A year after Manila Idol Matsuri, one of the more impressive groups came back to Metro Manila for Toycon 2019. Pastel∞Mix, the idol cover group from Davao, wowed the audience in the first live event dedicated to local idols to ever be produced, and fans were wondering when they would ever come back to the capital to grace the stage in this side of the country again.
Many things have happened since Idol Matsuri, and the groups that participated there have moved on to performing in other events, holding fan meets, or sometimes needing a small “reboot” to try their luck again in the industry. Pastel Mix also had lots of activities: Davao has always been their center of operations. Being from way down south has afforded them “autonomy” from the Metro Manila idol scene, as well as establishing their “kingdom” relatively untouched by the rise of a certain 48 group and its rival in the capital.
Pastel∞Mix has existed far longer than any local idol groups not named Seishun Kakumei (we’re not sure they’re older than Ivy Musume, though), and they already have a system that has sustained them, clear goals that they aspire to accomplish, and staff that knows what they’re doing. Throughout their existence, they are the official performers of Ambox Events (the company behind World Cosplay Summit Philippines), meaning that they are never short of events to perform in.
Just imagine how many cosplay-related events we have throughout the calendar year? Now, imagine how many of those are organized by Ambox Events? Pastel∞Mix was created to fill in the “gaps” between segments. To engage the crowd while the participants and crew are working behind the scenes. But why a J-Idol concept group? I think it’s because that was exactly what Ambox was capable of creating.
When the group was formed ten years ago, there was literally no market for J-idols in the Philippines. There are a lot of J-idol fans, but no one was willing to try forming a group that was specifically designed for the concept. What is amazing is that Pastel∞Mix wasn’t even Ambox’s first attempt at creating an idol group, so you get the sense that they were trying to pioneer something.
Because Ambox is being run by Japanese who prefer their wards to be trained Japanese style, Pastel∞Mix received an “education” in being an idol: dance training, personality development, stamina and endurance. They received training that is comparable – if not on par – with professionals.
For me, the most striking thing is that the group is being particular at being marketed correctly as a J-pop cover idol group, instead of outright claiming they were idols. Maybe that’s because their handlers are taking small steps into becoming an idol group, and having their own music is still one of their “unchecked” boxes to date. Maybe they’re more comfortable calling themselves idols when they have everything in place.
It is a subtle way of saying “we’re technically idols, but can’t claim it just yet”. For many Japanese fans, there are a lot of things associated with being an idol. You just can’t come in and claim the title without actually being part of the culture, much like I cannot just lay claim to being a professional gamer without actually being paid to play. There’s a difference between an idol group singing their own songs, to a group that sings another group’s material. Both can be equally trained and skilled, with all the “idol” trappings, but one of them is just imitating another (which isn’t a shame in itself), while the other is performing as themselves.
But the thing is, Pastel∞Mix looks and feels like the real deal so much that you just don’t care about the particulars. They knew how to interact with fans, they knew how to make you feel great, they have a way to make you feel comfortable doing a cheki with a teenage girl (after which, she will scribble some stuff on the picture that makes it all the more cute). You have this light-voiced young woman talk cutely with you in their booth, who will instantly transform into “performer mode” when they get on the stage.
It was a stroke of luck that Toycon 2019 were kind enough to invite (thanks Jay!) the group as one of their celebrity performers. Maybe it’s because the World Cosplay Summit Philippines is holding a contest there and because several key persons are in charge of both Ambox and WCS Philippines, I guess Pastel∞Mix was likely to go to as well. The group had a little booth in the main event area where they can sell their merchandise as well as have a cheki with fans. It’s a big enough booth, but the location is a little too crowded since fans are known to flock over to wherever their idols are. I mean, any booth in Toycon will be crowded, so in the future, I think it would be better to have booths dedicated to idols away from the other stores.
To tell you the truth, I don’t know any member individually. Unlike the other idol group I usually write about, I don’t know the stories of these girls. Not that it was such a deal-breaker for me, but now that I am in front of them, I really wished I at least tried to know their names. They are cute, charming, welcoming, and really did put an effort to promote their performance in Day 3.
Their performance was interspersed in-between the World Cosplay Summit segments. They did a joint-performance with CH4U, and had a much lengthier set later on. The technicals weren’t cooperating (the joint performance in particular, had poor lighting), but all the girls made do with what they had. The performance wasn’t on the same level as their Idol Matsuri set, but the energy at least, was high throughout.
Pastel∞Mix as a group, has enough skill to have a good run in the burgeoning local idol market. Their professionalism, performance skill, and good personality all supported by above-average training will be more than enough to go against the “giants”. In an industry with inceasing fans most of whom doesn’t understand idol culture, its do’s and don’ts, its intricacies, and what “supporting” an idol actually means, Pastel∞Mix is poised to make a lasting impact. The question remains: is the fandom ready for them?