An idol doesn’t have to be the best singer; they must be "pure" and accessible. The relationship is parasocial by design. Through "handshake events" (where fans buy CDs to physically meet a star for ten seconds) and "graduation" systems (where members "graduate" from a group rather than just quitting), the industry commodifies emotional connection.
Anime and manga form the bedrock of Japan's soft power. What began as localized comic books and hand-drawn animations has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global juggernaut. An idol doesn’t have to be the best