[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by Koumori

She was actually really unpopular with the more traditional of the Japanese public for a while. This was years ago, in about..2002-2006? I even think it's mentioned on Wiki. She'd got divorced and was now a single mother, and was kind of given a vague label of a bad role model.

Here's a quote from what Namie said about it at the time:

"Amuro explained that while she wished to regain popularity, she did not want to "force" herself on the public anymore."

And also, here's an article on her rise of popularity again. Clicky here for article!

Her music style may not have changed, but her image and how she was viewed by the general public certaintly did. It's admirable that she made such a comeback, in that way.

interesting article... i guessed everyone was really just waiting for her, silently