Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan
Inspired by an innovative class named “The (underground) Idol as a Transcendent Existence,” this paper concentrates on the psychological and economic relationship between young female human idols, the aidoru, and their devoted male fans, the idol otaku. The first section of the paper uncovers the ex...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Edinburgh
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Forum |
| Online Access: | http://journals.ed.ac.uk/forum/article/view/2903 |
| _version_ | 1797979020297502720 |
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| author | Ng Lay Sion |
| author_facet | Ng Lay Sion |
| author_sort | Ng Lay Sion |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Inspired by an innovative class named “The (underground) Idol as a Transcendent Existence,” this paper concentrates on the psychological and economic relationship between young female human idols, the aidoru, and their devoted male fans, the idol otaku. The first section of the paper uncovers the exploitation of female human idols by their male fans. While the concept of “idol as image” imposed by idol producers fosters the fetishisation and objectification of female human bodies, the consuming act exhibited by the male gaze indicates a metaphorical form of gender/sexual cannibalism. The second part of the paper focuses on the impact of the birth of digital female idols on the issue of female exploitation. With the development of computer and artificial intelligence technologies, female virtual idols have been replacing female human idols, as they offer more space and freedom of manipulation. With computer technologies, each idol otaku can construct a more intimate relationship than is possible with female human idols through designing feminine characteristics of female virtual idols according to his personal needs and fantasies. However, from a feminist perspective, this transformation of female idolisation or more specifically, the digitalisation of female human bodies, could ultimately lead toward a world of feminist dystopia due to the further manipulation of female selves and bodies by their male producers and consumers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:33:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30556117b97a49bc927b22173f4d4f61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1749-9771 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:33:25Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forum |
| spelling | doaj.art-30556117b97a49bc927b22173f4d4f612022-12-22T16:20:00ZengUniversity of EdinburghForum1749-97712018-12-012710.2218/forum.27.29032903Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in JapanNg Lay Sion0Osaka UniversityInspired by an innovative class named “The (underground) Idol as a Transcendent Existence,” this paper concentrates on the psychological and economic relationship between young female human idols, the aidoru, and their devoted male fans, the idol otaku. The first section of the paper uncovers the exploitation of female human idols by their male fans. While the concept of “idol as image” imposed by idol producers fosters the fetishisation and objectification of female human bodies, the consuming act exhibited by the male gaze indicates a metaphorical form of gender/sexual cannibalism. The second part of the paper focuses on the impact of the birth of digital female idols on the issue of female exploitation. With the development of computer and artificial intelligence technologies, female virtual idols have been replacing female human idols, as they offer more space and freedom of manipulation. With computer technologies, each idol otaku can construct a more intimate relationship than is possible with female human idols through designing feminine characteristics of female virtual idols according to his personal needs and fantasies. However, from a feminist perspective, this transformation of female idolisation or more specifically, the digitalisation of female human bodies, could ultimately lead toward a world of feminist dystopia due to the further manipulation of female selves and bodies by their male producers and consumers.http://journals.ed.ac.uk/forum/article/view/2903 |
| spellingShingle | Ng Lay Sion Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan Forum |
| title | Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan |
| title_full | Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan |
| title_short | Never-Ending Gender/Sexual Cannibalism? Transformation of Female Idolisation in Japan |
| title_sort | never ending gender sexual cannibalism transformation of female idolisation in japan |
| url | http://journals.ed.ac.uk/forum/article/view/2903 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nglaysion neverendinggendersexualcannibalismtransformationoffemaleidolisationinjapan |