This is the second post in the Wota Life set where I talk about the life of wotas. If you don’t know what a wota is, I recommend going back to the introduction post and read that before continuing on this post. Wota Life: Introduction. This is a pretty long post, so you might want to go get yourself a cup of coffee before you start reading.
You’re probably aware of the huge popularity of young idols in Japan and the fact that they have thousands of loyal fans all over the world. In this post I’m going to look into this from a perspective of an overseas wota. I’ve also interviewed a few friendly wotas out there to get an even better understanding of the phenomenon of young idols. Feel free to continue the discussions in the comment section too, if you make it through this humongous article.
I’m going to base my thoughts on the idols and fans of Hello! Project (Morning Musume, Buono!, Matsuura Aya etc.), as that’s the area I have experience in as a fan myself. I’ve been a fan of various Hello! Project groups for roughly three years now, and the youngest girl I’ve been a fan of is Suzuki Airi (she was 13 at the time Buono! was formed, and I was 18). So if we look at it today, the youngest idol I’m currently a fan of is 15 years old. I’ve never really cared much about age though, and to make that sound a little better, I haven’t looked at the really young idols as sexual objects (which, from my experience, is pretty common among other fans).
Whether it’s a bad thing or not to look at a very young idol’s bikini shots (and the like) does in my opinion not really have a definite answer. When you look at photos of your favorite idol who’s very young, it doesn’t necessarily mean you do that for your dirty desires, even though there’s often a lot of photos that might point to that. Most of the times the wota-idol “relationship” is not that superficial. I can take myself as an example here, my (one-sided) relationship with Suzuki Airi started with a very simple thought, “Wow! She’s so cute!”. But that’s not why I became a fan of hers, even if that’s where it began. Besides the music, TV appearances and other fanservice, it’s also fun to follow her career and see how she develops as an idol. A lot of people who don’t know anything about wotas, accuse them for being pedophiles or perhaps gay (if you’re a guy). I’m just going to quote Pengie, one of the wotas in the interviews further down in this post. “If you’re in your 30s and you like to watch preteen idols sing about love and wear monkey costumes, more power to you.”
Now of course, every wota is different and many are much more extreme and sexistic. Whether it’s okay or not to look at an idol for that sort of pleasure is in my opinion somewhat based on age. I mean, it’s definitely bad for me to look at a 13 year old that way, but it wouldn’t be weird for me to see an 18-20 year old as a sexual attraction as we’re about the same age. It’s hard to say when it’s appropriate to start looking at an idol that way, and that brings up another question. When (if ever) does it become inappropriate to look at young idols? I know a few older fans, and by older I mean 30+. I’m not going to say that it’s less appropriate for older fans to look at young idols, but I bet it can give people the creeps as that idol could very well be his/her own kid. But then again, it’s the thought that counts, and if the thought isn’t sexistic, I’m totally fine with it.
To get a better perspective of this, I’ve asked five questions to some of the the super wotas in #wotachat at irc.Rizon.net. Age ranging from 15 to 41 and both male and female.
At what age do you think it’s appropriate for an idol to start doing bikini shots?
- Bryan (M 26)
“Hmm… 15. I only say 15 simply because the act of wearing a bikini is innocent. The poses are what make the shots appropriate or inappropriate.” - IndigoSkies (F 16)
“I’m not really sure if I could come up with a specific age. Maybe like, 13? Or in general, after they’ve hit puberty and actually like… aren’t a young kid. I don’t really have anything against things like H!P Kids’ photobooks with bikini shots, but I’ve heard stuff about like, U-10 idols, I think? I think that’s a little ridiculous. I don’t even understand the appeal of those… But then again, being a teenage girl I don’t really understand guys much anyway xD” - Amy (F 15)
“I think it depends more on the “image” of the idol than how old she is. If i saw Maeda Yuuka (14) doing bikini shots I’d flip out because she’s “innocent”, but she’s the same age as Airi (15), and Airi does bikini shots. But as a general rule, I’d say 13. If I weren’t already a fan of idols, I would have probably thought 16. But these girls have shown that they’re pretty, uh, mature for their age.” - CKB48 (M 41)
“Wow… I have never thought of it… My first inclination is to say 18 since that fits my western sensibilities of what is legal in the states. But I must admit I have a Reina photobook and an Eri photobook that were shot when they were younger than that. But I personally justified it by saying “well, they are 18 now”. But it does feel a little “icky” to buy U18 PB’s, so I usually don’t. My main reason for purchasing “Maasa” (Maasa Sudo, 16 years old at the time) was because I really like her in Berryz Koubou, and I really wanted to support her as an idol. She is my fave H!P Kid.” - Pengie (F 23)
“I think it depends on the idol more than it does a specific age… If a girl feels she’s ready and is comfortable with it at 14, then I suppose that would be okay. But in general, I only feel it’s appropriate around 16.”
What do you think of older (30+) fans looking at young idols in a sexual manner?
-
Bryan (M 26)
“It bothers me. I’m 26, and I’ve done a good job of not seeing young idols in that light. While I would like to say it depends on the person, and probably the level of obsession, as a whole it still bothers me. However, I know I’ll still be a fan of young idols well into my 30’s, so like playing video games, it’ll feel weird to be that age and be fans of girls who are half that.” - IndigoSkies (F 16)
“Well….I think there’s two kinds of fans. There’s the fans who support the artist, buy releases and photobooks, but are… just a fan and have their own life. But then there are the obsessive guys who spend all their time obsessing over young idols. I think that’s… kinda creepy. I think there has to be a limit, you know? When you have old guys in their 30s/40s jerking off to like, U10 idol photobooks or whatever, that’s… really creepy.” - Amy (F 15)
“I think that each person has a right to like who they like. And if they aren’t plotting to kidnap or even touch (sexually) these idols, it’s fine if they like them.”
- CKB48 (M 41)
“That is a tough question… Because once again our western sensibilities are a little different than the Japanese. Seeing a bunch of adult males in the audience of a young female group in the US would be considered a very big “negative”, you just don’t see it. But in Japan it is much more widely accepted… I am not sure why, it just is, and it has been that way for a long time. It works both ways. The guys go to see the cute girls, and the girls go to see the cute guys. But it also depends on how young we are talking about. At my age, it would be considered improper to be looking at someone like… Reina that way. Although she is technically a legal adult. But personally I have a big problem with someone 30+ looking that way at someone like Mai Hagiwara (13), or Manami Oku (13). Ultimately, I go back to the U18 question and the keyword is “sexual manner”. Is there something wrong with someone 30+ liking °C-ute? Not really. But is there something wrong with someone 30+ obsessing about having sex with Suzuki Airi? Yes.”Me: “If u had a children.. Don’t u think it’d be weird to look at even 18 year old idols? I mean, if your kid was about the same age?”
CK: “I would probably feel a lot differently about it, and I probably wouldn’t have all of this free time to follow J-idol groups either :P. The funny thing is, when I go to these concerts… I am not the oldest person there, by any stretch. I see a lot of older fans than me, at first, I was afraid I would be the only person my age in attendance, but I felt more comfortable once I saw the actual audience. I thought “Geez, these people are my peers!”. The AKB48 theater is usually filled with salarymen, although since AKB48’s popularity has grown, I notice the audience has gotten younger… and more female.”
- Pengie (F 23)
“I really don’t think it’s all that different from the slightly older guys who perv over teenage girls in high schools or whatever. It’s just not all that common to talk about it, because it’s seen as inappropriate. It’s one of those things… I mean, you kinda know some guys in the US or wherever who look at high school girls and think “damn…”. Wotas are just a lot more forward about it, for whatever reason. And the age difference does make it, above all, inappropriate. BUT… It’s better that they’re just looking than going out and doing something about it with a REAL teenage girl (or younger).”
Is it just as bad to look at young idols if you’re 20 years old? Does it make it weirder if you’re 30+?
Bryan (M 26)
“I want to say no, but everybody has an inherent tendency to discriminate based on age. With that said, most people would think it’s weird if they weren’t educated any further. Also gender discrimination plays a role. 50 year old women could get away with loving say, Airi. 50 year old men? Hah.”- IndigoSkies (F 16)
“I think… it definitely seems weirder. That’s kinda what most people think. But I’m not sure if it really is any worse to be 30+ and looking at young idols. It really depends on the person, I think…? Obsessive wotas are creepy whether they’re 20 or 40, imo. Though I guess it is a little weirder to be older, because at that point…. if you don’t have a real life then, it’s kinda like, you’re failing at life. You’ve had a chance but you didn’t take it.” - Amy (F 15)
“I think some people might look down upon you if you like idols and you’re 30+, but I also think that at any age you’re bound to run into people who think you’re strange. I know people at school who say I’m obsessed with girls or I’m a pedo (even though some of the idols are older than me!). And honestly, I think you’re going to run into some stigma at 20 years old that you wouldn’t run into at 30, because 20 year olds are a bit more judgmental and rude than adults.” - CKB48 (M 41)
“Well, yes. A 20-25 year old looking at a 16-18 year old… I think that is natural. It is a different connotation for a 30+ to be doing that. Is it bad for a 30+ to watch Berryz Koubou? No. Is it bad for a 30+ year old to want to pursue a physical relationship with Risako (15)? Yes. I don’t think it is necessarily bad to even look at the PB, but if the question is if the 30+ year old is obsessed with having a sexual relationship with that underage idol… that person has a problem.”Me: “What if a 20-25 year old has that kind of obsession?”
CK: “If it is a 16-18 year old? Not as bad. If it is a 13-15 year old… That person has a problem. Well, a 20 year old looking at a 17 year old, no problem. 25 year old obsessing over a 16 year old, that might be a bit skewed. I think the line is a little blurry with someone mid 20’s looking at someone mid-late teens. Even if it is considered illegal, considering the age difference, I don’t think it is unhealthy on the same level as a 35 year old wanting to be with the same girl. Ultimately, is there a part of me that feels that I am a bit too old to be into this stuff? Yes. But is there anything illegal about liking Morning Musume, or AKB48, or Berryz Koubou? No.”
- Pengie (F 23)
“I think, to put it bluntly, people in their 20s are still expected to be horny and sexually active. once you get to your 30s, it’s seen as a time when you should be settled down and not openly sexual. Personally, I don’t think there’s a difference. Thinking about a 13-year-old in a sexual manner is going to be seen as inappropriate no matter what the age. But like, an 18 year old with a 23 year old versus a 33 year old… that’s where it gets tricky. 18 and 23, you’re not all that different. 18 and 33, you’re at completely different times of your life. But that’s as far as a real life relationship goes. Something distant with an idol you know you never will have… I guess there isn’t much harm in it. If you’re in your 30s and you like to watch preteen idols sing about love and wear monkey costumes, more power to you. It’s a little abnormal, and the thoughts can get pretty inappropriate. But as long as that enjoyment doesn’t cross over into real life, and HARM anyone, then what does it matter?”
Do you know any older fans? If yes, what’s your general opinion about them?
- Bryan (M 26)
“I’ve met a few older fans, and for the most part, I assume they joke when they talk casually about sex and young idols. I think I’m a good enough judge of character when I interact with people who think beyond that. I think it really depends on how the person came into liking that idol.” - IndigoSkies (F 16)
“Well. Most older fans I know are awesome guys and I love talking with them. Then there’s **** but I think he’s an exception. Ray from American Wota got me into blogging, I’ve always looked up to him. And CK is awesome to talk with too. They’re both into idols but it never really struck me as creepy or anything. Though Ray jokes about it…” - Amy (F 15)
“Well, I know a few online friends of that age and I’ve never really thought of it as a problem (but that might be because I don’t think of how old they are when I talk to them). And I know these people for their personal lives and they’re not just psychotic obsessed wotas, so I don’t have any bad opinion of them for liking idols.” - CKB48 (M 41)
“I do, and I like most of them. Some of my best AKB48 fan friends are close to me in age. I do know a couple who I find creepy, but it is because of the girls they choose to fanboy about. My worship site is for Ohori Megumi, part of my reason for choosing her as my fave AKB girl is because she is the oldest member (25), it feels “safer” that way. I know one particular older fan whose faves are… Airi Suzuki (15), Mai Hagiwara (13) and Manami Oku (13). And what troubles me is if you ever ask him questions like the ones you are asking me, he gets very defensive.”Me: “So if you ask him why he likes them it feels like he’s hiding something?”
CK: “Yes. I find it interesting that he picks the youngest girls to fanboy over.”
- Pengie (F 23)
“Several, and I think, aside from one, they’re all pretty in touch with themselves, and their reasons for liking younger idols. They don’t make the age into a big issue, at all.”
Who’s the youngest idol you’ve ever been a fan of and what made you become this idol’s fan?
Bryan (M 26)
“Suzuki Airi (became a fan of hers at age 13). I have a soft spot for cute, warm-hearted personalities. But to be honest, Airi seems a lot more mature for her age. So I have to remember that she’s 15.”- IndigoSkies (F 16)
“Well, in general, I’m a huge fan of H!P and there are a bunch of young girls there of course. So, the youngest idol I’ve been a fan of is somewhere in there. Kinda depends a little. A lot of H!P fans are in it for the girls, like the photobooks and idol DVDs, but I don’t really pay attention to those much. Same with concerts and PVs, I watch them sometimes but not all the time. I’m mostly a fan of H!P for the music, really. I don’t think I could really give a specific reason for liking a specific girl. But I guess… if I had to say… maybe Mitsui Aika from Momusu? She’s the same age as me, 14 at the time I became a fan of hers.” - Amy (F 15)
“Well, I like all H!P idols, but I was just thinking, Mai Hagiwara! But I only know her because she’s a part of °C-ute, and I’m not a huge fan of her. So, Suzuki Airi is my number one favorite idol ever. And the reason I was drawn to Airi was her voice and the high notes she made in Massara Blue Jeans (°C-ute’s first single). And she just had a certain look that really drew me to her, I was watching all of them, but I’d always perk up if Airi was on screen. So I think I fell for Airi for the more obvious reasons (cuteness and voice), but what has kept me a fan of her was her personality. She’s really funny and strange, so if she had just been a pretty face, I’d have probably gotten bored with her after Massara Blue Jeans.” - CKB48 (M 41)
“The first idol I became a fan of was Ai Kago… She was 18 at the time. But the videos I was watching were of her in W and MiniMoni, when she was 14-17. I have always been a fan of Yajima Maimi, and I started watching °C-ute around the time she turned 15. As for AKB, I am a Ohori Megumi fan, but I also like Tomomi Kasai, she is currently 17. As far as Maimi is concerned, I have always said she is a 16 year old trapped in a 25 year old’s body.”
- Pengie (F 23)
“I’m a general fan of all the girls in °C-ute, and I think a couple of them were like, 11, 12-ish when they debuted. I really just enjoy their music, and how high-energy everything they do is. The only idol I’m actually attracted to in °C-ute, currently, is Umeda Erika, and she just turned 18. :D”
With this, I hope you’ve gotten a better look at young idols and their fans. If you’re not a wota, please refrain from accusing these fans for being something they aren’t. Make sure to not judge them before you actually know more about them, actually, always keep that in mind whether we’re talking about wotas or mainstream people.
Thanks to all of the wotas who were willing to answer my questions! If you’re interested in checking these wotas out, you’ll find them in the following links.
- Bryan, author of Hello! Ranking
- IndigoSkies, author of Resonant Blue
- Amy, editor on International Wota
- CKB48, editor on International Wota, author of CK’s H!P Blog, author of Chuo Dori, author of My Sweet Meetan
- Pengie, author of Unchained
Well, if you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’ve just read my longest post ever. I hope you enjoyed reading and feel free to continue the discussions in the comment section. If you like, you can answer the given questions too!
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Pretty cool post. I just found your site and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
Thank you Katy! I always post so no need to worry about that^^
Frankly, there is an issue here about child stars etc… (western media hoohah about miley cyrus)
are we sexualising them? etc…as did Saaya Irie when she first came out..
I watched the Alo-Hello! Berryz Kobo DVD, and that made me wonder if they are genuinely having fun?..’
man… the last part at the beach, showed them having some semblance of a happy holiday etc… even if they had cameras rolling all the time…
I am digressing here.
What I meant to say was, I am ok with liking the girls… in a non-sexual way. and my cut off point would be as long as they are mature enough, blah blah..
Juggernaut-22
I think the girls have a love-hate relationship with their work, like most of us do. It’s work after all and they sometimes need to put on fake smiles, but I bet they have lots of real fun too. Saaya was pretty much only known for her big bust in the beginning, so yeah we’re definitely sexualising them even if they’re 11 years old :P
I think this question is very interesting, and one I’ve been asking myself ever since I became a fan of H!P. I was a little hesitant to join forums and interact with other fans when I first became and H!P fan, because when I started being a fan I was around 14 years old. I wondered if people would react differently to be, since I was the same age as the idols were.
But after learning more about H!P I’ve found out that most of the fans are pretty nice people. And are really helpful. I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with being a young idol fan, no matter how old you are. Because no matter who you’re favorite idol is the one thing we all share in common is the love of the music. And if the music makes you happy, and the girls make you happy I don’t see anything wrong with watching or liking them. I also liked idols because they were my age, so that made me feel a little more connected to them.
I watch every H!P concert that comes out and watch all their TV shows and apperances. Because I like the music, it makes me happy which is all you can ever really expect from music. And the girls are always funny and entertaining.
I’m 17 but I still like Kanon, who’s 14 and I don’t see anything wrong with that. Sure, I’m still in the age group where it’s “accepted” but I’ll most likely listen to H!P for years to come, because I enjoy it. I like following the girls, seeing them evolve from rookies to leaders and talented singers and dancers.
The only wota that creep me out are the obssesive ones. It’s not really ok to lust over a 13 years old if you’re 35. There’s loving an idol, and then taking it too far. But even if they are lusting, as long as their not actting on it, it’s ok.
Indeed, most of the H!P fans are very nice, even those who are openly attracted to them even if they’re “too old”. There’s a lot of lurkers though, and a lot of them are probably in it for the girls in an improper way.
I’m also at the age where it’s still “accepted”, at least when it comes to Morning Musume.
The really obsessive ones can indeed creep you out, but at the same time they can be really funny. Even if it feels weird that older fans are lusting over the girls, it’s good to know that they’re not doing so in real life.
Your article is very interesting but I feel like you side step one major issue (perhaps for good reason). The problem of older wota and young idols is a two way street: not only does it have moral issues for the wota but we also don’t know what effect it has on the girls either. Not just the bikini pictures themselves but to have to have pictures taken of them in front of a whole bunch of 20-30 year old men and women for hours on end, is this really a good or a bad thing for a young girls? Even if it doesn’t effect most girls, if it negatively impacts our favorite idol, the one we profess to be fans of and root for, what does that say about us as fans for encouraging it by buying products with these pictures in them?
I know this topic is probably a dead horse by now. And that it would be an impossibility to interview Airi to get her intimate thoughts on her feelings during her photoshoots :) AND that as CKB48 notes this is part of our western notions of “under 18″ girls who should be protected from anything that could in anyway be interpreted as sexual. But as a wota, particularly a female one, it’s definitely something I worry about at night.
Other than that, it’s a very interesting article.
There’s not necessarily a moral issue, I mean you’re free to like anyone no matter how big the age difference is, it only becomes a moral issue when an older fan is sexually interested. I don’t think it affects idols at all, at least I’ve never heard anything about that. I still consider 20-30 rather young, it gets weirder when the fans are older than that and could very well be the same age as the idol’s parents.
It’s not the same all over the western countries either. Girls under 18 are indeed protected, but pretty much only from full nudity. While I haven’t seen any commercial releases of under-aged girls, this is a path a lot of teens take themselves, of course not in such extreme measures as the Japanese, but still stuff that would be considered “improper” for an under-aged girl (or boy) in a western (American) perspective.
Well, Japan has been my main interest for many years now so I guess I’ve also gotten used to under-aged idols. Being a wota of a young idol is nothing if you look at everything else Japan has to offer in terms of under-aged girls. They pretty much go all the way with junior idols, except they keep their clothes on.
I think you bring up an interesting point about how it affects the girls. I think of people like Megumi who left C-ute or other who tried the Idol life and decided it wasn’t for them. But then i look at how they grow up and compare them with american child stars and how they turn out. Its well know that here in the USA a lot of child stars have problems with things like underage drinking and drugs. Yet the worst thing i’ve heard a Hello Project girl do was Aibon who was caught smoking. I think maybe even though the girls photobooks and dvd are kinda questionable. The fact that they have to maintain the image of being innocent so going out and partying would ruin their career serves as a protection for them.
Britney Spears is the closest thing i can think of to an american Hello Project girl. She first came into stardom when she was 16 and look at what happened to her when she grew up. Then look at some one like Abe Natsumi who came into fame about the same age. Worst thing i’ve heard about her is that she stole others essays an used them for her own essay book.
So while taking photo of a 14 in a bikini is a grey area. The fact that she has to maitain the try and stay innocent might be good for her in the long run.
This is a big issue for me. I’m 43. I don’t like it, but I am. I love these girls. They have given me so much happiness and joy, I can’t put it into words. I have NEVER, and I mean NEVER, seen them as sex objects and I find the idea repulsive.
They are like super-heroes or angels to me. Muses sent from the heavens to inspire. I can’t find anything wrong with following their development as artists, idols and people. Yes, I see them as beautiful young ladies, but certainly not as sex objects. That diminishes their awesomeness.
That’s good! Even though you don’t see them as sex objects I bet you’ll have to put up with people judging you before they know you, am I right? I mean, it’s easy to think that a 43 year old is in it for something else if you’re not a H!P fan and know that there are in fact a lot of older fans out there.
It’s not wrong to say that they’re attractive no matter your age, that’s a fact after all and anyone with a preference in Asian women would say that.
I’m female, 25 and married. My husband routinely tells me he thinks I used to be an old Japanese pervert. Yet, I don’t feel bad about my “interest”. I “buy” what groups like Hello!Project are “selling” so to speak. You don’t put 15 year old girls in bikinis in even moderately provocatve poses without sexualizing them at least slightly. Yet, I don’t personally find myself really attracted to any of the younger idols. Hagiwara Mai is cute. I would probably jokingly grope Arihara Kanna if given the chance, but only for the irony. Airi is awesome, sure, but the pedobait isn’t strong enough there for me to really worry. I’m far more attracted to the members of Morning Musume (but not Linlin or Aika), and the graduated members of H!P. Yet, at the same time… for as many shots as there are of Takahashi Ai’s butt in her new DVD, and for the fact that she isn’t much younger than I am… I find myself a bit weirder out by appreciating her form so much because she looks so young and is so tiny.
I think the girls either learn to deal with it (and maybe sometimes make comments backstage like Rika apparently once did) or they decide that school is a better place to be… or their father’s bar… or whatever that isn’t putting them in that position. I don’t necessarily think Megumi from °C-ute left for this reason, but it is possible.
Great post! I really enjoy reading this, got some new perspectives to say when I got some sticks from my friends. I always know wotas are actually good and sensible people!
I’m a fan in my 30’s. My favourite members are all legal aged in my country (which means 16 plus) and some are now in their late 20’s. I can only think of two who are under-aged who I particularly like and both are very cute. I have no problems liking them but then I’m not obsessing over them all the time. Obsession is generally a bad thing, no matter what your obsession is. If I told people I work with that I like Japanese idol groups they would immediately jump to the conclusion that I was some kind of pervert. But most of them are older than me and spend most of their time talking about footballers. I mean they follow young men whose job is to run around for 90 minutes wearing shorts and that’s seen as normal. Takes all sorts I suppose.
I find very many H!P members attractive. The age ranges from Yuko Nakazawa (36) down to Yuuka Maeda (14). Although to be fair with Yukka I liked her in High-King and think she is someone who could really turn out well in the future but I’m not that interested in her yet. The only other under-age one I like is Nakajima Saki. Cute as anything and just adorable. She is also becoming very pretty. I have no problem with thinking that since I am not a rapist. Not even a statutory one. You see I see H!P as a great fountain of positivity in a world turning to shit. Every day I see either in real life or on the news violence, misery, ugliness in terms of behaviour or attitude and generally I find a huge disappointment in the actions of so many people. Yet they are people seen as normal and I’d be called for all sorts if I spoke about my fandom. H!P is an innocent type of thing to me. It’s like how even when the pb’s get a bit sexy (say with Ai’s bum shots) the girl herself isn’t behaving slutty in any way. A huge contrast to the way most western artists are represented in newspapers and magazines. In the west being dirty is good. In Japan being pure seems to be the better marketing method. Pure but hot. H!P doesn’t do sleazy. It does innocent sexuality and it does beauty.
Anyway ultimately it’s not the age of the wota that matters but the attitude. You can never judge a book by the cover. You are as likely to find a 17 year old liking H!P and seeing the members mainly in an unhealthy overly sexual way as someone in their 30’s or 40’s. In fact knowing what teenage boys can be like (I was one myself once) you’re probably more likely to find a 17 year old like that. It’s not the age that matters but the attitude. It’s what goes on in the head and the heart. H!P is a very positive thing to me. I love the music (well 75% of it) and I love the members (well 75% of them). I have a healthy interest but I’m not obsessed. I have enough other interests in life to prove that. Age isn’t half as important as attitude.
As for the bikinis question well it depends on both the idol, the setting and the context. I’ve seen Koharu in a bikini aged 15 or 16 and she looked great. Not sexy but certainly good looking. I don’t see a problem with that. Maybe the answer is “an idol is old enough to wear a bikini when she looks good in one”. She shouldn’t be doing sexy poses if she’s young and she shouldn’t be being lusted after in rough ways either. But she can still be appreciated for her beauty, both in terms of physique and personality. As long as the person doing the appreciating is well-balanced and not some obsessive nut-job. If it makes the heart feel good then I don’t see a problem with it.
Apologies for the long reply to an old post but I thought I’d throw my £10 in (okay it should be ten cents but I’m British and inflation is bloody awful right now).
Good article
It’s funny that alot of the talk about sexualisation takes a literal stance “A person of x age wanting to have sex with an idol of Y age.”
The truth is, that as a wota, or any fantasist you arn’t thinking “jee I want to nail her right now” you’re more often creating idealised fantasies where you’re not a boring 25+ salary man, you are infact a happy go lucky 19 year old again. Probably fighting aliens. With a motorbike. Of course that makes it look all the more odd as you’re aging, weight gaining, balding man, leaps about like a teenager – but they’re just fighting the inevitable blandness of life.
Idols are all about youth and ideals. They make you think “jee it’s awsome to be young and full of energy” they’re all cute, and some are hot, I’m a Reina loyalist – been into her since I first saw her. However I can’t even fantasies about the girl T_T beyond being good friends lol – it’s the same when I fancy someone in real life though – just can’t have filthy thoughts about them, dirty yes – filthy no.
Another thing is kids are sexualised in the west all the time well at least here in the UK – “that’s not true!” You say – but o yes it is – I’ve seen the advertisments on the side of shopping blocks with a preteen girl in slutty clothes and make up, and I just think wtf. Then you’ve got teen drama, of course the actors maybe older but they’re peddling an image.
Thing is society as a whole like to dodge the _FACT_ that teenagers are sexual – they’re probably getting more sex then wota can dream of. But we like to live in this fantasy world where the kids are sat at home playing on the ‘puter or drinking cokes with their friends. As opposed to snorting coke and making babies whilst enjoying the odd innercity gang bang.
Wota are just trying to get by with quite fantasies – sure they’re mad – but hey who isn’t?
Another thing that’s funny is watching the wota melt away back to normality once a concert is over, getting back to real life.
Wota hell?
One more site, like a dozen others, where anime-nerds, who fancy themselves evolved a stage, meet to discuss serious business. Yet none seem to sense the ironic and idiotic hilarity in the over use of a single miss-romanized word to describe themselves.
Is this like Engrish, or has no one ever hear the word pronounce by a native?
*shrug*
thanks for the laugh
I’m not sure what you mean by “wota hell” nor the point of the rest of your comment. The word wota is not miss-romanized at all, it’s written as ヲタ in Japanese but yes, the w in wota is silent, we know that. The meaning of the word (like many other borrowed words) on the other hand, is not quite the same.