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

[Crystal_Ageha]

Originally Posted by maikaru

I really disagree with that statement about it is hard to find someone who will say something good about her.

For example if I talk with my friends who dont like Ayumi as I do, of course they will not know that the latest single is Sunrise, or Mirrorcle World was 10th anniversary single, but they still will say "Ayu is Japan's Utahime. If she is not there, there is something wrong."

And this year at my University, Waseda and Keio students have come to be exchange oversea students, and when we talk about music and this kind of thing, we will always comment about how cool or cute Ayumi is, even though they will not know latest release, or so on. If we go to karaoke together, we sing half other artists, and half Ayumi.

Of course, there are a few people who hate her too from these two groups, and say She has surgery, and looks too fake, and this and that. But I have to say that those people on the internet who say Ayu is over, etc etc are not the real perception of Ayumi Hamasaki in general Japanese audience. Of course, it is also regional, so I found that people in Tokyo and Kanto region will like her better than Osaka and Kansai regions.

When you say to people that you like Ayumi, they will most likely say "She's so cute, right?" not "This old witch, she needs to go die" like 2 chanel will say.

But I do have to say, of course we will not follow her releases anymore, because she does not release anything "new." But I dont think "New" is really what the problem is. She puts out "new" releases, like GREEN, or Sunrise, which are 2 very new songs for her (from my perspectives), but old sounding songs like Days and JEWEL and BLUE BIRD were very popular with japanese people, and of course her concerts are always the most expected from many people because she plays the old songs a lot too. So is "new" really what is missing? I dont think so.

And since reggae is becoming very popular, those popsounding artists are suffering greatly, and It is hard to be a female artist right now in Japan, because the industry is focused mainly on the boys right now.

It's true that Japan is not paying attention to her, just like they did not pay attention to Amuro for a few years. In a few years, Ayumi's popularity will be renewed like Amuro, I am sure about that. But if we say that Japan general audience "hates her," or will say bad things about her it's 100% a lie.

I think it's like Madonna or Mariah Carey. People don't really follow their new releases much these days, but if they are not there, there is a weird kind of feeling I think for America~.

I really agree with your post. I've never heard so much of, "oh, the Japanese are completely sick of Ayu and nobody says nice things about her there because she isn't really liked," before I came to this site, lol. And yes, I have many Internet friends who live in Japan. I've talked about Ayumi with all of them and never heard such things. I never heard it from the exchange student in tenth grade, either. Sure, I've heard a few of the Japanese I've talked to say they're sick of her, but they've personally said that they're not in the majority.
And the part you said about how it feels weird without her in Japan, like those other artists in the US... One of the truest, most thought out statements I've read on here so far. That's why I don't think she'll ever completely go away, because she just NEEDS to be there...for some reason, hah.

[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.

[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 ~>

[~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.

[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.

[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.

[mcluva420]

the general public all fall for new "fresh" artists + males + groups.
once in a while, someone would release something so awesome that will steal attention and popularity from Ayu > _ <
and some people do get sick of her

Originally Posted by maikaru

I think it's like Madonna or Mariah Carey. People don't really follow their new releases much these days

i hope thats not all true

[andre2907]

Originally Posted by PoetGirl

Why people are mentioning 'internet' as a cause of less sales!? Please people, this year Eminem released album and sold 1 MILLION COPIES only in first week. I think its 2 million copies now. In the days of the internet and downloading! Yes, its obviously possible.

I think you are forgetting the fact his previous album sold 15 MILLION COPIES. So, as every other artist around the world, internet and downloading obviously affected him.

But anyway, the "ilegal downloads" theory obviously has a lot to do with her sales drop but not much to do with her POPULARITY drop.

[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

[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.

[snowbird]

It's just because it's ressesion+new (more kawaii )talent+ ayumi is changing in a wrong way, to be honest...
Some people here defend everything she does and averything she do is beautyfull ect. ...
I understand it, because i used to do the same..
But now after Mirrorcle World was out i saw a change in het songs and her appearance...
I used to love her but now i can't anymore.
Maybe if she goes back to what she was.. very long ago..

[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.

[kendelle]

1) The length of time she's been around
2) The fact every artist has a "novelty/coolness factor" that boosts their sales for a while - that does drop off eventually
3) Female artists tend to sell worse than boybands now, the competition has changed
4) Struggling to reach both types of her fans - she has the old fans who have aged past her original lyrics style and new listeners have different issues, she can't 100% cater to both of these groups so she struggles to connect to everyone now
5) Some poor single releases and photoshoots - they do get forgotten quickly but as they add up over time they would turn off casual fans.

I think 1 and 2 are the biggest factors, the others just complicate it more.... =| I don't think falling sales are a huge issue, she still does very well considering everything she's done and been through.

Her biggest ever album sold 4 million, it's not THAT huge, but what do you care if you enjoy her music? Does she need to be the best seller for you to love her?

[Crystal_Ageha]

^ You're right, it shouldn't matter how much she sells or how popular she is. It's just that - and this goes for fans of all artists - you want your idol to succeed and rise to the very top, and to stay there for...well, forever. Because when you're a fan, her success gives you pride.

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.

[PoetGirl]

her music is washed out and she didnt have any break so ofcourse she's not popular anymore. imagine her to have a break for a year or two. I believe that her 'comeback' can be used as good marketing strategy.

[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!^_^)