I don't have an empty opinion, I have personal experience. I've participated in Avex searches, gone to the Avex building in person, spoken to people on the phone. They're very rude. The only person I dealt with at Avex who was pleasant was a young man at the reception desk in the Avex Experience. He was very sweet and helpful. (I actually wanted to ask him out for coffee at Choco-Cro. ) But otherwise the whole company has a general mood about them that just turned me off.

From just a fan's standpoint, though, I agree that they're very biased with their artists. Some get more attention than they should, while others suffer. (Did anyone see Sunday's 2nd PV? You don't promote a failing artist with potential by completely crapping out on them.)

And on a humorously light (albeit, sure, slightly biased, but still arguably valid) note, can anyone explain Arashiro Beni to me? Why does she exist? Ahh yes, she won a beauty contest (and boy does she take the cake when standing still, quietly).

Avex doesn't have a strong enough eye for what makes an artist. They have a strong eye for safe-money. I really feel they got lucky with Ayu (Max had to beg Ayu to sign, as the story goes) and BoA (although general opinion says SM is Avex's equally evil twin, she was originally SM and brought over to Avex by default because of the companies' sistership).