IS JAPAN COOL? DISCOVER
1. An individual or group — mostly of teenage girls — popular in certain communities.
2. A Japanese “idol” usually refers to an entertainer who is a singer or TV talent. However, varieties have expanded to include athletes, newscasters, voiceover actors, etc., as subcultures and cult followings have grown and matured.
3. Idols who appear at street events, live music houses, stores, and photo shoots in Akihabara are called Akiba-kei (Akihabara-style) idols.
4. Enthusiastic fan support is crucial in transforming amateur talents into major idol stars.
5. Idols play an indispensable role in discussion of Japan’s latest trends. Many idols even have overseas fans.
Ota-gei (short for otaku gei )
Enthusiastic dancing by fans as an idol sings. Moves are closely synchonized with onstage performance, and each movement has a unique name in this dance “art” (called gei).
Romance
A dancing movement known as a “part.” The arm points obliquely upward and pulls downward. Often used when the “hook” moment comes in a song.
