Okada Nana (Naachan) / 14th Generation

japanese society =/= japanese otaku culture.

/edit:

it doesnt matter what japanese society thinks about otaku. Most japanese people i met outside otaku circles are really looking down on otaku. they find them weird. and likewise, otaku do not care so much about what other people think. its a core feature of being an otaku: you do your thing without having a second thought.
(which makes akb entering the mainstream and normies mimicking otaku behaviour back then even more amazing.)
most japanese people would always side with naachan. she is a 25 year old women with human needs and desires, and who would be so heartless and deny her a healthy relationship with a partner of her choice?
but naachan voluntarily made three major lifetime decisions: she became an idol, she became a member of akb48, a group with a fanbase known for a quite extremist view on rkj, and on top of she decided to represent a very orthodox and earnest way of being a member of that group.
She however DID NOT CHOSE TO QUIT BEING AN IDOL once she met her future partner.

the cool thing about being an idol is that you can stop being an idol, and all those oppressive rules do not apply anymore. and guess what, the majority of your fans will still stick to you.

after all, she wanted to have the cake and eat it, too.

but obviously there will be certain fans ragequitting you.
and if you like it or not, these fans are the reason why akb has become akb.

 

Of course they're not. That's why when they sign with AKB they know beforehand what are the group's rules and what people expect from them. And they also know that if they're tired of that they can leave whenever they want. Slaves this, slaves that... Who the Hell is pointing a gun to their heads?

 

There is no love ban though. She can date whoever she wants lol. So all the men getting pressed cause she held hands with a dude need to relax.

 

Of course she can. Please, Okada Nana, date whoever you want while being an idol. Do us that favour.

 

truf

 

A cynic would describe the relationship between an idol and their core fanbase as mutually abusive. its pain and joy, on both sides, closely interwoven.

(i mean, i have stopped being an idol otaku several years ago, but in hindsight id conclude, it wasnt healthy at all. but i was happy at that time for whatever reason, and my money made my oshi happy, and that is basically what it is coming down to).

 

Oh God... If I could say everything that is my mind right now...

 

It's like supporting a football club, getting relegated is painful but then getting promoted is ecstasy. There is an intense loyalty in supporting your football club and idols call on these same instincts which seem to be mainly in men.

 

Hmmm..About akb can't be popular with young generation these day because young gen are disgusted about the environment. To be frank, this reason sounds MEH to me. I just feel like...IF only you have done some research about the competition in jp idol industry or maybe take time to analyze akb strengths and weaknesses & compare it with their competitors . U wouldn't say this out. (Objection from me bro!!)

And about idol & otaku culture, I would say that their relationship is mutualism (where both depend on one another). If you guys have followed jp idol industry long enough, you would know how hardcore they are. Especially once there's news about their fav idol'sdating, I already can predict what kind of reaction we will see from these hardcore fan lol & as ya know, the aggressive reaction are expected reaction. You really can't expect all fans to act like "wowww congrats! u guys are perfect for each other, I'm going to continue to support you* that's just . You don't even understand them, then do not expect them to understand or think like u.

And If the comment toward idol is too hateful then, law & regulations will be the one to deal with them . U can just continue to support them. Those who felt disappointed about her action also can stop support her. That's it. The world continues to move on

 

Why not say it? I don't think you have anything to lose (unless you would break forum rules, then it's understandable )

 

Just reminding everyone, this is what Okada said during stage play:

"I know some fans are worried that I might get too close with men, but don't worry! Be relieved!"

Few months later...

"As far as I know, there is no love ban rule in the group so I'm just gonna do whatever tf I want to do! Right, Mion? Yuiri?!"

 

I’d like Nana, way back in the Ariyoshi AKB days. Enjoyed the Majime character, but then a lot of new crayies “fans” started branding her in a different “label” and I’d check out.

Now, this news in 2022 should be a DGAF moment in the AKB “fandom”. Sashi was the BAR, when it came to “scandal”. As long as the person got enough of a dedicated pay pigs “fanbase”, they will be alright.

So, in short… A “scandal” = A nothing burger.

Hey Nana, it was a fun ride and now it’s time to enjoy the next chapter in your life. So, I want leave you with this…

Spoiler

Nana Na Na, Nana Na Na… Hey Hey Hey… Goodbye!

Also… #JusticeForMaho

 

I think this is what the true idol culture should be - I know most people want there to be a romantic element between idols and fans, but I think that’s not healthy in the long run. It should be about mutual support, appreciation, and the idol making her fans feel special through wholesome interactions. The way your idol charms you and the way Naachan makes her fans feel special is wonderful.

I know that will always feel pseudo-romantic, and that’s fine, but creating a relationship dynamic that’s unique to idols and fans that exemplifies all of those emotions I wrote above WHILE simultaneously drawing a line in the sand respecting the idol’s romantic autonomy seems to be the best balance. I hope that makes sense! It just seems the most honest that way.

I guess let’s think of it this way: would idols love fans that will respect and support them? Or would they like fans that get jealous over every move? I think it’s obvious…

 

The reason I like idols is because their hard work inspires me to be better and also work harder in my daily life. There's also the entertainment side, I enjoy to watch their variety shows when I come back home after a long day of work. That's it for me and I don't expect everyone to be like this and it shouldn't be like this, people will have different experiences but it should always be built upon a healthy relationship. I love (φιλία) my oshi and I will consume and buy her content and cheer on her. I want her to be happy and to experience the fullness of life. She inspires me and I want to grow up to be like her. As I said it's my personal experience.

And it's totally possible! I have acquaintances that have been otaku since even before I was born and they like the pseudo-romantic atmosphere but they will always know their limits. They are against RKJ (even more than myself) and will defend the idol's autonomy, even if they enjoy this aspect. That's why I can't understand these extreme reactions...

 

the circle-jerky cringe in this thread is too much. as others have said countless times here and elsewhere: the dating/love/don't-screw-up-publicly ban is very real. and guess what? the people who don't care if idols date don't matter and they never will.
"i'm a real feminist so i think idols should be able to date/marry/become housewives" OK DUDES

 

you may talk a lot of trash, but this here is gold that fans can't deny
okada nana winning number liar this year

funny how I said the same things to people who had a fire lit up their bum when Nakai Rika had a scandal, just let adults have their fun right?
but people will get mad, because everyone has some form of mindset that believes idols should be a certain way. Rules or no actual existing rules

could be true, but Japan is probably the one few places or the only place where people(mostly men) pay lots of money just to talk to girls, not even sex, just to talk which is just bizzare if you were to tell to anyone
otakus are just weird people, not that much to us idol fans, because we are idol fans too, but it just gets more weird when you realize that Japan has people who are crazy about things like trains, or maps
Japanese otaku culture is the way it is because Japanese society exist the way it is

 

I feel like because of Naachan's handsome bf, more people are willing to defend her.
The double standard would come out real quick if it's someone much older than her/shady background/not as good looking. Suddenly it wouldn't be her choice anymore - but weird comments about his looks and such. Women's rights just don't work like that.
Handsome guys can be trash too, he approached her knowing full well she's an Idol. What does that tell you?

 

This guy totally gets it.

This guy doesn’t!

Yes, the fact of who she’s dating is also relevant here. He seems like a decent enough guy and is within a proper age range for her.

If she was dating a creepy old man, it’s not really a double standard, those relationship dynamics don’t seem healthy at all. Like when I’m on the train in Tokyo and I see a 20 year old model with a 60 year old businessman, I assume it’s a paid service. Could this old man theoretically be sweet? Sure, but not from what I’ve seen…if an idol was dating a creepy old man, I’d assume that they’d be dating a business manager, and they tend to be pretty corrupt. So I’m relieved Nana found someone close to her age and in a similar line of work. He seems like a nice enough guy. Also, I’m kind of relieved that even though he’s handsome, he’s actually not unusually or ridiculously handsome…it makes the relationship seem a bit more down to earth. He looks like a normal guy. You are right, though, that the reaction would probably be different - I just don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing that it would be

 

no, you don't get it. these idols wouldn't even exist without the things half this thread are decrying.

 

There is no "decent enough guy" that dates idol with love ban rule (though unofficial). I think KojiHaru said the same thing and she was arguably the prettiest AKB member ever and still graduated without any scandal in her 12 years of career.

If anyone really think that guy is a 'decent guy' when he's dating an idol and trying to live with her after few months of dating, you are naive af. He probably knows all the consequences that Okada would get but decided to do it anyways. Perhaps Okada's rich daddy is buying them some tower mansion in Tokyo?

What if the guy dumps her? Then Okada has nothing left. She's completely fked. And how many young couples from entertainment industry end up in a long-term, happy relationship? Very, very few. If they ever get married, I say the chances of their marriage lasting more than 3 years is less than 1%.