Glossary
Retirement
A performer's announced exit from AV work, often staged as a media event.
What it means
Retirement matters because stigma and archive permanence make leaving as narratively heavy as entering. Fans, agencies, and tabloids all fight over the meaning of goodbye.
Origin
Graduation-style announcements borrowed from idol culture. Some retirements are final; some are pauses; public language still says retirement.
Cultural context
Japanese audiences recognize retirement press events as a genre. Overseas fans may treat them as cliffhangers for comeback rumors.
Common misunderstandings
- Retirement does not automatically delete archives.
- Announcing retirement is not proof of coercion or of free choice without context.
- Comeback speculation can itself be harassing.
Related
Glossary
Last updated 19 September 2026