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Misa-chan's J-pop blog ♪

~ A translation of Japanese music, blogs, and magazines!

Misa-chan's J-pop blog ♪

Category Archives: ayu news

ayu’s selected item present!

21 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

“Special D.Oil” and “Revive” set … 3 sets to be won!

ayu is giving away her favourite daily items “Special D.Oil” and “Revive”!!
“Special D.Oil” can be used both on the body and on the face ♪

[How to join]
1. Visit this site http://fc.avex.jp/ayu/member/form/question.html?category=FREE&form_id=2081#mainContent and log in using your TA number and password.
2. Fill up the form regarding what you think of the new TA revamped site, and what improvements you’d like to see. (It’s perfectly alright to write in English!)
3. Press the button at the bottom to go the next page.
4. Confirm your message on the new page. Press the button of the left to edit, and the button on the right to submit.

Contest ends… 31 October 2014 (Fri) 23:59

* Message cannot be edited after submission.
* Winners will be notified, and the prizes sent to the address you’ve used to sign up with the fanclub.

“ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no circus~”!!

21 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

The year 2014――. Having overthrown the usual concept of a nationwide arena tour, Hamasaki Ayumi faced the challenge of whittling down the annual tour to 3 large venues at Tokyo, Nayoga and Osaka, and making use of the latest technology for the first time in a Japanese concert, distilling the true essense of an entertainment show.

[The show, named “Premium Showcase” created a “new concept”, showing off how “Hamasaki Ayumi” has continued to evolve; proof of her life.]
-Ongaku Writer

To close off 2014, “ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no circus~” has been announced!

“Cirque de Minuit” is French for “midnight circus”.

In recent years, Hamasaki Ayumi’s shows have embodied a global perspective, and the word “circus” has been an underlying theme for many of these concerts. This time, it has been made into the main theme. It is thus naturally a much-anticipated show, with the troupe having gathered much specific skills and confidence over the years to pull this off well. Most importantly, the fantastic timezone that is “midnight” adds another layer of imagination.

Countdown has always been held at the sacred ground Yoyogi, and this will be Coundown Live’s 15th Anniversary. A show different from the arena tour, catered just for the Countdown; having entertained over 400 000 audience since 2000, just how different will this year’s New Year celebrations be――?

Please keep your eyes locked on Yoyogi!

——

【Dates】
29 December 2014 (Mon) ~ 31 December 2014 (Wed)
Yoyogi First Gymnasium

——

【TeamAyu Lottery】
Ticket lottery will be carried out for TeamAyu.
Only available for members who joined before 15 Oct (Wed) 23:59.
More details about the lottery and concert will be released at a later date.

“ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM SHOWCASE ~Feel the love~” Live Confirmed!

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

As promised by Hamasaki Ayumi, the new style of entertainment show is here-.

14 years since 2000, ayu has been holding nationwide tours well-known to be the best live entertainment shows. Now, she is taking up the new challenge of a “premium showcase”. Making use of the newest technology and performance techniques, she hopes to achieve a show style which exceeds all expectations and imagination.

With 11 shows in 3 cities, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, this concept of premium space will allow for the incorporation of many performances and mechanisms only achievable in these locations.

Furthermore, a new campaign in Hamasaki Ayumi history will also be launched. 2 new songs from the as-yet-unreleased album will be compiled in a CD and given as a first-come-first served present to all concert-goers at each venue!

Don’t miss out on the latest installment of this ever-evolving entertainment show!

—

【Dates】

Date Venue Doors open Show start
30 May 2014 (Fri) Nippon Gaishi Hall 18:00 19:00
31 May 2014 (Sat) Nippon Gaishi Hall 17:30 18:30
1 June 2014 (Sun) Nippon Gaishi Hall 15:00 16:00
12 June 2014 (Thu) Osaka Jou Hall 17:30 18:30
13 June 2014 (Fri) Osaka Jou Hall 17:30 18:30
14 June 2014 (Sat) Osaka Jou Hall 17:30 18:30
15 June 2014 (Sun) Osaka Jou Hall 15:00 16:00
3 July 2014 (Thu) National Yoyogi First Gymnasium 17:30 18:30
4 July 2014 (Fri) National Yoyogi First Gymnasium 17:30 18:30
5 July 2014 (Sat) National Yoyogi First Gymnasium 17:30 18:30
6 July 2014 (Sun) National Yoyogi First Gymnasium 15:00 16:00

—

Ticket Price: ¥9,300

※Ticket required for children 3 years and above.
※CD will be distributed to concert-goers upon entry into venue.

—

【CD contents】

More information will be released at a later date. 2 new songs will be released at each venue.

—

【TA Lottery】

The ticket lottery will be open for all members who paid for membership by 23:59 on 10 April.

※Members who joined in the period 2~10 April will get to take part in the lottery from 16 April onwards.

■Lottery Dates■
Application Period: 8 April 13:00 ~ 21 April 13:00

More details available at the site below
http://fc.avex.jp/ayu/

New Original Album to be released on 2 July 2014

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ 1 Comment

The 15th original album will be the work of many super grand producers from different countries, and has been hailed as ayu’s new stage of world-class level!

Some notable names include super producer “RedOne”, who has had a hand in producing numerous No.1 hits in the U.S; top producer “Rodney Jerkins”, who does most of his work in the R&B scene; “Armin van Buuren”, Holland’s gem and 5-time No.1 of the world DJ ranking; “Fedde Le Grand”, a Holland artiste at the forefront of the dance music scene, with many hit songs under his belt; and “DAISHI DANCE”, a favourite Asia-based DJ known for his melodious and uplifting works.

Anticipated by the fans, this original full album will include new song “Hello new me”, theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Saigo kara nibanme no koi”, which will start airing from 17 April, as well as popular song “Pray”, theme song for movie “BUDDHA2 Tezuka Osamu no Buddha -Owari naki tabi-“!!

ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 A LIVE DVD & Blu-ray release!

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

For 3 days, from 29~31 December, the annual Countdown Live was held at sacred ground Yoyogi First Gymnasium. Now, the complete show from New Year’s Eve has been compiled into video!

From the special stage utilizing several huge 6m flip-top lifters that was used live in concert in Japan for the first time in history, to the exciting airborne swing show performed without safety harnesses by the performers, to the multi-change costumes, this is a must-watch of the ever-evolving “Hamasaki Ayumi show”!

Furthermore, this release includes rare footage of surprise guest performances by m-flo and DJ Hello Kitty, who participated in collaborations in single “Feel the love / Merry-go-round”, released in December!!

—

Release date: 30 April 2014

DVD: ¥5,800
[Purchase link]

Blu-ray: ¥6,800
[Purchase link]

—

[Contents]

01. Feel the love
02. WE WISH
03. Free & Easy
04. Because of You
05. Love is All
06. CAROLS
07. momentum
08. electrocinema break
09. is this LOVE?
10. Love song
11. Merry-go-round
12. You & Me
13. SURREAL ~ evolution ~ SURREAL
[encore]
14. part of Me
15. Curtain call
16. Boys & Girls
17. Humming7/4
18. Bold & Delicious

Article by Gendai.net

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ 1 Comment

Original article [here].

——

A year-end tradition? Hamasaki Ayumi’s history with men a result of “self-production”
27 December 2013.

An update “Announcement: I’ve gotten engaged today, 12 December L.A. time~” was made on her official site.

“Online comments have been calling this a publicity stunt, a marriage looking for attention. The announcement was made on the day tickets for her Countdown Live concert on 29~31 went on sale, and precedes a whole line-up of events like her single release on 25th and Kouhaku on 31st. She may really want attention, but selling her private life like this is too much” (variety show staff)

Hamasaki debuted in April 1998 with single “poker face”. Her self-written lyrics carried a universal message, helping her CDs reach massive sales and her concerts fully sold-out events. With her gyaru charisma, she ushered in a new age in the music industry.

“Matsuda Seiko in her heyday was also an outstanding self-produced artist. But her taste in men was hopeless and she fell into passionate relationships really quickly. Her super go-getter attitude was just like ayu’s. However, Seiko has matured with age, but ayu continues to get herself into troublesome situations” (celebrity writer)

The number of Hamasaki’s romances is excessive. Her romance with fellow idol TOKIO’s Nagase Tomoya caused a great ruckus among the media. They met during filming for a drama in 1993, and started dating in 2001. In September that year, Hamasaki revealed their relationship, which continued in good form for a long time. However, in September 2007, she made an announcement on her official site, stating that “this is sudden, but I’ve broken up with my lover”. The reason seemed to be Nagase’s involvement with another woman.

■Nagase → Jewelry designer → Manager

Then, a Korean-American jewelry designer by the name of Jason Park started getting close to Hamasaki. They met during a PV filming session in Hawaii in June 2005.

“ayu wrote him an ardent love letter stating that he was her “fated true love”, and they started dating. Park revealed that their relationship did not end in Hawaii, as he was called to Japan for a secret meeting in a 500,000yen hotel suite room in the city” (celebrity writer)

Her next relationship with Tim Mcger, her concert stylist, got to the point of them going to Tiffany’s in NY to purchase engagement/wedding rings. Their pre-wedding vacation at a 7-star hotel in Dubai was exposed in a weekly magazine, and caused a huge ruckus.

“Nagase first believed ayu’s explanation that “the magazines were full of lies, and they were just colleagues”. But a second incident was so incriminating that they had a huge fight and broke up” (women’s magazine reporter)

Her heartbreak was healed by Manager Mr. U. His gallant act of nursing a drunk Hamasaki and sending her home was exposed, and he lost his position at the company.

Her relationship with back dancer SHU-YA began during a Hawaii trip in September 2008. 2 months later, it was rumoured that she announced to her staff that they were “dating and getting married”.

Actor Tamayama Tetsuji came into the picture after her break-up with SHU-YA in December 2009. They met secretly numerous times at hotels or at Hamasaki’s residence. However, he proved not to be her “only one”, and was dismissed.

Her lightning marriage with Austrian actor Manuel Schwarz, who acted with her in 3 PVs, came in January 2011, after just 4 months of dating. Their long-distance marriage between Japan and Los Angeles lasted a year.

In November last year, she announced her relationship with back dancer Maro. After the announcement, she learned to her horror that he was caught up in a divorce, and even had a child.

“The relationship might have lasted if the fans hadn’t revolted against her mixing her professional and private life and this adulterous turn of events. They broke up after 45 days, making it her shortest relationship yet” (celebrity reporter)

Maro’s successor is a UCLA graduate student 10 years her junior, a hunk with a crewcut, and the two have announced their engagement. He seems to be an old acquaintance who used to handle her affairs at L.A. Hamasaki may seem in love now, but only god knows if this relationship will end in marriage.

Article by Billboard Japan

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ 1 Comment

Original article [here].

——

Hamasaki Ayumi and Matsuyama Ken’ichi prepare for world premiere of anime movie “BUDDHA2”
25 December 2013.

Hamasaki Ayumi will be attending the world premiere for anime movie “BUDDHA2 Tezuka Osamu no Buddha -Owari naki tabi-” will be held on 27 Jan next year at the Louvre Museum in France.

Based on the original work “Buddha” by Tezuka Osamu, this “BUDDHA2” movie is a sequel to movie “Tezuka Osamu no Buddha- Akai sabaku yo! Utsukushiku-“. Voice actor Matsuyama Ken’ichi, Kanze Kiyokazu, scriptwriter Yoshida Reiko, director Komura Toshiaki, executive producer Morishita Kouzou, music composer Oshima Michiru, and theme song “Pray” artiste Hamasaki Ayumi are among the guests invited to the world premiere event.

Hamasaki made the following comment with regards to theme song “Pray”. “I wrote the lyrics after reading all the original volumes and the movie script. Immersing myself in that unique world, I read the entire story all at once, and presented it in a song of my style.” She will perform the theme song at the premiere.

◎”BUDDHA2 Tezuka Osamu no Buddha -Owari naki tabi-”
In theatres nationwide from 8 Feb 2014 (Sat)
Voice actor cast: Yoshinaga Sayuri, Matsuyama Ken’ichi, Maki Yoko, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Oowada Shinya, Waraimeshi Tetsuo, Taguchi Hiromasa, Mizuki Nana, Sawashiro Miyuki, Fujiwara Keiji, Ootomo Ryuuzaburou, Shimamoto Sumi
Original work: Tezuka Osamu
Director: Komura Toshiaki
Script: Yoshida Reiko
Music: Oshima Michiru
Bamboo flute performance: Fujiwara Douzan

Article by Gendai.net

02 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ 1 Comment

Original article [here].

——

Hamasaki Ayumi’s re-marriage controversy: “Commemorative photobook” release hugely unpopular
25 December 2013.

Hamasaki Ayumi (35), who is in the limelight again due to her lightning engagement to an American student (25), faces “struggles” with sales of her photoboook. To commemorate her 15th debut Anniversary, she released a photobook named “ayu” (2800yen) last month, 11 years since her last photobook, and reviews have been harsh.

Customer reviews on Amazon (average rating 2.6 stars) have been particularly critical. Comments were severe, such as;

“The book talks about an opening of her private residence, but it’s hard to tell anything from the photos”
“There’s nothing nice about looking at walls and bedsheets. Too much Photoshop. It’s a photobook of her tattoos, bedsheets and walls”
“She’s been a disappointment lately”
“An item fans buy only because of obligation”

Even so, the initial press sold more than 20,000 copies, and Kodansha’s PR department commented that “with subsequent presses, total sales reached 23,000 copies”. Seems like hardcore fans are still buying the book.

In April 2002, photobook “uraayu” (special edition 8400yen) sold up to 100,000 copies.

At that time, her romance with TOKIO’s Tomoya Nagase (35) was the hot topic, and she released consecutive hits like “Dearest” and “Voyage”. It was then that her presence as “pop princess” was strongest. However, even that premium photobook is now selling for 1yen in second-hand stores.

The plunge in Hamasaki’s popularity is obvious with this release. Will this memorial year end with nothing but news about her private life…?

COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 Setlist

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

01.Feel the love
02.WE WISH
03.Free & Easy
04.Because of You
05.CAROLS
06.momentum
07.is this LOVE?
08.Love song
COUNT DOWN
09.Merry-go-round
10.You & Me
11.SURREAL ~ evolution ~ SURREAL
ENCORE
12.part of Me
13.Curtain call
14.Boys&Girls
15.Humming 7/4
16.Bold & Delicious

“ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 A” CD Sales Campaign!!

28 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by Misa-chan in ayu news, ayumi hamasaki

≈ Leave a comment

Purchase new single “Feel the love / Merry-go-round”, released 25 Dec, at the Countdown Live venue to receive a super big artiste card (LP size) as a gift!

In addition to the CD+DVD and CD versions, the fanclub-limited version and MUSIC CARDs will also be on sale!
Alternatively, purchase a set of all 3 MUSIC CARDs to receive the LP size artiste card!

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