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| LittleBigHeart |
 Posted: Oct 05, 2010 2:46 pm |
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CHU-LIP
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 1673
Location: Osaka, JAPAN
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With this outrageous title  , we're gonna talk about her actual situation for her music career.
If her personnal life is now full of hapiness : wedding, and pregnant. What about her music ?
Let's see some numbers (even if everyone knows them). Especially her singles between 2007 and now.
Peach/Heart (last successful single to date) : 167,004 sold
Pocket : 61 350 sold
Rocket Sneaker/OnexTime : 44,428 sold
Kurage, Nagareboshi : 47,955 sold
Bye Bye : 21,022 sold
Zokkondition/Lucky Star : 15,817 sold
I Love XXX : 14,178 sold
It's been now 3 years, Ai-chan can't reach the same level of success. I don't think it's about quality, and it's just my opinion, but I think japaneses don't "care" anymore about her.
When I see Koda Kumi or Ayumi Hamasaki reaching the first position of the oricon without (or almost) no TV Live, and without a tie in as big as the one Ai-chin get for I love XXX, i'm wondering what she should do.
Channel-Ai truly represents this, 80% of these members aren't here anymore (or more!), only a few of us are still here to check what's up.
That's pretty sad.. I don't know what will happen next. Will she find a new way to attract a new audience ? I really hope so !!!  |
Last edited by LittleBigHeart on May 23, 2011 3:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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| Lovehoshi |
| Posted: Oct 05, 2010 2:55 pm |
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Happy Days
Joined: 28 Nov 2009
Posts: 119
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| I have strong hope and faith for Ai-Chan and if she is happy as she is so am I. I love her as a singer and her music is one of a kind. I hope she can continue to sing and put hope and joy into all of our hearts. Lets all have love and faith for Ai-Chan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| pon pon |
| Posted: Oct 05, 2010 6:16 pm |
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クムリウタ
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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her singles sales are declining but this is only one measure. if most of her fans have grown up with her then maybe they are not the ones that buy singles now.
she still sells out her concerts, like the [LOVE IS BORN] ~7th Anniversary 2010~ and her range of merchandise is as big as ever.
as for this forum, there has only ever been a small percentage of registered members active at any one time. this is an English based forum so it is not representative of anything Japanese.
but it is certainly true that she has different life priorities now. how this translates into how active she is in the future... we will have to wait and see. |
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| chokokokoa |
| Posted: Oct 05, 2010 11:44 pm |
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恋愛写真
Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Posts: 1481
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The title is so terrifies, LittleBigHeart.  
Lucky that it's in Chat section. If it's in News section, I will die when read it.  |
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| LittleBigHeart |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 12:41 am |
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CHU-LIP
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 1673
Location: Osaka, JAPAN
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chokokokoa wrote: The title is so terrifies, LittleBigHeart.
Lucky that it's in Chat section. If it's in News section, I will die when read it.
Yeah I know I know ^^ |
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| chokokokoa |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 2:11 am |
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恋愛写真
Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Posts: 1481
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And about the comment for the topic, what should I say?  |
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| LoveSkywalker |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 2:20 am |
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金魚花火
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
Posts: 170
Location: Poland
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LittleBigHeart, c'mon, don't scare people like that!
It's true that Ai's sales have declined since 2007 and it's sad. But on the other hand, no artist is on top all the time. You mention Koda Kumi as a singer who is now getting top positions without barely any promotion, but in fact Koda had to wait long for her success. Ai-chin became a star almost immediately (second single - almost the debut), from that point she had been establishing her position and now... She is a star, but maybe people got a little bit bored of her, because she's been with us for 7 consecutive years. This is this ugly truth that people don't appreciate good things all the time
I think that all this timing turned out to be rather good. If Ai had felt this feminine urge to get married and have a baby when her carrer was at its prime, then she could have caused serious complications in both her lives: personal and professional. Can you imagine Ai busy with promotion of 'Planetarium', meanwhile being pregnant and then disappearing in the middle of such a successful time? Imagine how stressed out and tired would be both Ai-chin and the baby... She has had her time of initial success which made her recognisable for good, now it's great time to slow up, take a breath, take care of family and then... come back with new fresh ideas, having the Japanese charts dominated by 'LOVE BABY', 'LOVE CHILD' or something like this 
She'll come back, believe in her. I insist |
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| jimmy_sg |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 5:02 am |
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甘えんぼ
Joined: 24 Aug 2008
Posts: 76
Location: Singapore
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Within 8 years, Ai-Chan have given us LOVE PUNCH, JAM, COOK, PiECE and LETTER... Really appreciate it... Maybe for now, its enough... Maybe she need a hiatus...?
On the other hand we look at Ayaka, at her prime, she have to take a hiatus now due to some disease... Ayaka is only 22yrs old...
I do believe regardless of Ai-Chan or Ayaka, to take a rest is to walk further down the road... |
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| LoveSkywalker |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 6:03 am |
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金魚花火
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
Posts: 170
Location: Poland
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@ jimmy_sg: Well, we can't really compare Ai and Ayaka here, because those are 2 completely different situations  Pregnancy is not a disease and to some extent it can be planned or avoided Ayaka was yet to gain a lot, but unfortunately she was unable to because of her condition. On the other hand, Ai achieved very much and pregnancy doesn't rule out her future comeback.
But this is only my humble opinion... |
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| skeedatl |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 6:35 am |
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クラゲ, 流れ星
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 4374
Location: Himeji
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Commercial endorsements (T.V., print ads etc) are alive and well which means marketing people still find her compelling. Her concert tickets sell well (and live performances is where the real money is).
As for singles sales...there is simply no accounting for taste. Look at who dominates US sales charts...talentless media whores who won't last 2 years let alone 8.
I'd rather have "Ai-Chin" music that sells 4 copies than have her stick her finger in the air and vomit up some cookie cutter nonsense that doesn't come from her heart.
If she retires today and doesn't produce another song, commercial, print ad or concert I will be content. She has a great catalog that I listen to over and over again and because of that, there will never be an end of Ai-Chin...at least in my world.
I think Ai-Chin should do EXACTLY what she is doing...get the life she has always wanted and has always sung about. If there is room for retail music in there...great, but if there isn't, that would be fine too so long as her heart is content. |
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| Miku |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 12:13 pm |
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上塩タン焼680円
Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Posts: 303
Location: France, Lyon
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Pocket wasn't a flop
it's especially from 2008 her sales has reduced 
but LOVE LETTER was an awesome album ! Even if she has lost fans because of her maturity she still do great job post-LOVE PiECE.
As for 2010, I almost 'hate' all songs from her
I don't like the way of her career is changing
her electro sound doesn't fit her at all
LUCKY STAR was a mess
Zokkondition was a little better but still disappointed
as for I love xxx, oh yay I love Ai's ballads but this one is very TOO simple -_-
even if it's in the simpliest things that we find the most beautiful things, that doesn't work here... and too english in a japanese song always kill the song (look MiChi's sales)
Now I'm praying for Action 10.5 to be released ONLY digitally.
2010 or "What are you doing Ai? You're ruining your magical career!" ...
this hiatus (thanks SU) will be better than I thought finally
(I can't believe I just wrote that, as a big fan of her, I'm suprised haha)
Looking at her sales, we don't have to be worried at the moment
she's still have contract with some agencies for shooting CM and all her albums/singles (except Momo no Hanabira) has been in the top 10 weekly, so it's cool ^^)
WE HAVE TO BELIEVE ALL IN AI OTSUKA's COME BACK
SHE'LL EXPLODE THE CHARTS ! |
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| Crystallas |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 2:12 pm |
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クラゲ, 流れ星
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 10981
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Miku wrote: I don't like the way of her career is changing
her electro sound doesn't fit her at all
I suppose you don't listen to a lot of Electro music, right? Because both "LUCKY☆STAR" and "Action 10.5" aren't 'Electro songs'. They are still (excellent) Pop. It's not correct if you call them like this when there are just some synths in the arrangement. I don't want to sound rude or something, so please don't attack me. 
Well, aside from that I'm nor sure what I should think about her career. The sales for "Zokkondition / LUCKY☆STAR" and "I ♥ ×××" were disappointing as hell, but that's not Ai's fault. She created some truly unique and amazing songs, so I think it's unfair if you blame her. I think the guilty one is her label, AVEX TRAX. I think it's obvious that your Sales will decline when you're releasing 9238 digital singles a year and release them as a 2-Track-Single 5 months after the digital release. Avex just acts so half-assed when it comes to Ai-chan, which makes me really angry. 
On the other hand: All her previous concerts were sold out, she's still in the Top 10 and she get's new tie-ins all the time, so it's not like the 'End of her Career'. Let's just wait for her next Album.  |
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| Koda |
| Posted: Oct 06, 2010 7:02 pm |
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クラゲ, 流れ星
Joined: 27 Oct 2008
Posts: 12319
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@Crystallas: I agree with you. She's still doing well in terms of live concerts.
It isn't her fault that her sales are so low. It would fall most to her label and those in charge of promoting her. I'd imagine, being on the same label as other big names, that she isn't allocated as much promotion space/time as them because she isn't as popular as she was. Ironic; the reason she isn't as popular is because she isn't promoted as much. Vicious circle, the music business.
@Miku: I wouldn't go so far as to say she's ruined her career. She got married, which obviously made her happy, and she got pregnant, which is bound to make her doubly happy. What she's done is put her other business on the back burner while she starts a family, like a responsible woman would (think of it as taking maternity leave).
If she loves her music career, then she will of course come back to it. If she decides she's done, then it isn't the end of the world, as she's got a family to go back to now. Maybe she'll take up teaching kindergarten |
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| sanzo2011 |
| Posted: Oct 07, 2010 1:49 am |
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桃ノ花ビラ
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
Posts: 12
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Crystallas wrote:
Well, aside from that I'm nor sure what I should think about her career. The sales for "Zokkondition / LUCKY☆STAR" and "I ♥ ×××" were disappointing as hell, but that's not Ai's fault. She created some truly unique and amazing songs, so I think it's unfair if you blame her. I think the guilty one is her label, AVEX TRAX. I think it's obvious that your Sales will decline when you're releasing 9238 digital singles a year and release them as a 2-Track-Single 5 months after the digital release. Avex just acts so half-assed when it comes to Ai-chan, which makes me really angry.
On the other hand: All her previous concerts were sold out, she's still in the Top 10 and she get's new tie-ins all the time, so it's not like the 'End of her Career'. Let's just wait for her next Album.
I don't think Digital release of LUCKY☆STAR affect the physical sales that much ! if that song was a digital hit or sold more than 250k , it'd make sense for low physical sales ! but i don't think Lucky star even got gold certification ! so , in my opinion , it's just because Japanese public don't like that song style ! About I ♥ ×××, it has a very big tie-in but the sales're even lower than Zokkondition / LUCKY☆STAR ! i won't say Ai's career ended but she' not that popular she's used to be ! Japanese public now no longer have big interest in her , just her fanbase want to know what she's going to release now ! Besides that , i think she always get big promotion , whenever she release a single , she 's the guest of many music shows ( Just look at Ayu , she released Moon/Blossom without any promotion )so promotion's not her problem now , it's her style that doesn't appeal Japanese public . |
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| skeedatl |
| Posted: Oct 07, 2010 8:56 am |
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クラゲ, 流れ星
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 4374
Location: Himeji
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Her 'image' has great corporate appeal. Her personal life is not a tabloid disaster. Barring a change in that wholesome image she will always have corporate endorsements. If they are structured there like they are in the USA, that is a LOT of money.
So as far as a 'career' goes, she is FAR from ended. |
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