IGN:
Tourning
TItle of your suggestion:
An alternative type of Cheerleading: Ōendan
Describe your suggestion:
Hello. I come with a suggestion that’s made for the purpose of adding to the fairly traditional Japanese setting that YRP assumes. I will first preface by saying that the current type of cheerleading that’s planned, which is more in-line with western practices, also very much exists in Japan, and even exists in this other type to some degree! So I want to clarify that this is just an alternative option. They can even co-exist, separately or otherwise!
So, what is an ōendan?
An ōendan, which translates to something along the lines of “cheering squad,” consists of a team of people coming together to rally behind a sports team. It’s said to take inspiration from the more traditional cheerleading squads seen elsewhere in the world. To this end, it is actually quite similar, their purposes are effectively the same, their actions, which both consist of choreographed routines, serve the same purposes, and the standard cheerleading uniform is still present for women, if they do choose to wear it. Beyond this, however, differences do start to make themselves apparent. Chiefly among which is their appearance.
Ōendans dress, act, and generally present themselves in a much different way than western cheerleading squads. They are notably masculine, typically sporting gakuran-type school uniforms for both men and women (if they choose to wear them) and/or in some cases, happi robes. They also wear headbands, particularly hachimaki. The robes and headbands are usually customized with the supported team/group/school in mind.
Their routines consist of choreographed dances and general acrobatics, brass and/or taiko drumming, passionate speech/yelling, flag-bearing, and a strong emphasis on noise in general. These routines can consist of as little as 2-3 people, and can grow to be fairly large and elaborate. They also exist to lead other fans in cheers, applause, and taunts during sporting events. As mentioned, their main purpose is to ‘rally.’
Additional Notes:
Tourning
TItle of your suggestion:
An alternative type of Cheerleading: Ōendan
Describe your suggestion:
Hello. I come with a suggestion that’s made for the purpose of adding to the fairly traditional Japanese setting that YRP assumes. I will first preface by saying that the current type of cheerleading that’s planned, which is more in-line with western practices, also very much exists in Japan, and even exists in this other type to some degree! So I want to clarify that this is just an alternative option. They can even co-exist, separately or otherwise!
So, what is an ōendan?
An ōendan, which translates to something along the lines of “cheering squad,” consists of a team of people coming together to rally behind a sports team. It’s said to take inspiration from the more traditional cheerleading squads seen elsewhere in the world. To this end, it is actually quite similar, their purposes are effectively the same, their actions, which both consist of choreographed routines, serve the same purposes, and the standard cheerleading uniform is still present for women, if they do choose to wear it. Beyond this, however, differences do start to make themselves apparent. Chiefly among which is their appearance.
Ōendans dress, act, and generally present themselves in a much different way than western cheerleading squads. They are notably masculine, typically sporting gakuran-type school uniforms for both men and women (if they choose to wear them) and/or in some cases, happi robes. They also wear headbands, particularly hachimaki. The robes and headbands are usually customized with the supported team/group/school in mind.
Their routines consist of choreographed dances and general acrobatics, brass and/or taiko drumming, passionate speech/yelling, flag-bearing, and a strong emphasis on noise in general. These routines can consist of as little as 2-3 people, and can grow to be fairly large and elaborate. They also exist to lead other fans in cheers, applause, and taunts during sporting events. As mentioned, their main purpose is to ‘rally.’
Additional Notes:
- An ōendan can appear at all levels of education, and even at professional sporting events, much like cheerleaders elsewhere.
- They are also sometimes accompanied by brass bands, as with western cheerleading.
- I don’t believe any form of roleplay would be lost in exchange for implementing an ōendan, given that traditional cheerleading still very much makes an appearance in larger ōendan groups, and that routines are still present regardless of that.
- I think that adding an ōendan would also pave the way for a more diverse cast of characters to participate in cheerleading, rather than the small set of pre-established cheerleader tropes. (e.g, recreations of the 3 ‘Plastics’ from Mean Girls…)
- This suggestion isn't a priority, but I would like to see it considered.
- I’ll attach some pictures and videos pertinent to ōendans in the document below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r8DS5FZuJVWdDTTVP2cQlEu59pXgcCuYD0sPC0zvGcQ/edit?tab=t.0
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