I still believe Ayu started the gyaru first trends at the end of the 90s with her look, and now it has evolved into a full-scale subculture
many can argue on that, but I have seen the first issues of egg (the first gyaru mag ever, '99 issues) and there has been too much going about Ayu and copying her looks at that period
I do agree that Ayu, Namie, Kuu & Utada are the legends. each in their own way
many might argue about Kuu, but let's do agree that her level of sexual exposure at the time was unbelievable and never done before, plus the ero-kakkoi thing as well. as seem now it doesn't look special, because many are using sexy image now, but I don't think at that period it was like that. I also think Kuu's still building her path, it's still incomplete a bit
I'm happy I have witnessed the peak of each of the legends
in ages AKB might become legendary, I do find the way their group is maintained & created to be kind of special. as a method