IDOL 101: The Idol Timeline (FanimeCon 2025) Panel Slides

The idea of re-doing the "IDOL 101" panel as a timeline came to me around the same time I was writing the '80s idol panel, and I submitted it to a couple of cons around that time. Maybe because I submitted both the '80s and 101 idol panels at once, or maybe because I just wasn't convincing enough, neither ALA or Fanime took the panel last year. That was probably for the best as I hadn't started writing the actual panel yet, and the delay made it so that this version would fall on the tenth anniversary of paneling at Fanime. Sadly there was no time to convince Molly to somehow make it, even though I doubt she'd have been able to due to scheduling conflicts. Even though I'm glad that Fanime took it this year, and I stand by the version presented at con, this panel needs a lot of work. I do think I have most of it down as far as information goes, I just need to work on the delivery and execution. The next version will most likely feature much smoother transitions, and a trimming of info all around. I actually wish I would've had the opportunity to have brought this to a smaller convention to workshop it a bit, as I was really confused as to how I was going to time it while in the writing phase. I knew I had too much info, but so much of the writing process before the con was me ripping out entire sections of slides that I'd spent hours writing. So much of this panel ended up on the cutting room floor, but I guess that's just how it goes when I try to fit in everything in an overview panel. This panel will continue for a while at the very least though, as it's very nostalgic. There was a time when we hosted a panel like this at every convention A-to-J did, and it's through these panels that we met many people who'd join up with us over the years.  I don't know how long I'll keep doing this 101 panel, but it's nice and nostalgic since this was a staple in A-to-J's early years. Anyhow, be sure to come to a panel near you, and thank you to everyone who has either attended one or somehow made it to this page!

Lastly, the songs from the opening montage (Which featured post-2000s covers of earlier idol songs because I thought that would be a fun change!) can be found below:

• W - Senti Metal Boy (2004) (Original by Kilala to Ulala - 1984)
• Morning Musume - Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanaide (2005) (Original by Onyanko Club - 1985)
• C-ute - Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (2009) (Original by Candies - 1977)
• Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 - Valentine Kiss (2011) (Original by Sayuri Kokusho - 1986)
• YUIMETAL (BABYMETAL) - Chokotto LOVE (2013) (Original by Petit Moni - 1999)
• Pink Babies - Nagisa no Sinbad (2016) (Original by Pink Lady - 1977)
• Kanna Hashimoto - Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu (2016) (Original by Hiroko Yakushimaru - 1981)
• Hitomi Arai - Shoujo A (2020) (Original by Akina Nakamori - 1982)
• Risa Ogata with Mizuki Fukumura - Ai ga Tomaranai ~Turn It Into Love~ (2021) (Original by WINK - 1989)