003 ★ let's start some fictional idol wars ( forward dated to 3/15 )

[promisedyou]

So, I've been playing this really cute rhythm game lately called Doki Beat: School Idol Festival, and I was wondering if any of you guys were playing it, too.

The two idol units in the game, Mousai and Luneours have really good songs and I'd really like to actually add people to the game, but I have the most important question for everyone here at Retrospec who happens to play it: who do you consider as your ~*Best Girl*~ and why? Feel free to talk about your worst girl, too. Oh, and feel free to discuss your thoughts with everyone who replies!

I'll even start.

From Mousai, my favorite is Kira-chan. She's so small and cute and adorable. She even has the cutest catch phrase: "Kirakira kirariiiin☆" I don't get why so many people hate her! It's so disheartening!! ( ≧Д≦)

And from Luneours, I like Pearl a lot. Sapphire's a really close second, though. Pearl's a really good older sister, and even though she can be rough around the edges sometimes, she's really devoted and can end up as cute, I think.

I don't have a worst girl, though, since I love them all! Now, it's your turn. Also, if you want to add me in the game, feel free to message me your ID, I don't bite.

( OOC: Open threadjacking mingle to talk about the Love Live! Recolle ripoff -- reference for names is here which I took too much time and effort to come up with. )

Comments

[promisedyou]

What language do you think I'm speaking?

Alien?

[truedetective]

"Idol units"? "Best girl?" "Kirakira kirariin?"
I don't understand anything you're saying.

[promisedyou]

Idol units are basically what it says on the tin. Do you know what an idol is? I don't want to start from there but since I'm being kind, I'll at least give you a reference as to what I mean.

As for 'best girl', it's a part of the fandom's culture! By the way, fandom is referring to those who are fans of a series, but primarily fictional series. When you see an idol anime or game, you definitely have to choose your favorite character, and that character becomes your "best girl"!!

And "Kirakira kirarain☆" is Kira's catchphrase! Her name is "Kira", and the Japanese onomatopoeia for things that are sparkling -- or even stars that are twinkling is "kirakira".

[truedetective]

I know what fandom is, and I know what idols are. I just didn't expect such an... intricate subculture around them. There are video games about idols now? How do you even play them? A world of navigating the public's perceptions of you as well as the stresses of being almost physically commodified... I can't imagine that it translates well to game play. I guess that catchphrase is cute though?

[promisedyou]

Oh, good.

There's been games about idols for a while, but a lot of them don't really show the harsh reality of real idols. Fictional idols are a lot more optimistic and their storylines tend to lean more on the positive side. Doki Beat in particular is one of those. In terms of gameplay, it's a rhythm game. Where you tap buttons to the beat of the music. Some of the songs can get really hard depending on the difficulty you choose.

They've had games like this for years, like the Project Diva series back in Japan that started in 2009.

[truedetective]

I see.
If you don't mind my saying, that seems like a rather shallow representation of what could potentially be an interesting topic to tackle.

[promisedyou]

I don't mind that you say it, however--

You should understand that it's an animation series that was meant to actually sell and for people to enjoy. If you made a series that dealt with the actual issues of the idol industry, there would be a lot of backlash. Nor it would be enjoyable for the targeted audience, as it both panders towards the 'otaku' fanbase, along with a lot of young females.

Besides, that isn't the point of the series to begin with. If you want to watch a series that has a somewhat more 'realistic' approach, you might want to watch the movie 'Flawless Azure', the series 'Awaken, Ladies' or 'ALL0048'. Although that last one is set in a SF world but is based off of the story of real idols.

What Doki Beat is trying to inspire in particular is the "idea of not giving up on your dreams or the things that are most important to you", which are good messages to tell.

[truedetective]

I appreciate that there are works of fiction that tackle the darker sides of the idol industry, of course, and it isn't like I'm not sympathetic to works being targeted at younger audiences with a positive message. I just worry it might encourage some people to begin consuming the real works uncritically, or worse, be motivated to follow in the characters' footsteps. That's all. That said, that is a good message to send, I agree.