| Summary: | 碩士 === 南華大學 === 傳播學系碩士班 === 99 === The Japanophilia boom swept Taiwan in the late nineties, forming different groups of Japanophiles including the Japanese TV drama fandom, Johnny’s Entertainment fandom, as well as others. The fans of “shota idols” are scattered amongst different groups of Japanophiles. These fans of are soothed and healed by the childlike cuteness of shota-type idols. This research attempts to describe shota idol fans, and how their psychological sense of healing relates to the society.
The fans of shota idols do not care to let anyone know about their interest, nor do they display themselves openly. Staying within enthusiastic and tightly formed Japanophilia communities, they establish a sense of attachment with low-profile identification. The fans are able to relate to the shota idols knowing what difficulties the idols went through before becoming famous. Popularized images of the idols accompany the fans and allow their spirits to self-heal. Shota idols’ childlike, natural image makes the fans feel as if they themselves are able to return to the innocent youth, self-heal, and temporarily escape from the complexities of reality. By identifying with the popularized, natural symbolism of shota idols, the fans are given elements to shape their self-identities. Their emptiness is fulfilled. The shota idol fans gain a sense of self-healing and build subjectivity.
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