i managed to find most videos with some searching (depending on the song, a LOT) so here the list for those who want to listen: 1:01 Babymetal - Megitsune 1:19 Necronomidol - あたいの爪痕 1:45 Babymetal - (Sorry don't know this one) 2:12 Onyanko Club - Sailor fuku wo nugasanaide 3:02 Momoe Yamaguchi - Last song for you 4:07 AKB48 - 会いたかった 5:40 Musume - Jealousy 6:00 Kamen Joshi - Genkidane 6:50 仮面女子：スチームガールズ - High and Low 7:24 アリス十番 - 全開ヒーロー 7:54 Momoiro Clover Z - Neo Stargate 8:33 Momoiro Clover Z - Saraba Itoshiki Kanashimi Tachiyo 8:56 Momoiro Clover Z - Roudou Sanka 9:20 Momoiro Clover Z - Yumeno Ukiyoni Saitemina 9:42 BiS - STUPiG 10:12 BiS - My Ixxx 10:45 BiS - BiSimulation 11:12 Fruitpochette - Parasite 11:41 (I just couldn't find this one :( I have no idea what he's saying) 11:58 Deathrabbits - Usagi no Kimochi 12:30 Especia - No1 Sweeper 15:02 Necronomidol - Skulls in the Stars 16:08 Necronomidol - Ithaqua Hope this was helpful! If anyone manages to find the one at 11:41 please tell me, I actually really like the sound of that one ! :D
Thanks for doing the heavy lifting here! The script is linked in the description along with all the videos, plus I made a playlist of all the songs featured: ru-vid.com/group/PLYmkYq5hhTi3w11edGT_JmHXBalcWYN8d
Silly Moimoro Clover Z concert at Anime Expo 2015 wasn't very packed. Mostly VIP hanging out in the front stage and everyone else bought or used comp tickets.
Nabium If anything, it's the opposite: Anti-idol is the weirdness of the Japanese metal and punk scenes mutating the idol framework, partly as a response to the restrictiveness of the old way of doing things, partly as a progression from artists like Jun Togawa and Mariko Gotoh who Sam mentioned.
I don't even listen to Babymetal, but honestly my favorite moment was when Rob Zombie defended them on Facebook and told someone that they rocked harder than that person ever would.
All of it started with Jun Togawa. She did violent gory twists on pop music filled with insect women before people even took pop music seriously. She did hauntology with eerie throwbacks to 40s nationalist music filled with vinyl pops before vinyl even dwindled as a medium. She produced freak-folk about being just a piece of flesh before the lo fi cassette underground got hyped up by Kurt Cobain. She was an inspiration for the Lolita subculture before even street Fashion magazines got their sights on it. I don't know how much people in Japan even remember her but she was an incredible trailblazer and I hope she's not forgotten.
shes pretty well known among ppl plugged into 'weird' japanese music. people who know about PHEW, the boredoms, otomo yoshihide. a lot of that music used to be uploaded on rapidshare, megaupload, etc. and youd get the links from blogspot links. i heard about jun togawa from mescalinedream.blogspot.com/ which is defunct now. thousands of albums long forgotten were suddenly available because of those blogs. shit that youd never find on spotify or itunes because it was put out there by people who loved music so much theyd digitize it from rare expensive vinyl just so that other people could be a part of it too.
How did the subculture get it's name, is there any history on that? Yes I'm aware of the nightmarish novel about a middle age man sexually pursuing a young girl named Lolita, the book is literally why I have this question in the first place.
Technically I don't think Especia is really vaporwave. Just an 80's/90's j-pop throwback group. But no matter the genre, after going down the rabbit hole that is their music videos, Jesus their music is amazing!
Aside from the music, a lot of their videos definitely push for a vaporwave aesthetic (see: No1 Sweeper). I think that's what the team behind it were going for more than 80s/90s city pop but definitely a bit of both.
The problem is that you're approaching this entirely from an Idol perspective, ignoring other popular & influential Japanese music genres existing in the same social/cultural environment. One of the biggest musical/cultural influences that you are missing is Visual Kei. Its artistic theatrical aesthetic is a natural expansion point for the Idol genre. Also, metal (in all of its forms) has been popular in Japan (pretty much from its origins), so combining it with Idol 'culture' was pretty much inevitable at some point. Baby Metal, even as well executed as they are, certainly shouldn't be a shock to anyone who's familiar w/ Japanese music. Resistance to combining specifically defined genres is more of an American sensibility. Ironically, though, some of the most successful 'movements' in American popular music have come in the form of a 'rebellion' to this idea.
Nah, because the movement was basically formed from BiS and Pour Lui's attempt to turn the idol world upside down with all the crazy shit they pulled. Pretty much the craziest group of all led the charge... It wasn't necessarily that their music had to be very different- some of it wasn't THAT different... but they were decidedly anti-idol in how they acted. BiSH has some really pop sounding stuff, but as BiS successors, they also have some of the craziest shit too. And then a bunch of other groups started filling in the gap, taking a wide variety of genres. The anti-idols are the ones that don't act like traditional idols. There are still groups like Babyraids JAPAN, party rockets GT or PASSPO that run a lot of rock in their music but wouldn't be anti-idol... their sound isn't all stereotypical cutesy stuff, but they're positive and still pretty idol-like, as opposed to the boundary pushing, somewhat disconcerting, anti-idols.
no one use the term anti-idol seriously please don't give people misinformation.The term used by westerners to describe the movement is alternative idol, nothing about BiS was truly anti-idol considering they still used idol sales tactics and lives to make money, it was just a new unheard of gimmick that they pushed as far as they could and its spawned more groups trying the angle out for themselves.
What are they supposed to do to make money, rob banks? They were opposed to certain structures in the idol world and deliberately dirty them. They still have to make money to eat and tour and that means the economics of it can't be run extremely differently. I should ask my friend if her gigs are pay to play or paid to play- if it's pay to play they definitely still have to do stuff to push sales to survive. Anyway, the question was why it was anti-idol and not anti-pop... and that I answered... anti-idols can still play pop. Regular idols can still play rock and metal. The anti-idols are those like BiSH who have a song designed to be little more than a censor bypass penis joke. They don't just stand apart from cute stereotypes- they trample the cute stereotpyes. I wouldn't consider a lot of these groups in this video to be anti-idols. I'd consider them to be, as you said, alternative... though that's literally the first time I've heard it called that despite it supposedly being the term westerners use. I googled it and it the first terms are your podcast. Whatever. It's a nice broad term- I have no issue with it. Also, アンチアイドル has hits on BiS, Gang Parade, etc, so it's not like Japanese don't use the term anti-idol at all.
Everything I know about J-pop, I learned from Tokyo Mirage Sessions. As far as I'm concerned, they're all fighting monsters by channeling Fire Emblem characters.
I've never seen Tokyo Mirage Sessions, but that is how I always picture these Japanese idol groups. Members don't really get kicked out because they broke the rules or got too old, they just died in battle.
OMG. I love Kamen Joshi sooooooo much. They are like the craziest idols EVER. Everyone knows how beautiful they are then they hit the stage wearing those masks and swinging those chainsaws. Such a mind trip. LOVE IT.
I never really understood Japan's obsession with idol groups. I mean, I don't hate Jpop or anything (in fact, I actually quite like some of it) but I don't understand the appeal of a group of teenagers manufactured and trained to be a "perfect pop star". Always felt kinda uncomfortable about how strict the rules that the idols had to follow were. Idk, it just makes it feel completely fake and not genuine. Glad there are some groups that are breaking away from the mould and bringing in some freshness to the oversaturated idol market.
Maybe it has something to do with our desire for individuality while Japan is more focused mass society. When everyone belongs to the group and isn't an individual as much as we are in the west, it can lead to trying to express yourself through things like idols.
It's largely the same as why people take Escorts out on dates and dinners, because it's all about the fantasy. Idol lovers are generally part of a tight nit community, have constant contact with the girls though streams, events and handshake meetings, and to them, they get to live out that fantasy of actually being friends with the cute girl in school they had a crush on but were never able to talk to. The idol fills the same role as a "cute female childhood friend/high school friend" fantasy that is represented constantly throughout anime. What I find annoying is the music is just terrible for the most part. Sure it's all a borderline manipulative fetish service, but that doesn't mean all the music has to be tediously generic eurobeat. Groups like Babymetal are decent, but most idol groups have atrocious music that sounds like a bad anime OP.
The vast majority of mainstream pop music in america is also completely fake and manufactured, but people don't realize it and truly think that the music is the artists or bands vision. I actually like that japan is way more transparent.
Art can be the ultimate example of problem solving for money. An exchange of ideas if you will. You are board or unchallenged or even looking for new experience than an artist can fill that need or add value to your existence.
I'm soooooooooooooooooo glad my favorite channel came back. I don't even care if you post these every six months. I'll be waiting. Just don't ever stop. ;)
I've been a huge fan of Kamen Joshi for almost 2 years now. and I was lucky enough to see them when I went to Japan last year. If you are ever in Tokyo you should go to their theater in Akihabara. They have 2 performances every weeknight and 3 each day on weekend. You won't see the same performance twice because every show they have a different mix of units performing different songs. It's really a fun experience, especially when you see how the crowd of hardcore fans get into it. After each show, you can also buy a ticket that can get you a "cheki" a small instant picture taken with your favorite member or members. They are all really cool to talk to for the few seconds while you get your picture taken. Most don't speak English much but don't let that stop you, they are really friendly. Yuki Sakura, a member of Alice Juban, as well as the larger Kamen Joshi group, is my favorite. She can speak English pretty well and is super nice.
Music based episodes of This Exists are always a joy. Partially because of my love of the artform, and partially because somehow, some way, you manage to work in info about artists I like that I didn't know (in this case, The Go! Team's bandleader and Akiradeath being involved with subversive idol groups).
HEY GUYS THANKS FOR BEING STOKED ON THIS I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS EPISODE AND THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN RAD AS HELL. Here's a playlist of all the songs from this video for anyone looking to go deeper down the rabbit hole: ru-vid.com/group/PLYmkYq5hhTi3w11edGT_JmHXBalcWYN8d
Was really hoping to hear something about BiS Kaidan, the Harsh Noise/Idol fusion group featuring Brand New Idol Society alongside Hijokaidan, a beloved (among weirdos) Japanese noise unit.
I am subscribed to over a hundred channels, I spend a lot (to much) time on the internet, and I can say that This exist takes the cake. It has absolute priority over every other channel. I just want to say, I love your work.
It looked like all the camera work was buy Russian TV. Kamen Joshi may have to purchase the rights in order to release it themselves. Maybe they will after all the re-broadcasts.
How about Candies ? They are from the same generation, hugely popular, still talked about as a reference. Amuse was started by the manager of Candies (Amuse is where Babymetal came from).
An excellent if simple coverage of a huge movement in idol. Kudos to you sir. I am a huge fan of the alt/anti idol movement running a news blog and co-hosting a podcast on the subject. You have done a wonderful job scratching the surface, most people stop at BABYMETAL and call it a day. I hope you will look into it more. Thank you for doing this episode.
The idea of idol groups disturbs me. I make music as do many of my friends and when I became friends with a Japanese girl at uni I told her I was going to see my friends band play one night and the concept of people playing independent music at a pub seemed like a completely alien concept she actually asked me if that was "allowed" that's what's so unnerving, people who listen to Taylor swift and Kanye in the west are aware of the fact that people form bands and do shows and write their own songs. But for this girl, her concept of media was so sheltered that the only music she thought was possible to exist was if it was written by rich session writers performed by people who had been Moulded from childhood to be performers and are practically owned by massive corporate interests. It's strange how the idea of someone playing a guitar and making their own music in their bedroom that wasn't an old lullaby or a corporate pop song was even a thing that existed. Needless to say I took her to my mates bands show, a local punk band and it was like landing on Mars for her, but she hasn't looked back in glad to say.
That's cuz her concept of media was sheltered. There are ssooooo many basement below the basement PoS venues in Tokyo... and most of the clubs hold music before 10pm or so. All sorts of music. Here's a popular site for mid-low range artists: tiget.net/ Also, you're at this video about alt/anti-idols. You do realize that most of these groups are literally some nobody who decided to produce a group, and whoever he decided to hire after probably
I'm not sure how I ended up watching this video.. but now you've got yourself a new subscriber and I'm downloading EVERYTHING. It's so over the top and ridiculous it's impossible to not like it!
best RU-vid channel ever, we will anticipate and wait for the next upload and as soon as it's here it's always better then expected. top quality video and inspirationally wonderful subject matter.
holy shit, you actually know your shit! Well done! (it's pronounced KAH MEN JOH SHE btw) best Western-based quick wrap up of idol culture ...very impressed! I wish to do a full length doc on this phenomenon with full length live clips from Momoe to today... seriously..props to you!!
We should just start an "idol" group but as middle aged metal heads lol I dont think anyone is doing that yet....or at least we could do it better and then we would get huge in Japan without trying to pander to their traditional system of doing business. We just gotta get internet famous and build it up from there. Go to Tokyo and pay a camera crew to follow us around and build that hype
Most aspects of Japanese culture are fascinating. I didn't research the music scene past Baby Metal though. I loved the double bass, but the vocals made me cry.
Fascinating as always. Sorry to see your soul crushed by learning you could not pop over to Japan and just do this! What a range of performances! Thanks for sharing it.
This is a pretty good piece that covers the history and a some of the great groups of alternative idol music. Thank you. Once you get into it there is no turning back. And there is so much more groups that have, for example, an indie-pop, post-rock or punkrock music style. Use facebook groups like "alternative idol" or "idolmetal" for a start.
I'm glad this channel exists (pun not intended), for while I'm not that into music, your videos give me snapshots of culture I would otherwise never knew existed, and for that I thank you. Though having more than 4 episodes a year would be nice, don't run yourself ragged again.
This was incredibly informative! I have some music homework to do. However, why are Especia considered vaporwave? They just seem like an traditional 80's j-pop throwback.
I always loved the liberal counter-culture movement of Japan. Frankly the largely conservative xenophobic older population is not doing the country any favors and their restrictive and high-expectations culture is largely what is causing the high suicide rates. It is very strange but highly necessary if you ask me. What else can you expect from the younger generation having to go through all the bullshit the older population thinks they have to do to be a worthy adult. The expectations and stress must be terrible.
While I can agree with you that Japan's expectations are almost impossibly high for each member of it's society, I can also look at it as a country that takes pride in wanting the absolute best for itself in so much as to seemingly care that much about its people that it drives them over a cliff (sometimes literally, sadly). However, I'd rather have a restrictive parent preach discipline and self-worth to the point of tears (i.e. Japan) over a parent that lazily reiterates the "Do what you want" mantra without setting the sturdy disciplinary foundation for how to go about accomplishing that (e.g. USA). It's fine to be an individualist, but there isn't anything inherently wrong with being a positive contribution to one's society as well. There's gotta be a balance between both IMO. Think of it as the "hate your parents today, respect what they instilled in you tomorrow" scenario. (P.S. I'm not here to be an apologist for Japan's seemingly cruel standards that drive people to suicide. I am merely giving my opinion regarding what I believe to be the reasons for such standards and why I think they can bring more good than bad.)
I was going to reply in order to explain and justify their high standards and clear some stereotypes. But seeing as you have perfectly summarized my points I will not. You are doing god's work, cheers.
Thank you for the great intro for those that are unfamiliar with the Alt-idol groups. I suppose I would not lump Necronomidol in with BabyMetal, as the latter have been thriving for 6+ years and Sari et. al have evolved within the last 2 years. Big gap in between. Several others came in between, and yes, you do mention Kamen Joshi, so thanks for that. Today, with my favorite Alt-idol new group-du-jour Kaquiryo Terror Architect, the new wave is growing strong. Great job on the video.
There needs to be a Vocaloid episode at some point. Given the strange places that some Vocaloid producers go to (included references to Albert Fish, Gothic mystery songs, and self-aware suicide anthems for failing and defective versions of the software), it would make a great compliment to this episode
I've seen Necronomidols a few days ago in Italy. They were just extraordinary. A unique experience, Something transcendental. If they ever did a concert in your country, do everything possible to go see them. They deserve it.
Also, little SB69 fun fact : The girls in 7:25 are the sub group who inspires the idol group with a horror theme, Alice Beans, heck they even wear the same costumes.
Exactly. Alice Beans is the animated version of Alice Juban(Alice #10). Created in the likeness of the members themselves. Anna Spire is Anna Tachibana Kanon Beryll is Kanon Mori Asami Rosy is Asami Fujisaki Amu Rin is Amu Hayase Marie Spira is Maari Watanabe
Alixx #10 Hey, that's cool for me. I mean you're really not seeing that many SB69 fans in the american/european so every new fan's pretty awesome to see! 😁
He does not understand Japanese idol culture. AKB48, Morning Musume and Onyanko Club were told that they were heresy in Japanese idol world at their debut time. That is, it means anti-idles which he say. Just called traditional idol when if they will sell themselves and become famous. So, if KAMEN JOSHI becomes famous, they will be called traditional idol in the future.
I've been done with American music for years because it is all retro and not able to create anything new, it just falls back on it's past. The thing about Japanese contemporary is that it is always evolving. I've been following Japanese music for 6 years and doing a radio show and podcasts for three years. There are always new groups and genres to discover. I've been following BiSH, Momorio Clover Z and Babymetal for a couple years but just discovered Anti-Idol as a sub-genre. As an old American rocker Japanese rock is strangely familiar but always fresh and exciting. I am sincerely grateful that there are people making music that inspires me and their not from America. Japan rocks!
Very well said. I totally agree. Japan has the best, most creative music scene in the world right now. What they don't take and make better, they create on their own.
100% agree. I'm about 3 years into a diet of mostly Japanese music of a few different types...idol, anti- idol, metal, you name it. Happiest times of my life musically. The creativity and fearlessness of Japan is amazing and unmatched anywhere in the world. Love it all and love Japan.
Momorio Clover-Z is one of my favorite idol groups. They've had incredible staying power and are STILL relevant. Doing work for Pokemon, Dragonball-Z, Sailor Moon Crystal, and more. Each member sticks to an archetype for most of the time but they actually aren't that anal about it. The amount of work they do is crazy though.
So cool that you featured Deathrabbits and mentioned Akira Death. Btw, they changed name, sort of; search "Desurabbits". I recommend these songs: 1- 恋する季節 (Koisuru Kisetsu) 2- うさぎストリーム２ (Usagi Stream 2) 3- Anger (Can't put the links, the post may get flagged. They're all in their YT channel.)
If you do, you have to mention Dazzle Vision and Blood Stain Child, while arguably not kawaii metal bands in their own right, they still have that j-pop meets metal sound, which would end up giving way to the genre.
HR TheFlameBladesWielder And BSC began as a legit COB-esque melodeath band, tho... Then began to add electronica stuff sounding like In Flames meets Mauro Picotto...
+Venom's Lair I'm not saying they are a kawaii metal band but when they hired Sadew in 2008, they made a sound that could have ended up inspiring a lot of those bands.
As a musical producer for occident i have to admit that idol concept is amazing from a musical producer point of view how they always search a new way to create something new within their own genre and never let it be the same of it, is a line of business that i can't se grow outside of japan but damn they are fucking amazing
I really appreciate that you did your research! I've been an idol fan for years and I love every second of it. My only comment is I'm sad you didn't mention BiSH!
I had listened to akiradeath for a while now, not ever really knowing that Death Rabbits existed. Thanks dude! I'm actually pretty happy to know this now, since tbh I really love Bucho's voice, not gonna lie. The more the merrier. The world of Japanese music goes hard, and the hardcore scene is crazy lol. But hey, nice to know more than just Babymetal exists lol. Thanks for your hard work in uncovering things like this!
Babymetal led me to discover music that I never imagined getting into, including Death Rabbits (a.k.a. Desu Rabbits) and by extension, Akira Death. It's been quite a ride! To learn more about Desu Rabbits, check out the Fan Club on Facebook, and you're welcome to the Google+ fan community as well. Cheers!
Super nice quality as all your videos are. Personally a huge fan of music themed videos, but I love everything you put out. Also, thank you for posting the script, it's super super convenient and appreciated!
Oh, this is timely. This past week I've gone deep down the rabbit hole on Necronomidol. Bought everything. Great video you've done here. Babymetal though. Been down that rabbit hole for 2+ years now.
That was great, buddy. And pleasantly surprising considering I had forgotten that you existed. It's odd the things that pop into your head while caffeinating & ruminating. "This exists. Damn. I wonder if that channel still does..." Like a dusty, old VHS tape of Taboo 2 In my Ma's basement, it's good to see you...
You definitely should start an idol group!! It's pretty interesting that you mentioned Momoclo pioneered this anti idol movement, and that your vid didn't end up as a "anti idol first branched from BiS and Babymetal" thing. Really excited for Broken By The Scream (post-hardcore idol) and even Keyakizaka46 (edgy, non-smiling group from the 48/46g who sing about anti-bullying and rebellion) for 2018!! 😀 PS. Thanks for 5:03 it made me laugh so hard 😂
Hey Sam. I don't comment a lot, but I needed to say thank you for this new addiction. Please make another playlist of your favorites, please keep me informed, too much of this speaks to that weird-fusion-lovin producer part of me. More of this! THANK YOU SAM!!!
I love This series. I gotta say I miss when there were more frequent uploads. But I would say the episodes are improving with the longer make times. Keep up the good work guys.
I've been loving the Japanese idol scene since about 1995, while being a hardcore raver and well into metal, but my life changed for the better when Sakura Gakuin started in 2010 and eventually spawned Babymetal, opening the doors for the idol/metal fusion....
Don't become active any time soon my dude. I'm comfy this way. These are all amazing, and yet more satisfying when spread out over time. It's like top tier internet desert.
