Kamen Joshi - BE@RBRICK
Kamen Joshi is an enduring underground idol group that was formed in 2013. Rather than focusing on the members' cuteness, members of Kamen Joshi hide their faces. Kamen Joshi takes this gimmick further with the use of props and themed performances. Their striking, gap-visual appearance can be seen in Medicom Toy's "BE@RBRICK Kamen Joshi 2-Pack" figure.
Brand/Creator and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toy began producing Kamen Joshi related BE@RBRICK figures in 2015.
Collaboration Planning and Launch History
The first Kamen Joshi BE@BRICK figures came out in November 2015. The figures came in a two-pack set reflecting the costumes worn by the Alice No. 10 subgroup. That same year, Kamen Joshi made history as the first independent girl group to release a number one charting single. Medicom Toy's second Kamen Joshi related BE@RBRICK is part of the NY@BRICK line. The NY@BRICK's incorporate both a cat-shaped figure model and a musical download with every purchase. The CYBER NEW NEW NY@BRICK featured music from Kamen Joshi's cybergoth subgroup, Steam Girls.
BE@RBRICK Kamen Joshi 2-Pack
This figure two-pack from Medicom Toy allows J-pop fans to display part of the massive girl idol group, Kamen Joshi. The figures take their appearance from the subgroup Alice No. 10, Kamen Joshi's default leaders. Each figure wears a brightly colored marching band-inspired outfit from the group's "Genkidane" performance. The famous Kamen Joshi masks adorn the face of each bear. Above each eye is a little black heart, placed similarly to eyebrows. Under each figure's right eye is the group's name written in red outlined kanji. On the back, the figures wear a painted replica of Kamen Joshi's symbol: a detailed and heart accented hockey mask.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Kamen Joshi 2-Pack
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted & articulated plastic figures
- Height (Approx.): 70mm | 2.8"
Kamen Joshi Background
Kamen Joshi is a Japanese idol group. The group contains four teams of female idols who perform their songs while wearing masks. Wearing masks references their group name, literally meaning "Masked Girls" in English.
Kamen Joshi Background: History
Kamen Joshi was formed in 2013 under the talent agency Alice Project. Alice No. 10 was the first formed Kamen Joshi group. The group often performs rock music with heavy metal riffs and rap sections in their songs. They wear Jason Vorhees-style masks and serve as the main subgroup when all of Kamen Joshi performs together. Steam Girls, the second Kamen Joshi group, formed as a sister and rival to Alice No. 10. Their music incorporates more dance/electronica to match their cybergoth visuals. The third group, Armor Girls, wear medieval armor helmets and carry prop guns. They perform a genre uniquely called "forest rock," which is a blend of rock with Celtic folk music. The final group, Easter Girls, formed in Osaka instead of Tokyo and plays music with Ska elements.
Kamen Joshi Background: Reception
Kamen Joshi became the first independent girl group to have a single reach number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart. The Tokyo-based groups perform regularly in their "Kamen Joshi Cafe" in Akihabara. Easter Girls perform at their Osaka alternative, "KamenJoshi Theater." While Alice No. 10 is the main Kamen Joshi group, Steam Girls received a lot of attention for including an idol in a wheelchair in their lineup.
Notable Releases
Kamen Joshi has released four official singles and a performance DVD for sale in Japan. Rather than specific songs, the group has garnered more attention for specific performances.
Genkidane
Genkidane is Kamen Joshi's best-selling single. It came out on January 1, 2015. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, making Kamen Joshi the first independent girl group to do so. The single release contains four songs: "Genkidane," "Marine Road," "Akiba Sandal no Uta - Do!" and "Alice in Underground." The CD includes a full group performance with Alice No. 10, Steam Girls, and Armor Girls. Alice No. 10 takes the lead role in the performance and the other groups take their visual appearance. The music also resembles Alice No. 10's style, with heavy rock influences.
Controversy Surrounding the 2016 US Presidential Election
Kamen Joshi released a song in April 2016 expressing support for Donald Trump's candidacy in the US Presidential Election. The song, "Kamen Joshi: Idol Magic for Trump M-A-G-A!" sparked controversy online, particularly within English-speaking audiences. In the accompanying video, the girls wear costumes resembling goods from the Republican's campaign line. The video included a message stating the video was for "entertainment purposes only." This statement was intended to distance the individual idols from any expressed political beliefs. The song lyrics include references to memes, a trend that also occurred in the US far right at the time.
Related figures
Fans of Kamen Joshi love both the group's unique visuals and musical releases. The "NY@BRICK Fukusen Kaisyu Topology CYBER NEW NEW with Kamen Joshi: Steam Girls" figure offers more than just a collectible. It includes a card and download code to get access to the song "Fukusen Kaisyu Topology" by Kamen Joshi subgroup, Steam Girls.