CELEBRATE THE 14th UTADA HIKARU THREAD

[Hanabi_surreal]

awww... the DoCoMo CMs are sooo cool *-*
and thakies por the links KarenPang!!! ^^

[CoriKaru]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

^Wow...really? O: You should look at her CMs on dailymotion then. I have seen all of Hikki's CMs. I really really luv her Exdous era CMs especially the Nintendo DS promotion. Hikki looked so cute. I'm just really for a make-up CM now. I still have hope that she does one, one day.

(off topic)

Btw, I noticed that some of the people (including a mod) were treating you like crap on JPM. You don't have to listen to them. I luv your Anoine and that other Japanese word that you say. (Forgive me, I can't spell lol) If you luv that site than tone it down since most of them are acting like such big babies about it.

Yeah, I'll have to check them out.

Oh no, I could care less about JPM and how horribly it's run. I only belong to here as of now and am content with that. Much more comfortable atmosphere and everything. What's your screen name on that site by the way?

P.S. It's "Hottoite". Ha.

[Luv ~Venus~]

^ I see! I see! Well then, welcome to AHS! lol

I'm just a lurker on there. I did have one but it got disable for unknown reasons. I just go there to check out the sales thread and the Hikki section. I saw that they were "ganging" up on you and I just thought that was rather uncalled for. I really felt that that mod was "abusing" his/her power. So sad for that person to do such an uncalled for thing!

So it's Anione and Hottoite?! hehehehehehe They sound so cute! I don't find it annoying at all.

[xiaou-xijiang]

Originally Posted by bluegie

Really? Every single A BEST cm (from day 5 - day 1 before) was 15 seconds only. The only exception is probly the release day cm (30 second version) + another 60 second version later on. Did avex release 30 second versions for day 3 --> day 1 as well?
.

When I first watched them on A clips (before this I had no idea about this countdown thingy, I mean how many cms do you need?) or that she had so many clips to begin with. I checked the dvd and there are 7 clips. I think the release day may be the one of all the last 3 put together. But I can't remember too well. I'm gonna watch it again and get back to you.

I find it ironic that even with all these cms Utada's Distance still beat Ayu's in the 1st week sales and got #1. XD I gotta listen to Distance again, or UH1 Clips. XD I hikki.

[Luv ~Venus~]

^ Ayu cries through all of the CMs?! If she AVEX that much, maybe she should have went to a different record company. I read about some of the promotion that Ayu did and quite frankly, Ayumi was trying a little to hard. I mean, all that promotion for just ONE album. I can't remember any promotion that went on for Distance. I just know that it wasn't as CRAZY as A BEST promotion. Jeez, 7 Cms for one album. It was that she released 52 cds that year. 52?! That's mainly the reason why she got the JDA for best selling artist. I think Hikki in all released 3-4 Cds that year?! Whatever the case, I think we just saw that little effort can carry you to the top.

What's your thoery on why Distance sold more than A BEST?

[AyUta]

^ Also, a lot of the Japanese public was looking forward to their "Queen of R&B's" next hit album. They loved 'First Love'(As seen through the sales lol) and a lot of them kept their eyes on Hikki specifically. That's what I think at least.

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

@Bluegie and AyUta: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT ROBOT THAT HIKKI LOVED? O: You know, the one in CYKAS? I miss him! ...And what was her secret?

XD That was strange
But I enjoyed the PV :] I was having weird thoughts about the significance behind the PV
You know... the relationship between Hikki and that robot XD


By the way! I went and bought Hikki's 'Video clip collection vol.4' I originally went to kinokuniya to buy Ayu's new single but they didn't have it
So, I decided on buying something from the Hikki section <3
The only tour they had there was the Utada United tour, which I already have, so that was out of the question. Then I seen the video clip collection and wanted it <3 They were mostly sold out of singles and albums XD So that was out of the question too. I wish they had the Bohemian Summer there though I would've bought that if my dad let me XD

[xiaou-xijiang]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

^ Ayu cries through all of the CMs?! If she AVEX that much, maybe she should have went to a different record company. I read about some of the promotion that Ayu did and quite frankly, Ayumi was trying a little to hard. I mean, all that promotion for just ONE album. I can't remember any promotion that went on for Distance. I just know that it wasn't as CRAZY as A BEST promotion. Jeez, 7 Cms for one album. It was that she released 52 cds that year. 52?! That's mainly the reason why she got the JDA for best selling artist. I think Hikki in all released 3-4 Cds that year?! Whatever the case, I think we just saw that little effort can carry you to the top.

What's your thoery on why Distance sold more than A BEST?

She pretty much did cry through most of them. She was in that same dress that she was on the cover. I remember glass and lights and tears. (been awhile since I've watched it)
52 CDs in one year? where'd you hear that? I heard that she was on 40 magazine covers in one month, but not 52 CDs.

Wow, in my opinion, Distance probably outsold A Best firstly cause its a Best album, and those don't do so well on average. Ayumi is a freak of nature of course, and her Best albums do fabulous, however. I also think it has to do with Distance being Hikki's first album release after her debut years ago. I'm sure that had a lot to do with it.

[Amai Yume]

@Luv: I love both girls [Ayu and Hikki] so I don't see the whole promotion blitz that big of a deal. Hikki just came off of First Love [best selling Japanese album of ALL TIME!!] and thus the following album was bound to carry some steam from that. I also think Hikki's much more simplistic in comparison to other big-name stars such as Ayu. Being the true magic of Avex, they put a lot of work into her campaign [as Kuu got with the BEST albums]. But both albums sold well and aren't they in the top 10 best selling Japanese albums of all time? That alone is an accomplishment both can be proud of.

[AyUta]

^ Well said Amai XD

I just didn't like the fact that Avex pushed the release date of A BEST purposely onto Hikki's Distance release. I guess they wanted to see who was going to sell more or whatever, and it wasn't right. I really don't like Avex. They're really fake to me even though they're like, a top label company. XD
And it wasn't Ayu's idea to push it onto Hikki's release date, so no one misunderstand that XD It was Avex.

[xiaou-xijiang]

^its not fake, its a business. They're Ayumi's boss not her friend, of course they pushed the release, not to be mean, but the blitz of Hikki vs Ayumi two giants in the music biz would only promote the albums even more.

[AyUta]

But they're the only label company(that I've heard of) that tries such sneaky manuevers to get their money rolling. Maybe it's my imagination XD >.<; But, I haven't looked at it that way. True, but I still don't like the way they did that. But then again, it did help the promotion of the albums so... I suppose I should look at it that way.

[Luv ~Venus~]

Originally Posted by xiaou-xijiang

She pretty much did cry through most of them. She was in that same dress that she was on the cover. I remember glass and lights and tears. (been awhile since I've watched it)
52 CDs in one year? where'd you hear that? I heard that she was on 40 magazine covers in one month, but not 52 CDs.

Wow, in my opinion, Distance probably outsold A Best firstly cause its a Best album, and those don't do so well on average. Ayumi is a freak of nature of course, and her Best albums do fabulous, however. I also think it has to do with Distance being Hikki's first album release after her debut years ago. I'm sure that had a lot to do with it.

I see! Oh, I read it on Wiki.theppn. When I have nothing to do, I just read Ayumi's article on there. Somehow, I just luv reading her life in the music industry and stuff.

The thing I like about AVEX is that they give their artist decent promotion even if they aren't popular. I don't know about EMI. I rarely see any of their artists how any promotion unless they are big name artist. I could be wrong of course. I just think that AVEX is a control freak and greedy label. They made poor Ayumi cry and made Kuu do dirty dances.

@Amai: I read that Distance was the best album of this century (Japan-wise) I don't know though. You know, how Oricon luv to name records that artists have accomplished. lol If I'm not mistaken, I think Ayumi has the 2nd best selling BEST album in Japan. Just my theory...that's all.

[xiaou-xijiang]

Originally Posted by AyUta

But they're the only label company(that I've heard of) that tries such sneaky manuevers to get their money rolling. Maybe it's my imagination XD >.<; But, I haven't looked at it that way. True, but I still don't like the way they did that. But then again, it did help the promotion of the albums so... I suppose I should look at it that way.

The only reason why people get up in arms is because this was publicized in that NTV Interview. Avex is nothing compared to all the slime in the business world, there are lots of good artists that get taken advantage of in the music business. Ayumi had it lucky by that point, especially compared to some others.
I think that Ayumi believed she should have had more power at that point because she's had a lot success. But she hadn't been on the scene for a relatively long time. Now if Avex said to do something and she says no, she'll have more of a standing because hey she's been there 10 years now.

Hikki, she probably doesn't have this problem because she's only had 5 albums and 1 best album in 10 years. XD And it wasn't even a best album, it was a singles collection XD

[AyUta]

^ Yeah I agree. You've opened my eyes to the deeper details of business x.x; You're so wise Xiaou XD

@Luv
I hardly see any promotion for other artists in EMi either =/ It's kiind of strange. I looked up the list of artists on that lable company and most of them I had no idea even existed. When I look up Avex's list, well...lets just say I happen to know a lot of the artists. It's crazy x.x;

Avex made Ayu cry? When did that happen? I know they made Kuu cry but not Ayu. I think they made Kuu cry because they said she was fat and ugly =/ It was pretty sad.


EDIT:
I'm a bit sleepy and I need to get up very early tomorrow so I think I'll go for tonight.
G'night everyone <--(Just think of this as giving EVERYONE a hug xD)
I'll try to catch up on this thread tomorrow, bye bye <3

[Luv ~Venus~]

^Yeah.....she didn't want AVEX to release that BEST album, remember?! That's the reason why she had a tear on the cover and ripped the A BEST poster up in the Ourselves PV! <~ I definitely luv that pv. It showed that Ayu wasn't going to take anymore crap from Avex.

@xiaou: What's the difference between a Single Collection and a BEST album?

[AyUta]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

^Yeah.....she didn't want AVEX to release that BEST album, remember?! That's the reason why she had a tear on the cover and ripped the A BEST poster up in the Ourselves PV! <~ I definitely luv that pv. It showed that Ayu wasn't going to take anymore crap from Avex.

@xiaou: What's the difference between a Single Collection and a BEST album?

Oh! I thought you were referring to something like they literally put her down with words. But yes, I remember that little tear. But I had no idea about the ripping of the poster in the ourselves PV, I think I'll watch that again tomorrow xD

[greggerz189]

I'm not so sure about the second best-selling BEST album in japan...nor am I so sure that Distance is considered one of the best works of the past decade, either.

Oh, and BEST-of collections usually do wonderfully in Japan with respect to how they usually do in the U.S. Their sales are usually a little bit more inflated than the general sale of a studio album from a given artist at the time.

[Luv ~Venus~]

Originally Posted by AyUta

Oh! I thought you were referring to something like they literally put her down with words. But yes, I remember that little tear. But I had no idea about the ripping of the poster in the ourselves PV, I think I'll watch that again tomorrow xD

If my memory serves me correct, a guy smahed a tv that had Ayu crying on it or something of that sort. I had no idea that Ayu was that sad during the A BEST era.

@greggerz189: No joke! Japan eats up BEST albums like a yummy cake. I never see too many BEST albums in American. I recently saw Micheal Jackson's #1 compliation (I hope I spelt that right!) and they were a lot on the shelf. I think we just look forward to more studio albums than BEST though.

[bluegie]

Before I go on about Distance vs. A BEST, The tears on ayu's A BEST cover is the way she protested against her company. As you know she never wanna release the BEST album that early. (same applies to hikki. She didn't wanna release Vol. 1, but Toshiba determined to do so).

Well, I have been a hikki and ayu fans since 1999 (well, I loved hikki earlier, so that's why I wanted her too win the ranking during that battle). The thing is, ayu was never meant win over hikki in the first place. Hikki's already like top of the top, while ayu just rising to the beginning of the peak. I remember that Distance was announced, then avex announced the release date for A BEST a few days later. I was mad at avex because they made my beloved hikki and ayu battling with each other. That stirred up many forums as well, as lots of ayu and hikki fans cursing each other.

I think... during that time I voted for hikki, but I wished this was never happened. tbh I was really relieved on the first day when I saw hikki taking the daily top spot, and went on getting no. 1 weekly. Actually hikki was no. 1 from day 1 till the end of the week. I remember ayu only taking 1 day for daily no. 1 (the first day of the second week), and hikki remained on No. 1 afterwards... Somehow, ayu got no. 1 during the 2nd week. I suspected that avex did something to make ayu no. 1. But I think it's fair (and I hope to see) that ayu's takin no. 1 for a week.

In the end, I think that battle proved hikki's statue in the music industry, whlie A BEST pushed ayu to the top of the top. If A BEST wasn't released, hikki would still be hikki, but ayu wouldn't to today's ayu. Without that battle, I dun think the general would recognize her as another queen in the industry. She would probly just keep on releasing singles/album crazy for another year, and her popularity would have dropped pretty quickly. Then, she would probly be another "popular for 2 - 3 years then faded away" singer.


Oh about the BEST album issue. Back then BEST albums were guarantee hot selling cakes. I guess kuu's best series + a lot of singer releasing best during the past 2 - 3 years really destroyed the meaning of best albums. If you look that the history of top 10 selling albums, I think there are at least 4 - 5 best albums in that ranking..

Edit: The top 10 selling albums so far (best albums are highlighted in red):
1 765.0 宇多田ヒカル — First Love
2 513.5 B'z — B'z The Best "Pleasure"
3 487.6 GLAY — REVIEW～BEST OF GLAY
4 446.9 宇多田ヒカル — Distance
5 443.8 B'z — B'z The Best "Treasure" B'z
6 429.4 浜崎あゆみ — A BEST
7 413.6 globe — globe
8 360.5 宇多田ヒカル — DEEP RIVER
9 353.0 倉木麻衣 — delicious way
10 352.0 Every Little Thing — Time to Destination

Hikki should be proud that her first three albums are all in top 10 best selling in history..

[xiaou-xijiang]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

@xiaou: What's the difference between a Single Collection and a BEST album?

A Single Collection compiles singles that have been released
Best includes album tracks too.

EDIT: Hikki has 3 out 5 albums on there, that is amazing.