Full HQ scans by Taki.

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POWER of MUSIC

Breathing together with Japan as she went through different circumstances and states, moving through the various chapters, becoming stronger for the final chapter, POWER of MUSIC lived.

For everyone in the troupe, and then everyone in TA, and of course for myself… It all began on that unforgettable day which no one could have predicted…

Somehow, it feels like we’ve gone on a long long journey.

Honestly speaking, at the time when I started to create this show (the same time when I said goodbye to HOTEL LOVE SONGS), I felt grief and frustration and despair that I had never ever felt before, and it plunged me into darkness. With this mood, I groped about in the dark for a while.

However, even in the darkness, I was able to continue to progress, all the way till the end. That is because I had comrades with whom to share my responsibilities and courage.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel anxiety and fear. Though some talk about it and others don’t, I’m sure everyone in the troupe felt the same way.

But when we stood on stage, every single one of them was smiling.

There may be many times when we cried as we laughed, or when we tried to hide our trembling.

But we smiled with all our mights.

We were determined to believe that the power must have transformed into hope and reached out to everyone.

As for my thoughts now…

They are on everyone who had believed in our troupe, no matter what, never giving up, believing and believing and believing till the very end.

Our troupe continued to stand on stage to send out love and hope to everyone, to Japan. But if we really think about it, we were able to stand on stage because of the support from everyone’s love and hope.

I have received so much from everyone, that I won’t be able to repay even if I sang my entire life. But let me announce here on TA that for this life, I will continue to sing for the rest of my days m(_ _)m

Once again,

To everyone who had taken part in POWER of MUSIC TOUR whichever way, thank you so much!!!!!

Troupe leader baby.

from “ayu’s DIARY” 2011/10/30 22:29

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TA RECOMMENDS

Born To Be…
No.210675
manami-san
I’m currently a student preparing for exams. Whenever I don’t feel like studying, or when I meet with obstacles, I always listen to this song. It’s my favourite cheer song.

GREEN
No.142272
natsumi-san
My one-way love song is “GREEN”. When I felt frustration at not being able to be honest, I listened to this song and cried. And then, the song gave me a push on the back, and I successfully confessed my feelings (*^^*) I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost 3 years now ♪

beloved
No.19476
Rinachon-san
I always listen to this song when I go on business trips. It makes me feel like someone will surely see me putting in the effort, and that I’m not alone. ayu’s singing in this song also gives me courage, and I feel as if she’s beside me, so it’s my favourite song!

No way to say
No.170173
Eri♪-san
When I was in middle school, I had a crush on a senior and listened to this song countless times everyday. I felt that I was in love by myself~.. In the end, it was a one-way love, but whenever I hear this song, I’ll recall those deep memories. I love this song (*>U<*)

Last Angel
No.120795
TOMORI-san
This song reminds me of my younger self. I played a fool with my friends, enjoying ourselves and forgiving everything, but it was truly a lonely period. It’s the best song that reminds me of a nostalgic self.

NEXT LEVEL
No.216160
Kuuko-san
☆NEXT LEVEL. I was really touched when I heard this song… There are no other words to describe this… I was really truly touched…! Noone but ayu will be able to sing this song!

HANABI
No.196346
Shiori-san
I pick “HANABI”. There is someone who I can never ever forget, and when I heard this song, ayu’s voice and lyrics were so sad and sorrowful that I cried.

Virgin Road
No.190263
Mamitasu-san
I love this song, and sing it everyday ♪I will definitely sing this on my wedding day! I want to marry my beloved boyfriend soon! (*^o^*)

vogue
No.47394
Emi-san
I’ve noticed that I listen to this song whenever I feel regret about the past. The past is not about regret, but it’s a proof of everything. That’s why I can write about it here. I planned to dress like ayu when she sang this song and pair my coming-of-age furisode with a miniskirt! But my parents got angry at me for that… (laugh)

monochrome
No.145919
Akane-san
☆monochrome☆ There was this person I had a crush on when I was in middle school, so I really identified with the lyrics in Verse 2 (>_<) The whole song is refreshing and I love it ☆☆☆☆

A Song for XX
No.161678
sayu-san
“I didn’t belong, I couldn’t find somewhere to belong. I didn’t know if I should anticipate the future.” This song reminds me of my younger self. I couldn’t see a future for myself then, and was anxious. However, now I understand the importance of “living strong now instead of worrying about the future”.

BLUE BIRD
No.210167
Rika-san
I listen to BLUE BIRD regardless of whether I’m sad or happy (* w *) I can’t live without this song!! One of my dreams is to visit the island in the PV, and play BLUE BIRD at max volume there (^ ^) It’ll surely come true one day ★

Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~
No.186525
Tanie Mari-san
My favourite song is “Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~”. When I had my first boyfriend, when I had my first long-distance relationship, whenever I had a “first”… No matter how long the path we take, we just need to have mutual understanding. That’s what this song taught me.

RED LINE ~for TA~
No.216724
Maipii-san
I met this song during the period when I couldn’t find a job, was having problems with my boyfriend, and was in bad health overall. I was in despair, but received hope from this song. This song will forever be the theme between ayu-chan and TA.

MOON
No.204283
MANAMI-san
This song was first revealed by ayu during a live. It was somehow nostalgic and sad, and before I knew it, I was crying. When I close my eyes, I will always see the image of ayu singing this song.

evolution
No.142133
Tora-san
When I was in middle school, this was a song in the first Ayu album I bought. When I first heard it, I found it to be a fun song. It made all my worries disappear. Now, I must always sing this song during karaoke sessions.

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Message from ayu

NEW ALBUM “Party Queen”: Will it grow within everyone? I’ll be glad if this album can help everyone to find their own Party Queen, and that it will continue to live deeply and prominently in everyone’s hearts– And then!! I’m so looking forward to meeting with TA power throughout Japan during the HOTEL Love songs TOUR!!

Credits to Taki @ AHS for the HQ scans. Visit here.

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「L」 Jacket photo off shot

ayu’s 50th single 「L」
An impressive photoshoot of ayu holding her own “face”. We present to you the backstage scenes from this shoot too! With this release achieving yet another No.1 on the Oricon charts, she has broken the record for highest number of consecutive No.1 singles for solo female artists, with her count at 25!!! And then, the songs contained in the single, written by Komuro-san and Makihara-san, make this a wonderful single!! All in all, a great commemorative single ♪

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「Virgin Road」 Video clip off shot

Listening to the song “Virgin Road”, this is one Video Clip which you couldn’t have imagined!!! Filmed in LA on a huge scale, this PV views just like a short movie! Wearing a wedding dress and holding a machine gun, driving along the highway in an open-top car, this PV brings to you a beautiful and cool ayu ♪♪

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「Sweet Season」 Video clip off shot

Fitting with the gentleness of the song, this Video Clip gives a very warm feeling. Featuring a happy family scene from the American 80’s, with the children lip-syncing along to the song, this gives off a warm and cute feeling ♪ And then, the scene of ayu, who hates water, falling into the pool was also much talked about! You would imagine that the Video Clip would end with this scene, but a shocking ending waits at the very end…

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Sweet

Both the October and November issues featured ayu on the cover. 「Sweet Season」, a song in 50th single 「L」, is the TV CM theme song for the magazine, but I’m sure everyone has already checked it out ♪ In the 2 issues, ayu wore a total of 6 different costumes, and she also talked lots in depth about the song 「Sweet Season」 ♪

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ViVi

The November issue featured a special titled “50th Single Anniversary AYU NAKED TALK”. And this photoshoot featured a “naked” ayu. Without her usual elegant dresses, ayu wanted to bring across her real self, without all the embellishments. In a natural style, many shots with the distinct “Hamasaki Ayumi” flavour were taken, and there were surely many TA members who were shocked to see it!

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VoCE

A special feature with the title 「THE SHOW GIRL Hamasaki Ayumi, The Things Accomplished by One Girl」, this article contained different-angled shots of ayu in a corset dress and a crown upon her head. And no matter which shot it was, it is easy to see how cute she was ♪

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S cawaii!

「50 Never Before Asked Questions to AYU」, a special featuring ayu’s answers. In a surprisingly honest way, she talked openly about her feelings and emotions. Wasn’t this a great chance to meet with the ayu we wished to know, but could never quite understand!? Her clothes too, fully featured 3 different styles, “Military”, “Fur” and “Knit” ♪

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Otona Look!s

This is ayu’s first feature in “Otona Look!s”. On a set based on the theme “A rundown water mill deep in the silent forest”, ayu matches the backdrop perfectly, either dressed in a white knit poncho and lying down smiling, or as a strong lady in a white blouse and black fur coat. She has managed to create a world all her own ♪

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bea’s up

「bea’s up」 featured an “edgy” perspective on ayu. With her hair bunned up, ayu’s large eyes are emphasized, giving the shoot an artistic flavour.

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JELLY

“JELLY” magazine, with the theme 「What I want to wear in winter」. ayu displayed her personal fall/winter fashion, making this a precious photoshoot ♪ Wearing either the “hippie style” or “knit”, this feature probably became a fashion handbook for many TA girls ★

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ARENA TOUR 2010 A ~Rock’n’Roll Circus~ MAIN VISUAL OFF SHOT

An arena tour, bigger than any she’s ever done before, started in April 2010. And the main visual for that tour is this photoshoot. Dressed in black lace and a crown, this costume was much talked about!! Used on goods like the T-shirt and tote bag, it was super popular with the crowd ♪

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Rock’n’Roll Circus Tour FINAL ~7days Special~ PAMPHLET OFF SHOT

Featuring shots taken from Rock’n’Roll Circus TOUR LIVE at Yoyogi Gymnasium in July, and special shoots with the tour costumes, this pamphlet was put on sale during 7days Special. It’s been a long 8 years since ayu last did photoshoots in her tour costumes!! A book filled with everything from the Rock’n’Roll Circus TOUR, here’s an accompanying off-shot to complement it!

And, in the next issue, vol.39 of TeamAyu Magazine,
ayumi hamasaki Rock’n’Roll Circus Tour FINAL ~7days Special~ Feature!!
Coming Soon…

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Extra
Papino-sans’ tweets ♪♪♪

A special corner featuring tweets from Pino-san and Papiko-san ★ An extremely cute duo. Makes you want to just hug them tight ♪♪

(From left to right, top to bottom)

Hey– Hey–

Uhhh– Too bright!

Ah! The photoshoot is done!

Uh?

Nn?

Boooooo–

What is it?

*bite*

Blank face ♪

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from TA Staff

Hi everyone ♪ this is the TA staff. Did you enjoy TeamAyu Magazine vol.38?? This issue, like the last, was filled with jacket cover photoshoots, video clip off shots, magazines, pamphlets, just lots and lots of ayu photos!

Now, we want to take this opportunity to introduce a new concept regarding the TA magazine to everyone! For every subsequent issue, we wish to create the magazine together with everyone, using ideas that everyone sends in to us! Any type of idea can be accepted, for example “I’d like to see this!” or “I’d like more to be reported on this”! For TA, by TA. Let’s work together to bring TA magazine to everyone! ♪

A Pioneer Project to start it all off!

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TA RECOMMEND’S ♪
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Please introduce your favourite ayu song to the rest of the TA members.
Why do you like this song? What memories do you have of it? Such episodes are welcome, so please write in.

To take part in either project, please visit the following website ♪
http://ssl.avexnet.or.jp/form/fc/ta2ta/

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Credits to Taki @ AHS for the HQ scans. Visit here.

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Present For You ♡

The much-discussed topic for the summer of 2010 was the 3D live concert 「A3D ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2009 A ~NEXT LEVEL~」.
This time, 5 lucky members will be chosen to receive a special not-for-sale promotion poster!

How to enter (For both A-Course and B-Course members)
Access the following website using either the computer or the mobile, and enter the form.
https://ssl.avexnet.or.jp/form/fc/ta_vol37/

☆ Until 28 February 2011 6pm ☆

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「MOON/blossom」 Jacket photo off shot

ayu’s 48th single, the first single release of 2010, 「MOON/blossom」 and 「blossom/MOON」.
This pale pastel orange jacket cover elicited major responses when it was first revealed! Many flooded to the TA site continuously, and the connection became really hard to maintain… We are sorry to have brought trouble to all TA members (>_<;) So we bring to you the gentlest, cutest photos of ayu from this shoot. Aside from the photos on the cover and in the booklet, there were lots of other photos taken too. Please enjoy looking at ayu’s many expressions ♪♪♪

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「MOON」 Video clip off shot

A room in a gloomy mansion.
「MOON」 video clip, where scenes of ayu singing while illuminated by moonlight created a deep impression.
Because this was in such contrast with the soft and pale image from the jacket cover, many people were probably surprised.
Here, we present the off shot from this video clip ♪

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During the summer of 2010, a-nation was held in 4 major regions of the country, with 6 shows.
ayu and her troupe performed at all shows, and charmed the audiences during this open-air performance!!
We are sure that the best memories of this summer are still shining brightly in the hearts of TA all over the country who came down to support, even now.
Now we present the excitement from that summer to you once again, with a photo gallery ♪
There will of course be shots from the show itself, but also lots of rehearsal photos!

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Scene of Rehearsals

a-nation rehearsals, squeezed into an already tight schedule. ayu, dancers, band members, staff. From anyone’s expression, we can surely see the determination to throw in everything and aim to become one on stage. Until the show can wow the audience, and until the show is over, this was a moment where true spirit can be seen.

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「crossroad」 Jacket photo off shot

49th single 「crossroad」.
This jacket photo was of ayu, with a ribbon and glasses studded with Swarovski crystals, looking straight at the camera! This sparkly ribbon was so well-received by everyone at TA that it was made into merchandise. That’s surely the first time this has ever happened ♪

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「crossroad」 Video clip off shot

The ayu displayed on the monitor is “the ayu who has chosen such a path”. And then, there’s “one more ayu” watching her. As the title 「crossroad」 suggests, this video clip was based on the concept of “the crossroads of life”. As the clip progresses, the stories come to their respective ends…

ayu, with long straight hair and wearing a long red dress. Versus ayu, wearing a short black studded dress. This clip showcases very different costumes ♪

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