Sales Figures

[cottonblues.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here. I'd like to discuss about Arashi sales figures, especially in these recent years. Of course, i'm certain everyone knows that Arashi has had the top spots for best selling singles in 2008 and 2009. While we thought Arashi could maintain this for three consecutive years, this year we have AKB48 taking the #1 and #2 position (mods, is it ok to mention other idol groups. i don't mean harm but if this is against the rules, i can remove the names).

It's not so much of a matter to solid fans however, this would pontentially affect Arashi in one way or another. Sales figures and rankings are used as a proof to measure popularity. I believe Arashi is appointed to be official ambassador of Japan Tourism Board because they are popular, as shown statistically. Plus, Arashi's sales record in 2009 has led to many opportunities knocking on their door (e.g. Hitachi, Wii, Kohaku)

I wanna know how do you guys think about this? There are many fans who are bitter and upset losing the top spots, including me, but if you look closely, there's actually an increase in sales. With just two editions, Arashi can achieve 690k. That's 40k more than Believe, which has three editions. Very good in my opinion 8)

The purpose of this discussion is not to compare Arashi with AKB48, so please, no bashing 8D I'm simply curious about fans' thoughts on Arashi's sales figures.

宜しくね！

Comments

[tangiblewhimsy.livejournal.com]

I think that while numbers are a good way of being able to display Arashi's improvement and increasing reach that it is a little silly to be upset that they're being outsold by a mass of scantily clad young women.

Success can be measured in a number of different ways. Sales is the most impressive because it gives us a concrete figure, something we can point to and say "They're the best!" But even without those numbers? Arashi is still Arashi. I love them if they're first, I love them if they're 3rd. Provided they continue to be successful enough to doing what they love the most (which, by all of their accounts, seems to be simply being Arashi) then I am happy and content.

[buttrflykis31.livejournal.com]

i have to admit i was upset when akb48 outsold arashi and i dont want to bash them, but i feel like them having multiple editions and the lure of the fan meet tickets was cheating.

but since its been a while since the beginner single came out, ive gotten over it enough to think the same way you do: it is awesome that with just 2 editions of their singles, arashi was able to sell so many copies of their singles. and for them to have 6 single releases and have all of them be number 1 and sell over 500,000 copies each is something to be proud of. if im not mistaken, they still sold the most number of copies of their cds this year anyway, even though akb48 sold the most for 1 single, right?

so i am proud of them no matter what~ and as long as us fans continue supporting them, it doesnt matter if theyre number 1 on the charts for the year or not. they have done amazingly well the last few years and did a complete 180 compared to their status just 3-4 years ago, so i hope they just continue going strong and maybe next year, they can grab number 1 back~ ^_^

[acidae.livejournal.com]

I think it's kind of erroneous to assume that everyone thought Arashi could nab the top spot for best selling singles for a third consecutive year. It implies cockiness and compliance as if we all knew it would be coming, which I think is not true in some (or even many) cases.

After all, what goes up must come down; their popularity wouldn't be able to last forever, and it seems more practical - and emotionally healthy - to simply enjoy the ride while it lasts rather than concern ourselves with sales figures and people hating on Arashi because their faces are everywhere.

What's going to happen if Arashi's sales do start dipping? Does it really make a difference when they're still essentially the same group, and you still like them for the same reasons as when you first got into them? Does it really matter even though they seem perfectly happy with or without the through-the-roof numbers? I hope that answer would be a "no", as is the case for me.

[asweetsymphony.livejournal.com]

I'm not upset at all because I think it's time other artists to get the #1 too. Come on, Arashi monopolized it for the past two years and it's not the rank that counts but the overall sales. If you think about it, Arashi had outsold most of their catalogue these past three years. I don't ehy so may fans are stuck on this rank mentality.

Also, Arashi might lose the #1 album to Utada Hikaru or Ikimonagakari but I DONT MIND AT ALL. Both those artists are amazing and I LOVE THEIR MUSIC. I actually think they deserve to get the #1 album this year. LOLS! (Don't brick me) xD

I'm just happy Arashi's original studio album sold over a million.
That, in itself is amazing considering their last one sold around 350, 000.

[asweetsymphony.livejournal.com]

Oops, "I don't understand why so many fans are stuck with this rank mentality."

[asaphira-sachi.livejournal.com]

While it may be a bit disappointment to lose the ranking places, I honestly think the fans shouldn't be overly upset simply because Arashi has beaten their own past records, and that's already mileage already. :)

More than the sales, I'm more worried how the competition for 1st w/ AKB48 are inviting backlashes from fans on both sides and is reflecting badly on the Arashi fanbase. Not to mention couple months ago there was the whole bitterness at the amount of singles released. (which NOW should totally be the opposite, right? They set a record with Hatenai Sora!)

[fatimaa-xo.livejournal.com]

i was upset at first when i found out that arashi was beaten in overall year sales by AKB48, but looking at arashi's sales for this year, i suddenly realised that being upset was stupid because:
1. Arashi's sales did not decline
2. Arashi's sales increased rapidly this year, in comparison to 2008 & 2009
the only thing is that AKB48 beat them.

So basically, arashi's popularity has still heightened, didn't decrease. If anything, they sold more. The one thing that has changed is an external factor which is AKB48, they are just selling lots :P

i think theres a stigma that comes along with this seeing as most fans in the arashi fandom right now came in during their popularity (don't be mistaken! i am one of them) that for us 'newer' fans the arashi we know is the ever-popular arashi, whereas older fans would know that it wasn't always this way. whether their sales or whatever decline in the future, we should always be there for them (:
let's just be happy for the popularity they uphold right now; because who knows how long their reign will go for! ^^

The Scene that I See

[shokim.livejournal.com]

Besides putting out six singles in 2010, Arashi have also become the #1 group to reach a million copies of sales with their first original studio album in 2 years and 4 months, Boku no Miteiru Fuukei which in turn prominently catapulted them to be the face of JAL Arashi Jet.

It is indeed amazing that with just 2 editions of Hatenai Sora, they were able to exceed 500,000 copies easily. Their solid concert DVD sales track record in recent years are not to be overlooked either.

On the other hand, can that girl group we love to hate prove their selling power without releasing gadzillion versions of their singles or those handshaking events? These gimmicks grow old, fast. How deep are the pockets of those fans buying their releases? Time will tell.

Even if Arashi do not end the year as #1, they have outdone themselves and we should be proud of them. Being appointed Kouhaku hosts are nothing to be scoffed at, let the naysayers say what they will.

Our five boys have worked their butts off this year without letting off steam, and they deserve their popularity as top idols by sheer effort and support from fans and media alike. If they can grab the #1 spot back next year, that's fine. However, true fans will support them regardless.

As a matter of fact, I hope various kinds of projects will continue to flow in to challenge them and enable each and every member to be more well rounded and pave the way for their next phase, when it comes. For now, Ride the Wave!

[cool1412.livejournal.com]

Of course I'm disappointed. Of course there are reasons to always be proud of them, and I'll always be proud of them and always love them, but that's an irrelevant issue to the rankings. I just want them to be #1 because I just always want them to have the best because I love them, but not being so will definitely not make me love them less. It's like your kids, want them to be acknowledged as the best, but that won't change how you feel about them. It's converse, because you feel that way about them, you want them to be acknowledged as the best. Not reason to ever be less proud, especially when your kids are as hard working and amazing as Arashi.

But yeah, I wouldn't bash. We don't know AKB48 (fans) and they don't know us. So whatev. [shrugs] We can't compare them as if they're the same. Theatre/idol female group with 48 members, male idol group with 5. Can't even compare either of those groups with traditional artists.

I don't think their popularity is decreasing. But even if it does, I'll still be here supporting them. And then maybe the concert ticket price will lower from $600. (-_-') (^_^;)>

[scribblyness-x.livejournal.com]

A bit OT but I really want AKB to come on to an Arashi show 8D
It'd be awesome!

[shokim.livejournal.com]

I think Arashi encountering them on shows like Music Station will suffice, for now.

[thechampion116.livejournal.com]

Fans should not be bitter.

Selling more than a 100000 alone is a great marker of a decent fanbase as even other strong groups (Perfume, etc.) can only sell 80000.

A lot of Arashi fans are sadly mistaken about all the editions AKB have because its part of the gimmick. Handshake events attract their core fanbase but the appeal that both groups are starting to develop is towards the common day person.

The bar for idol groups has been set by SMAP. People can criticize all they want but neither group has yet to reach the status that SMAP has. This is what made SMAP so popular. They have a wide fanbase that does not include teenage boys or girls. They have reached out to the kids, their parents, and their grandparents. This is where the discussion should be. Its always about surpassing the bar and not being the IT. Its about longevity.

That is the next step for Arashi and AKB48 to get pass the 'IDOL' name. For AKB48, it will be impossible but Arashi has an opportunity. Whether they can do it is the question?

There is a lot riding on Kouhaku for Arashi. If the ratings, do not substantially improve, it will leave a bad taste and will look bad upon them. Many fans will disagree but thats the way it works. Just last year alone, may be a warning. Even though they are the super sellers, they still couldn't surpass SMAP in the ratings (a group that released ONE single last year).

For me, the AKB48 and Arashi conundrum is irrelevant and its now time for serious discussions about SMAP and Arashi. People don't like it because they are in the same company and will coexist for the next 50 years if possible.

I think this discussion is irrelevant because they are part of two different areas. Boy bands have much greater longevity than girl groups. AKB48 is more a fad while Arashi has the chance to be long lasting memory.

[aegistheia.livejournal.com]

Well said. I love Arashi to death, but I don't think Arashi is even near SMAP yet. Honestly, I don't think SMAP can be topped at all; they're practically a cultural landmark in Japanese entertainment now.

I do believe that Arashi will take over the crown for ruling over Japanese entertainment for a while, though. And what matters to me is that Arashi carves out a name for themselves instead of lingering in SMAP's shadow, of which I think Arashi is doing a fine job so far.

Props to AKB48 (and their marketing director) for selling so much, though - nearing a million in sales in this day and age is pretty impressive, no matter who.

Good luck, Arashi!

[da-arkphyre.livejournal.com]

I don't mind at all that Arashi doesn't have the top spots. I think using numbers alone to measure popularity isn't always truly correct as there are other aspects of a group that should be taken into account.

And really, the only reason I think AKB48 was able to take the top spot was because of their appearance this year at Anime Expo in Los Angeles. I attended the concert and LOTS of people who had no clue who they are were there. Since the expo usually has a great impact on the popularity of anime/music/etc. among anime fans in the US that could well have been one of the deciding factors for them taking the top spots in the singles category.

[pru-ma.livejournal.com]

I know quite a number of fans are bitter about the single sales, but comparing is something that should not be encouraged, even arashi said it themselves.

Look for the lyrics in Fight Song:
人は人　自分は自分 (People are people You are yourself)
比べた時点で負けてる (You lose once you start comparing)

It's already good enough when they've broken their own record, improving oneself is most important.

[love323able.livejournal.com]

LOL

That's one of my fav. lyrics of Arashi of all time XD

[ma-i-do-a-ri.livejournal.com]

It's not so much of a matter to solid fans however, this would pontentially affect Arashi in one way or another. Sales figures and rankings are used as a proof to measure popularity.
this... is purely speculative on your account.

2010 has definitely seen the increase in sales~ unfortunately, akb was added into the equation, which provided healthy competition in my point of view~

im already satisfied that arashi has passed their 10th year successfully, and as much as i want this streak of theirs to continue, perhaps its time to lend the top spot to another group and take it easy for now. i mean, it's their 11th going 12th year, they should slow down and build up the momentum once more. it's already enough they're doing so much more better than previous years :)

well my point here is, its fruitless to waste brain space thinking too much about akb (they're not worth wasting hate on) or oricon positions (they arent everything, you can only stay #1 for so long)

[ofs1992.livejournal.com]

my take is: a better goal would be surpassing their own records. never mind the others.

when i heard akb48 overtook the #1, i was calm and immediately thought it took some of pressure off arashi. i'm content that they'd again take the time to try to soar again instead of being stressed always over trying to be consisently #1

[himawar1.livejournal.com]

Actually, I quite sad when Arashi beaten by AKB48. Later, I thought long term acknowledgment is more important then one time popularity.
I am sure that many fans out there are always support them.
Failure is the beginning of success. I am sure they will always one step ahead.
立ち上がろう　力つよく

[yunafan.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I was slightly disappointed when AKB48 overtook them on the rankings but it's alright, they've had their turn at the top of the rankings. I guess it's AKB48's time to be top =)

I don't know about their sales figues previous years, but this year's sales figures seem really good, being at least 500k. Most artists/releases these days don't sell as much as they do, some 'popular' ones not even getting 100k, so it's already a great achievement!

Sales figures and rankings do probably somewhat affect their popularity and the opportunties given, like Kouhaku. However, Arashi is known for their 'closeness' afterall so it's not all about their music, not everyone likes idol music. I think their fanbase will probably solidify over time, unless they reach the status of SMAP, becoming a household name in Japan. SMAP, if I'm not mistaken, is not popular all because of their music, even with hit songs and million sellers.
...Don't know where I was going with this lol

[love323able.livejournal.com]

Like most fans, I was dissappointed that they didn't end up with the number one spot.
But I got used to it and thought that even if AKB might be selling more than Arashi. Arashi have broken lots of records and won awards and it looks like their fans are staying with them and that's what I really love :D
Arashi aren't losing fans they are gaining them and they've achieved soo much throughtout this year and their lifes.
So I'm very proud to be their fans and as long there still on the top 10 I'm ok ^^

ARASHI <3

[leana9101.livejournal.com]

when it was happening, i was really frustrated. but now that I think about it, i doesn't really matter. we all know who is number one and arashi did amazing this year. they have been getting more and more fans, which is always good. I just dont want their popularity to decline. and the good side to this is that maybe johnny will get the message to spend more money on PV's.

[kemi-chan.livejournal.com]

I understand how you feel. I was a bit disappointed when they lost #1 spot in the Oricon single chart to AKB48 but I don't really mind anymore. I mean, to take #1 for two consecutive years is already a great achievement! Not to mention that all of the singles they released in 2010 made into the top 10!

I started liking Arashi in 2007, when their popularity was still starting to rise. I had the opportunity to accompany their popularity growth and it made me really happy as a fan to see Arashi achieve all these things! Of course I want them to take #1 spot forever, but I know that's impossible. Sooner or later their sales and popularity are going to decline.

Have you seen September's episode of Shounen Club Premium with Nino and Tacchon (Kanjani8)? Nino said that Arashi members are really happy and thankful for the popularity they have now but are scared to death because they know that this is not going to last forever. All they can do for now is give their best as they have always done!^^

I personally think that Arashi has a pretty solid fanbase and despite their sale rankings these fans are going to continue supporting them!

[smilling-kiddo.livejournal.com]

as arashi fan, I was dissapointed when I see akb48 in the first place. They sold like hell crazy. And we cant really do anything about it. Since akb48 have much more members, I'm not really that shock to find out that someday they'll go beyond arashi.

but I've learned. Who cares about their selling? I'm not here in arashi fandom because of they sell like HELL. I'm here because I love them. Nino said on SCP that they really scared when they imagine what if the popularity bubble pop. And I said this to myself "when their popularily bubble pop, I'll keep supporting arashi. I'll keep respect them for what they've done to the fans."

Actually I do really think that arashi has like the most solid fanbase compared to other johnnys group. :)

[chapstickmurmur.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of glad this issue got addressed and we're able to see how other Arashi fans feel about it.

I don't think I'm that highly evolved to say that I wasn't (or still am) a little bitter about it.
The way I see things now though, is that Johnny-san has been so focused on sales and numbers and using every cm, drama or movie as an excuse to release a new Arashi single because of their already earned popularity, that his gradually putting less effort into each single. Don't get me wrong, I've loved/liked all the singles they've released this year but To Be Free and Dear Snow aren't exactly the most memorable songs/pv. The only times I've really listened to them were when they were first released.
I want them to make songs like Dangan-Liner and Carnival Night again. The type of music that isn't controlled by sales figures and Oricon rankings. Because no matter how much I love Arashi, that's the Arashi I love the best and the Arashi I hope to see in 2011.

[mk-mj.livejournal.com]

i disagree with the "mv should be like this" because the songs aren't dancing type. i miss aozora pedaru director xD i mean arashi proved they could have interesting PVs (let's not go too far...My girl is a good example) yet this year nothing....

they have "to be free" that have material for them to go outside (like everything) and do something related to freedom (like they were sick and tired of their working life) yet they were standing into something that i would like to call "cage" and as background nature elements (but then again maybe they are too busy to be walking outside or something like that)

love rainbow...pv looks to much alike one love and love so sweet together...and then again they were walking...

dear snow have good lyrics too and can have multiples stories...and the snow? where's the snow? xD

hatenai sora....well maybe if the others pv weren't really they standing and singing, would be ok...is not like i'm against stading pvs xD

i dont really blame arashi, just jstrom should be more creative...and i hope i didn't offend you in any way... ;)

[zelskeet.livejournal.com]

agree! if akb48 just do what arashi is doing on promoting their singles, there's high chance that they will not get the #1 spot ranking on singles.

[nazz305.livejournal.com]

I'll admit it I was pretty bitter about akb48's single beating arashi for number 1 for yearly sales but I don't hate them either I actually kind of like akb48 in some ways but I mean arashi really needs a break, this kind of popularity is just too much for them to handle and I'd like for them to get some sort of break, I feel like they've worked much too hard this year especially nino poor thing 3 movies and a drama and concerts and variety shows and radio and learning dances and shooting pvs but I'm not worried about them losing popularity or anything since they didn't lose anything they actually went up. as for comparing to smap I don't know that much about them but I do feel that they are big because of how much they've come up just since i've starting getting into japanese entertainment but I think its just a matter of time befor Arashi can surpass them, smap can't pave the way for other johnnys like arashi can forever

[danni14nino.livejournal.com]

I had been wondering since the end of last year how long Arashi was going to hold their popularity, but I don't think the Oricon is a good way to measure it. Like everyone has said, the fact that AKB48 beat out Arashi as the number one seller does not mean their popularity has decreased at all. AKB48's fanbase just happened to expand A LOT. Arashi is still really popular, their sales numbers haven't decreased at all, but have been steady and even increased with the release of Hatenai Sora.

Yeah, I won't lie, I was pissed off when I heard how much AKB48 sold on the first day and knew it wouldn't be long before they reached a million. But hey, AKB48 has been just as busy as Arashi to get themselves recognized so more power to them for being able to sell that many singles, especially when they've been around for what? 5 years? That's impressive.

Anyway we have to accept that all good things must come to pass. Keep in mind that they held those top two spots for two years. It seems short, but that's amazing. I might be cursing myself by saying this, but I'll be shocked (and a little scared) if AKB48 can do the same next year. Yes, I would've liked to see Troublemaker at the #1 spot this year, just like Believe/Kumori nochi, kaisei was last year and truth was the year before, but for now, that phase is over. Other than that, nothing's changed. Arashi's still one of the top-sellers of the Japanese music industry, just not the top, but they've come a long way. And frankly, if you're a fan, a real fan, I really don't think how popular they are should matter one way or the other. I mean, I understand how you can get upset about them being outsold by another idol/artist, but you shouldn't let that affect your view of them. Arashi's still Arashi after all, number one or not.