”IDOLIZATION” From Adoration to Obsession : Diving into the Philosophy of Perfect Blue
In 2016, a disturbing incident unfolded in Japan. A 20-year-old singer and actress, Mayu Tomita, became the target of a knife attack by an assailant. Though she survived, the physical toll left her unable to pursue her career further. Since that event, she has grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Interestingly, the assailant was, indeed, a fan of Mayu. Having sent numerous emails reminiscent of love letters to the artist, this person, after receiving no response, decided to send her a gift. When Mayu declined the gift, the person erupted in anger, sending threatening messages and eventually going to the venue where Mayu was scheduled to perform. There, the assailant confronted her, resulting in a knife attack. Such incidents are unprecedented in Japan. Similar to Mayu, several other singers, either by former fans or those harboring envy, have faced similar attacks. The tension between Japanese pop idols and their overly devoted fans persists. This prompts the question: Why would someone wish harm upon their idol?