[Charts & Rankings] The Official Oricon Thread ~Party Queen~

[ayuuk]

Originally Posted by love in music

yeah, that's what i care about the most. it's weird to me that some people stop listening to artists because they don't have high sales anymore.
higher sales are nice but as long as she's bringing the quality (which she is since this is one of her strongest albums) i'm not really bothered by her albums ~omg flopping~

It is indeed strange that some people would stop listen to artists whose sales become low. (When Namie's sales were low in STYLE era, I actually love that album a lot).

However I wouldn't say PQ is one of Ayu's strongest albums (posted my feelings in regards to this album in other threads already, so no need to repeat here). But I do hope we will get good music from her, no need to be very often, but at least once in half a year or so.

[ccsharumun]

Originally Posted by bluegie

The only artist that can escape that fate is hikki. Of course Flavor Of Life was already a hit before its release due to the tie in and the lyrics etc. But when she announced her divorce the sales actually got boosted up. At that time I was really happy that her popularity was back, but at the same time I was kinda confused by Japanese's reactions toward her divorce. It's kinda odd.

Then, ayu announced that she broke up with Tomoya, people suspected her tho that she used the news to boosted her sales (I can't remember those details, but something like that rite?). Maybe this time the sales could be partially affected by her divorce, but I still think lacking promotion is the major bomb to the sales.

I think Utada was a different circumstance for any number of reasons though. She was married for 4.5 years before she divorced, which is enough time to give the impression that she worked at (whatever the truth), so I'm betting people could more easily feel sorry for her and look forward to her future. A 1 year marriage doesn't even look good in the ever-forgiving (but never forgetting) USA celebrity culture (although bad-reps don't necessarily hurt sales), so I can only imagine what it seems like to the Japanese. 8(

Secondly, Utada has never had the visual, "sexually charged" presence that Ayumi, Koda or Namie have had, modeling and churning out PVs like nobodies business. She has more of the "girl next door" or "household" image, and her voice and music are less age or culture-specific. Her appeal rests almost entirely on her abilities to sing and write (and legendary status resulting), whereas the other Queens have always been about much more. All of this together gives a very different impression and expectation, I think, so when she announced her divorce the reception was very different (plus, I'm sure her American background also affects expectations).

That, and everyone has to wait for her to produce new stuff much longer than the others artists, so when something new comes out they are probably still living the nostalgia. And, going back to Ayumi and Nagase, people have been well aware since the beginning that Ayu's success is at least partially the result of the aggressive and clever marketing strategies over the years, and that knowledge coupled with her status (which automatically makes her target) lent to the rumors.

Ayumi is a very different image with a different history, and unfortunately I think that's hurting her except with the most dire fans. She is also "old" yet her music and image still appear to target a younger audience who might not be so receptive to that. It's unfortunate, but I remember saying to someone in Japan that I really loved Ayumi Hamasaki, and they said point-blank "Isn't she old?"

In spite of this, I think bad marketing was the biggest issue with PQ, but I wouldn't be surprised if she put off spotlight to avoid bad press over the divorce.

Side note but: Utada hasn't been without issue, iirc. I remember reading/hearing somewhere that she used to get crap early on in her career because she only ever spoke Japanese at home before becoming famous, and didn't understand the various forms of linguistic etiquette when speaking to the media, etc. Thus, many people thought she was rude until the situation was explained and she worked out her linguistic hurdles.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by rainydayumi

very ignorant assumption to make about a nation just because nobody is buying a cd you like...

Do some research about Namie's marriage, divorcing and her mother's deaf and how was public reaction then... You will be surprised about how cruel and judmental they can be against woman.

Originally Posted by happiholic★

Its so strange, because they like, idolize half-Japanese girls for their exotic looks. There is a pretty big market for yaoi, which is homosexual manga.

Those half-japanese people with good looks most likelly suffered a lot of bullying during school years... Also, the "exotic" part is always kinda tricky, as an animal on the zoo... It's ok for someone who appears on TV, not for your everyday life.

About yaoi... Yaoi is a huge genre, and it deals with homossexual relationship, but is mostly aimed to girls. I once read it's popular cuz it shows perfect guys on a world where there's no girls to rival the female reader for the love of the boys... Gay manga aimed to gay people is called Bara, and is far less popular.

Originally Posted by bluegie

The only artist that can escape that fate is hikki. Of course Flavor Of Life was already a hit before its release due to the tie in and the lyrics etc. But when she announced her divorce the sales actually got boosted up. At that time I was really happy that her popularity was back, but at the same time I was kinda confused by Japanese's reactions toward her divorce. It's kinda odd.

Then, ayu announced that she broke up with Tomoya, people suspected her tho that she used the news to boosted her sales (I can't remember those details, but something like that rite?). Maybe this time the sales could be partially affected by her divorce, but I still think lacking promotion is the major bomb to the sales.

In the end of the day, Hikki always was far more well-liked among the japanese than Ayu... Maybe because even if her songs and arrangments are pretty bold, her overall image and themes are pretty safe, while Ayu has a more usual sound with more risky and personal themes and image... Hikki even used her English career as an way of freely covering the stuff jpop never alouded her (I think she even says this on an Exodus interview). Jpop Hikki is harmless when u think about japanese culture, while Ayu can be pretty agressive (even more if we take into consideration she is a girl relasing mainstream music)

Originally Posted by Zeke.

Her career is over...

So, you can leave the forum as we have nothing more to discuss over here^^

[sinfonietta]

I'm just looking forward to seeing what Avex are going to do in response to this. I'm definitely not against the idea of a new compilation album.

[Elednist]

Only 4 years have passed since the release of A COMPLETE, I'd be dissapointed with an A BEST 3 release, specially if it doesn't contains anything new. I think that the first project would be the release of a great maxi single with good promotion, TV performances, etc.

[Foyuki]

so weekly top2
1 7,119 『２０１２』 AVT 12/3/21
Ａｃｉｄ Ｂｌａｃｋ Ｃｈｅｒｒｙ
2 6,321 Ｐａｒｔｙ Ｑｕｅｅｎ AVT 12/3/21
浜崎あゆみ
3 3,287 ＮＥＷＴＲＡＬ ES 12/2/29
いきものがかり

[AyuGAME]

^aggghhhh...just a little bit more..she can get number one daily position..
hope for miracle...tomorrow!

[xLuna&1LOVE]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

She's saving the good songs and energy for next year and the Namie-esuqe comeback her and Avex are planning for the 15th Anniversary.

I love what you are saying.

Oh, and of course here career is not over. I think PQ does a pretty good job, since there is no advertisement really. Some tv performances will propably increase the sales. Ayu, what are you waiting for, girl?

[LONJJONG]

The album tests the fans to see if they really do update about Ayu.
LOL

[ayu99persen]

this album strong at the song ,but very weak at pv and the cover too.

pv of five 5times more interested than p.q

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by Foyuki

so weekly top2
1 7,119 『２０１２』 AVT 12/3/21
Ａｃｉｄ Ｂｌａｃｋ Ｃｈｅｒｒｙ
2 6,321 Ｐａｒｔｙ Ｑｕｅｅｎ AVT 12/3/21
浜崎あゆみ
3 3,287 ＮＥＷＴＲＡＬ ES 12/2/29
いきものがかり

lol omg it's so suspenseful!

I can't wait for tomorrow's sales.

[bondingo]

To add visual confirmation to the complete lack of promotion: I went into Tokyo today and saw not a single advertisement for Party Queen. The only places I saw anything for it were the small displays where the copies were in stores.

[freedreamer]

She's so close! Maybe she can get a number 1 tmr..lol

[ayumisrael]

6th Day
Position: #2
Sales: 6,321
Total Sales: 87,536

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by ayumisrael

6th Day
Position: #2
Sales: 6,321
Total Sales: 87,536

The over-all sales will prolly be around 97k

[isthisLOL?]

So far PQ sales are more consistent than FIVE, Love Songs and RnRC. I went back to NL, in the first week the average drop for PQ was 23%, the average drop for FIVE in the first week was 26%, for Love Songs 29%, for RnRC 25% and for NL 22.6%.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

So far PQ sales are more consistent than FIVE, Love Songs and RnRC. I went back to NL, in the first week the average drop for PQ was 23%, the average drop for FIVE in the first week was 26%, for Love Songs 29%, for RnRC 25% and for NL 22.6%.

Sadly I don't think that means much, as the album most likely has no chances of outselling FIVE...

[channy]

A career can be over even when the sales are still good.


I asked Ayu for an "ayu trance 5" several times now. Yesterday again -_-

[isthisLOL?]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Sadly I don't think that means much, as the album most likely has no chances of outselling FIVE...

Oh it most likely won't. But it does seem to have more longevitiy and I think Ayumi may be going for that. She knows this album is a shock to many and she knows it will need time to sink in for some people. I think that may be why she focuses on interviews rather than performances right now, she wants to make people understand the concept rather than just performing one or two songs on TV. If she goes for that I hope to see one or two performances in April.

[Bad Wolf]

^ Agreed, sooooo freakin' much.

I asked Ayu for an "ayu trance 5" several times now. Yesterday again -_-

um, why? O_o Knock it off.