A Certain Blue Idol
I posting this although I’m going by memory. Watched a few months ago, perhaps end of September early October, right around the time of the re-release of Perfect Blue. It’s a critique of the film, but also of the idol culture upon which the film builds upon.
Does the author build a case against Japan’s obsession with idols? Does the author understand what idols mean to the Japanese? Is his criticism of idol culture just a hook into the horror of the film? Watch it and find out.
I think there are cultural differences between the West and Japan that muddy the waters. There are good things and bad things to idols. Certainly, the participants are open to exploitation, but as in many public pursuits this isn’t specific to idols. Certainly, the fandom can be toxic, but fandom can breed bad fans in any corner of the world. Certainly, the focus on youthfulness can be taken read as something unseemly for the olds to obsess over, but the case may be overstated.
Last week, my mom asked why I was obsessed with the young girls in Nogizaka46. I still haven’t found an answer that would satisfy myself. It is a thing that is me at this moment in life. But really, I have never seen such a concentration of beauty in all my life. So beautiful to make me cry.
