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INTEREST: Voice Actress Aya Hirano Claims She Still Receives Death Threats From Fans

I didn't say that the idol industry needs reform; I was actually implying the opposite, given the industry's growth. If there are enough people replacing those who leave, it means there are enough people who don't feel exploited. And like I said before, those who do feel that the idol job description is burdensome should find a different line of work, which may or may not include alternative avenues in the entertainment industry.

Allegedly three band members, with alleged photos of one. But that is not what Fedora-san said.

Fedora-san wrote:

I would say there's a pretty big difference between 'had a relationship' and 'slept around with dozens of guys at once'.

(Emphasis added.)

Three does not equal 24+.

Egan Loo wrote:

Allegedly three band members, with alleged photos of one. But that is not what Fedora-san said. Fedora-san wrote: I would say there's a pretty big difference between 'had a relationship' and 'slept around with dozens of guys at once'. (Emphasis added.) Three does not equal 24+.

My guy, you are splitting hairs here. Rather than argue over semantics for a gotcha, maybe it's better to address the original point being made.

Egan Loo wrote:

Allegedly three band members, with alleged photos of one. But that is not what Fedora-san said. Fedora-san wrote: I would say there's a pretty big difference between 'had a relationship' and 'slept around with dozens of guys at once'. (Emphasis added.) Three does not equal 24+.

My guy, you are splitting hairs here. Rather than argue over semantics for a gotcha, maybe it's better to address the original point being made. Hirano slept around. That's scandalous in any industry. Her seiyuu career was already in dire straits before due to her disparaging remarks about anime and otaku in an attempt to break into being a mainstream tarento, but then that scandal ruined any chance she had at being a more mainstream celebrity as well because no one wants to associate with someone with an image like that.
Ultimately no one is stopping her from voicing in anime if she really wants to aside from her own dislike of the medium and the bit of crow she has to eat every time she voices a new anime role after all the things she said. But it seems she largely moved on with her life and the occasional anime role is just a side hustle for some extra cash.

But everyone knows all the notable Vtuber's real identities. It's just a faux pas to bring it up or mention it in their community. Vtuber idols still abide by the same rules as real life idols do. The reason Mano Aloe was suspended and graduated so quickly after her debut was because people saw what her "roommate" was saying and doing on social media which affected her own standing and conduct in Hololive. Vtubing is not a free pass to do whatever they want.

Exactly. Idols are born of this obsession and thrive in it, like Hirano did (although their producers/managers are the ones benefiting from it obviously), until something bad happens. Must admit I myself glanced at a 12-15 years old open air junior idols concert once while strolling Nagoya central park, wondering what kind of people could watch this, and judging by the looks of spectators, most of them where 40+ men, so you know...

You can't be serious. People take exploitative jobs out of a means for survival constantly and add the glow of potential fame to a teen/ young adult who puts their trust in management and you have a recipe for disaster. It doesn't matter if the "incels" hold the money or if for some reason you think dancing 22 year olds shouldn't have sex because you bought their CD. It's messed up. Death threats are not ok. Just quit engaging with their work if they aren't "pure" enough for you (gross).

Idols don't need to keep their job to survive. They're there for fame and fortune; it sure beats working part-time at the convenience store or restaurant.

ANN_Lynzee wrote:

You can't be serious. People take exploitative jobs out of a means for survival constantly and add the glow of potential fame to a teen/ young adult who puts their trust in management and you have a recipe for disaster. It doesn't matter if the "incels" hold the money or if for some reason you think dancing 22 year olds shouldn't have sex because you bought their CD. It's messed up. Death threats are not ok. Just quit engaging with their work if they aren't "pure" enough for you (gross).

The only thing I agree with is that death threats, along with harassment, stalking, etc., are never ok in any situation. Unlawful fan behavior shouldn't be tolerated. This applies for everyone, not just idols or celebrities.

I see no problem with an idol production company terminating the employment of an idol that violates personal conduct policies. In fact, this is done because of (anticipated) fan backlash; fans will stop engaging with (i.e. stop spending money on) that idol, and the negative publicity may spread to other members of the group or company if they don't cut ties.

Idols don't need to keep their job to survive. They're there for fame and fortune; it sure beats working part-time at the convenience store or restaurant.

People are allowed to fall in love; to deny so is to deny their personhood.

Maybe there is in fact a problem with treating people like commodities instead of humans?

This might make more sense if the position was self-employed, but we're talking about young/immature girls and women being drawn into an entertainment industry they're unprepared for, run by adults who specifically draw on their youth and "purity" to sell tickets, where fear of retaliation and disappointing fans is used to keep them from leavingーan industry riddled with horror stories and suicide in the 60's-80's because these girls felt trapped and overdependent on their new livelihoods. Today, the lingering parts of that era involving purity culture are still a problem and often discussed in Japan, especially when there is an incident involving an overzealous fan. The problem we're pointing out here involves that toxic feedback loop. The "job" being a "job" is no excuse for anything, especially since we have long studied how psychological exploitation in the work force can coerce people into behaviors or actions they wouldn't otherwise doーor in this case, keep them from living healthy lives.

1. Is there a line between being a VA and an idol?
Can you become a VA without becoming an idol? Or is it part of the package? Who decides this? Your talent agency? Or the industry?
2. Can you become a VA without being, uh, physically attractive? Can I become a highly sought-after VA if I am able to voice 100 different types of characters from gruff old dude to charming bishonen BUT have a look that would shatter your camera lens?