Superfans???

[moonchild5]

On a day when I have 10,000 ideas (figure of speech, cmon)  for a blog post, I stumble upon this:

Turning Japanese: Attack of the Superfans

The article already got me by the words "Japanese" and "Superfans," but boy, was I tickled pink when I read it in full.  It describes how Japanese fans (of the band Kaiser Chiefs) behave - following them around,

Comments

[leoatobe]

guilty...
hehe...
but we're not fan girls right?! hehehehe...

[aiah1999]

"In Japan, where dedication is associated with accumulation, the fact that Mika has seen the band over 30 times this year is not the mark of her being weird or obsessive, but graceful and loyal."

It appears to me that the writer isolated Japan in terms of associating dedication with accumulation. Which I think is not necessarily true. I believe, generally, fans, whatever country, show their dedication by buying the products of the artist they're supporting.

As a non-fan (which I think is the writer's POV), the actions of Mika would seem weird or obsessive. But for fans, whether Japanese or not, it would appear graceful and loyal. Fan or non-fan?

The title makes it appear like "superfans" are exclusive to Japan, which is a point of contest (for me). Unless I'm missing the writer's point altogether.

However, on a personal note, it made me reflect on my own limitations as a fan. Would I be as courageous as Mika to follow my favorite group around? Hmmm...