Once considered "trash culture," these are now central drivers of the national economy. They serve as the foundation for transmitting culture globally, with the anime market alone projected to reach nearly $50 billion by 2029.

An idol is not merely a singer; they are a "perfect, unattainable version of a boy/girl next door." Managed by agencies like Johnny & Associates (Johnny’s) for male idols or AKB48’s management for female idols, these performers are commodities of personality. Their value lies in "growth" rather than raw talent.