On fandom

[just_keep_on]

An anon on my formspring posed a set of questions that I thought would be interesting to discuss, since I've seen this in both fandoms that I've been active in, those being Takarazuka and SNSD. (I'm not including SM 'cause I don't think this has happened - actually, does this ever happen in anime/manga fandoms?)

"... people make judgmental

Comments

[just_keep_on]

The international fanbase for Takarazuka in particular gets funny, because a lot of us do get the chance to not only view shows live, but interact personally with the actresses.
I think, of the international fans who are able to make the trek to see Zuka live, only a small fraction get to interact with 'siennes, especially through fan clubs. I mean, how many 'siennes have gaijin fans in their club? Also, there's been more and more talk about how Japanese fans are looking into what international fans are doing (and not approving of some things).

(Though, I do feel in-person interaction changes the type of love, less idol-worship, more human being admiration.)
Ooh, this is an interesting point, how the relationship between fan and idol (and I use the term to mean any idol - a 'sienne, a K-pop idol, etc.) changes the more the fan learns about the idol - but take into account the category the fan falls into (i.e. how does a blind faith fan change compared to an indifferent fan) and does that relate to fans changing categories.

That comment about the dub is one that I totally forgot about - I've seen that too, in SM fandom. In fact, there was even the issue of how things can get lost in translation - or *assumed* to have been lost in translation (do you remember/know of "Save Our Scouts" and their whole thing about Haruka and Michiru not *really* being a couple?). And sometimes, a dub can completely change a character, and thus cause fans of the original to bewail the treatment of the character in the dub ... Hmm~~

Care to elaborate about cosplay?

[happy_riceball]

The things the Japanese fans are criticizing in the foreign fans are the same thing strict foreign fans also criticize, like posting FC goods and such, but I realize you're right-- most people don't get to interact. ^^;; Though, if you know someone in an FC, you're welcome to come to ochakai and events. In that sense, I think we have more... opportunity for interaction? Because idols don't have that sort of thing? But... maybe not. It depends on the actress herself, and how high she ranks in the company. You don't get to have the same interaction with a Top Star as you would have with a ken-1. (I don't know what my point is. XD;)

Cosplay as a hobby is totally laid back and fun. Cosplay as a form of competition gets scary-- that's where you run into structured hierarchy, and as unrealistic as it sounds, corruption. For the most part, ranking is built on skill, but when you look at certain conventions (i.e. Fan Expo), things get fishy. A few years ago there was a big stink about the American World Cosplay Summit preliminaries being "fixed" so that a couple of "internet famous" girls could win. Former representatives supported the accusations, and vocalized complains about the summit coordinators. They hated that "novice" cosplayers no longer stood a chance to compete internationally; that pretty faces were valued over superb craftsmanship.

In short, the cosplay community is segregated, not only by skill, but fame-- how many views do you have on cosplay.com? How many awards have you won? Are you a masquerade person, or a hall of cosplay participant? In general, I'd say most cosplayers don't care. It doesn't matter. Nevertheless, frequent cosplayers know who's the Top. They're respected. I guess that's where Blind Faith might come in? I was lucky enough to become casual friend with a former WCS competitor, and it drives her a little bonkers that people think of her so highly for playing dress-up. It's a hobby some people take too seriously.

Again, I have no idea what my point was. I'm sorry. I think I'm just spamming you. XD; Maybe that most fandoms are guilty of judging, it's just to different extents?

[just_keep_on]

It's hard to say which gets more fan interaction, 'sienne or idol. Because as you said, 'siennes have ochakai, dinner shows, iri/de. Idols have fansignings, fan events ... I was going to say fanservice during shows, but Zuka does that too... Huh, maybe it really is the 'siennes who get more fan time, that is, if you're star-tracked.

Wow, I didn't know that there was that kind of drama in cosplay! But I suppose there's drama everywhere.

Nevertheless, frequent cosplayers know who's the Top. They're respected.
That sounds more like, BNF status than Blind Faith. But, hm, is cosplay an action that helps establish a fan as more dedicated to that anime/game? Hrm. Fanworks gets a little tricky - it helps to promote the anime/show/group/etc but it also forms its own community with its own standards and goals.

No no, don't apologize! I talk in circles too XD It's just nice to talk sometimes, no? And definitely, fandoms are all guilty of judging and having drama. *sigh* And here I was, hoping to discover some drama-less fandom. I guess it doesn't exist xP

[arbitrary_greay]

But Blind Faith can apply to any fandom, including fandoms of those within the fandom. XD Slashing the slasher, etc. FANDOM EMBEDDING
The existence of the BNF is the emergence of hierarchy within the fan community, and so can be evaluated with the same kind of politics comparisons. Everything is a metaphor for the development of civilization. EVERYTHING.

Fanworks gets a little tricky
And then it gets EVEN MURKIER when you get ascended fans who are recognized by the industry for their fanworks.

[just_keep_on]

You ... just hurt my brain DDDDDDDX

And then it gets EVEN MURKIER when you get ascended fans who are recognized by the industry for their fanworks.
You mean that Harry Potter fanfic person whose name I can never remember? Did she get an actual book deal out of that?