News outlet Japan Today just released a video with news caster Jeff Richards titled “Why Japan’s J-pop idol industry bans sex, dating and romance.” The video, which is about 10 minutes long, starts out with talk on the Japanese movie Love on Trial, which is …Read more »
Oshi no Ko is highlighting issues in the entertainment industry, particularly the idol world. It might take some inspiration from what just happened to 20-year-old idol Momoka Tojo, who is part of the idol group KATACOTO*BANK. Tojo shared a photo online of herself observing her …Read more »
A recent Japanese survey pitted otaku vs. otaku to see which type of fans spend the most time and money on their hobbies. The report, put together by Yano Research Institute, surveyed men and women who either consider themselves otaku or have been labeled as …Read more »
Uta Kawase, who is known for playing Nicole Saito in the 22/7 idol project, has unfortunately been dealing with an alleged stalker. Last month, a man followed her around, both to her home and her place of work. He also followed her to train stations. …Read more »
Lots of people get crushes on pop stars (or idols as they’re sometimes known in Japan). But how seriously do people take these crushes? Tameny, which is a matchmaking and wedding coordination business in Japan, decided to find out. They surveyed 2,400 men and women …Read more »
Taiko Sasaki is famous for being in the Johnnys’ Jr. idol group 7 MEN Samurai, but his life is not all glitz and glamour. Police just arrested a 17-year-old high school student for allegedly stalking him while holding a box cutter. According to police, she …Read more »
Idols leave their groups for all kinds of reasons, but not many of them are as honest as Iroha Tanaka. The member of the Hiroshima-based unit Planck Stars announced that she’ll be leaving, and one of the key reasons behind the exit is the group’s …Read more »
Idol fans are always looking for new ways to show their love and support. Buying albums and merch, attending concerts, and shouting their love across the Internet — all benefit their favorite groups. But there’s one particular practice where idol management is looking to pull …Read more »
The Japanese company Hiroro Inc. is involved in the entertainment world, including putting on events for singers. The president of the company, known as @itaru9Z online, recently announced, “It’s been decided that an employee’s favorite idol will graduate, so the company has added a congratulation …Read more »
In the ever-growing world of anime idols, it’s getting harder than ever to stand out. Early adopters like Love Live! and Aikatsu! paved the way… but with so many idols out there and only so many hours in the day, writers and studios are coming up with …Read more »
Like everyone else, Japan’s idols are having to get creative while waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine measures. Due to Japan’s State of Emergency declaration, no groups can come together to perform, much less for a crowd, so voice actress idol unit NOW ON AIR …Read more »
Idol group AKB48 released their 52nd single this week, “Teacher Teacher”, with 2,580,513 presales bringing it to double platinum even before the official release date. The release sports a suggestive title, the group’s first time working with a non-Japanese dance director, and 16-year-old upstart Yui …Read more »
Election winner Rino Sashihara. Vote early and vote often. That oft-repeated phrase may be tongue-in-cheek when it comes to normal politicking, but it’s totally valid when it comes to the AKB48 General Election, in which fans of the popular J-pop group and its affiliates lay …Read more »
Idol groups -- particularly one as big and terrifying as AKB48 -- make their fans do crazy things. I still remember hearing news of a guy beaten near to death outside a Shibuya train station bathroom for some kind of AKB48-related misgiving when I was …Read more »
Lists. Is there anything the internet collectively loves more? (Cats, maybe…) The latest list from Japanese ranking website Goo is a ranking of the 16 best idol anime series of all time, as decided by 500 anime fans. Idols, from Seiko Matsuda to AKB48 to …Read more »
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