A Fan’s Worthiness:  Which Idol? (Berryz Kyuuden)
A Fan’s Worthiness:  Proving Our Worth

Dran has ambitiously decided to take on the task of explaining the relationship between fan and idol in this two-part series.  The first post focuses on who fans choose who to root for, and the underlying factors in our decisions.  He draws comparisons to every day actions, like picking out your new camera at the local Best Buy.  And while in the beginning it may be as simple as that, as we delve further into the genre our preferences constantly change for far more complex reasons.

But it was the second post that really grabbed my interest.  Here Dran takes a look at the measures we go to as fans to show our dedication.  Buying merchandise, blogging…Is it for peer approval?  Or on some level are we doing it to connect to the idols themselves?  And what is this thing we call idol worship?  Dran draws comparisons to “idols” by historic definition, looking as far as the religious connotations and very basic human nature.  Although I am not sure about the “attracting the opposite sex” factor.  In many ways I think this thing we do may accomplish the opposite.

But it is a good conversation starter.  Dran welcomes your comments and opinions, and I’m sure you will have a few after reading this.