Japanese Idol Group of Grannies Makes a Great Comeback
Devon Lord-Moncrief
Japanese idol groups are famous worldwide! Groups of energetic young singers take to the stage in supremely colorful and stylish outfits, dancing and singing their hearts out. Idol culture has been huge in Japan for decades, with some artists acclaiming internationally.
Idol groups are meant to spread cheer, energy, and a love for music to their fans, which is why they’ve become so famous. But there is one idol group that is entirely unlike any other. Obaachan [sic] is an idol group to their core, except instead of being a group of teenage girls, they’re a gang of wily grannies.
Who is Obaachan?
Obaachan is a Japanese idol group from Osaka, a major city in Western Japan. Osaka is famous for its flamboyant obaachan, or elderly women/grandmothers. Rather than ageing quietly and wearing subdued outfits, the older women of Osaka own their age with pride. Their signature look is sporting loud and colorful leopard-print tops, a testament to their spunk and vivaciousness.
The group consists of 14 members ranging from the late 60s to the early 80s. But these are not average elderly women by any stretch of the imagination, not a long shot. The members of Obaachan sing and dance just as well as any younger idol group, and their music is meant to bring energy and a sense of community to their fans.
For many dance group members, music is a way to reach dreams and goals that would otherwise be out of reach. Eiko Funai, a founding member, hopes to perform in the Kohaku Uta Gassen, an annual song contest aired on NHK every New Year’s Eve. She also aims to appear at the Osaka Kansai Expo, which will run from April to October this year.
Osaka’s Super Grannies Have Just Enjoyed A Huge Comeback
Obaachan was formed in 2011 and made waves with its bawdy and funny dance routines and catchy music. The group took a bit of a hiatus but released a new single, “Overpower,” this past March. Obaachan’s music videos have netted millions of views on YouTube, proving they’re more than just a local novelty.
It might not seem like a big deal, but performing at the Kohaku Uta Gassen and the Osaka Kansai Expo would be gigantic achievements for the group. For a pop group, performing live on national TV for the whole country to see is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It would be a great honor for the group to perform at the Osaka Kansai Expo, a massive international event created by the United Nations to further its action on the Sustainable Development Goals and promote international growth and harmony.
It must be understood that for these women, many of whom are approaching advanced age, these events aren’t just another stadium performance for mega pop stars. These are possibilities that would bring untold joy and happiness to them. Many people believe that their lives are meant to slow down once they reach a certain age.
After school ends, people usually marry, their kids grow up and leave home, and they retire from their careers. Life then becomes a slow daily ride. This is not true for the members of Obaachan. She set an essential example for herself and women worldwide. Life doesn’t slow you down. It only slows when you allow it to.
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Why is this Japanese idol group such a big deal?
In international pop acts, music comes and goes at lightning speed. Trends, songs, and fads that would once define an entire decade are not reduced to mere months or weeks nowadays. The instantaneous transmission of information and culture via smartphones has expedited global culture to an almost unbearable pace. That’s where Obaachan comes in. They aim to bring back a sense of community and face-to-face communication amongst women in Osaka and abroad.
In the age of smartphones and social media, they remind people to look up from their phones and spend time talking and laughing with one another again. With “Overpower” garnering plenty of positive reception for them, Obaachan may be able to perform at both the Kohaku Uta Gassen and the Osaka Kansai Expo.
If the world needs more of anything right now, it’s a troupe of neon-colored, leopard-print-clad grannies dancing and singing in the streets. We could also use a bit of granny energy in our lives. Have you listened to Obaachan before? Please let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear about how you discovered their music!
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