So I've wondered about this off and on the last couple of years, and figured I'd make a topic about it: what's the pillows' native fanbase like, and where are their biggest communities on the web. Sometimes, it just seems like there's nothing outside of our little corner of the Internet, we see the pillows through the lens of the West. I always thought it was a shame we never really seem connected with the Japanese fanbase.

For those that are more fluent in Japanese, where do most of the hardcore fans congregate? Mixi? The offical site's BBS? How can we get more in contact with them? I'm curious to know how they feel on the band's recent events. How did they react to the 20th anniversary? Are there fans just as jaded as some of us over the newer material across the Pacific?

Mare's recent project got me thinking that there's probably a lot of stories these fans could tell, especially those that have been fans since the pre-Lostman era. Not to mention, I'm sure there's bootlegs and whatnot floating around there that we've never come across, would be awesome to see what they've come across. I think it'd be kind of cool to connect with them, or at the very least know what boards they frequent so we can see what they think about the band and what they do.

I was actually planning on conducting online interviews with some fans I know on Mixi as well as maybe posting on the BBS and the 2ch thread about it, though I'll have to figure out exactly what questions and whatnot will work well, so while I can't really answer much about the Japanese community beyond the Mixi groups (which tend to have a pretty similar kind of thing to IM in many ways, except that the threads on that are entirely about the pillows, since it's not really a forum), there will be Japanese fan feedback gathered (as well as interviews/questionnaires for you guys lol).

Can't wait for the interview and questionnaire
I'll do my best.

[quote="Marekenshin"]I was actually planning on conducting online interviews with some fans I know on Mixi as well as maybe posting on the BBS and the 2ch thread about it, though I'll have to figure out exactly what questions and whatnot will work well, so while I can't really answer much about the Japanese community beyond the Mixi groups (which tend to have a pretty similar kind of thing to IM in many ways, except that the threads on that are entirely about the pillows, since it's not really a forum), there will be Japanese fan feedback gathered (as well as interviews/questionnaires for you guys lol).[/quote]

Cool cool. I'd definitely ask where they congregate, besides Mixi. You should definitely find out if the "Holy Trinity" is as revered there as it is here in the West.

By the way, how would one go about getting a Mixi account? I've heard it's kind of difficult, like you need an invite or something? Is there an easy way a regular American guy like me can get in there? I'd love to see what goes on there.

You need a Japanese cell phone email address to get in now, because they're being Xenophobic cockbags.

You also have to swear allegiance to Emperor Hirohito's spirit.

Well then, there goes that idea.