Quote:
Originally Posted by EndOfTheWorld
The biggest difference is that Ayu will always be remembered and represent an entire era of music in Japan. AKB48 is just one of many idol groups of this new era who happens to be commercially successful.
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AKB48 is not just another group. They achieved huge success in a time when female idol groups were in the dark by making a difference with theater stages, senbatsu elections, janken tournament, etc. We can't deny their impact in the J-pop scene in this current decade. Songs like Heavy Rotation, Everyday Katchyusa, Flying Get or Koisuru Fortune Cookie were big hits.
Even so, this sale record is not real and can't be compared to Ayu's. Yes, one reason is because it's a group vs solo artist but there's a stronger reason. AKB48 huge sales are due to crazy fans buying hundreds of singles in order to get a hadshake ticket or senbatsu vote. Their singles also have multiple editions with different covers, songs and extras. Ayu sold million of copies without having all those. She sold because her music was good and people liked it.
In a recent LINE female idol popularity poll, AKB48 ranked 5th. Perfume topped the poll, followed by Nogizaka46 and Momoiro Clover Z. Then, why AKB48 latest single has sold 1 million and Perfume 49k? How many people buy AKB48's singles because they like the songs and not because they wanna get a handshake ticket to spend 30 seconds with a cute girl?