This system creates a powerful barrier to entry. If a scandal breaks, an agency can effectively excommunicate a star from the industry. While this ensures a level of stability and politeness in the public sphere (stars are rarely seen behaving "diva-like" in public), it has also led to issues regarding the rights of performers and lack of creative freedom.
Anime and manga form the bedrock of Japan's soft power. What began as localized comic books and hand-drawn animations has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global juggernaut. This system creates a powerful barrier to entry