The idol phenomenon began during the early seventies and this reflected increasingly materialistic and richer Japanese youths. Teenage girls, mostly between 14 and 16, began rising to stardom. One in particular, Momoe Yamaguchi, was a huge star until her retirement for marriage in 1980. Idols dominated the pop music scene in the 80s; and this period is known as the "Golden Age of Idols in Japan". In a single year, as many as 40 or 50 new idols could appear, only to disappear from the public spotlight shortly afterwards. A few idols from that ...

See also:

Japanese idol, Japanese idol - History, Japanese idol - Culture, Japanese idol - Theory, Japanese idol - List of Japanese idols

Read more here: » Japanese idol: Encyclopedia II - Japanese idol - History

Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎 あゆみ Hamasaki Ayumi, born October 2, 1978) is a Japanese pop singer and Japanese idol originally from Fukuoka. In Japan, she is commonly called by her nickname Ayu. To this date, she has released seven full-length studio albums, one mini-album, two compilation albums, and 38 singles. She officially debuted in 1998 with her single poker face. She is the first Japanese artist to have her first original seven studio albums top the charts. Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography. Including:

• Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career
• Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist
• Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY
• Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols
• Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A
• Ayumi Hamasaki - M
• Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A
• Ayumi Hamasaki - H
• Ayumi Hamasaki - &
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography
• Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film
• Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs
• Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio
• Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia - Ayumi Hamasaki

The term idol originates from the Greek eidolon: Something visible but without substance, a hollow form. It derives from Greek eid-, videre, to see, and is also related to eidos, a figure and eidea, an idea or imagination. Idol is used in various contexts: In religion, idols are man-made worshipped articles; their worship is called idolatry, the worship of hollow forms. The term was used by the Jewish historian Josephus. In the New Testament it is used to refer to he ...

Read more here: » Idol: Encyclopedia - Idol

Although Ayumi lived with her mother, she was primarily raised by her grandmother. She has vague recollections of her father as he left the family at around the time she was two, and she has not seen him since. She grew up in a very liberal household where she was expected to do what was right for her without her mother intervening in her affairs, since her mother was always out working to support the family. In her youth, Hamasaki started her modeling career as a model for a local bank. During high school, she was considered a delinq ...

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography

Kadena is a female Japanese idol who is distinguished by her innocent appearance and large breasts. Earlier in her career she did nude photoshoots, but since becoming more famous she no longer does nude photoshoots or videos. Her current videos and photobooks largely feature her in costumes, bikinis or underwear. ...

See also:

Reon Kadena, Reon Kadena - Profile, Reon Kadena - Filmography

Read more here: » Reon Kadena: Encyclopedia II - Reon Kadena - Profile

At the age of 15, Amuro, along with a group of classmates, formed the pop group known as the Super Monkeys. Although moderately successful in their home prefecture, Okinawa, a move to Tokyo (presumably at the behest of their record label, Toshiba EMI) garnered more exposure for the Super Monkeys, and Namie in particular, so much that the group came to be known as 'Namie Amuro with Super Monkeys'. Namie soon embarked on a solo career, in the process moving from Toshiba EMI to the avex trax label (also home of popular Japanese acts such ...

See also:

Namie Amuro, Namie Amuro - Biography, Namie Amuro - Discography, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Compilation Albums, Namie Amuro - DVD-Audio Releases, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Collaborative Releases, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Concerts & Tours, Namie Amuro - Filmography, Namie Amuro - Extra Information

Read more here: » Namie Amuro: Encyclopedia II - Namie Amuro - Biography

In Megatokyo, Japanese names are written in Japanese order, with the family name before the given name. The first feature of Megatokyo (a "DPD") which revealed a character's full name had that character's name written in our Western order. However, the first time a full Japanese name was mentioned in the actual comic, it was written with Japanese order. Most of the characters in Megatokyo speak English and Japanese (indicated with < >), or L33t (subtitled). Not every character speaks every language, so oc ...

See also:

Characters of Megatokyo, Characters of Megatokyo - Main characters, Characters of Megatokyo - Piro, Characters of Megatokyo - Largo, Characters of Megatokyo - Hayasaka Erika, Characters of Megatokyo - Nanasawa Kimiko, Characters of Megatokyo - Ping, Characters of Megatokyo - Tohya Miho, Characters of Megatokyo - Seraphim, Characters of Megatokyo - Boo, Characters of Megatokyo - Asmodeus, Characters of Megatokyo - Junpei, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Yuki, Characters of Megatokyo - Groups and minor characters, Characters of Megatokyo - Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Masamichi, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Yuuji, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Meimi, Characters of Megatokyo - Hayasaka Erika Fan Club AKA The Fanboy Horde, Characters of Megatokyo - Rent-a-Zilla, Characters of Megatokyo - Zombies, Characters of Megatokyo - Ph34rbots, Characters of Megatokyo - John Romero, Characters of Megatokyo - L33T d00d, Characters of Megatokyo - Asako and Mami, Characters of Megatokyo - Junko, Characters of Megatokyo - Tsubasa, Characters of Megatokyo - Shirt Guy Dom, Characters of Megatokyo - Ed, Characters of Megatokyo - Yanagisawa, Characters of Megatokyo - Alternate Universes and Omake Theatre, Characters of Megatokyo - Endgames, Characters of Megatokyo - Quake style games, Characters of Megatokyo - Omake Theatre

Read more here: » Characters of Megatokyo: Encyclopedia II - Characters of Megatokyo - Main characters

Although Ayumi lived with her mother, she was primarily raised by her grandmother. She has vague recollections of her father as he left the family at around the time she was two, and she has not seen him since. She grew up in a very liberal household where she was expected to do what was right for her without her mother intervening in her affairs, since her mother was always out working to support the family. In her youth, Hamasaki started her modeling career as a model for a local bank. During high school, she was considered a delinq ...

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - H, Ayumi Hamasaki - &, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography

An established celebrity among Japanese television, Takashi Fujii's is most active as an actor and a comedic host. Takashi Fujii - Matthew Minami. As Matthew Minami, his trademark blonde wig and garish suits complement his effeminate but wacky personality. Apparently, his image is meant to parody a homosexual westerner. In the western world, and particularly the United States, he is perhaps most famous for his appearance (as Matthew Minami, hosting his own show) with Bill Murray's character Bo ...

See also:

Takashi Fujii, Takashi Fujii - Acting Career, Takashi Fujii - Matthew Minami, Takashi Fujii - Himself, Takashi Fujii - Now Showing, Takashi Fujii - Past Appearances, Takashi Fujii - Music Career, Takashi Fujii - Discography, Takashi Fujii - Singles, Takashi Fujii - Albums

Read more here: » Takashi Fujii: Encyclopedia II - Takashi Fujii - Acting Career

Namie Amuro - Singles. Koi no CUTE BEAT / Mr. USA 恋のキュート・ビート / ミスターU.S.A (SUPER MONKEY'S) (16 September 1992) DANCING JUNK ダンシング・ジャンク (SUPER MONKEY'S 4) (26 May 1993) Aishite MASUKATTO 愛してマスカット (5 November 1993) PARADISE TRAIN パラダイス・トライン (Namie Amuro with SUPER MONKEY'S (20 July 1994) TRY ME ~Watashi wo Shinjite~ TRY ME ～私を信じて～ (Namie Amuro with SUPER MONKEY'S) (25 January 19 ...

See also:

Namie Amuro, Namie Amuro - Biography, Namie Amuro - Discography, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Compilation Albums, Namie Amuro - DVD-Audio Releases, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Collaborative Releases, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Concerts & Tours, Namie Amuro - Filmography, Namie Amuro - Extra Information

Read more here: » Namie Amuro: Encyclopedia II - Namie Amuro - Discography

Namie Amuro - Singles. Sister Rabbits / Issun Momo Kintarou (1 June 1995) TK Family / YOU ARE THE ONE (1 January 1997) NAMIE AMURO & VERBAL (of m-flo) / lovin' it (27 December 2001) SUITE CHIC / GOOD LIFE feat. FIRSTKLAS / Just Say So (18 December 2002) SUITE CHIC / "Uh Uh,,,,,," feat. AI / baby be mine (5 February 2003) Namie Amuro - Albums. SUITE CHIC / WHEN POP HITS THE FAN ( ...

See also:

Namie Amuro, Namie Amuro - Biography, Namie Amuro - Discography, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Compilation Albums, Namie Amuro - DVD-Audio Releases, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Collaborative Releases, Namie Amuro - Singles, Namie Amuro - Albums, Namie Amuro - Videos, Namie Amuro - Concerts & Tours, Namie Amuro - Filmography, Namie Amuro - Extra Information

Read more here: » Namie Amuro: Encyclopedia II - Namie Amuro - Collaborative Releases

Ayumi Hamasaki uses a symbol to represent her name. Usually, when typed, the symbols are just replaced with the letters A, M, and H. Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A. The first time she used a symbol for a title was her eleventh single A. The strokes of the symbol represented the a-sides of the single - monochrome, Trauma, too late, and End roll. This is the only context that this symbol has only been used in, and she ceased to use this symbol after the invention of the second A.

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols

Ayumi Hamasaki uses a symbol to represent her name. Usually, when typed, the symbols are just replaced with the letters A, M, and H. Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A. The first time she used a symbol for a title was her eleventh single A. The strokes of the symbol represented the a-sides of the single - monochrome, Trauma, too late, and End roll. This is the only context that this symbol has only been used in, and she ceased to use this symbol after the invention of the second A.

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - H, Ayumi Hamasaki - &, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols

Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips. A Film for XX (15 September 1999) A clips (23 February 2000) HAMASAKI AYUMI (29 March 2000) vogue Far away SEASONS (20 September 2000) SURREAL (13 December 2000) M (7 February 2001) evolution (13 June 2001) A clips vol.2 (13 March 2002) ayumi hamasaki COMPLETE CLIP BOX A (25 February 2004) Moments (31 March 2004) INSPIRE (28 July 2004) CAROLS (29 September 2004) STEP you/ ...

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD

Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips. A Film for XX (15 September 1999) A clips (23 February 2000) HAMASAKI AYUMI (29 March 2000) vogue Far away SEASONS (20 September 2000) SURREAL (13 December 2000) M (7 February 2001) evolution (13 June 2001) A clips vol.2 (13 March 2002) ayumi hamasaki COMPLETE CLIP BOX A (25 February 2004) Moments (31 March 2004) INSPIRE (28 July 2004) CAROLS (29 September 2004) STEP you/ ...

See also:

Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki - Biography, Ayumi Hamasaki - Idol Career, Ayumi Hamasaki - As an Artist, Ayumi Hamasaki - NOTHING FROM NOTHING Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A Song for XX to LOVEppears Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - A BEST to I am... Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - RAINBOW to A BALLADS Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Memorial address to MY STORY, Ayumi Hamasaki - missunderstood Era, Ayumi Hamasaki - Symbols, Ayumi Hamasaki - The first A, Ayumi Hamasaki - M, Ayumi Hamasaki - The second A, Ayumi Hamasaki - H, Ayumi Hamasaki - &, Ayumi Hamasaki - Discography, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki - Video Clips, Ayumi Hamasaki - Short Film, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVDs, Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD Audio, Ayumi Hamasaki - OTHERS

Read more here: » Ayumi Hamasaki: Encyclopedia II - Ayumi Hamasaki - DVD

Characters of Megatokyo - Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division. A division of the Tokyo police force that monitors and ensures that riots, monster attacks, zombie hoards and other large disasters occur in an easy and manageable fashion. Also responsible for scheduling said disasters. They use multiple high tech weapons, including: Giant robots (primarily Mechs), giant lizards and orbiting laser satellites, and often sport conventional weaponry. Largo was once a member of the TPCD until he was fired for failing to stop a horde of fanboys from swarming a store.See also:

Characters of Megatokyo, Characters of Megatokyo - Main characters, Characters of Megatokyo - Piro, Characters of Megatokyo - Largo, Characters of Megatokyo - Hayasaka Erika, Characters of Megatokyo - Nanasawa Kimiko, Characters of Megatokyo - Ping, Characters of Megatokyo - Tohya Miho, Characters of Megatokyo - Seraphim, Characters of Megatokyo - Boo, Characters of Megatokyo - Asmodeus, Characters of Megatokyo - Junpei, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Yuki, Characters of Megatokyo - Groups and minor characters, Characters of Megatokyo - Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Masamichi, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Yuuji, Characters of Megatokyo - Sonoda Meimi, Characters of Megatokyo - Hayasaka Erika Fan Club AKA The Fanboy Horde, Characters of Megatokyo - Rent-a-Zilla, Characters of Megatokyo - Zombies, Characters of Megatokyo - Ph34rbots, Characters of Megatokyo - John Romero, Characters of Megatokyo - L33T d00d, Characters of Megatokyo - Asako and Mami, Characters of Megatokyo - Junko, Characters of Megatokyo - Tsubasa, Characters of Megatokyo - Shirt Guy Dom, Characters of Megatokyo - Ed, Characters of Megatokyo - Yanagisawa, Characters of Megatokyo - Alternate Universes and Omake Theatre, Characters of Megatokyo - Endgames, Characters of Megatokyo - Quake style games, Characters of Megatokyo - Omake Theatre

Read more here: » Characters of Megatokyo: Encyclopedia II - Characters of Megatokyo - Groups and minor characters

The culture of Japanese idol has changed over the years and it is questionable whether past idols would have same amount of success if given the same opportunity today. Most of those called idols have sung songs that would fit J-Pop and they are generally cute if not beautiful. In the 1970s, idols had an aura of mystique that left much of their lifestyles secret. Their public and "private" lives were carefully orchestrated - they always appeared perfect in all situations and seemed to enjoy a lavish lifestyle that most Japanese could ...

See also:

Japanese idol, Japanese idol - History, Japanese idol - Culture, Japanese idol - Theory, Japanese idol - List of Japanese idols

Read more here: » Japanese idol: Encyclopedia II - Japanese idol - Culture