Cracked takes a look at the jidol industry

[gyrobot]

https://archive.is/4chLN

 

Another day, another anti jpop/idol article. Wonder why no one talked about it?

[DocumentaLy]

I've never heard of this site. And the link doesn't work.

[MoreTokyo]

Cezary Jan Strusiewicz of Cracked lacks the in depth knowledge, experience, and information needed to effectively discuss The Japanese Idol Industry. He comes across as belittling in his tone and the intention of the article doesn't have much too do with any valid criticism or discussion of the industry. Anna of Appears (x) has the strongest understanding and knowledge concerning the idol industry. She's unbiased in her approach and critcism and has written one of the most compelling and effective arguments about idol groups and the industry through a decomposition of Negicco's Idol Bakari Kikanaide (x)

[DocumentaLy]

I have a new personal mission. When I see articles like this, I'm going to start contacting the writers and ask them why they focus on niche things in Japan as opposed to things that are actually popular. It creates a really distorted image of what Japanese music is. Unless fans actually stand up and say something, articles like this will continue.

[MoreTokyo]

@DocumentaLy I don't mind seeing articles written about The Japanese Idol Industry. However, they're often written by authors that lack the experience, care, and knowledge necessary to discuss the topic. There hasn't been much variety or ground broken concerning this topic because authors refuse to discuss this topic with an open mind and a lack of prejudice. Japanese Idol Industry should be continuously discussed because of its history and importance with the Japanese music industry. However, I would much rather see articles written that aren't as negative and predictable in their rhetoric. I think it's more important for the members of our community to spread the word of acts that are a bit more popular and attempt to write or discuss those acts on different platforms to balance out the coverage of Japanese music.

[DocumentaLy]

@DocumentaLy I don't mind seeing articles written about The Japanese Idol Industry. However, they're often written by authors that lack the experience, care, and knowledge necessary to discuss the topic. There hasn't been much variety or ground broken concerning this topic because authors refuse to discuss this topic with an open mind and a lack of prejudice. Japanese Idol Industry should be continuously discussed because of its history and importance with the Japanese music industry. However, I would much rather see articles written that aren't as negative and predictable in their rhetoric. I think it's more important for the members of our community to spread the word of acts that are a bit more popular and attempt to write or discuss those acts on different platforms to balance out the coverage of Japanese music.

 

I do get your point. The whole "Woo hoo, look at this crazy Japanese shit! So kawaii! So weird!" thing is really played out. And apparently this guy lives in Japan. One thing I don't get about some Westerners who live in Japan, is at times, they're strangely ignorant of things even though they live there. It just makes me think they moved there to fulfill some weeaboo fantasy and never leave Akihabara.

[Coffee Biscuit]

I do get your point. The whole "Woo hoo, look at this crazy Japanese shit! So kawaii! So weird!" thing is really played out. And apparently this guy lives in Japan. One thing I don't get about some Westerners who live in Japan, is at times, they're strangely ignorant of things even though they live there. It just makes me think they moved there to fulfill some weeaboo fantasy and never leave Akihabara.

 

Or...

 

Like many people, they just want to make a living profiting off "weird Japan"

[DocumentaLy]

Or...

 

Like many people, they just want to make a living profiting off "weird Japan"

 

I'm too much of a realist for that.

[Coffee Biscuit]

I'm too much of a realist for that.

 

Interesting.

 

I thought I was looking at things realistically.

 

 

Writer A live in Japan.

Only write about niche because niche generate better viewcount/share.

Claim "credibility" due to living in said country, title "omg this country is so weird, I live there I know first hand"

Shared everywhere on all social media, internet traffic coming in

Profit

 

 

People who went with intention only in staying in Akihabara, imo, will find it hard to settle there.

[DocumentaLy]

Interesting.

 

I thought I was looking at things realistically.

 

 

Writer A live in Japan.

Only write about niche because niche generate better viewcount/share.

Claim "credibility" due to living in said country, title "omg this country is so weird, I live there I know first hand"

Shared everywhere on all social media, internet traffic coming in

Profit

 

 

People who went with intention only in staying in Akihabara, imo, will find it hard to settle there.

 

I meant more like I'm too much of a realist to support that whole "Weird Japan" thing. Like I know it's not really true and is just a niche. I'm more about looking at the entire picture as opposed to just a part of it.

[Coffee Biscuit]

I meant more like I'm too much of a realist to support that whole "Weird Japan" thing. Like I know it's not really true and is just a niche. I'm more about looking at the entire picture as opposed to just a part of it.

 

What does what you feel got anything to do with all this?

 

You live in Japan and write about things there?

[DocumentaLy]

What does what you feel got anything to do with all this?

 

You live in Japan and write about things there?

 

Actually I do write about the music scene there for a newspaper there. The funny thing is that I don't even have to live there to know what the music scene is really like. It's definitely not like how the "Weird Japan" people think.

[Coffee Biscuit]

 

Actually I do write about the music scene there for a newspaper there. The funny thing is that I don't even have to live there to know what the music scene is really like. It's definitely not like how the "Weird Japan" people think.

 

 

 

Well then keep writing.

 

 

And the weird Japan bit, I think most people who're not casuals would've known.

Then again, I can't blame them for believing what they did with both mass-media as well as writers with agenda feeding them weird japan over and over.

 

Those that study even a little bit about the county would know otherwise.

Even the history of the country alone would be enough.

[DocumentaLy]

Well then keep writing.

 

I am. The thing is though is that these people are completely the opposite of what me and my co-workers are trying to do. I have co-workers who do write about the idol scene, but they actually have knowledge of the scene and aren't just going for shock tactics.

 

 

I just saw your edit. All you have to do is go to Billboard's site and see that it's not a bunch of weirdness: http://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100

[Coffee Biscuit]

I am. The thing is though is that these people are completely the opposite of what me and my co-workers are trying to do. I have co-workers who do write about the idol scene, but they actually have knowledge of the scene and aren't just going for shock tactics.

 

Just because you and your co-worker don't do it, doesn't mean others won't write about Weird Japan.

 

I mean, how many times have we seen Japanese game shows being shared around as crazy when Fear Factor, Scare Tactics, Balls of Steel, Distraction, Jack Ass have all been crazier at times.

 

All the weird japan things media and writers have pulled in the past decade have painted the country in very negative light.

Also Shinzo Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine also doesn't help. 

 

 

For East Asian's sake though, I'm glad that Abe have recently took initiative to talk to China and S.Korean leader, for progressing in friendship and accepting a common history.

 

I feel that if China and Japan got on good terms, with Russia also leaning East, EU may also sway further East, and world power will shift, and weird japan thread will be entirely cut off, as there'll be more "real" coverage from that country and "weird japan" will end up belong in weekly blogs that no one reads.

 

 

I am. The thing is though is that these people are completely the opposite of what me and my co-workers are trying to do. I have co-workers who do write about the idol scene, but they actually have knowledge of the scene and aren't just going for shock tactics.

 

 

I just saw your edit. All you have to do is go to Billboard's site and see that it's not a bunch of weirdness: http://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100

 

And why would I need to look at that when I'm not one of those "lol japanese music is all idol" people?

 

The second biggest music industry in the world having no variety in it's music is not even logical to begin with, because *gasp* people have different taste.

 

 

Some people like Metallica, others like One Direction, some like Taylor Swift, others also like 80's music more than anything ever release in the last 2 and a half decades. Japan also have one of the most well-aged population, the music cannot all be idols, anyone who think so is either ignorant or stupid.

[Obelisk]

"We're sorry. The Page you are looking for cannot be found. But, maybe you'll get lucky today by using the search box."

 

 

I have a new personal mission. When I see articles like this, I'm going to start contacting the writers and ask them why they focus on niche things in Japan as opposed to things that are actually popular. It creates a really distorted image of what Japanese music is. Unless fans actually stand up and say something, articles like this will continue.

 

 

@DocumentaLy I don't mind seeing articles written about The Japanese Idol Industry. However, they're often written by authors that lack the experience, care, and knowledge necessary to discuss the topic. There hasn't been much variety or ground broken concerning this topic because authors refuse to discuss this topic with an open mind and a lack of prejudice. Japanese Idol Industry should be continuously discussed because of its history and importance with the Japanese music industry. However, I would much rather see articles written that aren't as negative and predictable in their rhetoric. I think it's more important for the members of our community to spread the word of acts that are a bit more popular and attempt to write or discuss those acts on different platforms to balance out the coverage of Japanese music.

 

Yes, we should take it from the both sides. We should report articles that spread false information, but we also should write our own articles. However there is a couple of problems, the fandom itself is problematic for good articles to be written, other problem is that nobodygivesadamn about such articles.

[eyeless]

The article is with remarks of Ricky WIlson, the manager of Necronomidol. Whose really into the weird idol scenes. It can be interesting if you're into weird/underground idol scene, but it's not necessarily represent anything jpop or even general idol.

 

One thing that I've never heard before is the rivalry between Sakura Gakuin and Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, but it's probably just an exaggeration.

[SeeYaWithYou]

One thing that I've never heard before is the rivalry between Sakura Gakuin and Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, but it's probably just an exaggeration.

Is Sakura Gakuin at a level to be rivals with anyone?

[Coffee Biscuit]

Is Sakura Gakuin at a level to be rivals with anyone?

 

They'd outright smashes underground idols?

[DocumentaLy]

 

Just because you and your co-worker don't do it, doesn't mean others won't write about Weird Japan.

 

I mean, how many times have we seen Japanese game shows being shared around as crazy when Fear Factor, Scare Tactics, Balls of Steel, Distraction, Jack Ass have all been crazier at times.

 

All the weird japan things media and writers have pulled in the past decade have painted the country in very negative light.

Also Shinzo Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine also doesn't help. 

 

 

For East Asian's sake though, I'm glad that Abe have recently took initiative to talk to China and S.Korean leader, for progressing in friendship and accepting a common history.

 

I feel that if China and Japan got on good terms, with Russia also leaning East, EU may also sway further East, and world power will shift, and weird japan thread will be entirely cut off, as there'll be more "real" coverage from that country and "weird japan" will end up belong in weekly blogs that no one reads.

 

 

 

And why would I need to look at that when I'm not one of those "lol japanese music is all idol" people?

 

The second biggest music industry in the world having no variety in it's music is not even logical to begin with, because *gasp* people have different taste.

 

 

Some people like Metallica, others like One Direction, some like Taylor Swift, others also like 80's music more than anything ever release in the last 2 and a half decades. Japan also have one of the most well-aged population, the music cannot all be idols, anyone who think so is either ignorant or stupid.

 

 

There are more than just 2 people working at The Japan Times' music department. We write about Japanese music in a way that is more... treating it like real music as opposed to this oddity like the way a lot of people who write about it in English do. It's not this curio for us, it's actual music.

 

I think people treat Japan that way because there is a history of treating them that way because for decades they were the only Asian country that actually had any power. There was an effort to differentiate them from other world powers, which were all Western.

 

I wasn't talking about your specifically, I was speaking in general.

 

There are a lot of people who think it's all idols. You only have to look at this forum to see that.

[DocumentaLy]

"We're sorry. The Page you are looking for cannot be found. But, maybe you'll get lucky today by using the search box."

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, we should take it from the both sides. We should report articles that spread false information, but we also should write our own articles. However there is a couple of problems, the fandom itself is problematic for good articles to be written, other problem is that nobodygivesadamn about such articles.

 

I am writing my own articles now. 

 

Actually, I'm going to make a proposal now. If anything wants to write about Japanese music critically, you can join us at Arama. That can lead to other things. I got The Japan Times job because one of the staff members and my editor saw my work there.

[Coffee Biscuit]

There are more than just 2 people working at The Japan Times' music department. We write about Japanese music in a way that is more... treating it like real music as opposed to this oddity like the way a lot of people who write about it in English do. It's not this curio for us, it's actual music.

 

I think people treat Japan that way because there is a history of treating them that way because for decades they were the only Asian country that actually had any power. There was an effort to differentiate them from other world powers, which were all Western.

 

I wasn't talking about your specifically, I was speaking in general.

 

There are a lot of people who think it's all idols. You only have to look at this forum to see that.

 

If this forum taught me anything, it's that Jpop fans are more than aware of the fact that Jpop is not all idol. It's evident on multiple thread, the only difference being... J-Idols are more popular because one of their biggest target audience are... Quite frankly, geeks. 

 

With Japan's industry being so well protected and not quite accessible, geeks are a surprisingly strong force of information flow.

 

In short

1. Geeks run the internet and love ninjas and anime.

2. Geeks found J-idols

3. Geeks translate content for more japan loving geeks.

 

And it's understandable why more talk about idols than others.

But to say most people believe Jpop is all J-idol is ridiculous, because

1. Anisong exist

2. Japanese video games with jpop in it exist

 

Just from the 2 points above, the fact that non-idol music exist is already clear to everyone but those that're actually stupid.

 

 

 

On second thought...

Assuming you're talking about the other section of the forum. you know, the one that don't much care about Japanese industry..

 

 

Bare in mind that that section of the forum, is mostly consisted of new-generation fans, who're not only young and new to Asian music scene in general, but also follows an industry that is over-flooded with idol acts.

 

That said.

Kpop fans are also, imo far more passionate than J-Idol, Anisong, mainstream Jpop fans... Combined.

Then again, it's the new kid around the block, everyone who took an interest in him will be more than excited.

[DocumentaLy]

I was talking about about the KPop fans who say they won't listen to Japanese music because they think it's all idols and they don't like Japanese idols. If you don't watch anime or play Japanese video games, then you don't hear that music.

 

But yeah, KPop is new to a lot of KPop fans. Most of us on this side have been around for a decade at least, so we're in a completely different mindset.

 

I actually did a survey a few weeks ago to figure out where people are:

 

http://onehallyu.com/topic/227378-how-long-have-you-been-a-fan-of-japanese-music/

 

http://onehallyu.com/topic/227379-how-long-have-you-been-a-fan-of-korean-music/?mode=show

[IceHism]

If this forum taught me anything, it's that Jpop fans are more than aware of the fact that Jpop is not all idol. It's evident on multiple thread, the only difference being... J-Idols are more popular because one of their biggest target audience are... Quite frankly, geeks. 

 

With Japan's industry being so well protected and not quite accessible, geeks are a surprisingly strong force of information flow.

 

In short

1. Geeks run the internet and love ninjas and anime.

2. Geeks found J-idols

3. Geeks translate content for more japan loving geeks.

 

They're not geeks.  More like specialists.