From your thesis, I’m in the early stages of the idol cycle; i.e., I remain stunned with each and every release, single, concert, DVD, whatever, and until I get a little more seasoned I won’t be able to comprehend the concepts you describe.

As for the fantasy that idols create, how long is that supposed to last? Not very long, normally. I would have long cast aside the idol mentality had it not been for some of the artistry, physicality and, yes, social commentary some of these songs represent.

It goes deep. Actually going over to Japan, as thrilling as that was, generated more questions than answers.

Thanks for the piece. Once something appears on the blogosphere, it stays there forever, and this is a great addition.

cfb: I really look forward to reading anything you have to say on this. Pengie did something on unchained and I couldn’t believe the response I apparently elicited.

Jin: I am 22! Staying level-headed is pretty difficult. Although I do think these issues are not something any of us think about on a daily basis.

Jim: The maturity is an issue that I never thought about. When these girls who are in their older teens are actively encouraged to act like a 12 year old every day of every year - then yes, I can see an actual psychological problem developing there. Then again, you could say you need psychological problems to want to be in show business anyways. As far as the issue of being real being a cultural difference - it’s not something I’ve really looked into but it does sound interesting.

Chris: That is what bothers most people. An act such as smoking causing for suspension or dismissal of a career sounds ludicrous to anyone that doesn’t live in California - and it is. You are definitely right on about practically none of these girls being virgins though.

Andra: I really do wonder what a lot of newer H!P fans (not necessarily you - this is just what you provoked) would do if their favorites got in a scandal today. The scandals have all happened to girls who were prominent in the older H!P days and H!P has been scandal-free for almost a year now. I’ll just the prediction that those who are in love with Aichan and Reina will proceed to their next favorite with more caution if one of those two went down in a scandal.

…then I think of Yossy being kicked out of H!P and realise that maybe I do care too also. Not only for the fact that if she was kicked out I couldn’t see her perform anymore, like we can’t see Aibon perform, but also for what she did…

Maybe it’s because I am not from Japan that I don’t get this. These girls are gorgeous, sexy and famous. Is it reasonable to believe that my favorite idol is saving herself for that “inevitable” day that we finally meet? And many of these girls are young adults now. The hallucination that these girls are virgins who have never dabbled in nefarious behavior is ridiculous!

My three favorite H!P idols are Tanaka, Ayaya, and Nacchi. And I would bet my last buck that none of them are that virginal in real life. But it doesn’t affect my affection for them as idols in the slightest.

These scandals, even the worst of them, are just so “lightweight” combared to what they could be up to. (with the exception of Goto “Corleone” Yuuki, now THAT was a scandal!) The only thing that bothered me about any of it, including Kago, was that I might never see them perform anymore. And that is the real tragedy.

“Idols should be watched and supported from afar” ~ Morning Cop

But the thing that bothers me is trying to keep them in a state of immaturity. I like to think they’re aware of themselves as people and I want them to be, but I don’t know. Worse than that, we’ll probably never know. There’s no such thing as a real candid interview with these people. Even Tsunku kept his kid a secret! You could not even do that in America. In a way, they have more privacy in their lives there, and I LIKE that people are only interested in the persona and I think most people are not overly confused about that or don’t think about it too much.

I think there’s more confusion in the West about what’s “real”. No matter how much you read about a person or what they say or know about their life, you never know them. It’s still only a thing built up in your head, even worse because there’s more depth to it. If you “fall in love” with someone you’ve been talking to on the internet it might sound less crazy than falling in love with an idol or other famous person, but it’s not very different. We’re all just projections.

Funny you bring back the story of Aibon, i do not know if we share the same suspicious minds but i do see the resonant blue in your article. ^_^

On topic, i think it really depends on how you perceive the concept of idolism japanese style. perhaps it’s the part where Aibon broke the 4th wall between fan and idol and causing mental distress as the fan struggles to balance fantasy and reality.
Staying level headed while being a wota-level fan is very difficult, really…

- Zac