[News] 30.07.2012 Ayu's a-nation '12 goods

All from Team Ayu:

Hamasaki Ayumi's 2012 Summer goods will be on sale at mu-mo starting at 7:00 PM on Friday, August 3rd!

This summer's theme is a colorful leopard print containing 5 colors!

Perfect items for a hot summer!

Top: Sports Towel (Pink / Blue) with vinyl bag

This years sport's towel has a white base and colorful leopard print! Comes with vinyl leopard print bag as well!

Bottom: Key holder/strap (Neon Pink / Neon Yellow)

A key holder with a neon colored star shaped plate and summery mesh pom-pom! Comes with the parts to use it as a cell phone strap as well.

iPhone 4s/4 Body Sticker

Neon colored acrylic iPhone body sticker. While there have been "squishy" (I don't know how to translate "puku puku" into English... haha) sticker, there aren't many made out of acrylic! Made of a special material that when removed, washed and dried, it will be able to be used again without losing it's adhesive ability. An item that will sure to make iPhone 4s/4 users happy!

A-line tank top

This leopard tank top is surely to be heavily rotated throughout the summer! Lady's tank top is a girly A-line silhouette that flares at the hemline. The men's tank top can be used under a shirt. Both perfect items for summer styling. *This year there will be no t-shirt.

Other goods include a collaboration with BALITOWEL, which is ayu's must have item this summer, a sun-shade for your car that was last released in 2007, a colorful summer ayupan and Hello Kitty collaboration mirror, as well as other goods!

*The rest of the goods will be released tomorrow at 12 noon.

Source: tokyoxjapanxfan @ AHS

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[News] 13.06.2012 TA Asked to Choose Ayu's Best Summer Song

Today, a new campaign was announced on Team Ayu in which they were asked to pick their favorite summer song!  No word yet as to what the results will be used for.  Below is the information to participate.

It’ll be hot summer soon ♪ 

With that! We’re doing a poll of TA’s favorite ayu summer song ♪♪♪ 

Sparkling dance beats, songs which make want go crazy with friends, 

sometimes sad, heartrending songs, ayu has released lots of different summer songs over the years. 

 Tell us which summer songs you’d recommend! 

【Campaign Period】 

Now ~ 20 June 2012 23:59 

 【Eligible Songs】 

All songs currently released on singles, albums, digital singles, best albums, analogue discs etc. 

Step 1: Log in to your TA account on this site. [CLICK!] 

Step 2: Fill in 2 ayu songs on the following page. The top blank asks for a happy summer song, the bottom blank asks for a sad summer song. Key only ONE song title into each blank. After keying in the song titles, press the blue “確認する” button. 

Step 3: Make sure you have keyed in your desired song titles on the confirmation page, then press the blue “送信する” button on the right. 

*Apparently you can key in song titles of any ayu song, doesn’t need to be a true summer song. 

Source: Misa-chan @ AHS 

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[TeamAyu] 11.03.2012 A & STAFF DIARY - "March 11th"

As you all know, today was the one year anniversary of the Japan earthquake. Ayu updated TA (now called A & STAFF DIARY) with her thoughts:

March 11th
11 March 2012. 00:01

What is everyone thinking of now?

Is everyone wishing?

Is everyone praying?

On March 11th a year ago, the troupe was busy creating HOTEL LOVE SONGS.

Nobody could have imagined that, on the March 11th one year later, we're working on HOTEL LOVE SONGS again, creating and refining it.

This year's rehearsals are filled with lots of different emotions, and my own feelings have been brought out into the open. Honestly, there were many times when I almost broke down.

However, Japan has taught me that we are strong and gentle, and capable of continuing to progress. She has given me a push on the back. As if telling me that I have not yet lost.

So, until the very last moment, no matter how bitter the journey, I will not give up or give in. Holding on to the hands of everyone in the troupe, I'll create precious precious things.

A neverending dream.
A never fading dream.

For everyone.

When you become afraid, or when you feel like crying, or when you feel doubt, or when you feel like you're going to lose,

please listen to my songs.

I will cry together with you,
smile together with you,
I will hold you tight.

Source: Misa-chan @ AHS
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[Photos] 10.03.2012 TeamAyu LIMITED PREMIUM PREVIEW ~Party Queen~ Event!

The TA preview event for Party Queen has started, and fans have already started sharing photos and tweets! (Ugh, don't you just want to break in those display cases and steal everything? XD)
















Original source: maiconan @ Ameblo
Credit: truehappiness @ AHS
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[Official] 08.03.2012 Team Ayu Official Site Updated With New Layout!

Team Ayu Official Site has changed its layout to Party Queen 13th Album theme!

It looks great! Just that I actually wish to see new picture out from the 3 covers of the album.
But cool layout anyway!

Click the pictures for larger version









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[Official] 01.02.2012 Special "Party Queen" Photobook to Be Released

So as if we weren't going to be broke enough on the 21st of March (XD), it was announced on TeamAyu this morning, a special commemorative photobook will be released as well! It'll include photos that didn't make it to the actual album.

Source: TeamAyu + OyTony & truehappiness @ AHS
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[Official] 01.02.2012 "LIFE STYLE BOOK" to Be Released on March 21st

According to TeamAyu, Ayu's "LIFE STYLE BOOK" finally has a release date of March 21st - the same date as the album. For those who don't know, Ayu shot this while she was in NY with Leslie Kee, and it will include some of her favorite Twitter photos, beauty secrets, favorite hangouts and more.

Source: TeamAyu and OyTony @ AHS
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[Scans+Translation] 16.11.2011 Team Ayu Magazine Vol. 41 Full Scans + Translation

TA Magazine Issue 41



More under the cut!




ayu-mi-x 7 JACKET SHOOTING

『ayu-mi-x 7』, released 3 years after previous work 『ayu-mi-x 6』. A limited quantity BOX SET with 5 works, each containing ayu’s songs remixed to different genres!

This jacket shooting took place in a famous studio in LA utilized by many famous people from around the world ♪ ♪



The JACKET SHOOTING of FIVE

Mini album 『FIVE』 was released on 31 August. A super extravagant mini album with 5 new songs, 5 video clips, and 5 making-of videos.

The way cool ayu uses her entire body in poses is truly a masterpiece. All the emotions within 『FIVE』 was brought across strongly by ayu’s gaze into the camera.



A change in make-up and hairstyle, for a more artistic look. Destroyed lipstick, messy hair, a laughing expression, this ayu seemed a totally different person from the ayu just now.

Leslie and ayu’s insistence on details came together as one to give birth to a perfect work. Certainly, that moment was there, on this day of shooting.



progress

Two of us, passing the same time, believing in the same future
Yesterday’s tears and today’s smiles are all real

Knowing the same pain, gathering the same gentleness
Surely, as long as it can change into strength that lets us live on tomorrow



making of progress

The vocal part of the song was filmed with ayu in the studio, singing sweetly. Then, the scene switched to images progressing through Tokyo city and the world.

Director Muto commented, “Using the title 「progress」 as a theme, I wished to use still shots to express the strength to progress, moving forward on and on no matter what happens”. The strength within the song matched well with the video, coming together in a video clip never-before-seen in ayu history.



ANother song feat. Urata Naoya

It hurt so much, but I loved you
I couldn’t help it, but I loved you
And though that summer day is long gone
I sing to reach you, Another song

Through the whole of yesterday, I loved you
Through the whole of today, I loved you
When tomorrow comes, I’ll surely love you
And I’ll sing to reach you, Another song

I’m sorry, but even now, I love you
It may sound selfish but still, I love you
And though that summer day is long gone
I sing to reach you, Another song



making of ANother song feat. Urata Naoya

A set dominated by black, with ayu, AAA’s Urata Naoya and A Dancers coming together in this video clip. Singing and dancing in sync, they present the sorrowful perspective of the lyrics perfectly.

Watching ayu taking note of every detail in costume and movement, one can easily guess the strength and depth of her special feelings for this song.




Why… feat. JUNO

“I want to see you” and “I’m lonely”
Why couldn’t we say these phrases more often?
We couldn’t even understand
The difference between kindness and selfishness

“I love you” How many times have we tried to say it
But repeatedly failed?
How much stronger must we get
To be acceptable?



making of Why… feat. JUNO

The video clip of collab song 「Why… feat. JUNO」, presents an artistic perspective.

ayu, who had fallen asleep, lost her way and fell into a mysterious world. The filming made use of various images and items that are integrated together digitally to create the video clip.

ayu’s wish ♥

- Wrapped for good!!
- For JUNO to become fluent in Japanese…
- For Kome’s voice to become just a little louder.
- For everyone in TA’s wishes to come true ♥



beloved

For you to remain unchanging as you forever
I just wish for you to be there, there
For me to remain unchanging as me forever
Smiling my awkward smile, with you

Hey, I know that in truth
You are not so strong
And though there is nothing I can do for you
I will always hold your heart




making of beloved

An impressionistic work featuring ayu singing in a simple and moving way. After reading the lyrics many times, Leslie was inspired to create the theme of “LOVE & HOPE”, with a grand video clip featuring background scenery of the sky, land and sea.



BRILLANTE

What was once two became one
Becoming two was just that, nothing more
Things were just going back to what they were

After not being able to see anything
I saw everything
The road leading onwards is too narrow, there is no way
To walk on together anymore



making of BRILLANTE

Mysterious and heavy, just like the song, the video for 「BRILLANTE」 resembles a story in a movie. Heading towards the climatic last scene, the clip progresses through a series of different scenes.




ayumi hamasaki ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A

『ayumi hamasaki ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A』, which started from Hiroshima in May. Everyone in TeamAyu gave ayu a warm welcome at every venue throughout the country ♪ We present some scenes from the airport!



A ichiza’a OFF (izchiza = troupe)

We infiltrate the A Troupe’s feasts after every LIVE performance!! It’s awesome to see how different everyone is when offstage ♪

FUKUI
Here is the troupe feasting at a grill restaurant in Fukui. Actually, ayu just came from a meeting after the LIVE performance. It was really a tough schedule, but ayu seems to enjoy herself so much whenever she spends time with everyone in the troupe ♪

FUKUOKA
When we say Fukuoka, this place comes to mind! You’ll definitely recognize Yama-chan!! The tonkotsu ramen here is super famous, and ayu always adds in so much red ginger that her entire bowl is dyed red ♪ It’s truly a special experience, eating tonkotsu ramen in a yatai!

HIROSHIMA
Here we have kanpai ♪ at a hotplate restaurant in Hiroshima. We have a shot of ayu checking Twitter for TA’s reviews about the LIVE! It was a filling feast of Hiroshima’s grill ★

OSAKA
The staff and dancers come together in a familiar restaurant and make merry ♪ We chatted about lots of things, including stories from the LIVE and conversations about the world!!



TA’s Smile

Shots of TA from all over the country, whether at lives or events ♪ Always showing our cameras a smile, even we feel happy taking the photos!! The TA camera appears at every venue in the country, wherever there are TA!! Please continue to show us your sparkling smiles ♪ ♪








TA RECOMMENDS

No.208064 Atsuko-san
「Love song」
*from ALBUM 『Love songs』
When I first heard this song, I couldn’t stop my tears. But after I stopped crying, I clearly felt that I had become stronger. No one can sing this but ayu!

No.187441 yoshika☆-san
「crossroad」
I’ve often felt that I couldn’t do well at work, and always wondered if I was right to choose this path, but after meeting this song, I received power from ayu-chan! She made me realize that I couldn’t just stop because of the troubles!, gave me a push on the back, and granted me the courage to face up to myself and move forward ♪

No.190430 Ramu-san
「July 1st」
*from SINGLE 『H』
My birthday is on July 1st, so it’s a commemorative song for me. I even played it during my wedding ceremony! This is truly an energetic, impactful song. Without this song, summer won’t begin or end!

No.144311 Miho-san
「MY ALL」
*from ALBUM 『GUILTY』
Whenever I feel horrible, I’ll listen to MY ALL and cry. I’m never alone, because ayu is always beside me and protecting me! Thinking about that makes me feel happy and strong ★ This is the precious song I share with ayu (*^^*)

No.204460 Yu-ka-san
「Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~」
*from SINGLE 『Sunrise/Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~』
When I had a crush on someone, I listened to nothing but this song everyday. Whenever I felt horrible and wanted to cry, this song gave me courage and energy, so I love it. I’m now together with that person ♪

No.009013 Onishi-san
「SEASONS」
My favourite ayu song is 「SEASONS」. Listening to this song makes me feel like working hard for today and gives me energy, so I always listen to it.

No.205063 miki_spain-san
「HEAVEN」
My favorite Ayu song is HEAVEN. It was the song that made me a fan of her, and the song that made me discover how beautiful this life is. It made me cry, smile, and forgive myself. I’ll always thank Ayu for making such a great song ^_^

Let us know your recommended ayu song!
Since the start of this project, we’ve received lots of entries, so we had to show off some of them ♪ ♪ Everyone is TA, but we all love different songs and have different experiences, so please check everyone’s recommendations out together.
Send us your entry here ♪
https://ssl.avexnet.or.jp/form/fc/ta2ta/


Message from ayu

You can forget, or you can not forget. However, there are some things which you cannot forget.
Ayu


Scanned by: Taki @ AHS (Visit her blog for original scan size)
Translation: misachanjpop @ wordpress
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[Photo] 23.10.2011 Team Ayu Magazine Vol. 41 Preview!

The latest Team Ayu Magazine Vol. 41 Preview

I hope there will be scans for this issue!

Wanna see the FIVE booklet behind-the-shoot so bad!










Credits: OyTony + truehappiness @ AHS
Original sources: takatakk88 @ YAJ + Ameblo
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[Info] 16.09.2011 Ayu Apologizes Through Team Ayu Front Page

Apparently, Team Ayu website can't be accessed because the server is down, probably too many people access to the site.

Then after that, Ayu posted a message on the front page for another apology to the fans for unable to appear on tonight's MUSIC STATION SPECIAL.



Original source: Team Ayu Official Site
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[Official] 25.08.2011 Team Ayu Official Site New Layout!

Team Ayu Official Site have changed its new layouts in FIVE Mini album theme!

Click the pictures for larger version



Textless pictures!




FIVE Logo




Credit: marioryck @ AHS
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