Ask John: Why Does Japanese Use The Term “Idol”?

Question:
What’s the deal with the term “idol” in Japan? In the last 6 or 7 years I’ve notice in anime and just Japanese culture that instead of using the term “popular,” or “celebrity,” the term idol is used. Like in Full Metal Panic, Kaname Chidori is known as an idol. Why is this? Why not just say she is a very popular girl. Why not just say she is a very popular celebrity? Is this just a difference in culture or is there a reason for this?

Answer:
Rather than attempt to summarize the history of the Japanese “idol” phenomenon, which would require much more knowledge of Japanese history and popular culture than I know, I’ll strictly try to answer the question presented about the validity of using the word “idol” instead of some other term. I’m honestly not certain of the way the English language term “idol” ingratiated itself into Japanese language, but I suspect that the term, and its use, are drawn from both the words “idol” and “idolize.” The Japanese term “idol” is simultaneously the noun “idol” and the verb “idolize,” which is not always the case in English.

In English, an idol is something adored or respected. An idol may be a celebrity, or a symbol or object. Celebrities are often idolized, meaning that fans adore the celebrity, and want to be the celebrity or be like the celebrity. The concept of the American Idol television program is to become an idol. But in English, a religious object, for example, may be an idol, but is not idolized. An onlooker may worship the idol, but not long to become the idol.

The term “idol” is slightly different in Japanese than it is in English because the Japanese term “idol” refers only to a person, a celebrity, not an object or thing. The Japanese idol is a revered celebrity, and at the same time a person that others want to emulate. The Japanese idol is simultaneously idol and idolized. That specifically explains why the term “idol” may be applied to Japanese individuals who are not celebrities, and explains why terms like “popular” and “celebrity” are not as accurate in describing this particular phenomenon.

The Japanese concept of “idol” first appeared in anime in 1982. Lynn Minmei of Superdimensional Fortress Macross was the first original anime character to embody the role of an idolized celebrity. The term “celebrity” alone isn’t entirely accurate to describe Minmei because the term “celebrity” doesn’t inherently include the implication of idolization. “Celebrity” implies fame and respect, but not necessarily idolatry. Politicians can be popular, and can be celebrities, but politicians are not pop idols. Minmei was not just famous, she was idolized by her fans. More anime idols followed in Megazone 23, Idol Defense Force Hummingbirds, Idol Project, Legendary Idol Eriko, Be-Boy Kidnapp’n Idol, Idol Tenshi Youkoso Youko, Chou Kusenarisou, Creamy Mami, Fancy Lala, Perfect Blue, Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~ and many other titles.

But apart from just real and fictional pop celebrities, the term “idol” is also applied to non-celebrities. Full Metal Panic’s Chidori Kaname is cited as an example. Even though Chidori isn’t famous, she is idolized and adored by her classmates. She literally embodies the definition of the Japanese term “idol” because she is an adored and worshiped individual that others want to cherish or emulate. In the true sense of the term “idol,” boys envision Chidori as a ideal woman, and girls want to be just like her. Calling Chidori “popular” suggests that she may have many friends, or implies that many people like her. “Celebrity” implies that Chidori is widely recognized, which may not be the case. So adjectives like “popular” and “celebrity” don’t express the fact that she is worshiped, praised, and idolized as an ideal. The term “idol” really is the most accurate description of her status.