Idols and dates

I was not familiar with the concept of the Japanese idol until recently when I started a homestay program in Japan. According to a recent article, one of Japan’s largest idol groups, AKB48, has issued an apology for selling tickets to a VIP access that suggested a degree of romantic interaction between idols and fans. This was surprising due to a romantic abstinence required of idols and misleading as fans would not have one on one time with the idols nor would they have any truly romantic interaction with the idols. After angry outcries from fans, the name has been changed to be less suggestive.

Taking the story as is, it seems reasonable that a fandom, motivated by its presumably quasi-romantic adulation of the idols, would be dismayed to be offered something that fulfills its fantasy only to learn that the premise is false. The backlash seems to be rooted more in the difference between expectation and reality rather than what is actually being offered. If the name had been clear to begin with, I do not believe there would have been a negative reaction, and in fact, there may have been a positive one.

I think this story speaks to a common human tendency to love the sensational and to interact with directly. It speaks to a desire to escape into something greater. The biggest celebrities are inaccessible, so minor household celebrities bridge the gap. If I understand the role of an idol correctly, it is similar to the role that drag queens serve to the American gay community.

A drag queen has charisma and talent that may place her on tv, pop culture, etc, but she has a small enough following, that you can meet her, take a picture, and have a chat. Even if you cannot find those direct interactions, you can be happy in knowing that you are important as a fan. I believe this is similar to idols. The fandom is specific enough to be “yours.”

This story is important because it demonstrates how important these minor celebrities are to their fans. The outrage is important as it demonstrates how important the images of these icons is to their fans.