[Uemarasan]

I'll beg to differ, but there is a way to compare. See how well Koda Kumi performs this year with regards to chart positions. Then compare that to Ayu's chart positions in the past. Album-wise, Koda Kumi's at the same level. Singles-wise, she hasn't been as successful.

Koda Kumi's main rival now is... herself. No other female idol has really stepped up to the plate. The same thing happened with Namie Amuro in the past.

If the calendar is a promotional item for Bold & Delicious, then you should count the skanky underwear Koda Kumi has been putting out.

I personally prefer getting a huge taste of the album before it comes out. I only buy Japanese originals, and damn those things cost a lot!

The ugliest covers this year have been the 4 hot wave covers, in my opinion. And what's so bad about promotional material? Everyone has a CHOICE to buy them or not. It's not our fault people have to have everything. And it's not Avex's fault that people lack the will to resist the power of advertising.

At what point did Mika enter the discussion??? How funny.