An is a type of entertainer marketed for image, attractiveness, and personality in
Japanese pop culture
Japanese popular culture includes Japanese cinema, cuisine, television programs, anime, manga, video games, music, and doujinshi, all of which retain older artistic and literary traditions; many of their themes and styles of presentation can be tra ...
. Idols are primarily singers with training in acting, dancing, and modeling. Idols are commercialized through merchandise and endorsements by
talent agencies
Talent has two principal meanings:
* Talent (measurement), an ancient unit of mass and value
* Talent (skill), a group of aptitudes useful for some activities; talents may refer to aptitudes themselves or to possessors of those talents
Talent may ...
, while maintaining a
parasocial relationship with a financially loyal consumer fan base.
Japan's idol industry first emerged in the 1960s and became prominent in the 1970s and 1980s due to television. During the 1980s, regarded as the "Golden Age of Idols", idols drew in commercial interest and began appearing in commercials and television dramas. As more niche markets began to appear in the late 2000s and early 2010s, it led to a significant growth in the industry known as the "Idol Warring Period." Today, over 10,000 teenage girls in Japan are idols, with over 3,000 groups active. Japan's idol industry has been used as a model for other pop idol industries, such as
K-pop.
Sub-categories of idols include
gravure idol
A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Thou ...
s,
junior idol
A , also known as a or , is a type of entertainer who is 15 years of age and under, manufactured and marketed for image, attractiveness, and personality. It is a sub-category of the idol culture in Japanese pop entertainment. Junior idols are pr ...
s,
net idol
An Internet celebrity (also known as a social media influencer, social media personality, internet personality, or simply influencer) is a celebrity who has acquired or developed their fame and notability through the Internet. The rise of social ...
s, idol
voice actors
Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talent ...
,
virtual idol
In entertainment, a virtual band (also called a virtual idol, virtual singer, virtual group, cartoon group, cartoon idol, cartoon singer or cartoon band) is a band or music group whose members are not depicted as corporeal musicians, but animat ...
s,
AV idol
An or is a type of pornographic film actress in Japan. It is a sub-category of the idol culture in Japanese pop entertainment. AV idols work in the pornographic business, often both as an actress as well as a model as the video performances ...
s,
alternative idol
An alternative idol (also known as an alt-idol or anti-idol) is a term used by overseas J-pop fans to describe idols that differ from the traditional Japanese idol scene typically by having a darker image and performing heavier genres of music. Alt ...
s, underground idols, idols, local idols, bandols, and Japanese-Korean idols.
Definition
Roles and training
An idol is a type of entertainer whose image is manufactured to cultivate a dedicated consumer fan following. Talent agencies commercialize idols by recruiting preteens and teenagers with little or no experience in the entertainment industry, and market them as aspiring stars.
Idols are marketed for their image, attractiveness, and personalities.
An idol's main objective is to "sell dreams", offering fans a form of
escapism
Escapism is mental diversion from unpleasant or boring aspects of daily life, typically through activities involving imagination or entertainment. Escapism may be used to occupy one's self away from persistent feelings of depression or gener ...
from the troubles of daily life.
Idols are predominantly singers, but are also often trained in acting, dancing, and modeling.
This style of recruiting and training was pioneered by
Johnny Kitagawa
John Hiromu Kitagawa (Japanese name ; October 23, 1931 – July 9, 2019), known professionally as , was an American-born Japanese businessman and talent manager. He was the founder and president of Johnny & Associates, a production agency for nu ...
, the founder of
Johnny & Associates
is a Japanese talent agency, formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which trains and promotes groups of male entertainers known as .
History 1962–1989
In 1962, Kitagawa launched his first group, Johnnys. In its early days, Kitagawa's agency re ...
, and has since been used in other pop idol industries such as
Korean idol
An idol () refers to a type of celebrity working in the field of K-pop in fandom culture in South Korea, either as a member of a group or as a solo act. K-pop idols are characterized by the highly manufactured star system that they are produced by ...
s in
K-pop.
Idols often spend time isolated from family and friends while enduring busy work schedules,
with some agencies withholding job assignments from their talents and notifying them of work on short notice to prevent them from taking time off.
Some talent agencies do not rigorously train their idols and market them as amateurs who will gain experience over the course of their careers and with support from their fans.
Despite being trained in multiple roles in entertainment, idols in Japan are not expected to meet the high standards of performances that professionals in their fields do.
Because of their manufactured image, idols are generally not regarded as authentic artists.
Likewise, many young Japanese artists pursuing careers in acting or music reject the idol label in their bid to be seen as professionals.
Music from idol singers is generally categorized under
J-pop
J-pop ( ja, ジェイポップ, ''jeipoppu''; often stylized as J-POP; an abbreviated form of "Japanese popular music"), natively also known simply as , is the name for a form of popular music that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1 ...
,
though talent agencies may label them under the sub-genre "idol pop" for further distinction.
Many idol singers find success as groups rather than individually.
Within each idol group, the members are sometimes given distinct roles. One example of a role is the center, who occupies the center position in the group's choreography and thus receives the most focus. Another example is the leader, usually relegated to the oldest or most experienced member in the group, who acts as an intermediary for the members and the staff.
Public image
Idols are seen as role models to the public, and their personal lives and image can sometimes be tightly controlled by their talent agencies.
Common restrictions include not being allowed to smoke or drink in public, or pursue romantic relationships.
Outfits
![AKB48 at the 2010 Asia Song Festival (2)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/AKB48_at_the_2010_Asia_Song_Festival_%282%29.jpg)
Idols generally perform in elaborate costumes for specific performances.
Costumes are created for each song in their promotion cycle, as well as graduation events, and some groups have their own in-house costume designer.
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
, in particular, has had over 1,102 costumes created for the group since 2017.
The outfits worn by female idols are generally described as "cute", while outfits worn by male idols are described as "cool."
Among many idol groups, school uniforms have been used as a standard costume.
The integration of school uniforms in the idol industry originated from
Onyanko Club
was a large all-girl Japanese pop Japanese idol, idol group in the 1980s. Some members of the group participated in spin-off groups, such as Nyangilas, Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi and Ushirogami Hikaretai. Many of the latter two groups' songs were us ...
, who debuted in 1985 with a concept based on school.
Following their disbandment in 1987, other groups began adopting school uniforms as costumes, such as
CoCo and
Ribbon
A ribbon or riband is a thin band of material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily as decorative binding and tying. Cloth ribbons are made of natural materials such as silk, cotton, and jute and of synthetic mater ...
, two groups put together by
Fuji TV
JOCX-DTV (channel 8), branded as and colloquially known as CX, is a Japanese television station based in Odaiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Owned and operated by the it is the key station of the Fuji News Network (FNN) and the Fuji Network S ...
's audition programs, followed by in 1992 and
Morning Musume
, formerly simply and colloquially referred to as , are a Japanese girl group, holding the second highest overall single sales (of a female group) on the Oricon, Oricon charts as of February 2012, with the Oricon record of most top ten singles ...
in the early 2000s.
When AKB48 debuted in 2006, the group used a school concept and the members have performed in various stylized school uniforms.
Since then, other groups have used stylized school uniforms as costumes, such as AKB48's sister groups,
Sakura Gakuin
was a Japanese idol girl group formed in 2010 by the Amuse talent agency. The group's membership fell within the age range of Japanese compulsory education, typically containing between 10 and 12 members at a time who fall between the ages of 1 ...
, and
Sakurazaka46
, formerly , is a Japanese idol girl group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. The group was created on August 21, 2015, becoming Nogizaka46's first sister group under the Sakamichi Series. Following the resignation of group's center Yurina Hirate an ...
, with some modifications to suit the groups' image and choreography.
In 2017, ''
Nihon Tarento Meikan
is a Japanese illustrated annual directory of Japanese entertainers, or ''tarentos'', issued by VIP Times Inc. that was first published in 1970. The directory's company established on 1969 and its current representative director is Mutsuko Igusa.
...
'' noted that stylized school uniforms being used as costumes gained popularity through AKB48 due to their unique designs, the short skirts, and the neatness of the uniform.
The uniforms found popularity with men, as they represent their "eternal longing" and nostalgia for high school, while only gaining popularity with women in the 2010s through anime.
Retirement
Idols are typically expected to change careers after aging out of the industry, with female idols typically changing careers at age 25
and male idols at ages 30–45. Idols who leave a group are often given a farewell concert known as . The term originated from the idol group
Onyanko Club
was a large all-girl Japanese pop Japanese idol, idol group in the 1980s. Some members of the group participated in spin-off groups, such as Nyangilas, Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi and Ushirogami Hikaretai. Many of the latter two groups' songs were us ...
, as the group's youthful concept drew similarities to an after-school club, and the fact that
Miharu Nakajima's final single before retirement was released around graduation season in Japan.
Prior to the 1980s, the terms "retirement" and "disbandment" were used.
"Graduation" saw usage again in the 1990s during the revival of idol groups when
Tsunku
, known professionally as , is a Japanese singer, record producer, and songwriter. He is the lead singer of the rock band Sharam Q.
As a songwriter, Tsunku is the primary producer for Morning Musume and other Hello! Project acts, such as Coco ...
, who produced the group
Morning Musume
, formerly simply and colloquially referred to as , are a Japanese girl group, holding the second highest overall single sales (of a female group) on the Oricon, Oricon charts as of February 2012, with the Oricon record of most top ten singles ...
, used the term as a
euphemism regarding one of the members leaving the group.
An idol having a "graduation" ceremony is seen more favorably than terminating a contract or voluntarily withdrawing, as the latter two terms are negatively connoted with scandals.
Sub-category markets
The diversity of Japan's idol industry has created several sub-category markets, each with a specific concept appealing to certain audiences.
![BiSH November 29, 2019 (49979199723)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/BiSH_November_29%2C_2019_%2849979199723%29.jpg)
*
Alternative idol
An alternative idol (also known as an alt-idol or anti-idol) is a term used by overseas J-pop fans to describe idols that differ from the traditional Japanese idol scene typically by having a darker image and performing heavier genres of music. Alt ...
s: Alternative idols, also known as alt-idols or anti-idols, is a term coined by English-speaking communities to describe idol singers that have an image concept and music different from what is considered mainstream, such as having darker images and alternative rock. The alternative idol scene was pioneered by
Bis and
Seiko Oomori
is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Her musical career began in the underground music culture of Tokyo's Kōenji neighborhood, briefly playing in the punk band Kuchuu Moranko before going solo and releasing two independent albums until signing wit ...
and made popular by Bis' successor
Bish
is a Japanese alternative idol girl group that was founded in 2015 by their manager Junnosuke Watanabe. The group was conceived as a successor to BiS, an idol group managed by Watanabe that disbanded in 2014.
History
Bish was initially an ...
.
![Mikami Yua to K-POP CIMG6989](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Mikami_Yua_to_K-POP_CIMG6989.jpg)
* : AV (adult video) idols generally refer to pornographic actresses and models, with the industry first emerging in the 1980s.
* : Bandols are idol groups that play instruments and perform as bands. The term first emerged in the 2000s as a shortening of the phrase, , which was used to describe the marketing concept of the band
Zone
Zone or The Zone may refer to:
Places Climate and altitude zones
* Death zone (originally the lethal zone), altitudes above a certain point where the amount of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time span
* Frigid zone, ...
.
* : Gravure idols are models who pose in provocative swimsuit and lingerie photographs in magazines and photo books marketed towards men, similar to
pin-up model
A pin-up model (known as a pin-up girl for a female and less commonly male pin-up for a male) is a model whose mass-produced pictures see widespread appeal as part of popular culture. Pin-up models were variously glamour models, fashion mod ...
s.
In the 1970s,
Agnes Lum, whose rose to fame in Japan, is considered the first gravure idol despite the term not existing at the time.
Other notable swimsuit models were , , and
Fumie Hosokawa
is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She is often referred to as the “original” ''kyonyu'' (huge breasts) idol.
Life and career
Hosokawa was born in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture and lived in Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture until the age of ...
.
After
Akiko Hinagata
is a Japanese actress and former gravure idol.
Career Television
She made her acting debut in 1992 in the TBS drama ''Obenkyō''. In 1994, she was chosen Fuji Television Visual Queen. Two years later, Hinagata received the Golden Arrow Graph p ...
became a rising star in 1995, the term "gravure idol" was coined to describe her.
In the 2000s, there was a significant growth in the gravure idol industry,
with many women of different body types modeling.
This led to sub-category markets in the gravure idol industry to describe their aesthetic and body types, which included , , , , and .
The gravure idol industry faced a decline in 2010 due to the popularity of
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
, as some of their members also did gravure modeling; as a result, the demand for newer talents was reduced.
![Nana Mizuki 2018-2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Nana_Mizuki_2018-2.jpg)
* : Since the 1970s, several voice actors of
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
and video games also held successful singing careers in addition to voice acting.
Early examples of voice actors who had an idol-like presence were ''
Mobile Suit Gundam
, also known as ''First Gundam'', ''Gundam 0079'' or simply ''Gundam '79'', is an anime television series, produced and animated by Nippon Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcastin ...
'' voice actors
Toshio Furukawa
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator affiliated with Aoni Production. He is married to fellow voice actor Shino Kakinuma.
Career
He became famous for his roles in his career as Kagege (''Keroro Gunso''), Kai Shiden ('' Mobile Suit ...
and
Toru Furuya TORU or Toru may refer to:
*TORU, spacecraft system
*Toru (given name), Japanese male given name
*Toru, Pakistan
Toru Mardan
Toru is a village and union council in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has an altitude of 291 m (958 fe ...
in the 1970s, who gained a sizeable female following after forming their band, Slapstick.
In the 1980s, idol singer
Noriko Hidaka
, better known by the stage name of , is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator. She played Minami Asakura in ''Touch'', Akane Tendo in '' Ranma ½'', Satsuki Kusakabe in '' My Neighbor Totoro'', Near in '' Death Note'', Jean Roq ...
eventually became a voice actress after gaining recognition for playing lead in ''
Touch
In physiology, the somatosensory system is the network of neural structures in the brain and body that produce the perception of touch ( haptic perception), as well as temperature ( thermoception), body position (proprioception), and pain. It ...
''.
Beginning in the 1990s, several voice actors held successful concurrent singing careers alongside of voice acting, such as
Hekiru Shiina
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She debuted as a singer at the age of 17. Her first voice role was Tenshiko in ''K.O. Beast'' in 1992. Some of her major voice roles include Hikaru Shidou in '' Magic Knight Rayearth'', Alpha in ''Yokoha ...
,
Mariko Kouda
is a Japanese actress, voice actress, J-pop singer and radio personality. She graduated from Kasukabe Kyōei High School and went on to major in Communications at Tamagawa University in Machida City, Tokyo, graduating in 1990. Kouda has had at l ...
, and
Megumi Hayashibara
is a Japanese voice actress, singer, lyricist and radio personality from Kita ward in Tokyo and is affiliated with self-founded Woodpark Office. One of the most prominent Japanese voice actresses since the 1990s, Hayashibara is best known for ...
.
As the anime industry began producing more late-night series in the 2000s, the term "idol voice actor" was popularized when more voice actors with a cultivated fan following began appearing on television.
While previous examples involved voice actors who incidentally drew in fans through their singing careers or former idol singers who turned to voice acting,
Yui Horie
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with VIMS and Starchild. She has been affectionately nicknamed by her Japanese fans. She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "''My best friend''" on . Since then, s ...
,
Yukari Tamura
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Amuleto (formerly Arts Vision and I'm Enterprise). She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997. Her role as Nanoha Takamachi in the ...
, and
Nana Mizuki
is a Japanese voice actress, singer and narrator from Niihama, Ehime. She is represented by the agency StarCrew. Mizuki was trained as an enka singer, releasing one single under her birth name, Nana Kondō, in 1993 and made her debut as a voi ...
were intentionally produced and marketed as idol voice actors by their record labels.
Around the time when the Idol Warring Period was occurring during the mid-to-late 2000s, there was a significant boom in idols voice acting in anime, with ''
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan and Western music. It started as, which was founded by Sōkō Koike in Nov ...
'' naming
Aya Hirano
is a Japanese actress and singer associated with the voice acting agency Grick. Beginning in the entertainment industry as a child actor in television commercials, she appeared in her first voice acting role in the anime television series ''An ...
and
Koharu Kusumi
is a Japanese actress, model, television personality, singer, and voice actress. In 2005, she became the only seventh generation member of the Japanese girl group Morning Musume, a part of Hello! Project.
While Kusumi was in Morning Musume, she p ...
as examples, as both of them were established actresses and singers in mainstream Japanese entertainment before entering voice acting.
Hirano, in particular, was strongly marketed as an idol at the height of her voice acting career, from the late 2000s to the early 2010s. While character song
tie-in
A tie-in work is a work of fiction or other product based on a media property such as a film, video game, television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property. Tie-ins are authorized by the owners of the original prop ...
s were already common in the film industry by then, some voice actors also began making crossover television, stage, and concert appearances as their characters as well, leading them to be closely associated with one another.
* : While Japan and South Korea agencies have created collaborative idol groups in the past, with
Route 0 in 2002,
during the third
Korean wave in the mid-to-late 2010s, the term saw usage again to refer to collaborative idol groups promoting primarily in Japan, but with music, styling, marketing, and presentation produced in the
K-pop industry. The earliest example is
Iz*One
Iz*One ( ; ko, 아이즈원, Aijeuwon; ja, アイズワン, Aizuwan; stylized as IZ*ONE) was a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show '' Produce 48''. The group was composed of twelve members: J ...
in 2018, followed by
JO1
is a Japanese boy band formed through the reality competition show '' Produce 101 Japan''. The group is composed of eleven members: Issei Mamehara, Ren Kawashiri, Takumi Kawanishi, Shosei Ohira, Shion Tsurubo, Ruki Shiroiwa, Keigo Sato, Syoya Ki ...
in 2019 and
NiziU
NiziU ( ja, ニジュー; ko, 니쥬), stylized as NIZIU, is a Japanese girl group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The group is composed of nine members: Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, and Nin ...
in 2020.
![ARASHI mengguncang Jakarta! 1m 5s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/ARASHI_mengguncang_Jakarta%21_1m_5s.jpg)
* : Male idols contracted to
Johnny & Associates
is a Japanese talent agency, formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which trains and promotes groups of male entertainers known as .
History 1962–1989
In 1962, Kitagawa launched his first group, Johnnys. In its early days, Kitagawa's agency re ...
are nicknamed "Johnny's idols" by the media and include groups such as
SMAP
SMAP was a Japanese boy band, composed of Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori. The group was created in 1988 by music producer Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Johnny & Associates, originally as a six-pi ...
and
Arashi
is a Japanese boy band consisting of five members formed under the Johnny & Associates talent agency. The members are Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Jun Matsumoto. Arashi officially formed on September 15, ...
, who have led strong careers both individually and as a group.
Since the company was founded in 1962 by
Johnny Kitagawa
John Hiromu Kitagawa (Japanese name ; October 23, 1931 – July 9, 2019), known professionally as , was an American-born Japanese businessman and talent manager. He was the founder and president of Johnny & Associates, a production agency for nu ...
, who is credited for pioneering the idol trainee system and popularizing the performance aspect of modern idols, the company has held a monopoly over the male idol industry in Japan, with Kitagawa pressuring the media to reduce coverage on male idols from other companies until his death in 2019.
Johnny's idols also rarely get negative press such as scandals due to Kitagawa's influence on the media.
* : Junior idols are singers and gravure models who generally are 15 years old and younger. During the 1990s, a number of young girls were recruited to become idols, leading to what media named the , with the term "chidol" (a combination of the words "child" and "idol") coined by journalist
Akio Nakamori
, real name , is a columnist and editor born on January 1, 1960, in Mie Prefecture, Japan. He is credited as popularizing the term "otaku" in its modern colloquial usage. After dropping out of Meiji University's Nakano Junior and Senior High Scho ...
in the magazine ''Weekly Spa!''
In the 2000s, "chidol" saw fewer usage, and it was eventually replaced by the term "junior idol" to legitimize them as part of the idol industry as well as removing the focus on their age.
While the industry is still considered legal in Japan,
it has been criticized for sexual exploitation of minors.
Many junior idol distributors closed after possession of child pornography was outlawed in Japan in 2014.
* : Also written as and or shortened as , local idols primarily promote in rural areas in their specific communities, where accessibility to celebrities is limited.
The emergence of local idols was traced back to the early 2000s with
Perfume
Perfume (, ; french: parfum) is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds (fragrances), fixatives and solvents, usually in liquid form, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living-spaces an agreeable scent. Th ...
and
Negicco.
The "Idol Warring Period" in the 2010s led to an increase in the number of local idols, with the 2013 television drama ''
Amachan
is a Japanese television drama series. It debuted on April 1, 2013, and was broadcast until September 28, 2013. It was scripted by Kankurō Kudō and starred Rena Nōnen as Aki Amano, a high-school girl from Tokyo who moves to the Sanriku Coast ...
'' inspiring an accelerated growth.
Journalist Mamoru Onoda estimates there are approximately 2,000 local idols active as of 2021.
Most of the local idol groups are independently managed, relying on popularity through word-of-mouth.
Several local idol groups who have crossed into mainstream media in the 2010s are
Rev. from DVL and
Dorothy Little Happy
is a solo unit originated in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan. The unit belongs to the model talent agency Stepone, headquartered in Sendai as well, under the label Otodama Records.
After Kana Shirato graduated, the group became the solo ...
, the former after a photo of then-member
Kanna Hashimoto went viral on the Internet.
* : Net idols are
Internet celebrities
An Internet celebrity (also known as a social media influencer, social media personality, internet personality, or simply influencer) is a celebrity who has acquired or developed their fame and notability through the Internet. The rise of social m ...
who emerged with the accessibility of the Internet in the 1990s, using self-made websites and blogs to discuss their daily lives. Net idols currently conduct the majority of their activities through video streaming websites and social media beginning in the 2000s.
* : Virtual idols are digital avatars representing a fictional character or persona. The first fictional idol gaining mainstream crossover
Lynn Minmay
Lynn Minmay ( Japanese: リン・ミンメイ ''Rin Minmei'', Chinese: 鈴明美 / 林明美 ''Líng Míngměi / Lín Míngměi'') is a fictional anime character from the '' Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' television series and '' Macross: D ...
from ''
Macross
is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/ media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and th ...
'' in the 1980s.
In 1997,
Kyoko Date is a "virtual idol" associated with Horipro. She made her debut in 1996 as a 3D CG character. Despite her virtual nature, she was treated as talent by Horipro. She never enjoyed great popularity, but after her debut she intermittently continued h ...
was created as the first virtual idol.
In 2007,
Crypton Future Media
, or simply Crypton, is a Japanese media company based in Sapporo, Japan. It develops, imports, and sells products for music, such as sound generator software, sampling CDs and DVDs, and sound effect and background music libraries. The company al ...
released
Hatsune Miku as its latest addition to the
Vocaloid
is a singing voice synthesizer software product. Its signal processing part was developed through a joint research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, in 2000 and was not originally intended to b ...
software,
who subsequently saw positive reception from amateur songwriters, with her character and music based on user-generated content. Virtual
online streamer
An online streamer or live streamer is a person who broadcasts themselves online through a live stream to an audience.
History
Streaming arose in the early 2010s, originating on sites like YouTube where users could upload videos of themselves i ...
Kizuna AI
is a Japanese virtual YouTuber (VTuber) currently part of Kizuna AI Inc., a subsidiary of digital entertainment company Activ8. From her debut in 2016 until 2021, she was the most subscribed VTuber on Youtube, with more than 4 million subsc ...
, who first appeared in 2016, led to a boom of
Virtual YouTuber
A , or , is an online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated using computer graphics. Real-time motion capture software or technology are often—but not always—used to capture movement. The digital trend originated in Japan in the mi ...
s who similarly conduct their activities through a digital avatar on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
and other streaming websites.
![Dempagumi](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Dempagumi.inc_at_HYPER_JAPAN_summer_2015.jpg)
* : Underground idols are independently managed idols who perform at small venues.
Tama Himeno and
Kamen Joshi member Tomoka Igari, both underground idols, describe them as being different from mainstream idols (nicknamed ) in that underground idols are active through live performances rather than through exposure from mass media or CD releases through major record labels, thus making them more accessible to fans in comparison to mainstream idols.
An example Igari used to describe close relationships that underground idols have with their fans is that underground idols will hold handshake events and take
instant camera
An instant camera is a camera which uses self-developing film to create a chemically developed print shortly after taking the picture. Polaroid Corporation pioneered (and patented) consumer-friendly instant cameras and film, and were follow ...
photos (known as ) with fans after every live performance.
** : idols are type of underground idol based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, drawing influences from its culture.
Music from idols are generally sold as
self-published CDs at
Comiket or promoted through
Niconico.
is a dedicated venue where they perform.
While idols are niche,
Haruko Momoi and
Dempagumi.inc are cited as an examples of an idols crossing over to mainstream media.
Dempagumi.inc's music producer, Maiko Fukushima, describes the music from idols as distinct from anime songs, with most composers being "amateurs" and its organic music culture facing a state of the
Galapagos syndrome, as they had no direct creative input from J-pop or other music genres.
However, Fukushima noted that songs from
R-18 games were also key components of music.
In 2007,
Vocaloid
is a singing voice synthesizer software product. Its signal processing part was developed through a joint research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, in 2000 and was not originally intended to b ...
greatly influenced the growth of music and idol culture.
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
, one of Japan's most recognized idol groups nationwide, originated from Akihabara, but it is not considered an group.
History
1960–1980: Post-war era and idol beginnings
![Fanclub1966SylvieVartan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Fanclub1966SylvieVartan.jpg)
The popularity of young female singers can be traced back to
Sayuri Yoshinaga
is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best Actress awards, more than any other actress, and has been called "one of the foremost stars in the postwar world of film."
Career
Her first media appearance was in the rad ...
in the 1960s, as well as the
Takarazuka Revue
The is a Japanese all-female musical theatre troupe based in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish, Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals and stories adapted from films, novels, manga, and Japa ...
and theater shows from the
Meiji era.
In 1962,
Johnny Kitagawa
John Hiromu Kitagawa (Japanese name ; October 23, 1931 – July 9, 2019), known professionally as , was an American-born Japanese businessman and talent manager. He was the founder and president of Johnny & Associates, a production agency for nu ...
founded
Johnny & Associates
is a Japanese talent agency, formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which trains and promotes groups of male entertainers known as .
History 1962–1989
In 1962, Kitagawa launched his first group, Johnnys. In its early days, Kitagawa's agency re ...
and created the group
Johnnys
was a Japanese boy band created by Johnny Kitagawa before the formation of the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates.
The group was formed in April 1962 and lasted until November 20, 1967. They are considered one of the first of Japan's J ...
, which is retroactively considered the first idol group in Japan.
He is also credited with pioneering the idol trainee system, where talents would be accepted in the agency at a young age and train not only in singing, but also dancing and acting, until they were ready for debut.
However, the concept of an idol wasn't defined by mainstream Japanese media until in November 1964, when the 1963 French film ''
Cherchez l'idole'' was released in Japan under the title .
Many Japanese audiences took interest in
Sylvie Vartan
Sylvie Vartan (; born Sylvie Georges Vartanian; hy, Սիլվի Ժորժ Վարդանյան. on 15 August 1944) is an Armenian-Bulgarian-French singer and actress. She is known as one of the most productive and tough-sounding yé-yé artists. ...
, whose song "
La plus belle pour aller danser
"La plus belle pour aller danser" (Translation: ''The most beautiful to dance with'') is a song by Sylvie Vartan from the 1964 French feature film ''Cherchez l'idole''.
Background and writing
The song was written by Charles Aznavour and Georges ...
" from the film sold more than a million copies in Japan.
Vartan was heralded for her youthful, adorable looks and musical talent, leading the Japanese entertainment industry to assign the word "idol" to singers who shared a similar aesthetic.
Television greatly impacted the popularity of the idol phenomenon, as beginning in the 1970s, many idols were recruited through audition programs.
In addition, the availability of having home television sets gave audiences greater accessibility of seeing idols at any time compared to going to theaters.
Momoe Yamaguchi
, known by her maiden name , is a Japanese former singer, actress, and idol whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. Often simply referred to by her given name "Momoe," Yamaguchi is one of the most successful singers in Japanese music, releasing 32 ...
,
Junko Sakurada
is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in 1973, which included Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori. Sakurada then became successful in a solo music career, with 18 top ten singles in the 1970s. Her acting career ran from ...
,
Saori Minami
(Real Name: Akemi Shinoyama (篠山 明美), née, Akemi Uchima (内間 明美); Christian Name: Cynthia) is a Japanese retired J-pop singer-songwriter. She was born in Okinawa on July 2, 1954. In the 1970s, and for a brief 6 years from 19911997 ...
, and
Mari Amachi
is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in 1970s' Japan. On October 1, 1971, she debuted with the single "Mizuiro no Koi." She was born as Mari Saito in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture. She got five Oricon No.1 songs, a record as a fe ...
, some of the idols recruited through television, were some of the more popular figures of this era,
along with groups such as
Candies and
Pink Lady.
Saori Minami, who debuted in 1971, was noted by scholar Masayoshi Sakai to be the turning point of when teenage stars became popular in mainstream media.
Music was produced by a shared climate of songwriters and art directors seeking a step towards a depoliticized youth culture.
Idols grew in popularity over the 1970s, as they offered audiences escapism from political violence and radical student movements.
Idols at the time were seen as ephemeral because of how short-lived their careers were, and how they would disappear from the public after retirement.
In public, idols took steps to play a distinct character and uphold an illusion of perfection, such as maintaining a virginal image.
Other examples include being told not to use restrooms in public and answering interview questions about their favorite food with feminine-sounding answers such as "strawberries" and "shortcake."
1980–1990: Golden Age of Idols
![Nakamori Akina in 1985](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Nakamori_Akina_in_1985.jpg)
The influence idols had on television led the 1980s to be known as the "Golden Age of Idols",
in part due to Japan's
economic bubble and growing commercial interest in them.
Several figures who defined the Golden Age of Idols are
Seiko Matsuda
, known professionally as , is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she is still actively releasing new singles and albums, doing annual summer concert tours, win ...
,
Akina Nakamori
is a Japanese Singing, singer and Actor, actress. She is one of the most popular and best-selling artists in Japan. Akina achieved national recognition after winning the 1981 season of the talent show ''Star Tanjō!''. Her debut single "Slow M ...
,
Kyōko Koizumi
(born February 4, 1966) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is signed to Victor Entertainment.
Career
In 1981, Kyoko Koizumi participated and won the Star Tanjo! programme and released her 1st single in March 1982. She gained her first num ...
, and
Onyanko Club
was a large all-girl Japanese pop Japanese idol, idol group in the 1980s. Some members of the group participated in spin-off groups, such as Nyangilas, Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi and Ushirogami Hikaretai. Many of the latter two groups' songs were us ...
.
Television programs in which idols appeared often enjoyed high viewer ratings.
Dentsu
Dentsu Inc. ( ja, 株式会社電通 ''Kabushiki-gaisha Dentsū'' or 電通 ''Dentsū'' for short) is a Japanese international advertising and public relations joint stock company headquartered in Tokyo. Dentsu is currently the largest advertis ...
also created the "CM idol" business model, where idols were able to gain fame by singing and appearing in commercials.
Onyanko Club, in particular, shifted public perception of idols from professional stars to ordinary schoolgirls who would gain experience throughout their career.
They were also the first group to introduce a "graduation system", where older members would eventually leave the group while newer inexperienced members would join,
with the system being named such as the group drew similarities to a school club.
Onyanko Club also led to idols becoming closely associated with television, as the visual component became important to the overall enjoyment of their music.
At the same time, male idols gained popularity, with acts from Johnny & Associates normalizing idols singing and dancing at the same time.
However, fewer male idol acts from other companies achieved the same success as Johnny's idols due to the company's CEO, Johnny Kitagawa, controlling the media and pressuring certain programs not to invite male idols from competing agencies, as he would continue to until his death in 2019.
1990–2000: Idol Winter Period and Chidol Boom
![25th Anniversary Namie Amuro Live](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/25th_Anniversary_Namie_Amuro_Live.jpg)
Around 1985, idols soon became unpopular after the public became disillusioned with the idol system.
By the 1990s, public interest in idols began to wane,
as audiences lost interest in singing and audition programs,
particularly due to a shift in attitudes caused by Japan's
economic collapse
Economic collapse, also called economic meltdown, is any of a broad range of bad economic conditions, ranging from a severe, prolonged depression with high bankruptcy rates and high unemployment (such as the Great Depression of the 1930s), to a ...
.
The media coined the term to describe the stagnation of the idol industry beginning in 1990.
More young people yielded aspirations to be defined as an artist instead of an idol.
During this decline, public perception of idols again shifted from inexperienced amateurs to strong, independent women, in part due to a rehaul in
Seiko Matsuda
, known professionally as , is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she is still actively releasing new singles and albums, doing annual summer concert tours, win ...
's public image.
Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro ( ; ja, 安室奈美恵, Amuro Namie, label=none; born September 20, 1977) is a Japanese former recording artist, producer, songwriter, dancer, model, actress and entrepreneur who was active between 1992 and 2018. A leading figure of ...
, who gained fame as the lead singer of
Super Monkey's
were a Japanese pop-singing and dancing group that spawned the careers of Namie Amuro and some members of the girl group MAX, the group was active between 1992 till 1995 and that disbanded on 1996.
History
Pre-debut
The group was originall ...
, found popularity among young girls who emulated her appearance.
At the same time,
Speed
In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude of the change of its position over time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quanti ...
also found a fan following.
However, neither Amuro nor Speed referred to themselves under the idol label.
Because of the lack of publicity over idols on television, many turned to the Internet.
Johnny & Associates observed the popularity of former
Shibugakitai
Shibugakitai (The Cool Kid Trio) (シブがき隊) was a Japanese boy band active from 1982 to 1988, composed of three Johnny's idols, Toshikazu Fukawa (Fukkun), Masahiro Motoki (Mokkun), Hirohide Yakumaru (Yakkun). It was launched with a “b ...
member Hirohide Yakumaru's success as an MC on variety shows, which prompted them to develop and market their current acts with distinct public personalities.
Groups from the company began gaining more attention, drawing in fans from Hong Kong and Taiwan,
and their marketing success led to many other idols doing the same.
In the mid-1990s, there was an increase in young idols in the elementary school age, which the media described as the "Chidol (child idol) Boom."
The term "chidol" was coined by journalist
Akio Nakamori
, real name , is a columnist and editor born on January 1, 1960, in Mie Prefecture, Japan. He is credited as popularizing the term "otaku" in its modern colloquial usage. After dropping out of Meiji University's Nakano Junior and Senior High Scho ...
in the magazine ''Weekly Spa!''
In the 2000s, "chidol" saw fewer usage, and it was eventually replaced by the term "
junior idol
A , also known as a or , is a type of entertainer who is 15 years of age and under, manufactured and marketed for image, attractiveness, and personality. It is a sub-category of the idol culture in Japanese pop entertainment. Junior idols are pr ...
" to legitimize them as part of the idol industry as well as removing the focus on their age.
2000–present: Media crossovers and Idol Warring Period
The 2000s saw the rise in popularity of idol groups again after
Morning Musume
, formerly simply and colloquially referred to as , are a Japanese girl group, holding the second highest overall single sales (of a female group) on the Oricon, Oricon charts as of February 2012, with the Oricon record of most top ten singles ...
's debut in 1997 and the formation of their
musical collective
Musical collective is a phrase used to describe a group of musicians in which membership is flexible and creative control is shared.Liisa Ladouceur"Collegjthk ctive Souls" ''This Magazine'', November/December 2004. The concept is distinct from th ...
,
Hello! Project.
Around the same time, there was an increase in
gravure idol
A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Thou ...
s, who competed in magazine and photo book sales.
In addition,
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
voice actors
Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talent ...
, such as
Yui Horie
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with VIMS and Starchild. She has been affectionately nicknamed by her Japanese fans. She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "''My best friend''" on . Since then, s ...
,
Nana Mizuki
is a Japanese voice actress, singer and narrator from Niihama, Ehime. She is represented by the agency StarCrew. Mizuki was trained as an enka singer, releasing one single under her birth name, Nana Kondō, in 1993 and made her debut as a voi ...
, and
Yukari Tamura
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Amuleto (formerly Arts Vision and I'm Enterprise). She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997. Her role as Nanoha Takamachi in the ...
, were also marketed as idols to promote both their activities and singing careers.
While idols briefly experienced another decline after 2002,
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
debuted in 2005 and later became known as nation's idol group.
The public image of idols had diversified, with each idol group having a specific concept appealing to different audiences.
To celebrate the diversity of idols, AKB48,
Shoko Nakagawa
is a Japanese media personality, actress, voice actress, illustrator, and singer. Also known by her nickname , she is best known as the presenter of '' Pokémon Sunday'', and as the performer of the opening theme from the anime '' Gurren Lagann ...
, and
Leah Dizon
Leah Donna Dizon (born September 24, 1986) is an American singer, model and media personality.[Kohaku Uta Gassen
is the Japanese word for amber.
Kohaku (琥珀) may refer to:
Music
* Kohaku, a song by Mikuni Shimokawa
Characters
* Kohaku (''Dr. Stone''), a character in the manga series ''Dr. Stone''
* Kohaku (''InuYasha''), a character in ''InuYash ...](_blank)
in 2007, introduced as " idols" with each act described as a different sub-genre of idols.
![Kanna Hashimoto at 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Japan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Kanna_Hashimoto_at_2014_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_Japan.jpg)
The idol industry experienced a rapid growth in the beginning of the 2010s, and the media coined the nickname to describe the phenomenon.
Lawyer Kunitaka Kasai cited the Internet as a reason for the rapid growth of idols, as anyone can upload videos onto websites, and AKB48's business model encouraged this even further through creating more opportunities for fan interactivity.
The 2013 television drama ''
Amachan
is a Japanese television drama series. It debuted on April 1, 2013, and was broadcast until September 28, 2013. It was scripted by Kankurō Kudō and starred Rena Nōnen as Aki Amano, a high-school girl from Tokyo who moves to the Sanriku Coast ...
'' also inspired more idol groups to appear, the majority of them being "local idols" who performed in specific rural communities.
Several independent idol groups also crossed over into mainstream, such as
Dempagumi.inc,
Dorothy Little Happy
is a solo unit originated in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan. The unit belongs to the model talent agency Stepone, headquartered in Sendai as well, under the label Otodama Records.
After Kana Shirato graduated, the group became the solo ...
,
and
Rev. from DVL, the latter of which gained mainstream popularity after a photo of then-member
Kanna Hashimoto went viral.
Since 2010, the biggest idol concert festival,
Tokyo Idol Festival
is an annual event featuring live performances from female solo idols and idol groups from all over Japan. The festival has been held since 2010.
In 2014, The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, ...
, has taken place.
More than 200 idol groups and about 1500 idols performed, attracting more than 80,000 spectators in 2017.
During 2014, about 486,000 people attended AKB48 and
Momoiro Clover Z
is a Japanese idol girl group, commonly abbreviated as MCZ or .
The four members of MCZ are known for energetic performances, incorporating elements of ballet, gymnastics, and action movies.
MCZ is notable for being the first female group to ho ...
's live concerts, which was the highest record of all female musicians in Japan. Momoiro Clover Z has been ranked as the most popular female idol group from 2013 to 2017 according to surveys by ''
The Nikkei'',
There were more than 10,000 teenage girls who performed as idols in Japan in 2017.
In 2019, there were over 3,000 female idol groups.
In the early 2010s,
alternative idol
An alternative idol (also known as an alt-idol or anti-idol) is a term used by overseas J-pop fans to describe idols that differ from the traditional Japanese idol scene typically by having a darker image and performing heavier genres of music. Alt ...
s, a sub-category of Japanese idol came about. Pioneered by
Bis and
Seiko Oomori
is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Her musical career began in the underground music culture of Tokyo's Kōenji neighborhood, briefly playing in the punk band Kuchuu Moranko before going solo and releasing two independent albums until signing wit ...
, alternative idols are known for mixing idol pop music with heavier genres such as
alternative rock
Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from Popular culture, mainstre ...
and
heavy metal.
They have also been known for utilising
shock value
Shock value is the potential of an image, text, action, or other form of communication, such as a public execution, to provoke a reaction of sharp disgust, shock, anger, fear, or similar negative emotions.
In advertising
Shock advertising or Sh ...
to gain public and media attention and making use of a darker image than that of the idol scene norm.
From 2013 to 2018,
boy band Arashi
is a Japanese boy band consisting of five members formed under the Johnny & Associates talent agency. The members are Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Jun Matsumoto. Arashi officially formed on September 15, ...
was ranked as the most popular artist overall in Japan according to
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan and Western music. It started as, which was founded by Sōkō Koike in Nov ...
polls of 20,000 people. Other male idols also found success as underground idols, as well as anime
media mix
Media may refer to:
Communication
* Media (communication), tools used to deliver information or data
** Advertising media, various media, content, buying and placement for advertising
** Broadcast media, communications delivered over mass el ...
projects and
2.5D musicals.
Beginning in the mid-to-late 2010s, the Japanese idol industry crossed over with
K-pop with the third
Korean wave in Japan, which was sparked partially from positive reception of the Japanese members of the South Korean group
Twice
Twice (; Japanese: トゥワイス, Hepburn: ''To~uwaisu''; commonly stylized as TWICE) is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. The group is composed of nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, ...
. In the years that followed, several Japanese and South Korean companies collaborated to form K-pop influenced groups for a global consumer base, such as
Iz*One
Iz*One ( ; ko, 아이즈원, Aijeuwon; ja, アイズワン, Aizuwan; stylized as IZ*ONE) was a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show '' Produce 48''. The group was composed of twelve members: J ...
,
JO1
is a Japanese boy band formed through the reality competition show '' Produce 101 Japan''. The group is composed of eleven members: Issei Mamehara, Ren Kawashiri, Takumi Kawanishi, Shosei Ohira, Shion Tsurubo, Ruki Shiroiwa, Keigo Sato, Syoya Ki ...
, and
NiziU
NiziU ( ja, ニジュー; ko, 니쥬), stylized as NIZIU, is a Japanese girl group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The group is composed of nine members: Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, and Nin ...
.
Fan culture
Fan activities
![Wotagei in Akihabara](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Wotagei_in_Akihabara.jpg)
Passionate male fans of idols are colloquially referred to as , derived from the word "." Beginning in the 1980s, they formed cheering groups known as to support idols at concerts and public appearances.
During these events, the perform , an organized sequence of fan chants and dancing to show appreciation for the idols. Fan chants where an idol's name is called after each bar is sung was popularized by
Mari Amachi
is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in 1970s' Japan. On October 1, 1971, she debuted with the single "Mizuiro no Koi." She was born as Mari Saito in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture. She got five Oricon No.1 songs, a record as a fe ...
's fans in the 1970s, referencing her appearance in the 1971 television drama '.
Because mainstream Japanese media exercises self-censorship over taboo, controversial subjects,
fans are influential in circulating under-reported news through social media.
Idol fan culture has introduced several slang terms into the Japanese public, including:
* DD, an abbreviation for , applying to people who do not have a favorite member or group.
The term has negative connotations. Writer Riyan suggests that while there are fans with no favorite members or groups, they are not likely to identify themselves as DD. A variation of DD is the word , which indicates support for an idol group.
* , a favorite member or group
Fan interactions
A notable trait of idols that sets them apart from typical celebrities is their relationship with fans, and they are marketed intentionally by talent agencies to have a high emotional connection with their consumer fan base. Fans are built as active supporters into the narrative of the idol's journey to become a professional entertainer,
viewing them as siblings, daughters/sons, or
girl/boy next door types due to how easily they can relate to the public.
One documented example are fans of female idols, typically consisting of men from 30 to 40 years of age, who seek interactions with them as a way of having a long-term relationship without the prospect of supporting a family or dealing with awkwardness outside of a controlled environment. The idol fan culture idealizes the idea of , where vulnerability is seen as an attractive trait.
Using idols from
Johnny & Associates
is a Japanese talent agency, formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which trains and promotes groups of male entertainers known as .
History 1962–1989
In 1962, Kitagawa launched his first group, Johnnys. In its early days, Kitagawa's agency re ...
as an example, male idols appeal to female fans by representing a pseudo-romantic ideal for them.
However, there are some female fans, particularly in Japan, who prefer to put themselves in the role of an external observer.
For them, the absence of other women is a way of watching the male idols interact with one another and imagining their interactions to be similar to .
Fans spend money on merchandise and endorsed products to directly support their favorites, comparing it to spending money on "loved ones"; some express feeling happy that they were able to make someone they admired happy.
Dedicated fans may give up their careers and devote their life savings to supporting and following their favorite members.
To foster a closeness between idols and fans, some talent agencies offer
meet-and-greets in the form of handshake events, where fans have the opportunity to shake hands, take a photograph, and speak briefly with the idols.
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
's business model created more opportunities for fan interactions with their "idols you can meet" concept.
An example of this are their elections, where fans can vote for their favorite member, thereby including the fans directly into the members' individual success.
Because idols share an intimate relationship with their fans, fans may feel "betrayed" if idols reveal unfavorable parts of their personal lives that are different from the image they present, or break the illusion that they are there exclusively for fans.
Impact
Economic
Idols often appear in advertising, with 50-70% of commercials in Japan featuring an idol.
The "CM idol" business model, conceptualized by advertising agency
Dentsu
Dentsu Inc. ( ja, 株式会社電通 ''Kabushiki-gaisha Dentsū'' or 電通 ''Dentsū'' for short) is a Japanese international advertising and public relations joint stock company headquartered in Tokyo. Dentsu is currently the largest advertis ...
in the 1980s, uses idols' public image as a marketing asset.
As the career of idols are dependent on their image, contracting offices create their image based upon trends in the market and with the intent of generating as much revenue as possible.
Along with promoting products, commercials are also a cross-platform to promote idols at the same time by keeping both brand and idol product in the forefront of the consumers' minds.
Pitches for commercials are often made with a specific idol who matches the company's image in mind. Idols contracted to particular brands are expected to uphold the brand's image and may not work for competing brands or networks; the agreement extends to magazine advertisements, online videos, and appearances in dramas.
Idols may also provide the music or
jingle
A jingle is a short song or tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. Jingles are a form of sound branding. A jingle contains one or more hooks and meaning that explicitly promote the product or service being advertised, usually t ...
for commercials.
The idol industry makes approximately $1 billion a year.
Media
Beginning in the 1980s, companies would compete to secure contracts for idols in dramas, which led to the current four-season television cour in Japan. Variety, talk, and music shows also became popular, in part for featuring idols as guests or the stars of the show.
Anime and video games
![Numazu City Hall Celebrating Kohaku](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Numazu_City_Hall_Celebrating_Kohaku.jpg)
The idol industry has crossed over to
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
and video games. Using a
media mix
Media may refer to:
Communication
* Media (communication), tools used to deliver information or data
** Advertising media, various media, content, buying and placement for advertising
** Broadcast media, communications delivered over mass el ...
strategy, various multimedia projects have used fictional idols to market Japanese pop culture and music. The series ''
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel
is a magical girl anime television series produced by Pierrot which aired from 1983 to 1984 on Nippon Television. It went on to have four OVA adaptions and featured in other Studio Pierrot special presentations. A three-volume manga wa ...
'' was the first notable anime series to use a media mix marketing strategy, where
Takako Ōta
(born August 13, 1967) is a Japanese voice actress and singer, best known for voicing the lead role of Yū Morisawa / Creamy Mami in anime ''Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel''.
''Creamy Mami'' is known as a pioneer of the new marketing strategy, now ...
would provide the voice to the main character and portray her at music events; the series was used as a vehicle to launch her singing career. The first fictional idol to cross over to mainstream media is
Lynn Minmay
Lynn Minmay ( Japanese: リン・ミンメイ ''Rin Minmei'', Chinese: 鈴明美 / 林明美 ''Líng Míngměi / Lín Míngměi'') is a fictional anime character from the '' Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' television series and '' Macross: D ...
from ''
Macross
is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/ media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and th ...
'', whose 1984 single, "
Ai Oboete Imasu ka
is the third single by Japanese singer-songwriter Mari Iijima, released on June 5, 1984, by Victor Entertainment. Written by Kazumi Yasui and Kazuhiko Katō, it was used as the theme song of the 1984 mecha anime film '' Macross: Do You Remember ...
", charted at #7 on the
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan and Western music. It started as, which was founded by Sōkō Koike in Nov ...
Weekly Singles Chart.
In the late 2000s,
Vocaloid
is a singing voice synthesizer software product. Its signal processing part was developed through a joint research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, in 2000 and was not originally intended to b ...
software
Hatsune Miku was received positively among amateur music producers, who used her as an avatar to perform their compositions,
influencing music.
In the early 2010s, idol-themed multimedia projects, such as ''
Love Live!
is a Japanese multimedia project created by Hajime Yatate and Sakurako Kimino and co-produced by Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa through ASCII Media Works; Bandai Namco Music Live through music label Lantis (company), Lantis; and animation studio ...
'', ''
The Idolmaster'', and ''
Uta no Prince-sama
is a Japanese multimedia franchise by Broccoli. The original game of the same name was first released on the PlayStation Portable on June 24, 2010, and since its release, the game has spawned multiple sequels and rhythm game spin-offs. The seri ...
'', became popular.
Professor Marc Steinberg suggested that the popularity of idol-related media mix projects may stem from the managerial aspect found in
life simulation
Life simulation games form a subgenre of simulation video games in which the player lives or controls one or more virtual characters (human or otherwise). Such a game can revolve around "individuals and relationships, or it could be a simulation ...
games, with ''The Idolmaster'' being the first notable idol franchise to include this.
These franchises set the fans in the active contributing role of the "producer" and regularly involved interactivity, as input made by the players were crucial to the idols' success.
The growth of idol-related media mix projects in anime and video games was also seen as an attempt from the Japanese government to market Japanese pop culture overseas through the
Cool Japan
refers to the aspects of Japanese culture that non-Japanese people perceive as "cool". The Cool Japan strategy is part of Japan's overall brand strategy, aiming to disseminate Japan's attractiveness and allure to the world. The target of Cool Ja ...
initiative.
Music produced by voice actor idols and fictional idols have crossed over to mainstream music charts, with
Billboard Japan
''Billboard Japan'' is a sister organization of the U.S.-based music magazine '' Billboard''. It is operated by the Japanese Osaka-based company Hanshin Contents Link (a subsidiary of Hanshin Electric Railway
is a Japanese private railway compa ...
launching the Billboard Japan Hot Animation Chart on December 1, 2010 exclusively for anime and video game music releases. Fictional idols have been treated like real-life celebrities.
Idol-themed anime and video game series have been compared to the sports genre in anime due to a similar competitive nature and team-building the characters face, as well as being linked to the
Odagiri effect
The Odagiri effect is a television phenomenon in which a program attracts a larger than expected number of female viewers because the program stars attractive male actors or characters. It is named after the Japanese actor Joe Odagiri, who starr ...
for featuring attractive people of the same gender interacting with each other.
The idol fan culture is heavily tied to
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
and
manga, and most fans of anime are also fans of idols.
The idea of "", which was popularized by anime, can be projected onto both idols and fictional characters, linking the two.
Some may prefer fictional idols due to them never disbanding, leaving groups, or getting into scandals.
A 2005 study by the Nomura Research Institute revealed that idol fans were the third largest group of interests, following
comics and
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
.
In the late-2010s, the idol agency influenced the business model of
VTuber
A , or , is an online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated using computer graphics. Real-time motion capture software or technology are often—but not always—used to capture movement. The digital trend originated in Japan in the mid- ...
agencies such as
Hololive
is a virtual YouTuber agency owned by Japanese tech entertainment company Cover Corporation. In addition to acting as a multi-channel network, Hololive Production also handles merchandising especially in music production and concert organizati ...
and
Nijisanji
Nijisanji (Japanese: にじさんじ) is a virtual YouTuber agency owned by AnyColor Inc. (formerly Ichikara Inc., changed 17 May 2021) The agency was founded in 2018 with the purpose of promoting the use of Live2D models and streaming as oppo ...
—which focus on a mix of
video game livestreaming
The live streaming of video games is an activity where people broadcast themselves playing games to a live audience online. The practice became popular in the mid-2010s on the US-based site Twitch, before growing to YouTube, Facebook, China-bas ...
, entertainment, and music.
Criticism
Working conditions
The idol system has been criticized for its strict rules, intense work schedules, and offering idols little control over their personal lives.
The system has been likened to salarymen in Japan who are unable to disobey their employers.
Labor rights activist Shohei Sakagura stated that idols get very little revenue and are ill-prepared for the work force after leaving their groups, as many of them spend their academic years learning poor job skills. In addition to this, Rob Schwartz from ''
Billboard'' addressed that Japanese mainstream media outlets rarely bring attention to controversies and allegations of
power harassment
Power harassment is a form of harassment and workplace bullying in which someone in a position of greater power uses that power to harass or bully a lower-ranking person. It includes a range of behavior from mild irritation and annoyances to ser ...
due to self-censorship on what they are allowed to write.
Sasetsu Takeda of ''
GQ Japan'' wrote that talent agencies dismiss idols regardless of their popularity, sometimes intentionally blocking job offers in order to pressure them to leave, all while declaring that they are "resting from illness" to the public.
Independently managed idol groups offer even less protection, with idols given ambiguously-worded contracts that keep them in their companies for years, while offering almost no pay and compensation for transportation and costuming fees.
Lawyer Kunitaka Kasai stated management may be poor, especially among independent idol groups, because they were established by people with a lack of experience to fill a demand for idols over the industry's growth.
Work schedules for idols have been criticized for being excessive, as idols are expected to work even when sick.
Miki Gonobe from ''
Nikkan Sports
is the first-launched Japanese daily sports newspaper founded in 1946.
It has a circulation of 1,661,000, and is an affiliate newspaper of the ''Asahi Shimbun''.
Companies and regions
;Nikkan Sports News (Tokyo)
:Tokyo HQ: 5-10, Tsukiji Sanc ...
'' noted that idols generally do not have a labor union and agencies see no need for one, as they view idol activities akin to extracurricular activities at school. She voiced concerns about young girls becoming idols at an early age, especially elementary school students.
In addition, Sasetsu Takeda of ''
GQ Japan'' criticized some idol managements for intentionally preventing their talents from taking time off, mentioning it "strange" that idols are only notified of their assignments the night before.
He also condemned the idol industry for not providing talents access to better mental health resources, as idols are often suspended or dismissed for publicly showing they are stressed out of concern that they may cause fans to feel worried or upset.
In March 2018, Ehime Girls member Honoka Omoto committed suicide, with her family launching a lawsuit against her talent agency in October 2018.
Allegedly, Omoto was working 10 hours a day at the expense of her studies and when she had asked to leave the group, a staff member threatened her with violence while Takahiro Sasaki, the head of her managing company, told her she would have to pay a penalty fee of . In June 2018, a former member of
Niji no Conquistador filed a lawsuit against
Pixiv
is a Japanese online community for artists. It was first launched as a beta test on September 10, 2007, by Takahiro Kamitani and Takanori Katagiri. Pixiv Inc. is headquartered in Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. As of April 2020, the site c ...
representative director, Hiroaki Nagata, and the group's management companies for voyeurism and sexual harassment during her time with the group, and Nagata filed a counter lawsuit for libel and resigned several days later. On February 10, 2020, the
Tokyo District Court
is a district court located at 1-1-4 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the ...
dismissed his claims and ordered him to pay to the woman in damages.
Dating ban
![Minami Minegishi (cropped)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Minami_Minegishi_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Most idols are not allowed to form romantic relationships or must obtain permission from their agencies to get married.
Yasushi Akimoto
is a Japanese record producer, lyricist, and television writer, best known for creating and producing some of Japan's top idol groups, Onyanko Club and the AKB48 franchise. Total sales of the singles he has written exceed 100 million copies, maki ...
, the producer of
AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced ''A.K.B. Forty-Eight'') is a Japanese idol girl group named after the Akihabara (''Akiba'' for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with ...
, likened the group's dating ban to similar dating bans for baseball teams competing at the , where dating is seen as a distraction from preparing for tournaments. On the other hand, critics have suggested a dating ban is implemented in order to sell a fantasy of idols being accessible to their fans and disagreed with them for being inhumane.
''
The Japan Times
''The Japan Times'' is Japan's largest and oldest English-language daily newspaper. It is published by , a subsidiary of News2u Holdings, Inc.. It is headquartered in the in Kioicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
History
''The Japan Times'' was launched b ...
'' noted that aside from talent agencies, idol fan culture has contributed to this, especially with male fans of female idols; male fans buy into the idea of "", which fetishizes weakness and submissiveness while asserting "complete control" over the girls' sexual independence.
Several idols who were confirmed to have been dismissed, suspended, demoted, or forced to leave their groups following reports of them dating or having sexual relations include
Mari Yaguchi
is a Japanese singer, actress, and television personality. She joined the girl group Morning Musume in 1998 as a second generation member and was the leader of subgroups within Hello! Project, such as Mini-Moni, Morning Musume Sakuragumi, and ZY ...
,
Ai Kago
is a Japanese actress and former singer. In 2000, Kago debuted as a 4th generation member of the idol girl group Morning Musume. During her time in the group, she was also part of Mini-Moni and other Hello! Project sub-groups. In 2004, Kago de ...
,
Aya Hirano
is a Japanese actress and singer associated with the voice acting agency Grick. Beginning in the entertainment industry as a child actor in television commercials, she appeared in her first voice acting role in the anime television series ''An ...
,
Rino Sashihara
is a Japanese tarento, singer, producer and actress. She is best known as a former member of idol groups HKT48, AKB48 and STU48, and was the theater manager for HKT48 and STU48. She was also a member of AKB48's unit Not Yet and is the producer ...
, and
Minami Minegishi
is a Japanese singer and actress, represented by Production Ogi. She was a member of the Japanese idol girl group AKB48, and its subunit no3b. She is noted for having the longest tenure among the group's original members from 2005 to 2021.
Ca ...
.
Minegishi, in particular, caught international media attention after her apology video went viral, causing international criticism over the management of her group, AKB48, as well as the Japanese idol industry.
A talent agency filed a lawsuit against a 17-year-old former idol singer for accepting an invitation to a hotel room from two male fans, which had caused her group to disband within the first 3 months of their debut.
In September 2015, Judge Akitomo Kojima, along with the
Tokyo District Court
is a district court located at 1-1-4 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the ...
, ruled in favor of the talent agency and fined the woman to pay , stating that the dating ban was necessary for idols to "win the support of male fans."
In January 2016, a similar lawsuit filed with the Tokyo District Court ruled in favor of a 23-year-old former idol, with Judge Kazuya Hara stating that the dating ban "significantly restricts the freedom to pursue happiness."
Since handshake and other related events allow fans to be in close proximity with idols, critics also believe that marketing the idols' accessibility may cause fans to be unable to distinguish between fantasy and real life.
Talent agencies have also been criticized over offering inadequate protection towards idols after several incidents of violent attacks on female idols such as the
saw attack on Anna Iriyama and Rina Kawaei, the
stabbing of Mayu Tomita, and the
assault of Maho Yamaguchi
On December 8, 2018, Maho Yamaguchi, then a member of the idol girl group NGT48, was assaulted by two male fans of the group inside of her apartment building. Details of the incident were not disclosed until January 8, 2019, when Yamaguchi pers ...
.
Sexualization
Idols are often sexualized, especially female idols,
some of whom also work as gravure idols and have suggestive swimsuit photo shoots that are published in magazines targeted towards adults.
With the idol system commodifying youth, the industry is criticized for putting minors at risk, most particularly
junior idol
A , also known as a or , is a type of entertainer who is 15 years of age and under, manufactured and marketed for image, attractiveness, and personality. It is a sub-category of the idol culture in Japanese pop entertainment. Junior idols are pr ...
s, who are aged 15 years and younger.
Idol swimsuit photo books are often sold in the same sections as pornographic titles.
In 1999, Japan banned production and distribution of sexually explicit depictions of minors, which outlawed photo books depicting nude junior idols.
Multiple junior idol distributors closed after possession of child pornography was made illegal in Japan in 2014.
However, junior idol content currently stands on legally ambiguous ground due to open interpretations of
child pornography laws in Japan
The production, sale, distribution, and commercialization of child pornography in Japan is illegal under the ''Act on Punishment of Activities Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children'' (1999), and is pun ...
.
In 2017, through a survey conducted by the Japanese government, 53 out of 197 women stated that they had been asked to take part in pornographic photo or video shoots of which were not previously disclosed nor included in their contracts. 17 of the women stated that they had performed the request anyway.
List of idols
See also
References
External links
{{commons category, Japanese idols
Stock characters in anime and manga
Japanese popular culture
Japanese idols
Japanese youth culture