The World is Amazed by Japan's "Glowing Support" Culture! — The Profound World of Penlights from Johnny's to Anime

The World is Amazed by Japan's "Glowing Support" Culture! — The Profound World of Penlights from Johnny's to Anime

2025年06月18日 20:51

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: The Current State of Penlight Culture

  2. Johnny's Fans Edition

  3. 48 Group Edition

  4. Sakamichi Series Edition

  5. Underground Idols Edition

  6. 2D (Anime & Voice Actors) Edition

  7. Singers Edition

  8. Spin the Light! Basics of Spinning & Otagei

  9. Common Rules for Safety & Manners

  10. Conclusion: To Shine at the Next Event

  11. List of Reference Articles

1. Introduction: The Current State of Penlight Culture

The "glowing stick" began with glow sticks in the 1980s and evolved into multi-color LEDs with wireless control in the 2010s. Recently, more groups are using official Bluetooth control to synchronize the entire venue, enhancing the aspect of being "part of the light show" in addition to individual waving styles. However, event manners are still largely governed by fan-led tacit knowledge. Without knowing the local rules of each community, you might not only feel out of place but could also end up in disputes with neighboring seats. Below, we provide a concrete guide on how to deliver the "light of your favorite color" across six major genres.


2. Johnny's Fans Edition

◆ Basic Holding Style

  • Hold one official penlight (two at most) vertically.

  • The basic style is "vertical waving," where you fix your elbow and make small movements above the wrist.

  • The Family Club explicitly states that unofficial penlights or modified sheets are generally not allowed.detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp

◆ Usage Differentiation During Songs

  • Group Songs: "Color rotation," where you light up member colors in order.

  • Ballads: Wave gently at chest height or turn off the light.

  • Call Songs: Raise it high above your head with one big swing at the chorus entry.


◆ Prohibited Actions

  • "Swinging around" by waving above shoulder height for extended periods is subject to caution.

  • Attaching decorations to penlights that make noise is also prohibited.

◆Practice/On-site Video


3. 48 Group Edition

◆Basic Holding Method

  • Holding two penlights is standard. Instantly switch between your favorite color and the unit color.

  • The swing range is about 45° with the whole arm from the shoulder, a "side swing."


◆Representative Choreography Examples

◆NG Actions

  • Although more tolerant than other groups, "full swing" that overlaps with neighbors is strictly prohibited.

  • Be cautious of copyright regarding self-made luminous sheets with member portraits.


◆Trivia

  • At birthday festivals, there is a "unified color" culture where everyone lights up in the member's image color.ameblo.jp


4. Sakamichi Series Edition

◆Characteristics

  • Unity is key with a "horizontal figure-eight" wave.

  • For Nogizaka46, an 11-color sequential penlight is mainstream. The order of color change follows the official color scheme.detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp

◆Classic Song Pattern

SongBefore ChorusChorusLast
Nogizaka no UtaPurple→WhiteHorizontal Figure EightThree-beat Swing after Chorus
Oide ShampooLight Blue→WhiteCross Two SticksVertical Swing on "Shampoo" Call

Tutorial Video


5. Underground Idol Edition

◆Keywords: Vertical Series, Horizontal Series

  • Fans who secured the front row with an early shift fix their penlights above their heads → The back aligns vertically to create a "pillar of light."

  • In the B-melody, use the right arm as an axis to perform a 360° spin, known as "spin." TikTok Explanation: tiktok.com


◆Live Structure

  1. Entrance SE: All members fix their penlights to their favorite color.

  2. Before Chorus: Align height with vertical series for clear visibility.

  3. Grand Chorus: Spin + Jump allowed. However, maintaining a 50 cm distance front and back is courteous.detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp


6. 2D (Anime & Voice Actor) Edition

◆The World of "Otaku Performance"

  • Basic Techniques: OAD, Thunder Snake, Rosario.wotageitimes.com

  • Formations are created by 4-6 people, chaining techniques in sync with the song's BPM, making "waza-ren" videos popular.

◆ Penlight Settings

  • Enjoy quick color changes with the song's theme color and in-song effects (lightning, fire).

  • Be cautious of shining high-intensity penlights on the faces of those next to you.


7. Singer Edition

◆ Live Features

  • There are often pre-announcements about the number of penlights allowed (1-2).

  • Rhythm Variation: Change the amplitude finely, marking every two beats in the verse and every four beats in the chorus.


◆ Manners Q&A

  • Using penlights from past tours is OK, but the same color is recommended.detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp

  • To avoid color clashes, there's a culture of calling for "color checks" on social media beforehand.


◆ Reference Videos



8. Spin the Light! Spin & Wotagei Basics

  • One-Handed Spin: Hold the lower end of the grip with two fingers and rotate horizontally with a wrist snap. Beginners should use a fall-prevention strap.

  • Cross-Hand Spin: Simultaneously rotate outward with both hands and then inward to draw an ∞.Video Explanation  tiktok.com

  • OAD: Repeat the diagonal thrust from the bottom right to the top left for 8 counts. It stands out when combined with "jumping."


9. Common Rules for Safety & Manners

  1. Recommended length 25 cm / weight 200 g or less—to prevent falling and head injuries.

  2. Check for leaks before replacing lithium batteries.

  3. During sequences, check left and right + keep the amplitude "within shoulder width".

  4. In wireless-controlled live events, strictly adhere to the color settings as directed by the host app.

  5. Spin above your own head—spinning lower than the eye level of adjacent seats is dangerous.


10. Summary / Shine at the Next Event

The etiquette of light varies greatly across different communities, but what's universally important is "respecting both your favorite and those around you." By mastering just the key points of this article, even first-timers won't feel left out and can stand shoulder to shoulder with veterans to deliver light. Learn spins and otagei step by step with safety as the priority, and draw the "trail of your favorite color" at your own pace. Now, at the next event, your penlight will shine the brightest.


Reference Article List

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