In a fun story, last trip to Japan I'm at a friend's birthday show. Besides the friend I went with, there are 2 other foreigners in the audience.
So after I chat them up because, hey, I like being social! And one of them has a big ole beard and an Aussie accent and you can see where this is going!
Which is to say, Ladybeard is awesome, lunch after as super fun, and can't wait till I can see him again :D
Great article! The fixed salary is definitely better than average for young women (of course it’s not a set up for life and you have to make a career switch at some point so that’s a big disadvantage) and the underground stuff does seem to pay like other part time jobs, although it’s maybe a bit more effort for the money but also more fun.
I don’t necessarily think the agencies are swimming in money and exploitive, they have a lot of costs and if idols don’t sell well they also have to deal with the loss of investment and effort. Most small agencies are probably struggling.
As an anime fan, I really find fascinating some of the representations of the Japanese idol industry, last time I watched ‘Perfect Blue’ for instance, which is quite old now (1998 I think) some of the issues were already introduced there —although probably with added drama, of course.
But most recently I think the best part of the “Oshi no Ko” anime/manga is the characterisation and insights into the media & entertainment industry: sometimes they dedicate multiple pages to explain economics and management nuances that are truly based on real facts and events. And the core part is the J-idol jobs and related concerns.
Thank you so much for this..i really enjoy your rational explanation of both positives and negatives of the idol industry in Japan. Your nuance is amazing and extremely refreshing so thank you. It's a really tough industry and I also thank u for talking about how the parasocial dynamic is part of the model, i am no expert but I've always felt that idols sell a lifestyle or a means of living and being to fans influencing culture a lot.
And valid i respect idols who had to take other hustles to live. And awesome regarding your friend who find her own path, as well as yours too!
In a fun story, last trip to Japan I'm at a friend's birthday show. Besides the friend I went with, there are 2 other foreigners in the audience.
So after I chat them up because, hey, I like being social! And one of them has a big ole beard and an Aussie accent and you can see where this is going!
Which is to say, Ladybeard is awesome, lunch after as super fun, and can't wait till I can see him again :D
Great article! The fixed salary is definitely better than average for young women (of course it’s not a set up for life and you have to make a career switch at some point so that’s a big disadvantage) and the underground stuff does seem to pay like other part time jobs, although it’s maybe a bit more effort for the money but also more fun.
I don’t necessarily think the agencies are swimming in money and exploitive, they have a lot of costs and if idols don’t sell well they also have to deal with the loss of investment and effort. Most small agencies are probably struggling.
As an anime fan, I really find fascinating some of the representations of the Japanese idol industry, last time I watched ‘Perfect Blue’ for instance, which is quite old now (1998 I think) some of the issues were already introduced there —although probably with added drama, of course.
But most recently I think the best part of the “Oshi no Ko” anime/manga is the characterisation and insights into the media & entertainment industry: sometimes they dedicate multiple pages to explain economics and management nuances that are truly based on real facts and events. And the core part is the J-idol jobs and related concerns.
Thank you so much for this..i really enjoy your rational explanation of both positives and negatives of the idol industry in Japan. Your nuance is amazing and extremely refreshing so thank you. It's a really tough industry and I also thank u for talking about how the parasocial dynamic is part of the model, i am no expert but I've always felt that idols sell a lifestyle or a means of living and being to fans influencing culture a lot.
And valid i respect idols who had to take other hustles to live. And awesome regarding your friend who find her own path, as well as yours too!
I am glad there's hope even in the rough seas.