and then

In honor of its 20th anniversary Avex has already released a mini-drama series featuring past hits on its soundtrack with a second being released now. Then there’s this:

Music label Avex has announced that it is producing a musical this September, titled “Kokoro no Kakera.” The soundtrack is said to feature 21 songs, chosen from the company’s hits over the past two decades. This is the first time that a record company has put together a musical based on songs by several of its artists.

The story, set in a fantasy world, centers around a wounded OL who roams a futuristic city searching for mysterious “heart fragments.” Avex talents such as Takahiro Nishijima (AAA) and Hiroki Aiba have been cast. Playwright Tsuyoshi Kida wrote the script, and Shunichi Okamura is directing.

Some of the songs being used are Namie Amuro’s “Can You Celebrate?,” Ayumi Hamasaki’s “SEASONS,” and Kumi Koda’s “Koi no Tsubomi.”

The musical will be performed at Tokyo’s Aoyama Theatre from September 15 to September 29.

• Tokyograph News

In honor of Ayu’s 10th Anniversary, Avex and Entameposto will issue 10 different stamps featuring the covers of Ayu’s 9 major albums. These stamps will be available in a special frame sold at post offices and stops on Ayu’s upcoming tour.

• Official Site: Hamasaki Ayumi 10th Anniversary Stamp Frame
• Entameposto Campaign: Hamasaki Ayumi 10th Anniversary Stamp Frame

Now that her first remix albums in five years have been released, Ayu’s official site has taken the next step in hyping Mirrorcle World, her 10th Anniversary single. The site has updated with streaming and downloadable versions of the Mirrorcle World commercial, which includes the newly unveiled 10th Anniversary logo.

• Official Site
• Official Site: Mirrorcle World CM-Spot

Ayu’s official site announced that GUILTY has already shipped to stores all over Japan, five days before the official January 1st, 2008 street date! If you pre-ordered your copy from online retailers like CDJapan.jp, chances are you’ve already received your shipping notification.

Ayu’s official site has updated to showcase her upcoming album GUILTY, complete with a new layout and a new CM to download and a preview of her latest PV, “marionette”!

After weeks of rumors, the official site has unveiled the tracklisting and covers for GUILTY and its bonus photobook. In addition, the index has a preview for the “Together When…” PV.

• Official Site
• Ayu-VogueNET’s discography

If that wasn’t enough, both CDJapan and Yesasia have announced a special offer for GUILTY pre-orders:

…100 lucky purchasers of Ayumi Hamasaki’s new album “Guilty” will be chosen to receive rare Ayumi Hamasaki items!

Purchase [GUILTY] by December 20, 2007 (Japan Standard Time) to be automatically entered into the drawing.
Campaign Presents:
A Prize: Blanket
B Prize: Bath Towel
C Prize: Tumbler
D Prize: Heat Pad
E Prize: A-Mark Rhinestone Sticker
F Prize: Poster

Ayu’s official site has been revamped to feature her upcoming digital single Together When… In addition to the streaming sample on the front page, a music.jp promotional clip featuring a preview of the new song is also available for download.

• Music.jp CM Spot

Ayu’s official site has unveiled the cover for her latest single Together When… The single is scheduled to drop December 5th and will be sold exclusively online.

In addition, the site also announced that 57 of her music videos will be re-issued for digital download via cellphone. See the official site for more information.

Ayu’s official site has been revamped to promote Ayu’s latest single talkin’ 2 myself (out September 19th).

The new layout also contains a preview of the other new track “decision”.

Avex has added Ayu’s official calendar to its artist 2008 calendar listing. The calendar will be available to Team Ayu members September 7th; the rest of us will have to wait until September 19th.

Ayu’s official site has also been updated with her heavy promotion schedule.