Tokyopop announced today that the first three DVDs in its J-Idols series hit the street on October 30.  These DVDs (see 'Tokyopop Adds Soundtracks, J-Idols Videos') reveal the most popular Japanese beauties in all aspects of their lives from the photographer's studio to the bedroom.  Thanks to these DVD's interactive features, viewers can go on virtual dates, look through the supermodels' photo albums and watch them at work or play.  The importance of the interactive features is such that these videos are only available in the DVD format. The subjects of these J-Idols videos are huge superstars in Japan where they are ubiquitous on magazine covers, billboards, television series, and movies.  Unlike many other American publishers who are concerned with just one or two aspects of Japanese pop culture (say anime and manga), Tokyopop with its wrestling, street racing (see 'The Fast and The Furious-Documentary Style'), and J-Idols videos and music CDs is attempting to bring the full panoply of modern Japanese culture to U.S.

Yuka

The first volume in the Tokyopop's J-Idols series fittingly features Yuka, who is probably the number one J-Idol in Japan today.  Currently she stars in no fewer than five different TV shows in Japan, where her work has earned her four Golden Arrow Awards in the past three years.  Yuka is also a member of the all-female Japanese rock band, Nitro, and she has a wild streak that goes right along with her rock star status.

Fukakyon

The second video in the series is dedicated to Kyoko Fukada, who is known as 'Fukakyon' in Japan.  Here exquisite beauty has earned her the unofficial title of 'the face of Japan.   In her DVD Fukakyon travels to the seaside (one can't discount the impact of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Videos on these J-Idols DVDs) for some incredible swimsuit shots and demonstrates her talents as a pianist.

Race Queens

The third installment in the J-Idols series features the sensuous beauties who participate in Japan's burgeoning 'street racing' scene (see 'The Fast and The Furious-Documentary Style').  Many of these beauties have earned positions as spokesmodels for companies that sell auto accessories and trendy clothes.  Maybe they should retitle this DVD, The Fast and The Beautiful. Fans of the street-racing scene will want to have the Race Queens DVD as well as Tokyopop's 'Street Fury' racing documentary videos.