In Japanese pop culture, an is a young manufactured star/starlet marketed as someone to be admired, usually for their
cuteness. Idols are intended to be role models. They are supposed to have a good public image and be good examples to young people. Idols aim to play a wide range of roles as
media personalities (
tarento), e.g.
pop singers, panelists of variety programs, bit-part actors, models for magazines and advertisements.