Our task this week is to talk about a music video. So! Let me introduce you to the wacky world of Dempagumi.inc and their video for a song called "W.W.D."!
First a little about Dempagumi.inc. Dempagumi.inc is an idol group from Japan, formed in 2008. Their image is heavily influenced by otaku culture (= people enthusiastic about manga, anime and such) and all have their own otaku thing they're interested in and which they represent. Their music style is "denpa", which means that their songs are strange and energetic. Denpa songs often have catchy tunes and their lyrics make no sense. Off-key singing is a also a thing, so don't be surprised when you listen to denpa songs for the first time!
W.W.D. is probably my favourite track from them and I will get to that more on a later point. Here's the video I'm talking about!
Like I said, normally denpa songs don't really make any sense, but W.W.D. is an exception. It tells the backstories of the members and how they've met accidentally before the group was even put together. I don't know if it's just a marketing gimmick, but it's a nice story anyway. I'm not going to comment much more on the how they met-part since I want to focus more on the message of this song.
The songs starts with each one greeting the viewers in different languages, thus welcoming everyone to watch their video. Dempagumi.inc has declared that they want to be known world-wide and even the song's name means "World Wide Dempa".
Then the actual story begins with the members talking about their problems before Dempagumi.inc was formed. I'll briefly list here what everyone's problems were, in the order of appearance:
Mirin: Was bullied, "the arcade was the only place I could call home"
Nemu: Wanted to pursue an art career, but had struggles with it
Risa: Was lonely, radio being her only friend
Pinky: Did odottemita and was glued in front of the computer for views
Eimi: Used to live on the countryside, when all the interesting things were in Tokyo
Moga: Played online games all the time, sometimes even using her foot in addition to her hands while playing
All the problems are very relatable, especially for an otaku like myself. It's clever, since I can imagine others in the fanbase really living these lyrics as well. The song has an atmosphere of "showing off to everybody after a poor start at life", with things like "Don’t underestimate our start from nothing!" and "Even though it’s just a small, small stage right now, someday we’ll reach out to the huge, huge world with our wings outstretched". It carries a strong message of hope for people who feel like they're alone, who don't have any goals in their lives etc. It's like "we used to be sad, but then we found each other and now we're making our dreams come true together and you can do it too", since a big part of the song is pointing out the fact that now that they're together, they're strong and happy.
Otakus are not always well-received, even in Japan. So, seeing Dempagumi.inc we can feel like these shining idols are people just like us, with feelings of being rejected and having to struggle with society. It's a very clever concept. Most of the Dempagumi fans are otaku men after all so marketing these girls who understand them is a good tactic of gaining popularity. I don't know if the same concept would work with otaku idols who are men, since idol industry mostly a business targeted at male audience and well, the male audience usually wants to see female idols. It sounds so soulless when I put it that way but, that's how I see it. However!! Dempagumi.inc itself is not soulless. It's full of joy and fun times. They always seem to be having so much fun on stage and during MC's and interviews. That happiness really sticks with you!
There's not much to say about the music video. It goes along the story that the song tells. It's actually pretty toned-town from Dempagumi's usual videos! They are usually full of very colorful elements and oddities, this one sort of makes much more sense while still staying true to it's denpa roots.
Why do I like this song and Dempagumi.inc? I'm a person who never gives up, that's why W.W.D. really makes my heart sing! I'm also the odd one out, so I can really relate to these girls. I sometimes feel like I'm too old to like Japanese popculture or that I am too old to do odottemita, but seeing Dempagumi.inc being so passionate about otaku culture and dancing even though they're older than me, I feel like I can freely be who I want to be, regardless of my age. I especially relate to Eimi Naruse, the energetic girl who really likes anime and manga. She's my favorite and so inspirational!!
The songs starts with each one greeting the viewers in different languages, thus welcoming everyone to watch their video. Dempagumi.inc has declared that they want to be known world-wide and even the song's name means "World Wide Dempa".
Then the actual story begins with the members talking about their problems before Dempagumi.inc was formed. I'll briefly list here what everyone's problems were, in the order of appearance:
Mirin: Was bullied, "the arcade was the only place I could call home"
Nemu: Wanted to pursue an art career, but had struggles with it
Risa: Was lonely, radio being her only friend
Pinky: Did odottemita and was glued in front of the computer for views
Eimi: Used to live on the countryside, when all the interesting things were in Tokyo
Moga: Played online games all the time, sometimes even using her foot in addition to her hands while playing
All the problems are very relatable, especially for an otaku like myself. It's clever, since I can imagine others in the fanbase really living these lyrics as well. The song has an atmosphere of "showing off to everybody after a poor start at life", with things like "Don’t underestimate our start from nothing!" and "Even though it’s just a small, small stage right now, someday we’ll reach out to the huge, huge world with our wings outstretched". It carries a strong message of hope for people who feel like they're alone, who don't have any goals in their lives etc. It's like "we used to be sad, but then we found each other and now we're making our dreams come true together and you can do it too", since a big part of the song is pointing out the fact that now that they're together, they're strong and happy.
Otakus are not always well-received, even in Japan. So, seeing Dempagumi.inc we can feel like these shining idols are people just like us, with feelings of being rejected and having to struggle with society. It's a very clever concept. Most of the Dempagumi fans are otaku men after all so marketing these girls who understand them is a good tactic of gaining popularity. I don't know if the same concept would work with otaku idols who are men, since idol industry mostly a business targeted at male audience and well, the male audience usually wants to see female idols. It sounds so soulless when I put it that way but, that's how I see it. However!! Dempagumi.inc itself is not soulless. It's full of joy and fun times. They always seem to be having so much fun on stage and during MC's and interviews. That happiness really sticks with you!
There's not much to say about the music video. It goes along the story that the song tells. It's actually pretty toned-town from Dempagumi's usual videos! They are usually full of very colorful elements and oddities, this one sort of makes much more sense while still staying true to it's denpa roots.
Why do I like this song and Dempagumi.inc? I'm a person who never gives up, that's why W.W.D. really makes my heart sing! I'm also the odd one out, so I can really relate to these girls. I sometimes feel like I'm too old to like Japanese popculture or that I am too old to do odottemita, but seeing Dempagumi.inc being so passionate about otaku culture and dancing even though they're older than me, I feel like I can freely be who I want to be, regardless of my age. I especially relate to Eimi Naruse, the energetic girl who really likes anime and manga. She's my favorite and so inspirational!!
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| Eitasooo!! Source |
BABYUUUN thoughts,
I like it a lot that they have the off-key singing thing going on :D.
VastaaPoistaIt sends a message that anyone can sing and perform and you don't have to have years of training to sing from the bottom of your lungs & heart. Kind of same thing than with punk & some indie & alternative bands. That you just do what you like & love and if that's singing and performing you go for it, even though you don't know the perfect how from the beginning :D. Oh yeah! That's the attitude!
I also like the message: that you can have poor start or problems and then still find happiness and do your own special things with your friends and that there are always people to understand you or have gone through some difficulties as well in life, and that despite our difficulties & shortcomings we're amazing people and can have amazing, funny & odd artistic projects together :D.
I can relate to their background stories as well :)!
Can you post a link to their video with colorful elements and oddities :D? I adore colorful elements and oddities because I enjoy making costumes & stagey stuff!
Yes!! You understood Dempagumi.inc perfectly!!
PoistaHere are some nice music videos from them!
Bari3 Republic (this one is full of everything!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGy39OMyHzw
Star☆t Shichauze Haru Dashine (maybe you'll like this one because it has a film studio setting?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp5085J7D-Y
I think these two are really nice! Please take a look if you have time :D
OMG, the first one was so full of everything it was hard for me to follow, but I am all for putting big pink bunny suit, huge thermometer and fancy animated battle robotos in the same story :D... too bad though, that the cartoon characters made out of the band members were just flashing really fast on the screen, would have wanted to check out them little longer :D.
PoistaIn the second the dance crew costumes are SO MAD :D. I love the furry pink short trouser ones. :D And the old-tv-colors-girlscouts costumes of the band are mad & inventive as well!
The costumes are so weird but in their weirdness really fun/"girl dandy". "Girl dandy" might not be a real term at all, but that's just what came out when I was thinking that this is the girl way to dress up into dandy clothing :D.
Hello Oona,
VastaaPoistayour genre is so unique. I don't have so much knowledge about it and for me that would be to hard to hear this every time. I like that they are singing about problems so I can relate to the content as well.
I like your article, it was so interesting.
Thank you
Michele :)