2004.07.16
2004 best loved new artist, debut for less than a year, Ai Otsuka will held her concert at Tokyo Dome
The sales results for the first half of 2004 in Japan has just been released, Ai Otsuka, who is only 21 years old this year, appear to be the shiniest star among the other involving artists. Not only has her “Sakuranbo” single obtained fifth spot on the single ranking for the first half of 2004, her debut album “LOVE PUNCH”, also appears to be the best selling album among the new female artists. Considered to be the best loved artist of 2004, Ai Otsuka just released her new single “Happy Days” in July, after the huge sales of her debut album “LOVE PUNCH”, which has sold more than 600,000 copies. “Happy Days” was chosen as the theme song of “The 24th Japanese High School Quiz Contest”, having been in the industry for less than a year, Ai Otsuka will soon hold a concert specially for the high school students at Tokyo Dome, which can accomodate up to 50,000 audience.
Last autumn, Ai Otsuka debuted with “Momo no Hanabira”, and this year, both of her single “Sakuranbo” and “Amaenbo” achieved sales as high as 520,000 and 310,000 respectively. Her first album “LOVE PUNCH” has also achieved sales as high as 640,000 so far. According to the authorities (who organize the quiz contest), Ai Otsuka is well supported by teenagers around 10-15 years old, in fact, around 80% of high school student uses Ai Otsuka’s song as their cellphone incoming ringtone. While Ai Otsuka has a fairly large male fanbase, a lot of female student really like her music as well. Ai Otsuka’s fresh and lively image fits the theme of the event, and so the organizers decided that she will be singing for the event’s theme song.
“Happy Days” sounds similar to Ai Otsuka’s famous song “Sakuranbo”, both are lively and happy with fast tempo. The strong background music and the fast pace tempo together with the cheers of “Happy Days” at the chorus makes audience can’t help but start dancing with this “Ai Otsuka-ish” rock song. Ai Otsuka said “Happy Days is a song that can make anyone happy at anytime, I will work hard and let those participants of the quiz have an enjoyable time”. On August 5th, Ai Otsuka will hold a special concert for those high school student at Tokyo Dome. Debut for less than a year, Ai Otsuka is already holding concert at Tokyo Dome, this is indeed Japan’s first “Love” miracle this year.
“Happy Days” is not only the theme song of “The 24th Japanese High School Quiz Contest”, it has also been chosen as the CM song for Ai Otsuka’s first commercial, the morinaga “ICE BOX”. Considered as the representation product of the summer, the “ICE BOX” has been promoted intensively during summer for the past 10 years, and has helped artists such as ELT, Sentimental Bus and Day After Tomorrow etc. to gain their fame. This time, “ICE BOX” believe that Ai Otsuka’s summery image matches welll with their product theme, thus decided to appoint her as the commercial representer for this year. Ai Otsuka together with “ICE BOX” will work together to conquer the summer of 2004 in Japan! The fact that “Happy Days” are highly valued by 2 different organization to use it as their theme song has clearly showed that Ai Otsuka’s fame in Japan is higher than ever.
The newly released “Happy Days” single included a full PV of “Happy Days” that is unavailable on TV programs. The music video is shot on a hill at one of Japan’s famous resort, Idou (sp). The blue sky and green hill in the background completely conveyed the feeling of “Happy” summer. Ai Otsuka has also specially designed a loud speaker that is painted in her favourite pink colour, and use it as a decoration within the PV. Ai Otsuka mimicked the way how the main character in the Japanese classic cartoon “Ruban (sp) the Third” rolling out of his pink car to start the PV. The whole music video is full of Ai Otsuka-ish fantasy and comical fun, which will definitely bring you “Happy Days” after watching. This year’s summer, please spend your “Happy Days” together with Ai Otsuka.
