The Dark Reality of Japanese Host Clubs

0:00 Intro
3:30 Ako's First Visit
12:42 The Host Business
29:28 Host Club Clients
43:23 Analysis
1:04:01 Why Host Clubs?

Mentions of specific businesses and persons has been kept to a minimum to protect their privacy. However, you may search [ホスト] to find Japanese YouTube channels created by hosts and host clubs.

Sources
The Dark Side of Jirai Kei 地雷系 (Landmine) Fashion & Culture

[Владислав-ыму]

You know what's interesting? All of that is basically how Japanese brothels worked back in Edo period, except it was a man, who would pledge to one single working girl, and bought her ridiculously expensive feasts and gifts.

[Garbaz]

I'm surprised you didn't say the word "addiction".

To me at least both the behavior of the clients and especially the way the host clubs operate seem very similar to gambling addiction and casinos respectively.

[buddamahcrepe]

the moment they have silver-fox-type hosts, it’s over💀

[justwentfullchuu]

This feels like one of Red Bard's videos: really informative and engaging, it shows contradictions and questionable things but instead of condemning or mocking them it sates your curiosity and treats everything with respect. Amazing vid!

[segenshin]

Now that I think of it, these pro-host club arguments you bring up where it talks about the spenders' agency and blames problems on individual matters, reminded me of similar arguments made about gacha games such as genshin, where they blame individuals for their poor spending habits at the cost of their livelihoods. Interesting to see how supporters of both industries try to (deliberately or not) mask the systemic side behind why and how the spenders are convinced to keep spending.
Of course it'll be just as reductionist to solely pit the blame on systemic issues too, which is why it's important to view both individual and societal or systemic sides on a particular topic such as host clubs, as separate but are still able to influence one another.
Overall, I really respect your ability to both listen to and respect different people's experiences, and being honest about your own biases, all the while not shying away from facing concrete facts.

[mychannel-lpiq]

Commenting to boost the algorithm cuz THIS IS AMAZING

[imaifumiyalover]

watching the idol part made me realise ive also kinda fallen into it, i regulary attend vkei lives, spend way more than i should so i can get a chance for more and better 2-shots with my favorite, buy merch so i can get more service too. Not to mention just the ticket is often very expensive, then vip so i can get even closer with who i want and everything just makes me spend more and more. i fr havent realised this before but now i do..

[pilotaxe]

what a video, just unbelievable production value and amazing narration i appreciate the deeper insight. keep up the good work!

[littlecake]

This was unbelievably interesting, probably one of the few long videos that got me invested in a while.

[HeirofAzaran]

I appreciate how thorough you were, and how articulately you spike on this. And then you made a Who's Line reference and you earned my subscription

[Tachi]

You make a great point about the discussion of agency and free choice largely missing the point. Modern day exploitation has shifted from using threats and limitations to incentives and seemingly positive messaging.

No one is putting a gun to the head of people involved here, but the system is set up in a way that takes advantage of human psychology to guide them towards addiction and to distort their perception until the choices they make are heavily swayed by an induced emotional state.

It's insidious both in that those responsible can feign ignorance and blame the victims, and as a representation of a broader trend of selling people back simulacra of bonds and experiences which the modern world has gradually eroded.

[EdgeLie]

kinda like a cult, it is definitely possible to be both a victim and a perpetrator

[abcxyz-dprl]

1:13:22 Aromantic is the word your looking for. Not Asexual

[aviancoleslaw]

I have to say, this video was a lot more nuanced and thorough than I was afraid it would be. Very informative

[midnightmythos]

Your art style is so cool and cute I love

[femmefemmefemmeoh]

If you want to do sw for its own sake, then in my books that's cool.
The uncomfortable aspect in my opinion is the idea of getting a more dangerous, high-paying job purely to funnel that money into your host because you've been emotionally manipulated into doing so.
I feel the same way when people with no savings and high rent get cornered into taking office jobs with terrible workplace cultures and/or exploitative contracts.
There's nothing inherently wrong with an office job, but being coerced into taking a job because of an urgent need for money means your agency is limited.

[imooumoo]

This is such a terrible way for both sexes to meet each other. All this does is encourage casual, materialistic relationships and nothing long lasting

[johnsylux]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but this just sounds like a strip club. Or what i would imagine a strip club is like, full of lonely people looking for connections while someone tries to fill that hole while also selling alcohol and other services while trying to establish relationships for a repeat customer. The contract thing is interesting though, i feel like that would be closer to prostitution in the US.

[doublejayjay]

God, I LOVE the editing of this! Definitely earned a sub :)

[calandraeckert]

Super interesting video. I learned a lot and even saved it to rewatch later. Thank you for making it 😊