Okay.

I have a C-ute album to give a listen, I have a new chapter to start in on, I have a Morning Musume PV to review, and an Ayumi Hamasaki concert DVD (not to mention new cover art) to try and defend. All this, and I need to be in bed come about thirty minutes or so. But all that must wait. I was just prevailed upon by a PW reader who shall remain nameless to give my two cents on the argument of Yoshizawa Hitomi's sometimes-debatable sexuality.

Here's what I think. This is a topic very near and dear to my heart, but it is a fragile topic, however tough it may appear. It is a thing that can be worded so wrong if I am left to the less well-versed of my devices.

( On with the possibly less well-versed of my devices, then.. )

I know I haven't made an entry here in a while, but I've known for a long time that my next one would be about Namie. She is my favorite Asian solo artist and one of my favorite artists from around the globe. In my opinion, she is the full package: not only does she have an amazing singing voice both live and on record, not only can she dance wonderfully while she sings live at the same time through a whole show, but her personal life is inspirational and humbling as well. Amuro Namie is a woman who, despite a long low point in her career and tough times in her personal life, continued to persevere in a market where women like her are usually cast out of the mainstream. In 2007, she finally landed on top once again, as a proud 30 year old, tattoo-bearing, hip-hopping, HOT AS HELL single mother in a sea of squeaky clean pop princesses. She has smashed apart what it means to be a pop idol in Japan and put the picture back together exactly the way she wanted it.



( JUST WANT ME. YOU'LL NEVER STOP. )

THE PREFACE

Sounds so self-important. But I figured I'd prepare you guys. This article got pretty long, and I just can't bring myself to separate it into two entries. One thought leads to the other, at least in my crack-addled head. This started as a simple D-Boys ranking I jotted down at work, and then, as the day got progressively slower, it turned into something else. I hope you'll all give it a read-through and your feedback. I'm attempting to tackle a pretty important issue to me, deep down, as a fan, and I only hope my meager writing abilities do justice to these thoughts in my head.

THE PRELUDE - MY FAVORITE DISCOVERY OF 2007

How did this all begin? How did a self-professed girl-group purist who wouldn't touch Johnny's with a ten-foot pole get sucked into the maw of an idol group? One that doesn't even have a band to its name?! I'll lay it out for you in a few easy steps:

1. I got bored. That's nothing new. I happened to be at work. That was new. So, I found myself online, as I often did at work during this summer, and I started reading an old friend's Guide to Prince of Tennis blog entries. Out of pure boredom, keep in mind.

2. I discovered, by following links, screencaps from the Live Action Prince of Tennis film.

3. My sexuality was thrown into sudden, unexpected question. 0___o

4. ...I found D-Boys.

Past and Present. Older and Younger. It's been a wonderful world to explore, and I've made some great friends (in my age bracket, remarkably!) during the process. Now, I've had numerous Japanese pop culture "discoveries" this year - you know you've all had them at some point. Those things that are new to you and therefore REALLY FUN AND EXCITING, but sometimes you have to be sort of quiet about them just in case the internet goes "what, you're just now learning about this?"

Ain't no shame in the D-Boys game. I fell in, and I fell in HARD. I'd have to put D-Boys at the top of my list of "discoveries" for 2007, above Angela Aki, Super Junior, and even AAA. Because, through D-Boys, I've somehow come to loosen up on other Japanese entertainment stick-up-my-ass opinions I held before. If I can more than lech over boys much younger than I, how can I no longer understand that idol appreciation does not necessarily = lol pedo lol? I'll gladly welcome more Berryz bikini shots as long as I get to keep drooling over Seto Kouji making sex eyes at the camera while shirtless. Granted, he isn't underage. But he just looks too close for comfort. It's somehow wrong, and I know it, but I'm never going to have a chance to be near any Berryz, or any D-Boys (unless fate is kind). Cute is cute, sexy is sexy, and where the twain shall meet is always a matter of taste. It's a fine line, especially when Japan is involved.

Therefore, in celebration of my lecherous declaration of independence, I'm going to devote this day of posting at Pink Wota to a ranking and mini-picspam of my top D-Boys. Picture credits go to vera26, watakushiwasai, tsumasaki, and the lovely ladies of honmeikun.

( THE PICSPAM - MY TOP TEN D-BOYS )

THE PANDECT - IN WHICH I ATTEMPT TO WRAP THINGS UP

They may not have anything to do with any particular aspect of entertainment beyond acting - and even then, each D-Boy has his own thing going - a drama, a movie, a stage production - at any given time. But as an idol unit they are fun, energetic, and almost ridiculously inspiring. Some days I might get that "I can't do this anymore" feeling, so I'll watch any given episode of DD-Boys and feel immensely better about my chances of making it

So it's not just about lust. With idols it rarely is. We all (I'm taking a broad liberty, speaking for the wota audience at large, here) love our favorite idols on a personal level. For me, at least, whether it be Yossie for Shirotan or Ayumi or Zukkii, my favorite idols represent - for all their celebrity and carefully-managed personae, sides of specific beauty, inside AND out. (Sorry about my grammar) I respect and admire these facets on levels I don't find myself investing in celebrities of my own country. We don't really get the idol treatment in America. Even the Ashley Tisdales and Hannah Montanas are less about idol personae and more about keeping it real and being themselves. Sometimes that's great, but sometimes it backfires. Badly.

( THE PANORAMA - IDOLS AND OUR LIVES )

Thanks for reading. <3