"I am deeply sorry for causing trouble and worrying the fans who supported me. I was selfish. I betrayed the trust of the staff and my members."
The pandemic accelerated change. When live events stopped, the industry pivoted. "I am deeply sorry for causing trouble and
Almost everything—movies, anime, dramas, games—traces back to manga. Unlike American comics, manga is read by everyone . A businessman reads Shukan Bunshun on the train; a housewife reads a romance manga; a child reads One Piece . When live events stopped, the industry pivoted
The Idol’s job is to provide yorisoi (emotional closeness). She smiles, maintains intense eye contact, and thanks them for their support. It is a mass-production of intimacy. The culture here is unique: the fan does not want to date the idol; they want to support the idol so the idol can smile. The relationship is often described as oshi-katsu (cheering activity), a hobby where the fan derives self-worth from the success of their favorite. A businessman reads Shukan Bunshun on the train;