junior idol

A junior idol (ジュニアアイドル, junia aidoru), also known as a chidol (チャイドル, chaidoru; shortening of the words "child idol") or low teen idol (ローティーンアイドル, rōtīn aidoru), is a type of entertainer under the age of 18 or 16, manufactured and marketed for their image, attractiveness and personality. It is a sub-category of the idol culture in Japanese pop entertainment. Junior idols are primarily gravure idols who are marketed through photo books and image DVDs, but some are also trained in singing and acting. Unlike other child models, idols are commercialized through merchandise and endorsements by talent agencies, while maintaining an emotional connection with a passionate consumer fan base. Junior idols have been seen as controversial due to their age, marketing demographic, and involvement in g...