Idols are Japanese entertainers who usually perform musical dance numbers and are most often traditionally attractive. The term was coined in Japan, and while the Japanese idol industry remains one of the largest and most blatant industries of its kind, similar industries and practices exist internationally. While idols are typically packaged with hilarious personas and wrapped in equally hilarious marketing, various sources expose the harsh realities of idol culture.
Idols are regularly overworked, underpaid, harassed by those in power and by their fans, and forced to change their personalities and appearances to suit the whims of society. If you’re interested in media that ponders and parodies issues, here are six anime titles you should check out.
6/6 back street girls
The title may make viewers think of a particular American vocal group, but the similarities end there. back street girls It centers on three yakuza men who, after committing a colossal mistake, are forced by their leader to choose between losing their lives or undergoing sex change surgery to become idols.
The trio chose the latter, with new idols tackling new careers and struggling to embody the bubbly idol personalities expected of them, constantly becoming (often even physically) stereotypically masculine selves. From there comes a dark and funny mess as you make your way back. back street girls is comedic in nature, but satirizes the poor living conditions, high demands, and strict controls that idols routinely face.
5/6 Aggretsuko
The eponymous protagonist of this slice-of-life comedy, Retsuko, was actually developed by Sanrio, best known for its creation and mascot Hello Kitty. Originally titled Aggressive Retsuko, the series is by no means an idol anime, but the third season features the story of an idol girlfriend. Retsuko is indebted to an ambitious idol group and their menacing manager, becoming an idol herself when her passion for death metal becomes an asset to the team.
Retsuko quickly became attached to the group and performed together as a creative outlet, Aggretsuko Reveal the dark side of idol life. Retsuko eventually becomes a victim of harassment, stalking, doxxing, and even physical attacks, leaving her traumatized and forced to quit her idol group.
4/6 zombieland saga
zombieland saga puts a unique twist on idol conventions by starring a recently revived zombie and compromising idol group that contrasts with the cute nature associated with idols. profess to be. The anime engages in some wordplay, and the term “Saga” in the title explains how the anime captures both the zombie chronicle and its setting in Saga Prefecture, Japan, and the idol group The name Franchouchou refers to the Japanese term Franchouchou. , which translates to “Rotting Smell Group” in a morbid but humorous nod to the group consisting of reanimated corpses.
The idols are forced to hide their identities as performance dead, rubbing makeup over their degraded skin and dismissing their occasional drooping appendages as “special effects.” These antics are usually comical, but are easily digestible by the general public as they reflect the reality that an idol’s true personality must exist behind a socially acceptable mask.
If viewers have ever wanted to see another version ghost in the shellMotoko Kusanagi is an idol, not a public security, key the metal idol This is the genre-bending anime for you. The ’90s series revolves around Tokiko, who commute with a robot “Kee” created by her surrogate grandfather, Dr. Mima. He reveals to Key that if he can get friends, he can become human. Decided to become an idol myself.
key the metal idol Its fictional world itself and the way its fictional elements symbolize and reflect the stark realities of idol culture are particularly bleak. I constantly run into people who are eager.
2/6 perfect blue
perfect blue It is the most iconic entry in Japanese horror anime and portrayal of idol culture to date. The film touches on the very common issues idols face of stalking, harassment and predatory behavior from obsessive fans, but its main focus is , idol culture, and by extension, the artificial personas that fans force idols to adopt.
With the theme of self-identity and the distinction between reality and fantasy, perfect blueIt depicts Mima’s battle as well as her battle with stalkers and murderers.
1/6 Wake up, girls!
In a desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy, a small production company is set up and the show’s title idol group debuts in this cutout anime from life. Wake up, girls! There are no fantastical tropes or sensational scenarios that satirize idol culture, instead it clearly depicts the average life of an ambitious idol in all its unglamorous glory.
Like most newly debuted idols, the girls train incredibly hard, work hard to build a fan base, get at the mercy of their managers and production teams, and try to get attention and make money. It’s an undeniably ugly business, but the girls are incredibly passionate and determined to make their dreams come true, which is why they come out on top. I can’t help but support this.
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