[6/4] Berryz Kobo 35th single : Ai wa Itsumo Kimi no naka ni / Futsuu, Idol 10nen Yatteran nai desho!?

[Celedam]

A question for those of you who know more about the idol industry: are there any other female idols out there who have been continuously active as idols as long as the H!P Kids? Not counting Sayu, since her graduation has been announced, and not counting comebacks and reunions, which are usually stunts. I'm talking at least one tour and 2–3 singles per year, every year. I can't think of any except maybe Perfume, and they didn't really hit it big until 2005–2007.

[Starra]

Matsuda Seiko has been around since the 80s. She's kind of slowed down releasing stuff, but she still does.

[Celedam]

As an idol, though? With the costumes and the merchandise?

[Starra]

Oh, sorry, I somehow misunderstood that part. It seems like she only releases ballads now, with her most recent idol thing being the collab she did with Yajima Byoushitsu in 2010.

[otaku_blue]

don't know if it counts but dream's current members debuted as idols in 2002 but kinda transitioned into just a girl group later on. also Yokoyama rurika has kinda been at it for 10 years, but she's on 9 years at the moment?

[Starra]

They're not really an idol group, but MAX have been around since 1995. They still tour and occasionally release singles.

It seems like most idols (such as Matsuda Seiko or Moritaka Chisato) seem to drift away from the "idol" image after a certain point. I guess they feel too old to be doing it anymore?

[Zunu]

Obviously you are excluding people who are mostly known as singers like Amuro Namie and Crystal Kay, and gravure/actress type idols like Komatsu Ayaka. So I'll throw out that technically Kojiharu's been in the idol industry since 2001, though not in a big way of course until 05.

[Sohee]

I'll assume we're talking only female idols? But if not... Johnnys say hi. 8D Even if not SMAP, understandably so, Kanjani8 celebrate their 10th year this year and they're still pretty idol-y in terms of image.

But, I never found it fair to compare female idols to male ones (or just, Johnnys) as they do completely different things and/or have different fanbases and thus different standards/requirements.

As for female idol groups like Berryz/Cute? No idea. 8D

[wotakubrandon]

They're not really an idol group, but MAX have been around since 1995. They still tour and occasionally release singles.

It seems like most idols (such as Matsuda Seiko or Moritaka Chisato) seem to drift away from the "idol" image after a certain point. I guess they feel too old to be doing it anymore?

I think MAX has gone on hiatus before anyway.

[Moh]

I still don't think the outfits go well with the choreo, but I do really like all the old pictures being in the background.