Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Many new terms pop up in common lingo every year in Japan, and those interested in Japanese pop culture are no doubt familiar with the term "Ikemen". The term came into popular usage around 2000 as an expression to describe attractive young men who are of course plentiful in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Starting around 2000, television stations started reaching out to a wider audience range by casting new-generation male artists in the leading or supporting roles of the traditionally male-oriented Kamen Rider, tokusatsu, and ranger superhero shows. With their handsome appearances and sharp images, these young actors won over many female viewers and created an entirely new fanbase. Some notable stars who got their start on superhero shows include Odagiri Joe (Kamen Rider Kuuga), Tamayama Tetsuji (Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger), and Kaname Jun (Kamen Rider Agito). Their success inspired television stations and film production companies to pursue this market, spawning many theatrical plays, films, and television dramas starring young attractive men.