A study of the Jimusho system
Any fan of anything Japanese (*cough* Arashi *cough*), be it music, drama, variety, etc., ought to read this master thesis:
Part 1-3: http://neojaponisme.com/2010/04/05/the-jimusho-system-part-one/
Part 4: http://neojaponisme.com/2011/07/26/the-jimusho-system-part-four/
It is not exactly pleasant to the western fan, used to our free-market and all. But it certainly explains the world that our idols work in in much greater detail and explains so much that I never really understood about the culture and function of idols in Japan.
About the writer:
W. David Marx (Marxy) is a writer and musician based in Tokyo, Japan. He is a former editor of CNNGo, Tokion and the Harvard Lampoon and has provided writing and translation for such publications as GQ, Brutus, Weekly Diamond, Harper’s, Nylon, Cyzo, OK Fred, The Japan Times, Art AsiaPacific, and The Fader. He is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A., East Asian Studies) and Keio University (M.A., Marketing and Consumer Behavior).
...now, someone write me fic about Arashi overthrowing the system!!!
Part 1-3: http://neojaponisme.com/2010/04/05/the-jimusho-system-part-one/
Part 4: http://neojaponisme.com/2011/07/26/the-jimusho-system-part-four/
It is not exactly pleasant to the western fan, used to our free-market and all. But it certainly explains the world that our idols work in in much greater detail and explains so much that I never really understood about the culture and function of idols in Japan.
About the writer:
W. David Marx (Marxy) is a writer and musician based in Tokyo, Japan. He is a former editor of CNNGo, Tokion and the Harvard Lampoon and has provided writing and translation for such publications as GQ, Brutus, Weekly Diamond, Harper’s, Nylon, Cyzo, OK Fred, The Japan Times, Art AsiaPacific, and The Fader. He is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A., East Asian Studies) and Keio University (M.A., Marketing and Consumer Behavior).
...now, someone write me fic about Arashi overthrowing the system!!!