[DeepL Translation - needs review] By organizing past research trends and introducing the latest research cases and practices, the significance and possibilities of conducting idol research in the academic field are shown. It provides all those interested in idol studies/fan studies with perspectives, ways to formulate questions, and methods for rethinking society from the perspective of cultural phenomena.
(Translator: DeepL)
Deep dive into the history, modern state and future of idol studies
After having read Sakakura's exploration of the artificiality of AKB48 lyrics, performative characters and large-scale exploitation of young people in the 2014 AKB48とブラック企業, I was very excited to jump into this one, as it promised a more broad coverage of the idol industry. I can't say I was disappointed.
The writing was less dense than I had expected from an academic work such as this, though of course I can only comfortably recommend this to readers who are somewhere in the N2-N1 range, othe