Japan Man

About the idols

What does gravure mean?

It comes from either photogravure or rotogravure, both of which are types of printing processes (the former being quite outdated). How this got mangled during the translation to Japanese is unknown, but pretty much par for the course of borrowed words in the Japanese language. In Japanese, gravure can actually refer to any type of glamour (not fashion) modelling - hence nude or non-nude can be considered gravure-style photography. However, the defacto standard is that gravure idols don’t do nudity or porn.

What does gravure idol mean?

The closest thing it would translate to is bikini model, but even that is not totally accurate. I’ve gotten a bunch of different definitions from different people, but the main thing they seem to agree on is the gravure idols are are Japanese models who primarily pose in bikinis, leotards, and other provocative clothing for photo spreads in magazines and photobooks aimed largely at men. Fetish themes may include wrestling, martial arts, and even superheroines. They do not pose nude or perform sexually explicit acts in their work. However in an increasingly crowded niche industry, a lot of newer idols (like Hitomi Tanaka) are pushing more into the area of softcore porn to get noticed.

What does AV idol mean?

An  AV (adult video) idol is a Japanese idol that works in the pornographic business as an actress or a model. The range of roles are wide enough to encompass bikini girls, hardcore porn, and idols strolling around the house doing chores. Since the beginning of the AV industry, hundreds of AV idols debuted every year with an average life span of about a year. The best AV idols have careers spanning several years and make a major impact on the public and AV industry.

What does race queen mean?

A race queen is  promotional model found as part of a pit crew in certain kinds of motor racing, such as F1 races. Race queens are held in high regard like gravure models and they vary only according to the motor sport they appear in. The average age for race queens is late teens to early twenties because their popularity wanes with age. Some race queens become actresses, gravure idols, and even AV actresses.

Are any of these ladies married or in relationships?

It probably depends on the idol. Most agencies and managers try to keep a tight leash on them, but every man with game skills knows that women are going to do what they want. If you want to date an idol (which is probably what you want to know) all you have to do is be in areas where an idol would hang out. Here is a hint: Japanese women love to shop….You can do whatever you want with that information. Also Retired idols have more free time and less restrictions. They are probably bored and shop all day to pass the time. I’ve met many beautiful Japanese women including models, business owners, and pole dancers because I was hanging out where they shop. But it sounds easier than it actually is. If you have approach anxiety, you probably won’t be able to say something to a beautiful woman. Read my romantic advice and sexy Japanese girl reports to learn how to talk to beautiful girls.

Why sexy anime girls? Are you some kind of a pervert?

In Japan it is perfectly normal for grown men and women to look at sexually charged comics filled with drawings of naked women having sex or just posing. Sex in Japan isn’t as big of a deal as in the West. There is always going to be a market for drawings of half naked women. Japan just seems to have tapped this market quicker than other nations.

What are figures?

Figures are dolls based on Japanese anime/manga characters or original concept designs. I am not sure where the nickname “figures” came from but I assume that since some of these dolls are movable action figures, the name was katakanized by Japanese otaku (or possibly foreigners? Somebody help me out here….) There are many different types of figures. I think chibi nendroid dolls can be classified as figures but I am not sure. What I do know is that I like figures with really large breasts because that is how I like my real life women!