The struggle of girl groups with contemporary sounds. (Why is Idol such a rude word for LDH?)

[gyrobot]

With the growing graveyard of girl groups with music as well as Tomomi Itano's attempt for a modern sound being met with harsh backlash that they had to close the comment and ratings section. There seems to be an actual aversion by the Japanese public for groups that shatters their view on what girl groups should be like. To make matters worse The years of isolation also made it difficult for an international fandom to help spread awareness. I introduced e-girls to a bunch of anime fans and they don't know who they are but are familiar with idol groups in Japan thanks to LoveLive and Idolmaster. 

 

It makes me feel disappointed that the song and dance industry in Japan is actively shunning good ideas right now. It's like video games, the only thing you notice are the dime a dozen panty quests with useless fanservice while Dragon Quest no longer gets localized.

[DocumentaLy]

For one thing, Japan doesn't take pop groups seriously as quality music. They're not held in the same regard as a rock band or a singer-songwriter. They're seen as fluff basically. Why would you need to improve fluff or take it seriously?

 

And there are differences between anime fans, JPop fans, and the Japanese music industry. An anime fan may know a few things related to Japanese music that they learn via anime, but not much else. A lot of JPop fans aren't really in touch with the reality of the Japanese music scene; they may know like a corner of it like female soloists, idols, or visual kei, but not much else. I would say the people here are more in touch than most. We keep abreast of developments in the industry. That's one thing I really like about the people here. We're not stuck in last decade like a lot of JPop fans.

[MMC]

For one thing, Japan doesn't take pop groups seriously as quality music. They're not held in the same regard as a rock band or a singer-songwriter. They're seen as fluff basically. 

Not only in Japan, but basically everywhere.

 

The problem with e-girls is that it's hard to classify them. One minute they release a fierce dance bop like a mature girlband would do. And then they drop a couple of super cute singles for middle schoolers. You can't play in two fields at the same time and expect to be equally successful in both.

At some point you need to choose which way to go.

[DocumentaLy]

Not only in Japan, but basically everywhere.

 

The problem with e-girls is that it's hard to classify them. One minute they release a fierce dance bop like a mature girlband would do. And then they drop a couple of super cute singles for middle schoolers. You can't play in two fields at the same time and expect to be equally successful in both.

At some point you need to choose which way to go.

 

Mmm, true. I don't know why some people expect them to be taken seriously when they're not taken seriously anywhere.

 

And E-girls do have a bit of an identity crisis.

[choa501]

Not only in Japan, but basically everywhere.

 

The problem with e-girls is that it's hard to classify them. One minute they release a fierce dance bop like a mature girlband would do. And then they drop a couple of super cute singles for middle schoolers. You can't play in two fields at the same time and expect to be equally successful in both.

At some point you need to choose which way to go.

 

Pretty much. Just look at Western girl groups or even boy bands. No one thinks of them as ~artists~ or takes them seriously for that matter.

 

I can see this as well. One of my friends who's into K-Pop got introduced to E-Girls and said that aside from their dancing they just looked and sounded like another AKB group.

[Midna]

Idgi why can't an act be both fierce and cute? It's called being diverse

[choa501]

Idgi why can't an act be both fierce and cute? It's called being diverse

 

Because girls can't be both according to most people. No, honestly, I rarely see this sort of discussion in regards to boybands even though they alternate between both styles more than girl groups do. Boybands get praised for being cool when they release fierce bops while ggs get told they're losing their innocence.

　

[Midna]

Because girls can't be both according to most people. No, honestly, I rarely see this sort of discussion in regards to boybands even though they alternate between both styles more than girl groups do. Boybands get praised for being cool when they release fierce bops while ggs get told they're losing their innocence.

　

Honestly it makes absolutely no sense to me. And then people complain that they do the same thing all the time. Well, no shit, if you wanted them to stick to one "concept." I encourage diversity in all my fave acts cuz it gets boring if they do the same thing ALL the time.

[choa501]

Honestly it makes absolutely no sense to me. And then people complain that they do the same thing all the time. Well, no shit, if you wanted them to stick to one "concept." I encourage diversity in all my fave acts cuz it gets boring if they do the same thing ALL the time.

 

Same. When it comes to idols I like to see them trying different things. I mean, it's more exciting not to know what style or genre they'll tackle next and being diverse also allows you to attract attention of people who wouldn't normaly listen to you. I mean, I loooved AKB's Fortune Cookie and Uza and NMB's Kamonegix even though I don't follow either group. To me that's a perfect example of why it's smart for ggs to bounce from one style to the other but unfortunately double standards and sexism make it harder for them to switch gears and break out the mold.

[gyrobot]

Same. When it comes to idols I like to see them trying different things. I mean, it's more exciting not to know what style or genre they'll tackle next and being diverse also allows you to attract attention of people who wouldn't normaly listen to you. I mean, I loooved AKB's Fortune Cookie and Uza and NMB's Kamonegix even though I don't follow either group. To me that's a perfect example of why it's smart for ggs to bounce from one style to the other but unfortunately double standards and sexism make it harder for them to switch gears and break out the mold.

 

And to be honest, it is definitely harder to shift gears in Japan for idol groups.

 

 

Not only in Japan, but basically everywhere.

 

The problem with e-girls is that it's hard to classify them. One minute they release a fierce dance bop like a mature girlband would do. And then they drop a couple of super cute singles for middle schoolers. You can't play in two fields at the same time and expect to be equally successful in both.

At some point you need to choose which way to go.

 

With how girl groups trying not to be like AKB48 cookie cutter group disbanding but wanting to be unique enough. They are stuck in this uncomfortable situation. The thing that makes them money is the cute single for schoolboys who wouldnt be able to stand Tomomi's image.

[choa501]

And to be honest, it is definitely harder to shift gears in Japan for idol groups.

 

 

 

With how girl groups trying not to be like AKB48 cookie cutter group disbanding but wanting to be unique enough. They are stuck in this uncomfortable situation. The thing that makes them money is the cute single for schoolboys who wouldnt be able to stand Tomomi's image.

 

I think you can probably sell and make money but it's a harder path to follow. If memory serves me right, AKB's Beginner was very popular when it came out and it's far from cute. Perfume and Flower also seem to do well though they still conform to that idea of women being ladylike and cute.

 

In a way, I feel like some international and domestic fans can only handle their faves being empowering and owning their sexuality if they still look innocent and bashful, like I'm sure that if a gg were to release something as sexual and upfront as Koda's Love Me Back for example, even international fans would be quick to slut shame them and say they're being vulgar.