Miyuki Watanabe Makes a Full-scale Homage to the ’80s Idol

| 48 / 46 Group | Posted by Kenji Harada on Dec.01.2014

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The time has finally come, 48 group has made a full-scale homage to the eighties, the decade when idols with mass appeal were created perfectly by the Japanese entertainment industry.

The photo to be used on the cover of the debut solo single from Miyuki Watanabe of NMB48, “Yasashiku Suru Yori Kiss wo Shite” (Rather than Treating Me Kindly, Kiss Me), was made public on the 28th.

The photo shows Watanabe with a “Seiko-chan cut”, a hairstyle that dominated in the golden age of solo idols that was the 80s, and her expression is that of the “Burikko”, a feigned innocence and helplessness.

’80s super idol Seiko Matsuda

It was decided that Watanabe would have her solo debut after she won the rock-paper-scissors tournament in September of this year. Her single took shape on the theme of “bittersweet love”, with the musical composition taking cues from popular songs of idols from the 80s. Watanabe appeared on TV Asahi’s “Music Station” on the day the cover photo was unveiled and gave her first performance, after which she had a look of relief on her face that the performance was over, and unintentionally shed a tear.

As the ladies who played the parts of the “idols” that gained explosive popularity during the 80s advance in years, we realise today that they were just ordinary girls, but the idea of using “80s idol” as a motif is actually communicating the fact that one is just putting on a performance to incite popularity. Because, after all, having affection for an android-like artificial human is the essence of idol culture.

Yasashiku Suruyori Kiss wo Shite / Regular Edition

Author

Kenji Harada

The venerable Japanese word "kawaii" is not the adjective "cute"; it is just a word used to communicate the state of mind of feeling love for something.