I lived in Japan for seven years, and was part of the "Indies Visual Kei"* scene in and around Tokyo for most of that.
I would have to say that within that fandom, or my experience of it at least, the 4th wall not only didn't exist, but would have been discouraged if it had started to appear (I left Tokyo in 2004, I wouldn't want to try to comment on it now).
I have very vivid memories of a certain vocalist wanting me to explain/summarize/display in stick figures if I didn't know the correct vocabulary something I was writing that involved the two guitarists in his band. His biggest complaint? That I had never written about him! (He was, as far as I know, rather straight.)
**Small unsigned bands of ビジュアル系. Most of the bands that I followed/saw have now disappeared. The only notable exception to that would be D'espairsRay, and unfortunately I can't claim to have discussed anything like this with them =)
no subject
I would have to say that within that fandom, or my experience of it at least, the 4th wall not only didn't exist, but would have been discouraged if it had started to appear (I left Tokyo in 2004, I wouldn't want to try to comment on it now).
I have very vivid memories of a certain vocalist wanting me to explain/summarize/display in stick figures if I didn't know the correct vocabulary something I was writing that involved the two guitarists in his band. His biggest complaint? That I had never written about him! (He was, as far as I know, rather straight.)
**Small unsigned bands of ビジュアル系. Most of the bands that I followed/saw have now disappeared. The only notable exception to that would be D'espairsRay, and unfortunately I can't claim to have discussed anything like this with them =)