for songs like ayumi made BEFORE..
Maybe in My Story time, or even I Am... when she was less rocky.

I really dont know why people hate Mirrorcle World so much.
It was based from the Mirror interlude, of course..
However, it's not the same song, its a better song~~
but I guess yeah, what was said before, people arent satisfied..
Because it's not the old style of Ayumi song, and it was an interlude before.

But yeah, I have to say again, just wait~~
She is probably waiting a few months so that she can have a fresh song,
Something that people will be saying "I really like it!!"
Because I think she needs that time to think about what kind of song she wants to make.

Also, we don't know if DAI or HAL or any other composers are available?~
So Maybe she's also waiting for that..
aahah we don't know... maybe TA message will come soon!!

I agree. For me since I love rock 2006 and 2007 has been good years for me and secret and GUILTY were among my top favorite albums.

A COLLECTION is a kind of weird release, one year after A BEST 2, but tbh she has singles that were never included in her BEST albums and etc. It would be nice to see the never-released-before covers and then lament on how they're much nicer than the actual cover... :laugh

Maybe it was a bit of a stretch for me to call this thread pointless, But at the same time how can this release be pointless on it's own? Like the above poster stated we are getting Two live concerts, 48 Pages worth of Photos, Every single ever released in one package, and a remix of Who...

I guess if you have every single she has released. It will make this release less of a worthwhile purchase for you, But what you don't realize is many people do not own all of her singles. So they are going to jump at the chance to own this album, Exspecially with all the extras you get with it.

I really couldn't image a better release for her 10th anniversary besides a new album. Which i think it is far to early for a new album anyway. I believe most of you are just upset that there isnt going to be a summer single. Which can be a good thing as there will be more fresh tracks on her new album.

EDIT: I am a HUGE fan of rock so GUILTY is my fav album behind (Miss)Understood...

LOL sorry XDD (I wasn't mad anyway)

Well we all know how avex works in the money milking method, and if we can't fight it we should enjoy it because they will never stop =P and there are things that we can enjoy from.

AVEX tend to do that. I seriously dread what's going to happen when Ayu actually retires.

I dunno, for the past years I've been at AHS the reactions to summer singles has been pretty negative. I mean, people liked Alterna, but I tend to see a lot of "OMG SHE RECYCLES1!1!1!" after the release of every summer single. I guess that has kinda waned my anticipation for summer singles. People tend to welcome fall singles better.

No. Especially if it's another rehashed upbeat song. I don't want another "July 1st in a glittering fairyland"-esque single.

Plus, as Impactbreaker brought up in the News thread, this collection isn't even complete as it doesn't include every song from multiple A-side singles nor does it have her digital one.

Personally I'm not dissapointed with 10th anniversary. She worked hard all these years: 1 album each year and lots of singles. Maybe now Ayu feels that she can stop and focuse on 1 thing and make this thing as good as possible (I'm talking about Asia tour).
As all of her fans I want new material, but our dear Ayumi is a human too and she should have a break.
Maybe she's not releasing new songle? because want to slow down and work on new song more carefully.

Honestly - I take her 10th anniversary as just another year in her career soooo I'm not disappointed.

^tbh it is. Avex has shown repeatedly that it is very capable of milking their artist for all their worth until they're completely overexposed but you know, I guess from a business point of it makes sense.

I dunno, most of the other artists I listen to tend to release slowly, so I'm pretty used to it.

DA1SUK1DAY01691, thank you very much. I agree with your comments (which reflected mine). You made a lot of sense in your post as well. ;) (And thank you ayumisrael, Sweet_Ai, and music_* for your compliments! ^^'')

How true. :laugh

:roflmao

I'm personally never for BEST compilations and only see them as something for a fan that doesn't own anything. And the other half that buy them are collectors, so they probably have the original studio albums and singles which already have the song from the BEST CDs. :laugh

The DVD thing, I have to say, is really great. I mean, the TeamAyu tour is really rare. What's great about the a-nation part is that it's only Ayu's, so if you're a fan who wants the regular a-nation DVDs just for Ayu, your wish is true with this A COMPLETE set thing.

Basically, I agree with what ArchangelLegend and Jeremy911's last post said about the big single collection release. :yes

I do have to agree with this.

I can understand where some people are coming from, saying that they were expecting a different direction for Ayu to take in her tenth anniversary. If you see what she's done and aren't impressed because you wished it was something different, I can understand that. However, to say that you think she hasn't done anything and say you're disappointed, that's where I want to point out my post (and other members whose posts point you in the direction of what she's released and done!).

:laugh :laugh

I agree. I don't expect new material just because it's her anniversary. Actually, wouldn't a normal person expect the complete opposite? When I think anniversary, I think a bunch of compilations/collections and maybe an anniversary tour. I guess it's supposed to be a time of celebrating and looking back on an artist's career, not a time of moving forward at full speed. Maybe this is how Ayu is interpreting her "anniversary"...

But I do, however, expect new material because she's Ayumi Hamasaki, and I'm used to having it.

It is cool that she posts on TA a lot now, while keeping out of the public eye for a while. It all makes her less of a pompous/untouchable figure, and I like that. I think we're all starting to see the human qualities of Ayumi Hamasaki, and some aspects of it are turning off some fans to her. Since there's no new releases, we're starting to see her inspiration 'drying up'. She's now an ex-girlfriend to somebody, a 'handicapped' person, somebody who lost a friend to suicide, 'overweight', etc... I think we should all just chill and not expect so much, it'll make new material come much faster.

I'm a HUGE Ayu fan, and it's funny how just a day [or less] before the announcement, I end up fuming about her 10th anniversary. Ayu-senses tingling, perhaps.

But it was just the overall lack of "sheen/luster/shininess" of the 10th anniversary, and this A COMPLETE idea sort of just makes it dull and cheap. Like sure, it has new footage from a-nation that we've never seen before like ASFXX and fairyland and other songs she'd never performed before.. but.. at the same time.. it's just been really BLEH this year. We've had new tour news, sure! It's an ASIA TOUR, yay! But in terms of promotion and stuff, she's had the usual tables and buses going around promoting, but there were no magazine shoots, no TV appearances, no funny Ayu "AHAH AHAAA HAAAS!." It was just... so empty-feeling. I'm sure a lot of you think/know/feel that Ayu has done a lot this year and in a way she has, but imo what she has done definitely doesn't live up to the 10th anniversary-name.

believe me, there are people in the world in a much worse situation that Ayumi Hamasaki. I don't think you should make herself a "martyr", because she isn't, and she repeats it over and over in her lyrics: she'll be there until ... the day she decides to quit. of course she has come up against difficulties, like everyone else.

---

i'm not even asking for a new song. but if you don't have anything to relase, do not relase anything, then.

her tenth anniversary has not coincided with the best period in her personal life, and it has not contributed to a "great" celebration.

exactly! i think that's the main problem.

That's not what I was getting at.. at all. I was emphasizing the more human qualities she is possessing now. After all, I found her personal life to be extremely vague before 2007.

After all of those events, she probably realized that she needs to not be so secretive about her life. I mean, sure she opened up in 2004, but she's WIDE OPEN now. Like she even revealed that whole aneki thing to us, and that's something BIG. I'm surprised she put a concert of CDL07-08's quality out while having such feelings.. it's quite amazing.

But still, I didn't want releases really. I just wanted PROMOTION. SOMETHING. Like, something to show that she's still trying. The .5 single and lack of TV shows/magazines just sorta showed Ayu being like "...okay. This is the bare minimum?"

Though now that we have the A COMPLETE... I sort of wonder what sort of promotional explosions we'll end up getting...

I'm just aiming this at the first post not everyone else, just so you know

What if ayu isn't into her 10th anniversary? big deal! she as the right to slack off if she wants to. if she wants to have an easy year with no promotion or lots of crazy hectic schedules she can. she's been working non-stop for 10 years, don';t you think she deserves to slow things down a bit every once and a while?

to be honest her 10th anniversary couldn't have come at a worse time:
-she's starting to lose sales in japan
-she broke up with her boyfriend of god knows how long just the year before
-she lost a very close friend
-she has lost the hearing in one of her ears

yeah i can see why she'd be so happy to celebrate

A thought really tickled me. This A Complete is like a compilation of A Best, Ballads and Black & White with extra songs audience, kanariya and daybreak. It's the ULTIMATE BEST ALBUM!! Shall we lobby to have the name changed?

But seriously, i also feel kinda deflated. The News section should be filling up with lots of stuff but aside from staples like a single, CDL and tour DVD, there's nothing else. Ok maybe Wacoal...

And you think that I don't know that? EVERYONE knows that she's gone through hardships, but the thing about Ayu is that these hardships only make her stronger.

I mean, you're not taking into consideration that this year has been her slowest EVER. Which is saying a lot since 2007 was pretty slow as well. Sure, Ayu has the right to slack off, but as a J-Pop superstar who has delivered previously and prides herself on her work, I don't think slacking off is something she wants to do.

In the course of all of this, I've believed that she was holding the promotion in for something, up until the day before its announcement I waited, and there it was, A COMPLETE. However, this still isn't good enough. It needs a haute couture photoshoot to be good enough with holographic text or something. Ohohoho!

But srsly, she's slowed things down ever since 2006, so don't say that she "deserves to slow things down" this year, because she already has. [less singles, HUUUUGE break inbetween singles.. etc] You can't tell me that you don't want Ayu to "do her best" right? I know she hates those words, but I'm sure she'd want all of her fans to expect the best from her, because that is what she's known for. Being the best.

I'm not too disappointed this year; I'm happy with what she's released this year. A great album, 2 decent remix albums, and an awesome single has kept me pretty content. :) I haven't watched the tour yet, so I can't comment on that.

I'm happy as a clam with her. :D

Usually, for me, the "usual" is enough with Ayu. A new single announcement, with like 7-8magazines and her usual TV shows.. but she hasn't appeared on MUSIC STATION at all this year.. in fact she hasn't appeared on anything other than CDTVxSakas and Heyx3's special..

I wonder if they're going to do an ALL AYU special on MS.

um the 10th any ends at the time poker face was released but in 2009...so its some time to go

I've stopped complaining and being disappointed, because now all I can do, is be grateful that Ayu is still around. At least she's still here!! She's still singing, she just ended AT08 in Japan and she's in HK shooting for the 2009 Calendar! Plus, you have no idea what's going on in the background. WHO KNOWS! Maybe she's working on something super major that'll blow everyone's mind away.

I think we should all be grateful she's still around, rather than complain because she hasn't released as much stuff as she used to.

Well, we know she's going to still be here, and I'm aware that we should be grateful that she's still around.

After all, I was the one saying that before when she was actually releasing stuff and people were like "lolayu u suk!"... but this is different. She's said that she won't stop, and she said that singing is her life... but where're the songs? She better have a new song coming out in September.. she better.. [longest gap between new songs -> April to September?!, last one was BLUE BIRD in June to the November release of Secret.]

The "slow down" is likely due to the Asia Tour. So she slowed down in Japan but accelerated elsewhere. I don't expect her to do everything at once. Overall, I say she did not slow down and she is being consistent. I still think she did a lot these first 7 months.

Also, we should make a final judgement until the end of the year arrives.


I never get disappointed because I don't expect anything from any musical artists. If it happens, it happens and I might get surprised. It just so happens Ayu entertained me the most. I'm not even expecting a new single and I don't care that much. If a new single does happen soon, I may or may not like it, and again, it just so happens I like many Ayu songs. Expecting something can set up someone for disappointment. I can expect world peace next week, and when next week arrives, I'm dissappointed. So I don't expect anything because there is no reason too and the future is unknown, unpredictable and ... unexpected. lol

And don't think I'm some emotionless freak because I don't expect anything. lol :munch

Ditto.

I dunno, I always see people saying that she releases too fast, but now it's that she releases too slow :laugh But I rather let her take some time to release a new single that she feels good about rather than releasing a single that she hurried because to keep up with the summer single trend every year.

Maybe it's something that us oversea fans feel more than the japanese fans. :shrug

I'm sure plenty of fans have complained since 2006 that she's been releasing too slow. Two singles a year isn't enough imo for most Ayu fans, especially the ones used to her 3 singles-a-year pattern. Though I wonder if the 3 singles-pattern was a little too slow for some people. AHAHA.

But really, what's with the 5 month gap, Ayu? Touring takes a lot out of you, but still, there's like a week inbetween each one. She could at least take a day every week to try to get SOMETHING together, you know?

however, I thought once there was a gap of over a year once?~

there are days where she was resting, yeah.
However, I think in producing an album, an artist needs to rest their voice for a period of time, so the cd quality can be +++.
So I dont know if we really WANT her to record a full single right now?
Because with her voice I think exhausted, we all heard the singing from the last day news coverage, and it was O.K, but not great.
So maybe it's better to let her rest a few more weeks until her voice is ready,
Let her to record some music, then do A-Nation~
Then promotion.

For sure, I think she'll be in Avex Channel for promotion of A nation,
And also for promotion of the new best album..
So let's just anticipate those activities, and then whatever else comes will make it a bonus!!

There are a lot of singers who don't make it to 10 year mark...
So yeah, I agree, maybe her 10th year should be spent in retrospect,
Saying "Hey, look what I did!!~~" and then 11th year, she can start "Ayus Second Decade".

Maybe that's what she's doing?~ Who knows...

I agree with truehappiness. And I wouldn't say AT08 is huge or amazing. I saw the show with my Mom and her exact words were, "Ayu scaled back this year." I definitely wouldn't put it on the same level hugeness wise with many of her past tours. And it definitely didn't scream out "10th Anniversary tour" to me. I think a lot of people were expecting another A-Museum. I still loved the show (I always love seeing Ayu), but it's certainly not one of her top tours I don't think.

People are saying it because she is on tour but, Ayu has toured waaaaay more in the past and done a lot more singles, magazines, tv appearances etc at the same time. The main work that Ayu has to put into a tour is the preparation and planning of it. Once it actually starts, her only jobs for the tour are to show up to sound check and the performance - that leaves 5-6 days of rest in between. It may just be me, but Ayu always seems healthier and happier when she has more work to do. You could argue that much of this year has been a break for her.(and parts of last year and the year before as well). The 2 DVDs this year and 2 remix albums required no work from Ayu herself with the making and release and the mirrorcle world single had very little promotion and it was a recut album track anyway (which could have even been recorded at the time of the album).

This has by far been Ayu's least busiest year. I also think that Ayu is at her best when she is busiest. Surprisingly, I usually think the quality of her products seem to be at their highest when she is busy busy rather than when she is relatively inactive.

I said new songs. The gap between Voyage and & was huge. September -> July, about 10 months, nearly a year. However, RAINBOW AND A BALLADS came out during that time.

Rather than try to justify her actions this year, I think everyone needs to be looking at what she's been doing this year for what it is, a less than normal year for Ayu. It's not because it's her 10th anniversary that I'm so mad [though from the title it seems like that] but it's because this year has basically been single -> tour for Ayu. I KNOW she's working hard, but it seems like she's just a little too focused on the tour.. even 2007 had more than this year, tbh.

I agree with TH as well. So far I dun feel any "10th anniversary" celebration to me except the half recut single and the so called 10th anniversary tour. I've been expecting something more for her 10th year. It is kinda... colder than I expect. (not her attitude... I mean the hype for ayu's 10th anniversary).

Yeah, and gap between Blue Bird and Glitter was 13 months, right? ~ Secret came out, yeah~ so we did get new songs in those 13 months..

If we talk about appearances or so~ yeah, it's her least active year.
I don't think she had much of a chance to appear on many shows, because she was doing her tour...
But now, she had her chance, but now is in HK doing her calendar..

But this is by far NOT her most inactive year, as the year is not over yet.
2006, she had one album at the beginning, 2 singles, and then another album at the end. Also CTDOWN release, and tour release dvds.

This year, she had one album at the beginning, 2 remix albums, a single, a compilation with new recording of a song, with rumours of a new single, and most likely, if we compare previous trend, a new album. Asia Tour release, CTDOWN release, and now, all A-NATION appearances release. Yeah, much of that is not NEW NEW, but then, we are judging the year by the 7th month mark, where a lot of her years have gone exactly the same.

Yeah, I see how for people, they are thinking... "what's gonna happen?~"
Because there hasn't been many tv appearances of her,
But I think we all gotta to realize is that... I don't think any of us could do what she is doing, especially this large Asia Tour.

In my opinion, she wants to see her fans more than producing new songs right now.
It's her 10th anniversary as we said before, I think right now, she just wants to go and celebrate her 10 years in her concert with the people who support her, and say "Thank you for 10 years."
We can't see her concert, so we can't really get the entire 10th anniversary feel.
But I'm sure if we were in Japan or HK or Taiwan, we could really feel that feeling.

And we all have to say that's her primary targets.

Did you even read my post?

Promotionally, it has been. She has never gone half a year without performing on MS / MUSIC FIGHTER / ETC before now. Plus, she hasn't even been on many magazine covers other than SCawaii, Cawaii, ViVi, and maybe some other magazine. It's sort of sad seeing Ayu so weak in these areas since she usually appears on TV at least a few times on a normal program per single. However, MW only got CDTVxSakas and HEYx3 SP [both special programs]..

I was confirming to what you said... saying like.. "yeah, and blue bird to glitter was 13 months, right?" because you mentioned Blue bird and secret. -_-

Mentioned earlier, it does depend on which kind of fan you are,
How you will view the year will be different for everyone.
Let's just hope she can continue on to make music!!!~ ^o^)/

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE :yes I kinda feel like after I started visiting AHS a lot and reading the threads everything has become so much..... less interesting. O___o It's like, the ".OKAY THIS RELEASE WAS KINDA COOL NEXT ONE PLEASE.NOW. ---WITH SOME KICKA$$ FASHION DRESS" kind of thinking rules around here and sorta takes the attention away from enjoying the music/releases we get/have. That's why I try not to read anything else but news info anymore, but somehow I keep on reading everything and then getting annoyed :laugh
Nothing really to add, ArchangelLegend said everything I can think of right now. :cool

How come she's loosing sales in japan while Mirrorcle World sold more than 3 out of 4 singles of herself from the recent 2 years?

ayu does exactly what she should do for her 10th anniversary, if people expected something else then ... well it's easy to get dissapointed. Everyone wants something else for the 10th anniversary.
This year was more active (releasingly) more than some of her recent years as well.

If you remember correctly, Ayu almost lost the #1 streak had it not been for a boom that rescued her later during the week. Almost made me choke up a little at that time..