: The term "junior idol" was adopted to align these young performers with the legitimate mainstream idol culture.
: Supporters often point to a Japanese cultural appreciation for "immaturity" or "unfinished beauty" (mijuku), where fans find joy in observing an idol's growth and learning process. Notable Figures Named Saki saki japanese junior idols
The phenomenon began in the mid-1990s, originally dubbed the "Chidol Boom" (a portmanteau of "child" and "idol"). : The term "junior idol" was adopted to