Japanese Idols

In Japanese culture, idols (アイドル aidoru^?) are (usually female) media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g. as singers for pop groups, bit-part actors, TV personalities (tarento), models in photo spreads published in magazines, advertisements, etc.

The idol phenomenon began during the early seventies, reflecting a boom in Japan for the musician Sylvie Vartan in the French film Cherchez l'idole in 1963, with Japanese title (アイドルを探せ Aidoru wo sagase^?) in November 1964. The term came to be applied to any cute female actress or singer, or any cute male singer.

Since the 2007, a New category of Idol, the "Virtual Idol" is growing popular in Japan.Thanks to the advent of Vocaloid 2 and it's famous Character Hatsune Miku the "Virtual Idol" are enjoying a great popularity amongs the peoples, gaining a solid Fan-base.