/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>8599380
What makes their career go pew is probably more management than fans. That said I agree that the no-boyfriend rule is has its problems, but there's more to it than not having a boyfriend for the fans (which is what westerners generally think it's for). There's a part of the crowd that is like that, imagining the idol as their girlfriend and whatnot, but that's not all there is to it.

It's been a long-standing rule in the idol industry, and in a way I think it may have achieved a status where people dislike an idol for breaking the rule because of the rule itself. Japan generally cares a lot about obeying the rules and norms, so once this kind of a rule has been established, breaking the rule is in itself bad. Idols have lost popularity, been fired etc. much in the same way for other kinds of rule-breaking, such as underage smoking and drinking.

Another point is that idols are generally young. If you think the other way around, it'd be weird for the management to encourage girls who are largely underage to engage in romantic/sexual relations. Rather than just being pure sexually, it may also be about doing what's seen as appropriate at their age and keeping a clean image that way. Many (especially older) idols are forgiven for having boyfriends, at least as long as they keep relatively quiet about it until marriage. Tsuji's marriage wasn't that badly receive and her career has continued, Kago's older boyfriend and smoking were a catastrophe delivered a rather fatal blow to her work. One of these was just considered more okay. S/mileage's popularity hasn't been hurt by some of their scandals, while Kikuchi never regained her popularity and Nacchi+Yone were fired.

For the emotionless part I meant in that photo, not Mayuyu generally. It's a shame so many fake their smiles in photoshoots. And for the videos you mentioned, I understand your repulsion.

“To everyone who has always been cheering for me and supporting me:

I, Kago Ai, would like to announce that I have registered my marriage this month with a person I have known for some time now. Also, recently… I learned that I have a new life growing inside of me.

I feel such happiness from the bottom of my heart, and also feel a sense of responsibility. From now on, I would like for us to build an ordinary, quiet, and warm home life as the two of us work together and become closer to one another.

Although up until now I’ve caused so much worry, as Kago Ai, in my own way, as a 23 year old woman, a wife, and a mother, for the time being I want to fully embrace and treasure this happiness.

I would be truly happy if you continued to watch over me warmly from now on as well.“