like Twitter and Facebook because I can toss out ideas to my readers and get instant feedback from them. I was posting some random pictures of Hatsune Miku, the popular “virtual” singing idol that was created to promote singing voice simulation software made by Yamaha, and one reader wrote something to the effect of, “Why would anyone become a fan of a fictional idol like Miku when there are real singers and idols you could like instead?” This led to a spirited debate about the difference between “2D” idols like Hatsune Miku, and “3D” (by which I mean meatspace) idols such as AKB48. Ever since Lynn Minmei and Megazone 23’s Eve in the 80s, anime has featured stories about idols and marketed songs as if the characters really existed, which can be a lot of fun for fans. On the other hand, Japanese idols undergo voice and dance training for years, often giving up many of the normal life experiences you or I take for granted to attain their dream of becoming a famous J-POP idol, and I respect their dedication even if “real” idols can sometimes feel as inorganic as animated ones. One thing I like about the Vocaloid universe (and Touhou) is the way so much of it is doujin or fan-generated — much of the music and visual culture associated with Miku, Len & Rin, Luka and the rest are created by fans and shared freely online, and we love the directions they take the characters in (*cough* yuri *cough*). If you’re a fan of Japan’s idol culture, the iTunes Japan prepaid cards give you access to Hatsune Miku, AKB48, and even the hottest KPOP bands.So, which virtual and/or real idols do you love?
Which do you prefer, 2D or 3D idols?
