Why are japanese male idols, effeminate ?

Not necessarily true. You could add Kirk Douglas to that list of rugged icons. Did you know Cary Grant was described by his peers as 'bi-sexual at best'? Then look at someone like Dick Powell, a star of many succesful noir block busters, that guy could fit in with Brad Pitt et all no problem. Micheal J Fox had a boyish charm, probably because he was no taller than an average boy, being 5"4 however there was nothing typicaly effeminate about him. Brad Pitt had that stoner look and as a result probably had enough estrogen in him to constitute as being effeminate. However did you see him in fight club nothing lady like about that. I suppose you could argue Male actors today are geared towards what women 'expect' from a man, seeing as today they all have six packs where as 60 years ago they all had girdles. This probably being a reminant of 80's culture that people did not find unappealing.

I think the difference is between Japan and the West is; In Japan they are borderline becoming women where as in the west they seem to be dressing to attract women or perhaps for women. Perhaps a result of how womens rights have been acknowledged to a far greater extent in the west than in JP, and the fact that the other 50 percent of the population are women. If anyone could shed an insight into what this 'visual kei/J-rock' stuff is all about it would probably go someway to explaining it all.

 

This is gay

 

Evolution of the Leading Man
http://www.brandonbird.com/radar.html

 

Yeah, I only got interested in it when people started mentioning films.

 

Ok, if you mean male idols like the wussy singers, American idols are just as bad. Let's rewind...

Jonas Bros
Backstreet Boys
Hansen
New Kids in the Block
Leif Garret

They are chosen because their girly good looks appeal to young girls who like boys who are cute, unthreatening, and not manly at all.

Also, western male models are super effem also. Look at those Ambercrombo Finch boys - thin, hairless, fine features...

Actors are a little better. Brad Pitt is not that girly anymore and neither is Leo. (At least as they have aged)

And there's George Clooney and Denzel and Christian Bale.

 

I wonder if in 200 years males and females will practically look the same...
Its known that sexual dimorphism(difference between sexes) decreased as we evolved from primates and primitive man like homo-erectus. So it seems possible.

BUT ANYWAY, I wonder if america will eventually go down this effeminate road, which i agree is better than steroid induced fads that are currently prevalent in the states.

PS- someone mentioned masculine heros in japan such as goku but most are either old idols (goku) or not very mainstream (Berserk, although berserk is still the best manga ever lol, kinda like how VF is the best fighter but not mainstream).
Also I guess the appeal of feminine guys to girls is that they don't seem much of a threat which somewhat answers the why question.

 

All fads go full circle so I think it will be fine.