J-Pop idol groups have long been known for their high-energy performances, catchy tunes and impeccably cute styled women and girl idols. However, another aspect that remains largely unchanged has also been the industry’s rigid beauty standards, where slim and petite figures are the norm, perpetuating rigid body standards that cause more harm than good. Enter Big Angel, a self-proclaimed "debu idol" (fat idol) group challenging these standards with an empowering, unapologetic message of self-love, body positivity, and confidence for all.
Formed with the concept of being heavenly angels who fell to earth after indulging in too much good food, Big Angel embraces their bodies and encourages fans to do the same. Each member introduces herself not only with her name but also with her weight and a food item she represents—turning a historically stigmatized concept into something joyful and empowering. With song titles like The Diet Has Begun – Let’s Dance in Bikinis and Come With Me Let’s Gobble Up The Earth, the group showcases an infectious tongue-in-cheek attitude, celebrating the simple everyday pleasures of eating good food along with empowering messages of body positivity. This is why the J-Pop idol group Big Angel is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality and Good Health and Well-Being.
Unlike traditional idol groups whose YouTube channel is filled with daily life content, such as them shopping and doing their make-up, Big Angel’s YouTube is accompanied by foodie content of them eating and trying out new restaurants and cafés. The emphasis is clear: women and girls should not be shamed for enjoying food, just like everyone else. The group’s leader, Michiko "Mi-chan" Ohashi, also speaks openly about the pressures of weight loss she faced in Japan and the entertainment industry. In an inspiring interview with Asian Boss, she shared how societal expectations initially made her feel ashamed of her body weight, but she eventually found empowerment by embracing her size and reclaiming the word "debu" or “fat” as something positive.
The beauty standards that Big Angel is pushing back on have caused body image issues, leading to some practices like extreme dieting or excessive exercise to attain the desired appearance. These beauty standards collectively affect individuals' self-esteem, body image and identity, leading to psychological distress. The Japan Association for Eating Disorders and Japan's Health Ministry have reported that women aged 30 to 50 are resorting to extreme measures to achieve this ideal body type. Hence, the importance of the work that Big Angel is putting out into the world.
Big Angel music video for "I Really Need to Start Dieting". Video courtesy of Big Angel's website.
In an industry built on unattainable polished perfection, Big Angel is a joyful, defiant revolution. By reclaiming the slur 'debu' and celebrating their bodies with unapologetic pride, they aren’t just performing—they’re dismantling decades of harmful norms, one catchy anthem and food vlog at a time. Their message transcends music: it’s a lifeline to those burdened by shame, proof that self-worth isn’t measured in kilos or centimetres, but in confidence, community and the courage to take up space. Big Angel doesn’t just challenge J-Pop’s beauty standards—they offer a sweeter, louder and radically inclusive vision of what it means to be an idol.
Find out more about Big Angel and their initiatives by checking their official website www.bigangel.jp or their YouTube channel BigAngel_Official.