I'm not sure what kind of following popular Japanese music has on NL, but I like a lot of it. Perfume has become a [fairly recent] obsession with me, and I've liked Genki Rockets since I first heard Heavenly Star in No More Heroes. I used to hate J-pop until then, actually. It's kind of an acquired taste, I find.
Its not uncommon for gamers to grow a love for JPop/Rock. I've met many who become Japanophiles to the point where they would spout random Japanese words in mid sentence. I've listened to Utada Hikaru from when she had her first solo album, my friend got me into Eri Nobuchika, but I've honestly stopped listening for quite a long time now. Last time I checked, I was really into Morning Musume and Gackt.
What is the meaning of life? That's so easy, the answer is TETRIS.
I've met many who become Japanophiles to the point where they would spout random Japanese words in mid sentence.
I do this all the time, but that's because I actually know a little Japanese, and it's fun to use. I used to live there for a little while when I was really little, which was likely the cause of my obsession with Japan. I wish I could afford to go back and visit again; I don't remember much of it, since I was so young when I was there.
There's no such thing as J-rock. J-pop is a label created by the Japanese recording industry to separate Japanese pop music from the rest of the world. There was never any "J-rock" label, and it's a misnomer applied by westerners.
With that out of the way, I'm a big fan of Utada Hikaru. Not because of Kingdom Hearts, mind. I listen to a lot of other Japanese music too (which can be seen on my ]Last.fm profile), though my tastes have broadened a lot since my teens.
Japanophiles who spout Japanese words like KAWAII in the middle of English sentences are incredibly annoying. See this (language warning kiddies - Sean) and this. @grenworthshero Not you however.
Music is music and I can certainly dig music from Japan though I lean more towards traditional stuff. I cannot say I've explored "J-Pop" in depth, though I've certainly heard music in games I like (that track in No More Heroes being an example; the title track in Sakura Wars: So Long My Love being another), so I could see exploring it some more.
I think it's interesting that some people take such issue with people who use Japanese words like kawaii, forgetting that English borrows heavily from other languages like French, German and indeed Japanese ("head honcho" anyone?). So really you may as well get pissed off about people saying "c'est la vie" or "ciao" - if "kawaii" replaces "cute" in everyday English and gets an entry in the OED I'm not losing any sleep over it...
People sticking random Japanese words in the middle of sentences doesn't fuss me (as Sean said, that's just how language works and evolves), but people who just do it all the time OFTAN IN CAPTAL BAD SPELT LETTAS COS IT KAWAAAAAAIII <(^_-)> irritate me like nothing else.
As for the music, I like a fair bit of J-pop. I don't exactly have a broad knowledge of it though, it basically boils down to "the intro/outro songs to Fullmetal Alchemist and an album I bought once." Regardless though, Again - Yui is a favourite (the intro song to the new series of FMA, natch).
People who use the word "kawaii" in a sentence should instantly send out red flags to listeners. It's a good sign that they are a weeaboo and you're in for a very annoying encounter.
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@SeanAaron I'm well aware of the evolution of the English language and its foundations in numerous languages. If "kawaii" truly became a term in common usage then I wouldn't mind. The word does seem to describe those little cellphone trinkets better than "cute".
The annoyance arises out of people in the subculture (if that's what you'd call it) proclaiming it aloud to define their Japanophilia in a way that grates on the nerves of those of us who, well, know better. It's generally juvenile, and it's also a flag that the person has rose-tinted glasses about Japan. Anime (usually where they start their fandom) is to Japan as Hollywood is to America - intriguing, fantastic and altogether false.
It's irritating but I don't really feel as strongly about it as I sound. I only wish those people knew better - perhaps an actual trip to Japan would show them a more realistic perspective.
I totally agree with what you all are saying about people who randomly use kawaii/sugoi in their everyday language. It's as annoying as white people who try to act like they're "gangsta"
Anyway, I can't believe I totally forgot one of the best, Yumi Matsutoya/Arai. I kind of grew up with her music as a kid in the 80s/early 90s
I actually don't listen to much, or know much about, music, but I'm assuming J-pop is awesome. My assumptions are based on the three following things:
1. The World Ends with You 2. Utada Hikaru 3. All the singing Japanese girls are kawaii
And I used 'kawaii' on purpose there, if only to annoy The Fox.
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@grenworthshero: I've picked up a little bit of Japanese language informally, but have never used it in speech to other people. When I wrote what I wrote about using it in the middle of English speaking sentences, it was a blanket statement for many people I've met, but in particular, the most annoying was this one guy who, when I first met him, spoke stuttered English to begin with who I know was exposed to anime, possibly Bleach or Naruto and then started ending almost every sentence with desu, desu ne, and desu ka, but only for the sake of adding it for some odd reason. Drove me crazy, couldn't speak to him beyond a simple greeting occasionally after that. Kawaii is fine, I've been exposed to it for a long time, mainly said by girls, so it doesn't bother me, but to end every sentence with desu? ARGH! The guy was weird anyways, he was waaay into Zelda and had delusions of going to Japan to make games with Nintendo despite not having any knowledge in programming or connections, he just expected to walk into their front door and get work.
What is the meaning of life? That's so easy, the answer is TETRIS.
Oh my goodness is J-Pop obsession and weeabo culture annoying.
After being to Japan and living in a Japanese household for a few weeks (ie not doing the tourism thing) I can safely say this: Japan is a normal culture with normal people. The only thing that remotely approaches this exotic otaku world that weeabos and J-Popphiles imagine is Akihabera, and normal Japanese see Akihabera in the same light that westerners see the geeks on Beauty and the Geek.
If you walk into your typical Japanese HMV or music store there's a section for J-Pop, but that's like saying there's a section for country music in western music stores. The Japanese are more intereted in Michael Jackson for the most part.
Ultimately it would be nice for weeabos to have a bit more respect for Japanese culture than to get obsessed with it or treat it as something "cute or cool." It's normal, they're normal people, and it really isn't that exciting.
@WaltzElf: I had to look up weeabos, but I agree that is totally what this guy was. No offense to any of you if you like Japanese otaku culture, but this guy was totally taking it too far. I understand liking the stuff, buying stuff, even dressing up to a point, but every sentence ending with desu. That just kills me desu ne. Do you see what I'm saying desu ka? ARGH!
What is the meaning of life? That's so easy, the answer is TETRIS.
Yeah, ending sentences with "desu ne" sounds a bit OTT.
I do find Japanese culture fascinating; mostly it's that I really like the food, the history, the politeness, the extra clever packaging and brilliant (and super kawaii) kitchen stuff. Taking a bento to work is helping me with the weight loss thing (built-in portion control = win!) and making them with my daughter for picnic lunches really is proving a great bonding exercise. I do agree though that elevating Japan above all nations and idolising Japanese folk generally is a bit much.
I am very happy to see a country other than America is successful in exporting its culture around the globe (though I think the Japanese are too conservative in this regard and could do more to push it). Having this whole other collection of media that's otherwise invisible is kind of cool and makes the localisation of games like Sakura Wars so special - though I cannot understand why Japanese companies aren't more aggressively pushing this kind of thing, instead falling back on "oh, this is too Japanese, it won't sell." Hopefully as companies like Square Enix and Marvelous strive for greater profits they'll start routinely localising things that would previously have been only for the Japanese market (apparently Discipline isn't for us still sigh).
@HolyMackerel-I don't know how you can say there's no such thing as J-Rock. Maybe you mean Japanese people don't call it that, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. People here use that term, so the term does exist, as does the music it refers to. There have been some really great rock bands out of Japan, like Blue Hearts, BBQ Chickens, Guitar Wolf, Mad Capsule Markets, and Polysics.
I also really enjoy some Japanese Rap, like Kick the Can Crew, Rip Slyme, and Alpha
And I totally agree with WaltzElf about J-pop: When I lived in Japan for 5 months I heard way more American music than Japanese. However if you think Akihabara is the only place with huge otaku culture, I'm guessing you didn't get a chance to visit Yoyogi Park/Harajuku.
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Topic: The J-pop/J-Rock thread
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