[2009] What actually causes ayu's sales to drop?

[emi♡]

lol it's not a 100% lie, but it's not 100% true either.

However, it's true enough to where people not liking her (anymore?), is affecting her sales, and that's really what matters.

And will Ayu's popularity be renewed? Is she going to release an amazing best album like Namie? When she has just released a ton?

I don't know. It would be cool if she "bounced back"...but honestly...I don't really see her taking a leave of absence like Namie did, which does contribute to the new popularity...not to mention that Namie's music is a lot more popular with people than Ayu's.

[SunshineSlayer]

maikeru: I know you are always here to defend her popularity. Definitely nothing I said is a lie though. I'm not talking about comments in 2ch, but regular everyday people in Japan. I mean you even admitted it in your post that they seem not as into her as before.
I never said I've run into people that when you mention her name say "die *****" or something like that. Of course not. But I have met plenty of people who say stuff like "she isn't as good as before" - like you said, hardly anyone seems to know what her latest release is. Or the standard "she is too fake" comments. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the only place where I have run into a positive comment for Ayu is when I'm at her own concerts. Most of the time, people just simply seem to be indifferent.

[nanakopy87]

IMO,her fans who 'followed' her are actually getting more mature.they are not like the youngsters who will buy her stuff blindly (i was when i'm still teenager).people tend to think twice before buying nowadays.so,its not surprising her sales is dropping.

[Andrenekoi]

This year I became friend of a boy who lived on japan for... 10 years I guess, and it's interesting to know wich songs for each singers he knew, cuz he never followed jpop musicians, so, if he knew the song, it was really a huge hit...

according to him, Ayu's lastest big hit was... Voyage... I will ask him about Blue Bird and Jewel, that are two possible big hits...

But it's not only with Ayu... he didn't seen to know any Koda song but Butterfly, or anything released by Utada between Deep River and Flavor of Life (wich he knows)

[SunshineSlayer]

^ I think that's normal. Most average people would indeed consider that last biiig song from Koda to be Butterfly. Same thing with Hikki - her last super big thing that most people would know is Flavor of Life and before that, there was a pretty big gap.

Honestly, I never really consider Blue Bird and Jewel big hits - maybe big hits for Ayu and her fanbase, but pretty minor hits when taken over all.

[Minttulatte]

I personally say that Ayu isn't as good as she used to be. I really believe that (miss)understood was her last album that I really loved into bits. Of course I like a little of her newer album but not as much as the older ones before Secret. :/ But Ayu does still have very good songs but those aren't usually released on singles. Like on NEXT LEVEL LOVE 'n' HATE and identity would have been good singles imo. I personally think these two songs are far way better than the two a-side singles she released (even though I adore Sparkle and GREEN to my death <3). And I've found some hit like songs on Secret which is a album that I don't like so much but anyways.

And popularity isn't even a important thing imo. I don't understand why it's a bad thing when Ayu's popularity declines more and more. I don't believe the reason why her sales declined are the releases of forgiveness and Bold & Delicious/Pride. Personally I love both of these singles and I also think that japanese people like these songs quite a lot. Especially Bold & Delicious. It's a energetic song. And forgiveness is one of the most prettiest songs ever imo. I don't understand how these wonderful songs could be so hated (Says a person who adores both songs into bits).

And I really get annoyed about that download conversation. Of course it's alright to have your own opinions but to claim that a person who can't buy Ayu's music (meaning is a poor student or something else) isn't a real fan. I personally don't care such things at all. Why should you? It's what times are nowadays. People downloads music and it's not just Ayu like everyone said. :3 You can't do anything stop this thing, that's the truth. -.-

And I feel like I'm sick of her but I still have times when I want to listen to her songs and I do so. But I understand quite well when people say they have lost their interest in Ayu. And reasons could be different. But if someone isn't listening to her music anymore just because she isn's selling like Namie does is stupid and childish. I really hope that no one here isn't doing things.

But anyways I gotta go now. I'm on photoshop class (quite a cool class imo) and I hate my teacher. I have to listen to music at the same time when I do the assingments. And I listen to Ayu by the way. Evolution here I come ~>

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Powwo

Personally I love both of these singles and I also think that japanese people like these songs quite a lot. Especially Bold & Delicious. It's a energetic song.

I think Bold and Delicious grew on the fans due to the concert performances, but when it came to the promotion of the single, usually the tv audiences had 'wtf' looks on their faces.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

I think Bold and Delicious grew on the fans due to the concert performances, but when it came to the promotion of the single, usually the tv audiences had 'wtf' looks on their faces.

I do remember the BEST ARTISTS performance where a few people were jumping to it, I guess people did take time to grow and like it.

[Andrenekoi]

Being sick of her doesn't mean wanting her to die... Means that she is not really seen as something special...

If you place a new banner on a place, it will take people attention for... two weeks until it turn into landscape and people don't really notice it anymore...

Ayu is there, people know she is there, but it's not anything special anymore

[SunshineSlayer]

^ Wow, you and I are agreeing way too much lately. Something is wrong, haha.

[PEARL]

RECESSION
&
NEW SINGERS!!

[njanjayrp]

I think some of you might be too harsh ^^ I've talked to a few Japanese people who occasionally or barely listen to jpop, they all said they liked some of her songs, especially pre-RAINBOW stuff. There was a girl who told me (back in 2006) that she thinks that Koda Kumi is a trend that will pass quickly while Ayu has her charisma which will keep her career going on for many more years (even though she doesn't listen to either one of them). So it all depends on whom you talk to and it doesn't have to necessarily reflect the opinion of 120 millions of people.

When it comes drop in sales there are so many factors and we can't be sure what are the ones that affected the drop the most. She's seen the rise and fall of many other Japanese female singers and she is still hanging on, in the end once you get old and can't stay as hip and fresh as the younger girls all you're left with is your fan base and compared to the most of them Ayu has quite a fan base to support her.

[~StarCatcher~]

Recession is very obvious.

But new singers are not that successfull they have one or two good years and then they drop even more than real stars like Ayu,Kuu or Namie.

I think the sales for solo artist in general are decreasing in Japan now and that's the real reason beside recession.

[Crystal_Ageha]

Originally Posted by ~StarCatcher~

Recession is very obvious.

But new singers are not that successfull they have one or two good years and then they drop even more than real stars like Ayu,Kuu or Namie.

I think the sales for solo artist in general are decreasing in Japan now and that's the real reason beside recession.

*nod* We've all seen the boyband domination to prove that last statement, lol.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Crystal_Ageha

*nod* We've all seen the boyband domination to prove that last statement, lol.

That's not something new though. Boybands have always been an extremely prominent presence in the Japanese music industry. So I definitely wouldn't say that is the only, or even main, factor.

Originally Posted by Crystal_Ageha

I think Ayu's sales may continue to drop a bit more. Hopefully not too much, though... When she reaches the lowest she can (which is, hopefully, soon), if she follows the normal pattern of a star in her situation, she should quickly rise up to a second peak, which should be pretty high. I really do hope that happens for Ayumi.

Yes, that would be good if it happened. Unfortunately in Japan, it very rarely if ever does. Really - I know she keeps getting brought up but - Namie is the only female artist in the Japanese pop industry that I can think of that really had a meaningful second peak. Some have random hits here or there, but usually not something that I would call a second peak.

Originally Posted by maikaru

And I just have to say...

If Ayu is not popular or well-liked in Japan,
Do you honestly think Avex will make her the star attraction of the summer showcase, A-Nation?
Will they be that stupid to turn off the general public if it is a star no one likes?
Avex wants money, and Ayu makes money.

I really wouldn't count A-Nation as a good indicator. Obviously if someone is at A-Nation, then they likely already like Ayu to begin with or can at least tolerate her. And that's also not taking into account the fact that at every a-nation there are at least a small amount of people that leave before Ayumi's part even starts or in the middle of it.

People can choose to believe what they want. I just know that from my personal experience of going to Japan many many many times over the past 5 years that nothing that I've wrote about those experiences have been a lie when it comes to Ayumi. (btw, I'll be going again in a couple of weeks and moving there again in a few months, yay!^_^)

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

I really wouldn't count A-Nation as a good indicator. Obviously if someone is at A-Nation, then they likely already like Ayu to begin with or can at least tolerate her. And that's also not taking into account the fact that at every a-nation there are at least a small amount of people that leave before Ayumi's part even starts or in the middle of it.

Hmm, good or bad it's still an indicator, as obviously there are currently more popular AVEX artists than she is and somehow they rarely get as many performances as she does, not to mention the number of those that are aired. Even though both TRF and globe were there, they don't (or rarely) release stuff now days as their sales have hit the very bottom, unlike them she still sells better than the majority of Japanese artists and is still very relevant when it comes to Asian music market.

Btw I remember someone also mentioned that some people also leave before her performances or in the middle to avoid the crowd after the show.

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

People can choose to believe what they want. I just know that from my personal experience of going to Japan many many many times over the past 5 years that nothing that I've wrote about those experiences have been a lie when it comes to Ayumi. (btw, I'll be going again in a couple of weeks and moving there again in a few months, yay!^_^)

I don't think anyone said you were lying, just that you obviously can't know the opinions of 120 millions of people and reflect them in your post. It's obvious she is far from her peak and all..

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Btw I remember someone also mentioned that some people also leave before her performances or in the middle to avoid the crowd after the show.

Right, that is true, but the point is that if they really cared, they wouldn't leave at all. It's a small number of people though, relatively.

Tohoshinki and Koda may be doing better sales wise than Ayu, but they don't have the prestige, which is why Ayu still closes the show and gets more airtime. Same thing with TRF always going next to last or when Ayu isn't at A-Nation they go last even though their sales are crap these days.

Originally Posted by koshka

I was just a little bit confused by who said like 'I asked to all the japanese people if they still like Ayu' lol it sounds pretty.. odd?
I won't to be mean btw.

Nobody said that anywhere.

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

I don't think anyone said you were lying, just that you obviously can't know the opinions of 120 millions of people and reflect them in your post. It's obvious she is far from her peak and all..

But the same goes for everyone else here saying that they know Ayumi is still mega popular because they have a penpal in Japan or something. I would obviously trust myself and my own experiences of actually being in Japan more than that.

Waterballoons post about onions was really good.

Oh, just thought of another indicator that hasn't been mentioned yet. Ayu's presence on Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. For those that have been, that street is like idol celebrity heaven. You can buy tons of pictures and goods and what not. However lately the amount of Ayu goods available has been decreasing quite a bit I think. They still sell the photos for her latest tours, but when it comes to actual merchandise, usually it all dates from the pre 2004 years and there seems to be less available now. Just a small thing, I guess but definitely something that I've also noticed.

^But of course that is something that is more demonstrating her falling popularity and not a cause like the original poster is asking about. For causes I'll just go back to my original post and say that there are a lot. ^_^

[C+R+E+AYUMI]

I believe that she produced to many things that people is such fulfilled of her!
too many albums, tons of singles one released very close to the other, remixes, photobooklets, gadgets, CMs...!
And, I have to say, her lyrics are less touchy and simple. She doesn't reach my heart to the deepest part no more.
Even though i still love her song and she's still charming and fascinating to me.

Powwo People downloads music and it's not just Ayu like everyone said. :3

It's pretty true. Except collectors like we are, i believe that most of people just liking her songs are tented to download. It's easier and very cheaper.

[douggn]

I think its just that she no longer the new "in" thing, and people won't just buy her stuff now because its ayu and new, but she's holding her self really well for 11 yrs now with the chart showing it and being the highest earning solo artist of '09', so she might not be the most talked about/wanted thing but still huge in her own right and with her fans which make it possible

[maikaru]

And I just have to say...

If Ayu is not popular or well-liked in Japan,
Do you honestly think Avex will make her the star attraction of the summer showcase, A-Nation?
Will they be that stupid to turn off the general public if it is a star no one likes?
Avex wants money, and Ayu makes money.