見出し画像

I am no longer needed in the Japanese idol scene in the Philippines

サブバニー

Part 1

Since I became a chika idol wotaku in 2022, I've always wondered if this subculture would also find success in my country, the Philippines.

After all, Filipinos are more obsessed with Korean culture. People from young to old are familiar with K-drama, K-pop, and Korean food.

The concept of Japanese chika idol is so foreign that the Filipinos who are interested in Japanese culture don't even know what a "cheki" is.

So back in March 2023 when it was announced that Chicken Blow the Idol would be having a フィリピン遠征 (Firipin Ensei / Philippine Expedition) in July 2023, I was ecstatic but equally worried. 

"What if people don't like them?" "What if no one comes to their 物販 (buppan / sales)?" "Will the failure of this event ruin the prospect of future chika idols going to the Philippines as well?"

These questions swirled in my mind but, there was only one way to find out, and it was to attend the event. Even though I haven't been living in the Philippines for some time now. It was also my time to have a Philippine Expedition myself!

The event was ToyCon PH 2023, and Chikibro also brought along their sister group from the same idol agency, 姫事絶対値 (Himegoto zettaichi). It wasn't exactly a music event, it was actually a cosplay convention, more similar to Komike.

All my fears subsided when I saw that the audience were all having fun, and even stood up despite the stage being a seated area.

But that wasn't the end of all of my anxieties, because there was still the 特典会 (Tokutenkai / special benefit party) to worry about.

It wasn't just me who was worried about the idols not being received well because a small group of Filipino idol wotaku joined together to try to help with selling the group to other people attending the event.

Some of us, even a Filipino idol wotaku who had recently moved away, pooled together money so we can buy チェキ券 (chekiken / cheki tickets) that we can use to let new people experience taking a cheki with the idol for free.

I think our efforts helped, even just a little bit, because the 物販 was crowded to the point of clogging up the pathway of the booths!

If I'm being honest, there were a lot of things lacking with the handling of the idols by the organizers too. It was clear that none of them knew what a Japanese chika idol 特典会 was like so they jammed all Japanese performer guests into a small booth that had no room for taking cheki.

But all in all, for their first ever Philippine expedition it felt like a success.

After that, McDog Works has continued to have good relations with Ambox, the company who invites Japanese performers and brings them to convention organizers. 

McDog Works idols have been to the other main islands of the Philippines too. Chicken Blow the Idol has also collaborated with McDonalds Philippines to create a commercial. They have also brought along their third idol group, 黑黒 (Kuroguro) as well.

Their latest Philippine Expedition was in ToyCon PH 2024. This basically marks their 1 year anniversary with their relationship with Philippine events.

And judging from their group photo at the stage, anyone would clearly tell that their audience has grown in the Philippines.

There were a lot of people posting their チェキツイ (Cheki tweet) on twitter too.

I wasn't able to go to this event,

but it felt like I didn't need to. 

I am no longer needed in the Japanese idol scene in the Philippines.


.


.


.

Part 2

On the 25th of September, 2024, Uto Uino's contract with Sunkrad will end, which will finally allow 秘密倶楽部 -HIMITSU CLUB- to finally proceed with their debut.

What is HIMITSU CLUB? Before telling you about them, let me introduce you to mememolic sympathy first.

As Harajuku Pop Web would aptly describe them, they're a "Retro Pop Disco Type Idol" and listening to one of their songs would immediately confirm that description.

They had 3 members, Tapi, Uto Uino, and Raichi Shiina.
mememolic sympathy was active from December 2021 to October 2023.
The songs are snazzy, groovy, and really pleasant to listen to especially if you love disco songs. 

But in my opinion, the strongest point of the group are the members themselves. As the Japanese people would say, ビジュが強い (biju ga tsuyoi / visuals are strong) or in other words, they're overwhelmingly good-looking!
Each member could be a fashion model, outside of idol activities.

After they disbanded, all three members were picked up by McDog Works and was supposed to debut in March 2024 as 秘密倶楽部 -HIMITSU CLUB- (TL note: The kanji's romaji is himitsu kurabu) but was delayed since Uino still belonged to Sunkrad.

If McDog Works maintains their good relationship with the Filipino organizers then, someday, they might also bring HIMITSU CLUB to the Philippines.

I only have more worries that pop up in my head. After all, all three McDog Idols that have been to the Philippines so far have been rock type idols. HIMITSU CLUB's style can't be any farther to rock.

Filipinos have a tendency to like rock more than any other genre, so I hope when the day comes when HIMITSU CLUB decides to have a Philippine Expedition, the Filipinos would welcome them as warmly as they did the other three groups.

And I will absolutely be there to welcome them too.

I am no longer needed in the Japanese idol scene in the Philippines,

but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop being there.

END


Afterword

Yes, the actual goal of this blog/article was to shill Uto Uino to everyone.

She's so cute. Please follow her on social media. (And the other members too)

Please wait for their debut. I still believe it'll happen! Fingers crossed 🤞



いいなと思ったら応援しよう！