WOOP WOOP!! First blog after my mini break!! Are you excited? Because I know I am~!
So, during the last round of voting, topic option 3 blew the others out of the water! Option 3 must be the lucky number; this is the second time it's gotten such overwhelming votes! Hehe, anyway...
Usually, I try to have an evidence-based approach for my blogs. I am an academic at heart, after all! But for this one, I think this is going to be more of an opinion piece. When it comes to who can and can't wear certain styles, theres bound to be people who disagree with me, and that's totally fine! Where's the fun in everyone having the same opinion? But when it comes to the styles I want to touch on in particular, I think we find ourselves in a grey area.
Of course, we have Kogals who are simply just teenagers, and that doesn't make them any less Gyaru. Plus, realistically, you can't stop anyone from wearing anything. If a minor wants to wear a MA*RS set meant for an Agejo gal, what are we to do to stop them? Plus, Gyaru was effectively created by teenagers! I understand why it can feel unfair or gatekeep-y to exclude minor/teenage gals from certain styles.
But I think we need to look at this objectively.
Gyaru does not exist in a vacuum. Much like any counter-culture movement, Gyaru is influenced by the society in which it is created. In my blog, The Importance of Being Realistic: The Dark Side of Gyaru, I touched on some of the cultural influences surrounding Gyaru. Most notably: The ways patriarchy influences the subculture by way of night/sex work, the sexualization of minors, and the general objectification of gals. So, when I talk about these influences in relation to the styles, the ones I tend to latch onto are Agejo and Chibi Gyaru.
Let's start with Agejo. I go deeper into the style in my substyles blog, so I'll keep this brief, but for the uninformed: Agejo Gyaru is a style created by the magazine Koakuma Ageha, or just Ageha as I'll be calling it from now on. When it comes to Ageha magazine, it was created by and for hostesses, and considered to be the definitive hostess handbook-- a bible of sorts. Without going into the entire history of Japanese night work and host/hostess clubs, I'll direct you to this incredibly informative video. But in short, whilst being a hostess does not require a sexual aspect and is not outright sex work, there is undoubtedly an element of sex appeal, and some hostesses will engage in sex work. So, when it comes to Agejo gals, the style is mature. The style is adult. There are elements of having an alluring vibe to attract men, elements of lingerie, and, as I mentioned, sex appeal. The style is also the most fashion-centric of almost any style, so its impossible to be Agejo without having "the look." Ageha magazine also dealt with a lot of mature, complex topics in model articles and interviews (feel free to check out my dark side blog for context on this, as well). All this to say, it is my opinion that minor gals simply have no place in Agejo. Teenagers deal with a lot of heavy things; I won't deny that and say they need to be shielded from anything bad at all costs. However, teenagers have no need to engage in a style that is nearly synonymous with sex work. So, is there an age limit to certain styles? My opinion is yes.
I purposefully kept the Chibi Gyaru discussion at the end because to many, this isn't even a real substyle, and I'm inclined to agree. I kept it out of my substyles blog for a reason. Throughout my tenure in the Gyaru community, I've seen the definition of Chibi Gyaru change a bit. At first, it was believed to be Mama Gyaru dressing up their children to match them, and the children would be called Chibi Gyaru. all in good fun, and nothing too serious. Then, I started hearing it be used to describe Gyaru under the age of 12. I have my own thoughts on whether or not most children under 12 can logistically be Gyaru, but hey. Middle school begins at 11 (I think?), so it doesn't surprise me that middle schoolers play around with Gyaru. Then, I started to see these random, almost content farm-like channels of young girls in full faces of makeup and "Gyaru" outfits. In general, just creepy stuff that caters to unsavory individuals who fetishize Gyaru. Sexualizing minors, as well as being a problem in Japanese society and the entire world, is a massive problem within the Gyaru community. egg magazine, in particular, constantly puts minor gal models in their magazines in lingerie and other generally inappropriate clothing. When it comes to Chibi Gyaru, it's impossible to deny that it has turned into a way to continue to sexualize young girls and Gyaru. So, is there such a thing as "too young for Gyaru?" In my opinion, absolutely.
Aaand that's all from me for now!! todays blog is a bit shorter than normal, but I think its nice to have a blog that isn't so information-heavy sometimes, don't you think? As always, let me know your opinions, any comments or concerns, and more in the comments! I'm always interested in hearing what everyone thinks! Just like last time, I'll begin a new round of topic voting shortly! If there's anything you'd like me to cover, leave it in the comments or IM me! Thanks so much for reading and for your continued support during my little break. I hope to have even more free time after this to keep writing, so please look forward to it!!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Crash Course: Gyaruo 101
Hi everyone~! Welcome back~!
Recently, I've been getting a lot of interest in the male/masculine counterpart to Gyaru: Gyaruo!
Unlike Gyaru, the information on Gyaruo can be hard to come by, especially on the English-speaking side of the internet. But never fear! I've worked my magic (i.e., did a stupid amount of research) and have compiled a quick crash course for all of you interested in Gyaruo!
I'm going to try my best to make this as comprehensive as possible, so I'll probably pop in and add stuff every so often. I want this to be more of a one-stop shop blog, so it can be a bit more convenient for all of my Gyaruo friends!
A few quick notes before we begin: Just like Gyaru, one does not have to identify as male/be a cis male to be a Gyaruo. In the modern sense of the term, Gyaruo pertains to those who do not consider themselves Gyaru in the feminine sense. So, anyone, regardless of gender identity, can be Gyaruo. For the history portion of the blog, however, I will be referring to men nearly exclusively, as it was a predominantly cis male subculture during its peak. But rest assured, my choice of language is not meant to exclude anyone!
Now, let's start~!
~
HISTORY & GENERAL INFO
The term Gyaruo (ギャル男, ギャルオ), sometimes written as Gyaru-o, is, of course, an offshoot of the term Gyaru. The term can be shortened to guy, just as Gyaru can be shortened to gal.
The style got its start at the same time as Gyaru, as the aspects of tanning and bleaching/dyeing hair became very mainstream, meaning everyone (including people who did not consider themselves explicitly Gyaru) was doing it. This naturally extended to men, and certain men began to take it a step further and join their female counterparts. Men who engaged in the subculture began to be known as gyaru otoko, or gal men, and with that, Gyaruo was born!
Gyaruo is interesting in terms of how masculinity is presented. The style is undoubtedly masculine, almost stereotypically so in some aspects, with special emphasis on manliness and proving one's manliness, looking good to attract female attention (many guys became Gyaruo to be popular with women in the first place), exercise and working out, and satisfying sexual appetites. However, the style is also almost (unfairly) stereotypically feminine since such great pride is taken in one's appearance. Taking care of one's hair, outfit, tanning, materialism, and, in some cases, using makeup and nail polish are important for guys. When looking at Gyaruo from the traditionally masculine and misogynistic lens, guys are considered "girly," despite the fact that guys enjoy stereotypically masculine pleasures as well. Like Gyaru defies traditional beauty standards, Gyaruo is meant to go against traditional standards of masculinity. The heart of the style lies in rebellion.
Gyaruo are very similar to their Gyaru counterparts. They love furs and animal prints, layering accessories (belts, jewelry/piercings, sunglasses, hats, etc.), tight clothing, ripped/distressed styles, and anything bold.
In appearance, a Gyaruo is muscular but not overly built. The idea is to remain slender enough for the tight clothing seen in many substyles, but of course, anyone of any body-type can be Gyaruo. Sujimori is important for the Gyaruo silhouette, and depending on the substyle, it can take on either a more host club-like or Vkei shape. In general, though, the hair can be medium-long (some guys use extensions) and in a variety of colors. The general cut has lots of layers and is almost wolfy, with heavy fringe/bangs, spiky, or even slicked back. It is not uncommon to see guys with facial hair. Modernly, tanning is not required for Gyaruo, but it does help sell the look, and many guys choose to tan. Tans can range anywhere from medium to dark, depending on the substyle. Some guys can wear make if they choose, as well as nail polish. Depending on the substyle, Gyaruo draws many parallels with host fashion, Yankii/Teamer/Ora Ora kei aesthetics, Vkei/rock/goth styles, as well as Ganguro/(Ya)Manba and Western fashion. As a whole, the goal is to look sexy.
Popular Gyaruo magazines are Men's egg, Men's egg bitter (aimed at Gyaruo 23+), Men's egg youth, Men's Knuckle, Men's Spider, Soul Japan, CHOKI CHOKI (more geared toward Salon Kei), and more. Many of these publications had Gyaru counterparts as well, such as the well-known egg magazine and Soul Sister.
~
SUBSTYLES
Many Gyaruo substyles are simply masculine versions of Gyaru substyles, so to save some time, I will direct you back to my Gyaru substyles blog when necessary. The main focus will be on the styles exclusive to Gyaruo. Something else of note is that some of the substyles go more in-depth than others, because I was unable to find a lot of information about them. Alas, there just isn't the wealth of information that Gyaru has when it comes to Gyaruo. I'll try to remedy this by including photos!
Kogyaruo
Not a substyle per se, but rather an age-range/age identifier for high school-aged Gyaruo. For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Adult
Adult is one of the Gyaruo styles most similar to host fashion. The idea is simple style for maximum impact. Leather, fur, denim, and animal prints are popular fabrics/textures. Tank tops, button-ups/collared shirts, fur-lined jackets, vests, coats, blazers, and jeans are popular clothing choices. Jewelry (cross necklaces, pendants, rings), sunglasses, and belts/straps are popular accessories. Leather/combat/fur-lined boots are common footwear.
Amekaji
For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Rokku
For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Datewaru
[I was unable to find good information about Datewaru anywhere besides this Reddit post. I have taken the author's description and inserted it here. Another link to the post can be found in the resources section. For future reference, anything not written by me will be in quotes to avoid plagiarizing another's hard work.]
"coined by Men's Knuckle, datewaru refers to their idea of 'flashy bad boy' fashion. It's edgier than onii-kei and more flamboyant than oraora. A leather jacket paired with distressed jeans are often a must, bonus points if the jacket has some sort of fur trim, animal print, or camo. More is more in datewaru, so stacking accessories and textures is important. Silver jewelry, chains, sunglasses, bandanas are all very common. Black with white/grey accents is the most common color but reds, military greens, and cheetah print tawny also seen. Popular brands include Xfrm, FUGA, LAGUST, WILD PARTY, CIVARIZE, and MIDAS, as well as jewelry brands like Chrome Hearts, Justin Davis, Diavlo, etc. Teased or looser sujimori hair is commonly worn and tanning is common but not necessary. Datewaru has also kind of become a sort of meme because of the corny edgelord 'catchphrases' that often accompany the street snaps in Men's Knuckle (often without the actual wearer's knowledge) such as 'There's only one truth, all men should be dyed black', 'Elegance and eroticism blending together in slumber', 'The password is Whitey Embanence' (no I don't know what that last one means)."
V-hosu/V-host Kei
[Similarly to Datewaru, I also turned to this Reddit post. I have taken the author's description and inserted it here.]
"coined by Men's Spider (kind of a sister magazine to Men's Knuckle, my personal favorite gyaruo magazine), v-host kei is a combination of host-kei fashion and the rock styles worn by visual-kei bandomen. The magazine featured both hosts, vkei bandomen, and those who work as both such as Sena from the Raid. A lot of hosts admired and emulated visual-kei bandomen during this time and the gyaruo that admired these hosts also followed suit. Because they're related, v-hosu and datewaru look similar to those who are unfamiliar. V-hosu is distinct as it has less tough/grungy elements than datewaru, having more of the neater atmosphere of a host. It has a slightly more formal and luxurious feel, dress shirts, blazers, coats, ties, and even full fur jackets are common. Though edgy elements are still retained as leather jackets are also common, often with fur trim, there's also a preference for drapey fabrics rather than the stiff denims of datewaru. Animal print is sometimes used, most often white leopard or tiger prints. Accessories include silver jewelry, skinny scarves, and chokers. There's a wider variety of color options, with black and white, grey, red, bronze, and even pink accents being seen. Popular brands include Sixh. Six, Diavlo, Vice Fairy, GLAD NEWS, DeviL'n Bass, ALGONQUINS, SEANA, and Deorart. Neat, v-kei like sujimori hair is most common, often with bleached/dyed sections. Tanning is not as common and gyaruo who wear v-hosu kei tend to wear more makeup and exaggerated circle lenses than other gyaruo, with a key differentiator being their thinly trimmed eyebrows. One huge inspiration for v-hosu kei gyaruo was the vocalist Yasu of Janne Da Arc and Acid Black Cherry due to his high sex appeal and popularity with women. He was even popular enough to have a collaboration with Shibuya 109Men's (11th picture)."
Derika/Deliccaa
[description comes from this Reddit post. Another link to the post can be found in the resources section.]
"Comes from '(psyche)delic-er'. Peaking in 2005, it's described as a combination of onii-kei and hippie fashion worn by enjoyers of the psychedelic music scene. It incorporates a lot of 60's/70's and bohemian motifs, with bell bottom pants, loose tops, paisley, layered jewelry made out of turquoise, beads, bones/fangs, and feathers, snakeskin boots, artisan leather, etc. Popular brands include Sabgreed, Pink Liberta, VANQUISH GOLD, South Paradiso, LED RECHWE and others sold in Iriatsu's (shown in the street snap!) select shop WILD BLUE ANGEL. Because of how popular 'ethnic' motifs are in this style, locs and braids are sometimes worn."
Ura-Shibu Kei/Kanji
[description comes from the same Reddit post I used for Derika.]
"Kind of related to deliccaa, UraShibu-kei is considered a counterpart to UraHara-kei and refers to the psychedelic and trance music club scene that was prevalent in the 'backstreet' areas of Shibuya like Shinsencho and Nanpeidaicho. Deliccaa can be considered a subtype of UraShibu-kei but while deliccaa focuses on 70s motifs, general UraShibu-kei fashion is more like rave clubwear. I used two photos to show the two main silhouettes in UraShibu-kei: black and white clubwear with slogans printed on tight t shirts, muscle tees, and vests almost resembling oraora if not less edgy; and neon jerseys with psychedelic/trance-like graphics. Popular brands include Trip Travel, Shanit, and Torauma/Trauma (虎馬). the 'Kanji' naming in certain overseas sources might come from the fact that the Japanese Wikipedia page for gyaruo simply describes UraShibu-kei as the 'wearing kanji-printed clothes' fashion, probably due to the fact that many brands include graphics of 'trippy' philosophical double meaning kanji into their designs. Hindu and Buddhist motifs like mandalas are commonly used and hairstyles like locs are also sometimes worn."
Sentaa Guy
The masculine counterpart to Ganguro/(Ya)Manba. For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Onii Kei
Onii Kei is not exclusive to Gyaruo; it can exist separately. The name translates to "big brother style," and it is the Gyaruo version of Onee Gyaru. It combines Amekaji and Itakaji (Italian Causal) with a touch of rocker aesthetics to create a glamorous and sexy look. Onii kei clothing centers around brand clothing, and the styles are usually not over the top. They instead focus on high-end fashion, dark clothes, suits, low-necked tank tops, imported jeans, and pointed leather shoes. Pieces with a more rugged vibe, like leather jackets, are also popular. Accessories from designer brands are common (belts, waist pouches, watches, sunglasses, and more from designer brands). Silver is also preferred. Popular brands include Christian Audigier, Dolce & Gabbana, Ed Hardy, Louis Vuitton, Midas, and Vanquish.
Salon Kei
Salon Kei can also exist separately from Gyaruo. It was started by men attending beauty school in Japan, and the phenomenon was mostly started in hair salons in upscale Tokyo neighborhoods such as Omotesando or Daikanyama. Salon Kei style leans more feminine, and is characterized by mixing low and high fashion brands, as well as second-hand clothing finds, to create a unique, fashionable look. Detailed layering is commonly seen in Salon kei, especially shirts and cardigans. Vintage pieces are very popular in this style, as well as designer/luxury items. Skinny jeans are a common choice, as well as suit-style jackets/blazers, and sometimes flannels. bags are popular accessories, especially larger tote bags, hats, beanies, scarves (especially traditionally "feminine" scarves), belts, and sunglasses. Leather designer shoes are popular. Guys who wear the style take pride in having fashionable hairstyles to match their outfits, typically in more natural tones in all lengths and cuts. Makeup is occasionally seen in Salon Kei, but it is very minimal, such as eyeliner and foundation for a natural look.
Biker
The Biker style is very, well... Biker. Leather is a staple, seen anywhere from jackets to boots. Denim, graphic tees (think Affliction style), and flannels are commonly seen. Dark colors are essential. Jewelry (necklaces, chains, rings), belts, and studs are popular accessories/elements. Leather/combat boots are popular footwear choices.
Surfer
The style I would most equate Surfer to is Old School/Paragal, in the sense that it focuses on a more low-key tropical/Cali style (you can find more info about Paragal in my Gyaru 101 blog). Bright colors and tropical prints (palm trees, hibiscus/plumeria patterns) are staples, as well as graphic tees/tank tops/baseball style shirts, long sleeve henleys, polos, and printed button-up/collared shirts/hawaiian shirts. Jorts, cargo shorts/pants (in either khaki or camouflage), jeans, patterned shorts, and basketball shorts are popular bottoms. It's common to see sneakers and sandals for footwear, and shark tooth necklaces, hemp/braided necklaces/bracelets, chains, pendants, puka shells, and belts are popular accessories.
Military
Despite its name, the Military style does not include cosplaying as a straight-up soldier. Its a bit like the Biker style with significantly more camouflage and natural/earth tones. Camo cargo pants/army pants/tactical pants, jeans, army jackets, leather jackets, tank tops, t-shirts, and vests are commonly seen. Chains, teeth/fang necklaces, belts, and sunglasses are popular accessories, as are combat/tactical boots.
~
RESOURCES
This section will include Gyaruo-specific resources. For more general resources, please check out my Gyaru resource masterblog. As I said in that blog, The Gyaru Wiki is not the best resource, but it is fine for general/surface-level information!
Japanese Fashion Wiki - x, x, x
Just like I explained in my resource masterblog, the quality of fandom wikis is up for debate. Some articles are better than others, but the resources/references are very good and very helpful for those wanting to do further reading. The first link leads to the article for Gyaruo, the second leads to the Onii Kei article, and the third leads to the Salon Kei article.
Gyaruo | The Gyaru Wiki - x
There isn't a ton of information on The Gyaru Wiki for some reason, but it's alright for an extremely surface-level explanation. There are also a couple of good photos.
Gyaru Wiki - x, x
The first link leads to the article for Gyaruo, and the second leads to the Sentaa Guy article. Like The Gyaru Wiki article, there isn't a ton of information, but theres more than The Gyaru Wiki article has. There are also some good photos and resources/references.
Gal Man | Galture - x
If you don't speak Japanese, you will need to use a translator for this, but it is my favorite resource. There's a lot of good cultural context and general information about Gyaruo, so I recommend it!
men's egg - the elements of style | An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla by Patrick Macias - x
This is by far not the most lovingly written Gyaruo resource, as i don't believe the author is Gyaruo, but it provides good visual aids for different Gyaruo styles. Take the information with a grain of salt, however.
Gyaruo Fashion Guide | IFS - x
You will also need a translator for this site, but it's a good general resource for aspiring Gyaruo.
Older/Lesser Known Gyaruo Substyles: Datewaru (1-5) and V-hosu/V-host Kei (6-10) | by u/banyureged on r/actualgyaru - x and [REPOST] Older/Lesser Known Gyaru (and Gyaruo) Substyles: Loco Girl, Derika/Deliccaa, UraShibu-kei | by u/banyureged on r/actualgyaru - x
These are the posts that provided some of the descriptions for the substyles, so very special thanks to them! They're very knowledgeable, and they provide some great photos!
Between gyaru-o and sōshokukei danshi: body discourses in lifestyle magazines for young Japanese men by Ronald Saladin - x
To my core, I am an academic, so I love including academic papers. It explores greater themes of Japanese masculinity and examines how two magazines that are beloved by Gyaruo (CHOKI CHOKI and Men's egg) portray and engage in masculinity. I 100% recommend checking this out if you're interested in cultural discussions.
Japanese Fashion Cultures: Dress and Gender in Contemporary Japan by Masafumi Monden - x
Like the Ronald Saladin paper, this book also explores Japanese masculinity, as well as gender presentation. If you're even slightly interested in J-fashion (doesn't have to be Gyaru/Gyaruo), I recommend giving this a read.
GalRevo - x
This is the BEST magazine archive known to man. I mentioned it in my resource masterblog, but unlike the FukYeahMen'sKnuckle blog I have listed below, no other site has such comprehensive archives of Men's egg and Soul Japan. For all my friends who are fans of the edgier styles, the Soul Japan archive is a treasure trove.
The old egg magazine website - x
I also linked this in my resource masterblog, but it's honestly a great resource. There are ways to access the Men's egg and Men's egg youth pages, which are basically required reading for Gyaruo. I'm unsure if different versions of the page link to Men's egg bitter or if it has even been archived, but since the pages are accessed via The Wayback Machine, I encourage you to look for yourself!
FukYeahMen'sKnuckle | gyaruo magazine archive - x
This Tumblr blog posts Gyaruo magazine scans from multiple different publications. Although it hasn't been updated since 2016, there's still plenty of images to look through and get inspiration!
My Gyaruo Pinterest board - x
My board has over 300 pins and is frequently updated, so feel free to peruse to your heart's content!
Yukihide's Ameblo - x
This is the Ameblo of one of the most popular Men's egg models! Like I said in my masterblog, please be normal if you choose to view it. Do not harass him or anyone else you might stumble upon.
~
WOOP WOOP!! We made it to the end!! I know I said forever ago that my blogs would gradually get shorter and less labor-intensive to read, but I just have so much to say... Still, even if this blog is a beast, I hope you enjoyed and were able to learn something! Gyaruo is so painfully underrated, so I was so thrilled when I was asked to make a blog discussing it... To the kind reader, I hope this lived up to your expectations!! Starting in a couple of days, I'll post a new bulletin for the topic vote, so please be on the lookout for it if you're interested!! Since I post these blogs whenever I feel like it, I don't have a clear schedule outlined, but the plan is to post a blog based on the vote, and then start a new round of voting a day or so afterwards. I hope this works out for everyone!! Like always, feel free to comment whatever your little heart desires!! I try to read and answer all of them, so if you have a question or a request, comment away! If you're a bit shy, feel free to send me an IM with any comments, concerns, or requests! Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me!!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
Recently, I've been getting a lot of interest in the male/masculine counterpart to Gyaru: Gyaruo!
Unlike Gyaru, the information on Gyaruo can be hard to come by, especially on the English-speaking side of the internet. But never fear! I've worked my magic (i.e., did a stupid amount of research) and have compiled a quick crash course for all of you interested in Gyaruo!
I'm going to try my best to make this as comprehensive as possible, so I'll probably pop in and add stuff every so often. I want this to be more of a one-stop shop blog, so it can be a bit more convenient for all of my Gyaruo friends!
A few quick notes before we begin: Just like Gyaru, one does not have to identify as male/be a cis male to be a Gyaruo. In the modern sense of the term, Gyaruo pertains to those who do not consider themselves Gyaru in the feminine sense. So, anyone, regardless of gender identity, can be Gyaruo. For the history portion of the blog, however, I will be referring to men nearly exclusively, as it was a predominantly cis male subculture during its peak. But rest assured, my choice of language is not meant to exclude anyone!
Now, let's start~!
~
HISTORY & GENERAL INFO
The term Gyaruo (ギャル男, ギャルオ), sometimes written as Gyaru-o, is, of course, an offshoot of the term Gyaru. The term can be shortened to guy, just as Gyaru can be shortened to gal.
The style got its start at the same time as Gyaru, as the aspects of tanning and bleaching/dyeing hair became very mainstream, meaning everyone (including people who did not consider themselves explicitly Gyaru) was doing it. This naturally extended to men, and certain men began to take it a step further and join their female counterparts. Men who engaged in the subculture began to be known as gyaru otoko, or gal men, and with that, Gyaruo was born!
Gyaruo is interesting in terms of how masculinity is presented. The style is undoubtedly masculine, almost stereotypically so in some aspects, with special emphasis on manliness and proving one's manliness, looking good to attract female attention (many guys became Gyaruo to be popular with women in the first place), exercise and working out, and satisfying sexual appetites. However, the style is also almost (unfairly) stereotypically feminine since such great pride is taken in one's appearance. Taking care of one's hair, outfit, tanning, materialism, and, in some cases, using makeup and nail polish are important for guys. When looking at Gyaruo from the traditionally masculine and misogynistic lens, guys are considered "girly," despite the fact that guys enjoy stereotypically masculine pleasures as well. Like Gyaru defies traditional beauty standards, Gyaruo is meant to go against traditional standards of masculinity. The heart of the style lies in rebellion.
Gyaruo are very similar to their Gyaru counterparts. They love furs and animal prints, layering accessories (belts, jewelry/piercings, sunglasses, hats, etc.), tight clothing, ripped/distressed styles, and anything bold.
In appearance, a Gyaruo is muscular but not overly built. The idea is to remain slender enough for the tight clothing seen in many substyles, but of course, anyone of any body-type can be Gyaruo. Sujimori is important for the Gyaruo silhouette, and depending on the substyle, it can take on either a more host club-like or Vkei shape. In general, though, the hair can be medium-long (some guys use extensions) and in a variety of colors. The general cut has lots of layers and is almost wolfy, with heavy fringe/bangs, spiky, or even slicked back. It is not uncommon to see guys with facial hair. Modernly, tanning is not required for Gyaruo, but it does help sell the look, and many guys choose to tan. Tans can range anywhere from medium to dark, depending on the substyle. Some guys can wear make if they choose, as well as nail polish. Depending on the substyle, Gyaruo draws many parallels with host fashion, Yankii/Teamer/Ora Ora kei aesthetics, Vkei/rock/goth styles, as well as Ganguro/(Ya)Manba and Western fashion. As a whole, the goal is to look sexy.
Popular Gyaruo magazines are Men's egg, Men's egg bitter (aimed at Gyaruo 23+), Men's egg youth, Men's Knuckle, Men's Spider, Soul Japan, CHOKI CHOKI (more geared toward Salon Kei), and more. Many of these publications had Gyaru counterparts as well, such as the well-known egg magazine and Soul Sister.
~
SUBSTYLES
Many Gyaruo substyles are simply masculine versions of Gyaru substyles, so to save some time, I will direct you back to my Gyaru substyles blog when necessary. The main focus will be on the styles exclusive to Gyaruo. Something else of note is that some of the substyles go more in-depth than others, because I was unable to find a lot of information about them. Alas, there just isn't the wealth of information that Gyaru has when it comes to Gyaruo. I'll try to remedy this by including photos!
Kogyaruo
Not a substyle per se, but rather an age-range/age identifier for high school-aged Gyaruo. For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Adult
Adult is one of the Gyaruo styles most similar to host fashion. The idea is simple style for maximum impact. Leather, fur, denim, and animal prints are popular fabrics/textures. Tank tops, button-ups/collared shirts, fur-lined jackets, vests, coats, blazers, and jeans are popular clothing choices. Jewelry (cross necklaces, pendants, rings), sunglasses, and belts/straps are popular accessories. Leather/combat/fur-lined boots are common footwear.
Amekaji
For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Rokku
For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Datewaru
[I was unable to find good information about Datewaru anywhere besides this Reddit post. I have taken the author's description and inserted it here. Another link to the post can be found in the resources section. For future reference, anything not written by me will be in quotes to avoid plagiarizing another's hard work.]
"coined by Men's Knuckle, datewaru refers to their idea of 'flashy bad boy' fashion. It's edgier than onii-kei and more flamboyant than oraora. A leather jacket paired with distressed jeans are often a must, bonus points if the jacket has some sort of fur trim, animal print, or camo. More is more in datewaru, so stacking accessories and textures is important. Silver jewelry, chains, sunglasses, bandanas are all very common. Black with white/grey accents is the most common color but reds, military greens, and cheetah print tawny also seen. Popular brands include Xfrm, FUGA, LAGUST, WILD PARTY, CIVARIZE, and MIDAS, as well as jewelry brands like Chrome Hearts, Justin Davis, Diavlo, etc. Teased or looser sujimori hair is commonly worn and tanning is common but not necessary. Datewaru has also kind of become a sort of meme because of the corny edgelord 'catchphrases' that often accompany the street snaps in Men's Knuckle (often without the actual wearer's knowledge) such as 'There's only one truth, all men should be dyed black', 'Elegance and eroticism blending together in slumber', 'The password is Whitey Embanence' (no I don't know what that last one means)."
V-hosu/V-host Kei
[Similarly to Datewaru, I also turned to this Reddit post. I have taken the author's description and inserted it here.]
"coined by Men's Spider (kind of a sister magazine to Men's Knuckle, my personal favorite gyaruo magazine), v-host kei is a combination of host-kei fashion and the rock styles worn by visual-kei bandomen. The magazine featured both hosts, vkei bandomen, and those who work as both such as Sena from the Raid. A lot of hosts admired and emulated visual-kei bandomen during this time and the gyaruo that admired these hosts also followed suit. Because they're related, v-hosu and datewaru look similar to those who are unfamiliar. V-hosu is distinct as it has less tough/grungy elements than datewaru, having more of the neater atmosphere of a host. It has a slightly more formal and luxurious feel, dress shirts, blazers, coats, ties, and even full fur jackets are common. Though edgy elements are still retained as leather jackets are also common, often with fur trim, there's also a preference for drapey fabrics rather than the stiff denims of datewaru. Animal print is sometimes used, most often white leopard or tiger prints. Accessories include silver jewelry, skinny scarves, and chokers. There's a wider variety of color options, with black and white, grey, red, bronze, and even pink accents being seen. Popular brands include Sixh. Six, Diavlo, Vice Fairy, GLAD NEWS, DeviL'n Bass, ALGONQUINS, SEANA, and Deorart. Neat, v-kei like sujimori hair is most common, often with bleached/dyed sections. Tanning is not as common and gyaruo who wear v-hosu kei tend to wear more makeup and exaggerated circle lenses than other gyaruo, with a key differentiator being their thinly trimmed eyebrows. One huge inspiration for v-hosu kei gyaruo was the vocalist Yasu of Janne Da Arc and Acid Black Cherry due to his high sex appeal and popularity with women. He was even popular enough to have a collaboration with Shibuya 109Men's (11th picture)."
Derika/Deliccaa
[description comes from this Reddit post. Another link to the post can be found in the resources section.]
"Comes from '(psyche)delic-er'. Peaking in 2005, it's described as a combination of onii-kei and hippie fashion worn by enjoyers of the psychedelic music scene. It incorporates a lot of 60's/70's and bohemian motifs, with bell bottom pants, loose tops, paisley, layered jewelry made out of turquoise, beads, bones/fangs, and feathers, snakeskin boots, artisan leather, etc. Popular brands include Sabgreed, Pink Liberta, VANQUISH GOLD, South Paradiso, LED RECHWE and others sold in Iriatsu's (shown in the street snap!) select shop WILD BLUE ANGEL. Because of how popular 'ethnic' motifs are in this style, locs and braids are sometimes worn."
Ura-Shibu Kei/Kanji
[description comes from the same Reddit post I used for Derika.]
"Kind of related to deliccaa, UraShibu-kei is considered a counterpart to UraHara-kei and refers to the psychedelic and trance music club scene that was prevalent in the 'backstreet' areas of Shibuya like Shinsencho and Nanpeidaicho. Deliccaa can be considered a subtype of UraShibu-kei but while deliccaa focuses on 70s motifs, general UraShibu-kei fashion is more like rave clubwear. I used two photos to show the two main silhouettes in UraShibu-kei: black and white clubwear with slogans printed on tight t shirts, muscle tees, and vests almost resembling oraora if not less edgy; and neon jerseys with psychedelic/trance-like graphics. Popular brands include Trip Travel, Shanit, and Torauma/Trauma (虎馬). the 'Kanji' naming in certain overseas sources might come from the fact that the Japanese Wikipedia page for gyaruo simply describes UraShibu-kei as the 'wearing kanji-printed clothes' fashion, probably due to the fact that many brands include graphics of 'trippy' philosophical double meaning kanji into their designs. Hindu and Buddhist motifs like mandalas are commonly used and hairstyles like locs are also sometimes worn."
Sentaa Guy
The masculine counterpart to Ganguro/(Ya)Manba. For more information, please check out my substyles blog.
Onii Kei
Onii Kei is not exclusive to Gyaruo; it can exist separately. The name translates to "big brother style," and it is the Gyaruo version of Onee Gyaru. It combines Amekaji and Itakaji (Italian Causal) with a touch of rocker aesthetics to create a glamorous and sexy look. Onii kei clothing centers around brand clothing, and the styles are usually not over the top. They instead focus on high-end fashion, dark clothes, suits, low-necked tank tops, imported jeans, and pointed leather shoes. Pieces with a more rugged vibe, like leather jackets, are also popular. Accessories from designer brands are common (belts, waist pouches, watches, sunglasses, and more from designer brands). Silver is also preferred. Popular brands include Christian Audigier, Dolce & Gabbana, Ed Hardy, Louis Vuitton, Midas, and Vanquish.
Salon Kei
Salon Kei can also exist separately from Gyaruo. It was started by men attending beauty school in Japan, and the phenomenon was mostly started in hair salons in upscale Tokyo neighborhoods such as Omotesando or Daikanyama. Salon Kei style leans more feminine, and is characterized by mixing low and high fashion brands, as well as second-hand clothing finds, to create a unique, fashionable look. Detailed layering is commonly seen in Salon kei, especially shirts and cardigans. Vintage pieces are very popular in this style, as well as designer/luxury items. Skinny jeans are a common choice, as well as suit-style jackets/blazers, and sometimes flannels. bags are popular accessories, especially larger tote bags, hats, beanies, scarves (especially traditionally "feminine" scarves), belts, and sunglasses. Leather designer shoes are popular. Guys who wear the style take pride in having fashionable hairstyles to match their outfits, typically in more natural tones in all lengths and cuts. Makeup is occasionally seen in Salon Kei, but it is very minimal, such as eyeliner and foundation for a natural look.
Biker
The Biker style is very, well... Biker. Leather is a staple, seen anywhere from jackets to boots. Denim, graphic tees (think Affliction style), and flannels are commonly seen. Dark colors are essential. Jewelry (necklaces, chains, rings), belts, and studs are popular accessories/elements. Leather/combat boots are popular footwear choices.
Surfer
The style I would most equate Surfer to is Old School/Paragal, in the sense that it focuses on a more low-key tropical/Cali style (you can find more info about Paragal in my Gyaru 101 blog). Bright colors and tropical prints (palm trees, hibiscus/plumeria patterns) are staples, as well as graphic tees/tank tops/baseball style shirts, long sleeve henleys, polos, and printed button-up/collared shirts/hawaiian shirts. Jorts, cargo shorts/pants (in either khaki or camouflage), jeans, patterned shorts, and basketball shorts are popular bottoms. It's common to see sneakers and sandals for footwear, and shark tooth necklaces, hemp/braided necklaces/bracelets, chains, pendants, puka shells, and belts are popular accessories.
Military
Despite its name, the Military style does not include cosplaying as a straight-up soldier. Its a bit like the Biker style with significantly more camouflage and natural/earth tones. Camo cargo pants/army pants/tactical pants, jeans, army jackets, leather jackets, tank tops, t-shirts, and vests are commonly seen. Chains, teeth/fang necklaces, belts, and sunglasses are popular accessories, as are combat/tactical boots.
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RESOURCES
This section will include Gyaruo-specific resources. For more general resources, please check out my Gyaru resource masterblog. As I said in that blog, The Gyaru Wiki is not the best resource, but it is fine for general/surface-level information!
Japanese Fashion Wiki - x, x, x
Just like I explained in my resource masterblog, the quality of fandom wikis is up for debate. Some articles are better than others, but the resources/references are very good and very helpful for those wanting to do further reading. The first link leads to the article for Gyaruo, the second leads to the Onii Kei article, and the third leads to the Salon Kei article.
Gyaruo | The Gyaru Wiki - x
There isn't a ton of information on The Gyaru Wiki for some reason, but it's alright for an extremely surface-level explanation. There are also a couple of good photos.
Gyaru Wiki - x, x
The first link leads to the article for Gyaruo, and the second leads to the Sentaa Guy article. Like The Gyaru Wiki article, there isn't a ton of information, but theres more than The Gyaru Wiki article has. There are also some good photos and resources/references.
Gal Man | Galture - x
If you don't speak Japanese, you will need to use a translator for this, but it is my favorite resource. There's a lot of good cultural context and general information about Gyaruo, so I recommend it!
men's egg - the elements of style | An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla by Patrick Macias - x
This is by far not the most lovingly written Gyaruo resource, as i don't believe the author is Gyaruo, but it provides good visual aids for different Gyaruo styles. Take the information with a grain of salt, however.
Gyaruo Fashion Guide | IFS - x
You will also need a translator for this site, but it's a good general resource for aspiring Gyaruo.
Older/Lesser Known Gyaruo Substyles: Datewaru (1-5) and V-hosu/V-host Kei (6-10) | by u/banyureged on r/actualgyaru - x and [REPOST] Older/Lesser Known Gyaru (and Gyaruo) Substyles: Loco Girl, Derika/Deliccaa, UraShibu-kei | by u/banyureged on r/actualgyaru - x
These are the posts that provided some of the descriptions for the substyles, so very special thanks to them! They're very knowledgeable, and they provide some great photos!
Between gyaru-o and sōshokukei danshi: body discourses in lifestyle magazines for young Japanese men by Ronald Saladin - x
To my core, I am an academic, so I love including academic papers. It explores greater themes of Japanese masculinity and examines how two magazines that are beloved by Gyaruo (CHOKI CHOKI and Men's egg) portray and engage in masculinity. I 100% recommend checking this out if you're interested in cultural discussions.
Japanese Fashion Cultures: Dress and Gender in Contemporary Japan by Masafumi Monden - x
Like the Ronald Saladin paper, this book also explores Japanese masculinity, as well as gender presentation. If you're even slightly interested in J-fashion (doesn't have to be Gyaru/Gyaruo), I recommend giving this a read.
GalRevo - x
This is the BEST magazine archive known to man. I mentioned it in my resource masterblog, but unlike the FukYeahMen'sKnuckle blog I have listed below, no other site has such comprehensive archives of Men's egg and Soul Japan. For all my friends who are fans of the edgier styles, the Soul Japan archive is a treasure trove.
The old egg magazine website - x
I also linked this in my resource masterblog, but it's honestly a great resource. There are ways to access the Men's egg and Men's egg youth pages, which are basically required reading for Gyaruo. I'm unsure if different versions of the page link to Men's egg bitter or if it has even been archived, but since the pages are accessed via The Wayback Machine, I encourage you to look for yourself!
FukYeahMen'sKnuckle | gyaruo magazine archive - x
This Tumblr blog posts Gyaruo magazine scans from multiple different publications. Although it hasn't been updated since 2016, there's still plenty of images to look through and get inspiration!
My Gyaruo Pinterest board - x
My board has over 300 pins and is frequently updated, so feel free to peruse to your heart's content!
Yukihide's Ameblo - x
This is the Ameblo of one of the most popular Men's egg models! Like I said in my masterblog, please be normal if you choose to view it. Do not harass him or anyone else you might stumble upon.
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WOOP WOOP!! We made it to the end!! I know I said forever ago that my blogs would gradually get shorter and less labor-intensive to read, but I just have so much to say... Still, even if this blog is a beast, I hope you enjoyed and were able to learn something! Gyaruo is so painfully underrated, so I was so thrilled when I was asked to make a blog discussing it... To the kind reader, I hope this lived up to your expectations!! Starting in a couple of days, I'll post a new bulletin for the topic vote, so please be on the lookout for it if you're interested!! Since I post these blogs whenever I feel like it, I don't have a clear schedule outlined, but the plan is to post a blog based on the vote, and then start a new round of voting a day or so afterwards. I hope this works out for everyone!! Like always, feel free to comment whatever your little heart desires!! I try to read and answer all of them, so if you have a question or a request, comment away! If you're a bit shy, feel free to send me an IM with any comments, concerns, or requests! Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me!!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
The Importance of Being Realistic: The Dark Side of Gyaru
Welcome, welcome~! It's time for another Gyaru blog~!
I'm so sorry for the delay!! I know I planned to post this yesterday, but I got sidetracked... Anyway! A couple days ago, I posted a bulletin asking for everyone to vote on what the next blog topic should be, and the dark side of Gyaru blew the rest of the options out of the water!! I had a feeling that would be the case, hehe...
Thank you to everyone who participated! If everyone likes, I can start doing a weekly vote for which topic I write about? Please let me know!
Also, some quick disclaimers: I am not Japanese, so I do lack some of the greater cultural context for Japanese culture and society. However, I think as someone who is Gyaru, its been my personal responsibility to do a lot of research, so I have learned a thing or two. I don't mean to step on any toes, so if I say something incorrect, please don't hesitate to correct me!
Content warnings for pedophilia, SA, drugs, misogyny, SH, and just general unpleasantness. This one is potentially pretty rough, so viewer discretion is advised. If you aren't in the headspace to read this, I completely understand. Hopefully, I'll see you back for the next blog. ♡
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So, as I've already mentioned, today's blog is going to be about the dark side of Gyaru! If you read my unpopular Gyaru opinions blog, then you might remember my 5th opinion. If not, allow me to refresh your memory...
"5. Gyaru is not the feminist subculture a lot of y'all think it is
Just walk with me. I see this idea being spread on places like TikTok that styles like Yamanba were created by Japanese women to get men to stop raping them, and that's only half the truth. Yes, Gyaru was created to go against the Japanese beauty standard and their standards for how one should behave. It is a form of rebellion created by women, but it is nowhere near the paragon of female empowerment its been made out to be. Japan is a patriarchal society. Gyaru became hugely fetishized and objectified, made to be palatable for the male-dominated media. Many gals engaged in compensated dating, as a result of the consumerist mindset that permeated the space. Many of these gals were teenagers, high school/middle school girls, feeling pressured to keep up with trends. Many gals struggled deeply with mental illness, neurodivergence, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, and other things in a society that actively discourages speaking up and getting help. Many of them were runaways. Gyaru is not sunshine and rainbows, a utopia of girlbossery and female empowerment. A lot of these girls were victims of society and the patriarchy. Gyaru is rife with struggle and pain, and we need to be realistic about that."
I still stand by this opinion! If anything, I think my true feelings towards this go a bit deeper than I led on in the unpopular opinions blog.
I think its important that we look at Japanese society as a whole to get to the root of the dark side. What is the root, you ask? Patriarchy and sexual repression. At the risk of sounding a bit tin-foil hat, walk with me again.
Japan is massively patriarchal, like to an even greater degree than some Western countries. Japanese women didn't begin working outside of the home on a large scale until the 1970s and 80s, something I briefly touched on in my Gyaru 101 blog. Even today, it's still assumed that women will just become housewives even though they have careers. They're expected to give up their career to be a wife and a mother. So, in the 70s and 80s, with the emergence of Bodikon fashion, which was largely perpetuated by young, unmarried, working women, we also see the beginning stages of Gyaru.
Coupled with that, we need to look at the repressive nature of Japanese culture. You've probably heard of the Japanese proverb, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." I think its pretty easy to glean the meaning: Either you fit in, or society will force you to fit in. That is fundamentally antithetical to Gyaru, a subculture that requires individuality, directness, and outward self-expression. For others, though, they adhere pretty strictly to the proverb. They must maintain a certain level of politeness, respect, and restraint. They must not rock the boat by being too frank, lest they disrupt the social harmony.
It is a fact that Japan has a problem with sexual violence against women and girls. In many stores that sell 18+ goods, there are men-only floors. There are women-only train cars during peak commute times, when chikan (痴漢, チカン, or ちかん), or groping, is at an all-time high. Japanese cell phones have a permanent, audible shutter sound for the camera app because upskirting (the act of taking photos up a girl's skirt) is such a problem. Prime targets for each of these crimes are school girls, and popular tropes in media include relationships between adult men and school girls, a demographic that heavily engages in Gyaru. Possession of CSAM wasn't illegal until 2014. The sexual repression of the Japanese people has made Japan a hotbed for sexual violence. In a place where it's considered taboo to be too honest, why would people feel comfortable having constructive, healthy conversations about sex?
So, think about those things in relation to Gyaru. An aggressively patriarchal society, and a repressive one at that. It's no wonder Gyaru would wind up commodified for the male gaze, and when something becomes commodified to that degree, it gets fetishized.
There is sort of a Madonna-Whore complex around gals. Gals, especially Yamanba and Manba gals, are portrayed as promiscuous, loud-mouthed, dirty, improper women. Gals are the Whores in this equation. They're unfit for anything other than being objects for sexual gratification. The "traditional Japanese woman" is seen as quiet, demure, respectful, and nurturing. They are the Madonnas. The Madonna makes a good wife and mother, and that is her only value. Men should want the Madonna, because she has value, whilst the Whore doesn't. Yet they harbor a sexual desire for the Whore that they don't have for the Madonna. In either case, the Gyaru and the "traditional" woman are belittled to nothing more than sex objects. One is only good for sex, and the other has no value if she cannot be sexualized. So, men express their desire for gals by making them porn categories and paying to spend time with gals engaging in compensated dating, and then go home to their housewives. This is how patriarchy and sexual repression infiltrate Gyaru.
We should talk about compensated dating as it relates to Gyaru, as well. Compensated dating (CD), or enjo kosai (援助交際), is akin to sugaring. Women and girls will go on dates and spend time with men in exchange for money or gifts. Like sugaring, engaging in CD can be willing/consensual and kept purely transactional. It is not my intention to shame those who do it; however, it would be naive for anyone to think these activities are exclusive to adults and don't include sexual activities. When it comes to Gyaru, gals as young as middle school and high school engage in CD. They go on dates with adult men who know they are minors, and many will be convinced to take the date further. Many will also be coerced into appearing in adult videos. Not only are these dynamics non-consensual, as the gals are minors, but the reason they do this is either for survival or other inherently predatory reasons.
As I wrote above, many gals were escaping troubled lives. Many of them ran away from home and became homeless. Many struggled with mental illness and neurodivergence, domestic and intimate partner violence, personal substance/alcohol/gambling addiction, or addiction in the home, self-harm, and more. Japan is also a country that discourages speaking up and getting help, and oftentimes, even bringing up the topic can alter how people view you, and you will be looked down upon. Many people escaping these situations, a lot of them being children, feel thrown away by society. For people literally running for their lives, CD and night work feels like the difference between staying afloat and drowning. Many turn to Gyaru as a safe space, and while Gyaru can be that for many of us, that doesn't mean the subculture is exempt from being predatory at times.
Gyaru is consumerism at its finest. You are constantly surrounded by fast fashion and makeup gimmicks. Speaking personally, there is always a feeling that I need to buy something. I need to buy this new eyeliner to improve my make, I need to buy a new set of nails, a new pair of shoes, a new top for a coord, and hair products. There is always this urge to buy, buy, buy, and it has been this way in the Gyaru subculture forever. Brands put out new, mass-produced "must-haves" daily. Magazines push certain items, even designer bags and shoes. A high-maintenance lifestyle is glorified, and there is pressure everywhere. As adults, we can think critically. I have the wherewithal to say, "No, I think I won't buy this," but for a kid, this pressure can be very real. The pressure to look cool and show off is very real.
Gyaru is very loved by minors, and I know I have a couple of younger teens reading and interested in Gyaru, so I want to speak to those of you who fit that description directly.
I want you to picture yourself: You see your idol with a designer handbag, and you just gotta have it. But you dont have the money. Mom and dad definitely won't just give you the money for it, and your birthday and Christmas are so far away... You could get a part-time job, but that'll take forever! By the time you save up the money, the bag will be old news, and the next big thing will be ten times more expensive! You vent to your friends, distraught over not knowing what to do. One friend says, "I know an easy way to get the money quickly." Your ears perk up. "If you go online, there are tons of guys who will pay you a lot just to go on dates with them!" That part creeps you out a bit. Dates? Isn't that like prostitution? Plus, you're under 18... "No way!" Your friend says. "I do it all the time, and they never ask me to do anything like that. Besides, if anyone gives you trouble, you can just say he's your uncle." Well, when she puts it that way... If your friend says it's safe and okay, then that must be true! She helps you arrange your first "date." You go, and it's alright. It's a little awkward, but the man is nice enough. You try to go with the flow, laugh at his jokes, and make conversation. The date ends, and your friend was right. He never asked you for anything or acted weird. He gives you the money, and you can finally get the bag you were dreaming of! Still, you decide its a one-time thing. But a few months later, you see something else you really want. You mull it over and decide to go on another "date." It should be just like last time, quick and easy money, but this time is different. The man is really touchy and makes you uncomfortable, but you try to get through it. By the end, he shorts you. What gives? He says, "If you want the rest, why don't you come to a hotel with me?" You dont want to make him angry and take the money back, you earned it! So you say yes. When you get to the hotel, he hurts you and does horrible things to you. But he gives you the rest of what he owes you and more. You can get more than you even wanted in the first place with this. And you can't report him, the police would just think you were admitting to a crime and never help you. Plus, if you did, your parents would find out, and you'll be in major trouble... You decide to just never do it again, until the next time. You tell yourself it wasn't that bad, it was only that one time, this time you'll choose the date carefully so it won't happen again... But it does happen again. And the cycle continues.
If you're thinking to yourself, "God, you're so dramatic. Who do you think you are, my mom?" No, I don't. I want you to realize that this might seem like a cartoony, fictionalized scenario, but it isn't. As a young teenager, I often found myself thinking, "Well, if my life falls apart, at least I can resort to sex work." I had a genuine plan in place to become a sugar baby as soon as I turned 18. This might be a shocking mindset for some of you, but these are real thoughts I had. In my underdeveloped brain, I truly thought these were good, sound ideas. And I'm willing to bet that a few of you have similar ideas, or have been in situations like the one I described. That's why I want you to think.
This isn't exclusive to Japan. Young girls all over the world are exploited like this through no fault of their own, and it can happen anywhere. Predators look for gals/guys, scene kids, goths, anyone. It doesn't even have to happen in person/irl or be introduced to you by friends; you can be approached online by strangers or just stumble across things very easily. Horrible things can happen to you online, as well. The pressures of a subculture, especially one like Gyaru that requires such dedication, can be difficult. And they can lead you to scary places if you aren't careful.
i dont say any of this to scare people away from Gyaru, or to paint it as a Big Bad that exploits women and girls. There are ways to stay safe, to engage responsibly, and a community to get support from. As a whole, Gyaru is safe, and I actually encourage people to get into it. But we need to be realistic about the hardships and the bad parts. If we do that instead of ignoring them and sugar coating everything, I think this community could be a lot better for it.
I'll end this with a couple of PSA's from Nuts magazine. The first one is a drug PSA, and the second is an HIV/AIDS awareness PSA. I think the drug PSA is especially applicable to gals, since you often hear stories of gals sniffing paint thinner for a cheap, quick high. Drugs like weed are very illegal in Japan and not as easily available as in the U.S., so teenagers in many subcultures (Gyaru, Jirai, Yankii, Sukeban, etc.) turn to things like cough/cold medicine and paint thinner. So, I wanted to include these PSA's because they touch on those, and other things that get misused for recreational purposes, as a word of caution for anyone in any subculture.
The images and translations come from these posts: 1, 2
I edited them as needed for grammar/punctuation/removed some stuff, so the content here differs slightly from the original posts. I also made some additions in [underlined brackets] to differentiate from the additions made by the OP in [brackets]. Anyway, I really like these PSA's. I think they speak in terms that gals and young people in general can understand and relate to, or at least I do.
(Source: Nuts 2004, 9 real cases from readers)
The drugs that are always around us are a No-No!
1. T. (21, freeter [meaning she does occasional freelance work/day jobs]) got introduced to cannabis through a guy and became a habitual user. Stopped working, has poor memory and gained 12kg in one month. Says all her senses became extremely sensitive and sex felt so good she would do it with anyone.
2. R. (19, freeter) became addicted to methylphenidate [a stimulant, AKA Ritalin] when working in the sex industry. Using it at first when not feeling motivated, she feels foggy and unable to get out of bed when not taking it.
3. C. (18, freeter) did get into contact with cocaine when clubbing. As a regular user she spends 20,000 to 30,000 Yen per night on the drug. Gets violent when the effects wear off.
4. P. (22, student) tried heroin after problems with her boyfriend and someone telling her it would make her happy. Could not get out of bed anymore or eat after one time use.
5. A. (18, part-time worker) regularly inhaled paint thinners when younger because it was cheap and easily available. Has hallucinations, memory loss even directly after people tell her something and slowed thought processes. It also melted her teeth.
6. M. (18, student) often took MDMA [AKA ecstasy or molly] because it made her bubbly and everyone seemed cool to her. Would have sex with random guys and wake up at houses she could not remember going to. Has stopped and regrets having behaved in such a disgusting way.
7. L. (21, student) was introduced to LSD by her ex-boyfriend. Hallucinating after taking it, she one time left the house and was hit by a car. Has stopped since then and also has regrets about having had abnormal behavior.
8. S. (22, freeter) took methamphetamine. It made her paranoid about people watching her on the train and passerby's attacking her. Lost all friends due to behaving violently. Says anyone taking it should stop.
9. K. (22, part-time worker) often bought and consumed magic mushrooms when they were still legal. Jumped out of her apartment on the third floor believing to be a ninja, breaking several bones, and drilled holes in her apartment walls. Also searched for a UFO in the riverbed near her house a whole night long.
(Source: Nuts 2005)
The number of HIV infections among teenagers and people in their twenties is dramatically increasing. Are you one of them? If you have sex, get tested!
Everyone wants to continue to have sex in the future, right? So you should go to have an HIV test! If there is nothing you can be assured and if there is an infection it can be suppressed with medication. The worst you can do is to leave it untreated!
[General information on HIV, how it can get spread and how not follows. Notes 1 to 3.]
The best way to prevent infection is to use condoms properly. Claims that the pill and diaphragms would also work are a lie!
Note 4: [A graph that shows the rising number of cases.] While the number of AIDS patients decrease in other developed countries, they rise steadily in Japan. Patients in their 20s and 30s make up 60% of them.
HIV infection does not equal death! So go and get tested!
Note 5: Most tests are free and do not require insurance. It takes more than 60 days for a test to be accurate. So you should wait that long if you worry about being infected. Free tests are anonymous and do not require showing your insurance card. The time to get the results vary. If you are concerned, call to check.
[The box to the right of it explains the test procedure, including the communication with a doctor in a private room and that no medical certificate will be given with a free and anonymous test. Below are free test centers in Tokyo and the note that hospital also do tests, just not free.]
Note 6: If you get infected medication can slow down the onset of the disease. Being infected does not mean you will die. You can life a normal life as long as you don't develop symptoms. Important is to get a diagnosis from a doctor. Leaving it untreated is the most dangerous thing you could do!
What about hospitals?
There are specialized hospitals. The doctor who tested you will refer you to one.
How much does the medication cost?
From about 4,000 Yen upwards to 10,000 Yen.
How long does it take to develop the disease?
Up to 30 years. It is said that taking the medication daily will delay the onset by 2 or 3 times than when it is untreated.
~
Alright, this blog got way longer than I anticipated... I hope that's okay!! I also hope I didn't come off too preachy or high and mighty; that wasn't my intention. I just get a lot of questions from baby gals on multiple platforms, so I've become really passionate about trying to be honest about the reality of Gyaru. I just think being honest about life in general is good, since even if these whippersnappers don't heed my advice, at least they have it in their brains, lol. Also, I'm an older sibling... I can't help myself when it comes to life lessons! Anyway, once again, let me know if anything in my blog about Japanese culture is off or misguided! Any input is welcome, and I'll make changes if needed! Well, that's all from me for now! If you made it this far, thank you for reading!! I know this one turned out to be a behemoth lol.
Remember, antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
I'm so sorry for the delay!! I know I planned to post this yesterday, but I got sidetracked... Anyway! A couple days ago, I posted a bulletin asking for everyone to vote on what the next blog topic should be, and the dark side of Gyaru blew the rest of the options out of the water!! I had a feeling that would be the case, hehe...
Thank you to everyone who participated! If everyone likes, I can start doing a weekly vote for which topic I write about? Please let me know!
Also, some quick disclaimers: I am not Japanese, so I do lack some of the greater cultural context for Japanese culture and society. However, I think as someone who is Gyaru, its been my personal responsibility to do a lot of research, so I have learned a thing or two. I don't mean to step on any toes, so if I say something incorrect, please don't hesitate to correct me!
Content warnings for pedophilia, SA, drugs, misogyny, SH, and just general unpleasantness. This one is potentially pretty rough, so viewer discretion is advised. If you aren't in the headspace to read this, I completely understand. Hopefully, I'll see you back for the next blog. ♡
~
So, as I've already mentioned, today's blog is going to be about the dark side of Gyaru! If you read my unpopular Gyaru opinions blog, then you might remember my 5th opinion. If not, allow me to refresh your memory...
"5. Gyaru is not the feminist subculture a lot of y'all think it is
Just walk with me. I see this idea being spread on places like TikTok that styles like Yamanba were created by Japanese women to get men to stop raping them, and that's only half the truth. Yes, Gyaru was created to go against the Japanese beauty standard and their standards for how one should behave. It is a form of rebellion created by women, but it is nowhere near the paragon of female empowerment its been made out to be. Japan is a patriarchal society. Gyaru became hugely fetishized and objectified, made to be palatable for the male-dominated media. Many gals engaged in compensated dating, as a result of the consumerist mindset that permeated the space. Many of these gals were teenagers, high school/middle school girls, feeling pressured to keep up with trends. Many gals struggled deeply with mental illness, neurodivergence, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, and other things in a society that actively discourages speaking up and getting help. Many of them were runaways. Gyaru is not sunshine and rainbows, a utopia of girlbossery and female empowerment. A lot of these girls were victims of society and the patriarchy. Gyaru is rife with struggle and pain, and we need to be realistic about that."
I still stand by this opinion! If anything, I think my true feelings towards this go a bit deeper than I led on in the unpopular opinions blog.
I think its important that we look at Japanese society as a whole to get to the root of the dark side. What is the root, you ask? Patriarchy and sexual repression. At the risk of sounding a bit tin-foil hat, walk with me again.
Japan is massively patriarchal, like to an even greater degree than some Western countries. Japanese women didn't begin working outside of the home on a large scale until the 1970s and 80s, something I briefly touched on in my Gyaru 101 blog. Even today, it's still assumed that women will just become housewives even though they have careers. They're expected to give up their career to be a wife and a mother. So, in the 70s and 80s, with the emergence of Bodikon fashion, which was largely perpetuated by young, unmarried, working women, we also see the beginning stages of Gyaru.
Coupled with that, we need to look at the repressive nature of Japanese culture. You've probably heard of the Japanese proverb, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." I think its pretty easy to glean the meaning: Either you fit in, or society will force you to fit in. That is fundamentally antithetical to Gyaru, a subculture that requires individuality, directness, and outward self-expression. For others, though, they adhere pretty strictly to the proverb. They must maintain a certain level of politeness, respect, and restraint. They must not rock the boat by being too frank, lest they disrupt the social harmony.
It is a fact that Japan has a problem with sexual violence against women and girls. In many stores that sell 18+ goods, there are men-only floors. There are women-only train cars during peak commute times, when chikan (痴漢, チカン, or ちかん), or groping, is at an all-time high. Japanese cell phones have a permanent, audible shutter sound for the camera app because upskirting (the act of taking photos up a girl's skirt) is such a problem. Prime targets for each of these crimes are school girls, and popular tropes in media include relationships between adult men and school girls, a demographic that heavily engages in Gyaru. Possession of CSAM wasn't illegal until 2014. The sexual repression of the Japanese people has made Japan a hotbed for sexual violence. In a place where it's considered taboo to be too honest, why would people feel comfortable having constructive, healthy conversations about sex?
So, think about those things in relation to Gyaru. An aggressively patriarchal society, and a repressive one at that. It's no wonder Gyaru would wind up commodified for the male gaze, and when something becomes commodified to that degree, it gets fetishized.
There is sort of a Madonna-Whore complex around gals. Gals, especially Yamanba and Manba gals, are portrayed as promiscuous, loud-mouthed, dirty, improper women. Gals are the Whores in this equation. They're unfit for anything other than being objects for sexual gratification. The "traditional Japanese woman" is seen as quiet, demure, respectful, and nurturing. They are the Madonnas. The Madonna makes a good wife and mother, and that is her only value. Men should want the Madonna, because she has value, whilst the Whore doesn't. Yet they harbor a sexual desire for the Whore that they don't have for the Madonna. In either case, the Gyaru and the "traditional" woman are belittled to nothing more than sex objects. One is only good for sex, and the other has no value if she cannot be sexualized. So, men express their desire for gals by making them porn categories and paying to spend time with gals engaging in compensated dating, and then go home to their housewives. This is how patriarchy and sexual repression infiltrate Gyaru.
We should talk about compensated dating as it relates to Gyaru, as well. Compensated dating (CD), or enjo kosai (援助交際), is akin to sugaring. Women and girls will go on dates and spend time with men in exchange for money or gifts. Like sugaring, engaging in CD can be willing/consensual and kept purely transactional. It is not my intention to shame those who do it; however, it would be naive for anyone to think these activities are exclusive to adults and don't include sexual activities. When it comes to Gyaru, gals as young as middle school and high school engage in CD. They go on dates with adult men who know they are minors, and many will be convinced to take the date further. Many will also be coerced into appearing in adult videos. Not only are these dynamics non-consensual, as the gals are minors, but the reason they do this is either for survival or other inherently predatory reasons.
As I wrote above, many gals were escaping troubled lives. Many of them ran away from home and became homeless. Many struggled with mental illness and neurodivergence, domestic and intimate partner violence, personal substance/alcohol/gambling addiction, or addiction in the home, self-harm, and more. Japan is also a country that discourages speaking up and getting help, and oftentimes, even bringing up the topic can alter how people view you, and you will be looked down upon. Many people escaping these situations, a lot of them being children, feel thrown away by society. For people literally running for their lives, CD and night work feels like the difference between staying afloat and drowning. Many turn to Gyaru as a safe space, and while Gyaru can be that for many of us, that doesn't mean the subculture is exempt from being predatory at times.
Gyaru is consumerism at its finest. You are constantly surrounded by fast fashion and makeup gimmicks. Speaking personally, there is always a feeling that I need to buy something. I need to buy this new eyeliner to improve my make, I need to buy a new set of nails, a new pair of shoes, a new top for a coord, and hair products. There is always this urge to buy, buy, buy, and it has been this way in the Gyaru subculture forever. Brands put out new, mass-produced "must-haves" daily. Magazines push certain items, even designer bags and shoes. A high-maintenance lifestyle is glorified, and there is pressure everywhere. As adults, we can think critically. I have the wherewithal to say, "No, I think I won't buy this," but for a kid, this pressure can be very real. The pressure to look cool and show off is very real.
Gyaru is very loved by minors, and I know I have a couple of younger teens reading and interested in Gyaru, so I want to speak to those of you who fit that description directly.
I want you to picture yourself: You see your idol with a designer handbag, and you just gotta have it. But you dont have the money. Mom and dad definitely won't just give you the money for it, and your birthday and Christmas are so far away... You could get a part-time job, but that'll take forever! By the time you save up the money, the bag will be old news, and the next big thing will be ten times more expensive! You vent to your friends, distraught over not knowing what to do. One friend says, "I know an easy way to get the money quickly." Your ears perk up. "If you go online, there are tons of guys who will pay you a lot just to go on dates with them!" That part creeps you out a bit. Dates? Isn't that like prostitution? Plus, you're under 18... "No way!" Your friend says. "I do it all the time, and they never ask me to do anything like that. Besides, if anyone gives you trouble, you can just say he's your uncle." Well, when she puts it that way... If your friend says it's safe and okay, then that must be true! She helps you arrange your first "date." You go, and it's alright. It's a little awkward, but the man is nice enough. You try to go with the flow, laugh at his jokes, and make conversation. The date ends, and your friend was right. He never asked you for anything or acted weird. He gives you the money, and you can finally get the bag you were dreaming of! Still, you decide its a one-time thing. But a few months later, you see something else you really want. You mull it over and decide to go on another "date." It should be just like last time, quick and easy money, but this time is different. The man is really touchy and makes you uncomfortable, but you try to get through it. By the end, he shorts you. What gives? He says, "If you want the rest, why don't you come to a hotel with me?" You dont want to make him angry and take the money back, you earned it! So you say yes. When you get to the hotel, he hurts you and does horrible things to you. But he gives you the rest of what he owes you and more. You can get more than you even wanted in the first place with this. And you can't report him, the police would just think you were admitting to a crime and never help you. Plus, if you did, your parents would find out, and you'll be in major trouble... You decide to just never do it again, until the next time. You tell yourself it wasn't that bad, it was only that one time, this time you'll choose the date carefully so it won't happen again... But it does happen again. And the cycle continues.
If you're thinking to yourself, "God, you're so dramatic. Who do you think you are, my mom?" No, I don't. I want you to realize that this might seem like a cartoony, fictionalized scenario, but it isn't. As a young teenager, I often found myself thinking, "Well, if my life falls apart, at least I can resort to sex work." I had a genuine plan in place to become a sugar baby as soon as I turned 18. This might be a shocking mindset for some of you, but these are real thoughts I had. In my underdeveloped brain, I truly thought these were good, sound ideas. And I'm willing to bet that a few of you have similar ideas, or have been in situations like the one I described. That's why I want you to think.
This isn't exclusive to Japan. Young girls all over the world are exploited like this through no fault of their own, and it can happen anywhere. Predators look for gals/guys, scene kids, goths, anyone. It doesn't even have to happen in person/irl or be introduced to you by friends; you can be approached online by strangers or just stumble across things very easily. Horrible things can happen to you online, as well. The pressures of a subculture, especially one like Gyaru that requires such dedication, can be difficult. And they can lead you to scary places if you aren't careful.
i dont say any of this to scare people away from Gyaru, or to paint it as a Big Bad that exploits women and girls. There are ways to stay safe, to engage responsibly, and a community to get support from. As a whole, Gyaru is safe, and I actually encourage people to get into it. But we need to be realistic about the hardships and the bad parts. If we do that instead of ignoring them and sugar coating everything, I think this community could be a lot better for it.
I'll end this with a couple of PSA's from Nuts magazine. The first one is a drug PSA, and the second is an HIV/AIDS awareness PSA. I think the drug PSA is especially applicable to gals, since you often hear stories of gals sniffing paint thinner for a cheap, quick high. Drugs like weed are very illegal in Japan and not as easily available as in the U.S., so teenagers in many subcultures (Gyaru, Jirai, Yankii, Sukeban, etc.) turn to things like cough/cold medicine and paint thinner. So, I wanted to include these PSA's because they touch on those, and other things that get misused for recreational purposes, as a word of caution for anyone in any subculture.
The images and translations come from these posts: 1, 2
I edited them as needed for grammar/punctuation/removed some stuff, so the content here differs slightly from the original posts. I also made some additions in [underlined brackets] to differentiate from the additions made by the OP in [brackets]. Anyway, I really like these PSA's. I think they speak in terms that gals and young people in general can understand and relate to, or at least I do.
(Source: Nuts 2004, 9 real cases from readers)
The drugs that are always around us are a No-No!
1. T. (21, freeter [meaning she does occasional freelance work/day jobs]) got introduced to cannabis through a guy and became a habitual user. Stopped working, has poor memory and gained 12kg in one month. Says all her senses became extremely sensitive and sex felt so good she would do it with anyone.
2. R. (19, freeter) became addicted to methylphenidate [a stimulant, AKA Ritalin] when working in the sex industry. Using it at first when not feeling motivated, she feels foggy and unable to get out of bed when not taking it.
3. C. (18, freeter) did get into contact with cocaine when clubbing. As a regular user she spends 20,000 to 30,000 Yen per night on the drug. Gets violent when the effects wear off.
4. P. (22, student) tried heroin after problems with her boyfriend and someone telling her it would make her happy. Could not get out of bed anymore or eat after one time use.
5. A. (18, part-time worker) regularly inhaled paint thinners when younger because it was cheap and easily available. Has hallucinations, memory loss even directly after people tell her something and slowed thought processes. It also melted her teeth.
6. M. (18, student) often took MDMA [AKA ecstasy or molly] because it made her bubbly and everyone seemed cool to her. Would have sex with random guys and wake up at houses she could not remember going to. Has stopped and regrets having behaved in such a disgusting way.
7. L. (21, student) was introduced to LSD by her ex-boyfriend. Hallucinating after taking it, she one time left the house and was hit by a car. Has stopped since then and also has regrets about having had abnormal behavior.
8. S. (22, freeter) took methamphetamine. It made her paranoid about people watching her on the train and passerby's attacking her. Lost all friends due to behaving violently. Says anyone taking it should stop.
9. K. (22, part-time worker) often bought and consumed magic mushrooms when they were still legal. Jumped out of her apartment on the third floor believing to be a ninja, breaking several bones, and drilled holes in her apartment walls. Also searched for a UFO in the riverbed near her house a whole night long.
(Source: Nuts 2005)
The number of HIV infections among teenagers and people in their twenties is dramatically increasing. Are you one of them? If you have sex, get tested!
Everyone wants to continue to have sex in the future, right? So you should go to have an HIV test! If there is nothing you can be assured and if there is an infection it can be suppressed with medication. The worst you can do is to leave it untreated!
[General information on HIV, how it can get spread and how not follows. Notes 1 to 3.]
The best way to prevent infection is to use condoms properly. Claims that the pill and diaphragms would also work are a lie!
Note 4: [A graph that shows the rising number of cases.] While the number of AIDS patients decrease in other developed countries, they rise steadily in Japan. Patients in their 20s and 30s make up 60% of them.
HIV infection does not equal death! So go and get tested!
Note 5: Most tests are free and do not require insurance. It takes more than 60 days for a test to be accurate. So you should wait that long if you worry about being infected. Free tests are anonymous and do not require showing your insurance card. The time to get the results vary. If you are concerned, call to check.
[The box to the right of it explains the test procedure, including the communication with a doctor in a private room and that no medical certificate will be given with a free and anonymous test. Below are free test centers in Tokyo and the note that hospital also do tests, just not free.]
Note 6: If you get infected medication can slow down the onset of the disease. Being infected does not mean you will die. You can life a normal life as long as you don't develop symptoms. Important is to get a diagnosis from a doctor. Leaving it untreated is the most dangerous thing you could do!
What about hospitals?
There are specialized hospitals. The doctor who tested you will refer you to one.
How much does the medication cost?
From about 4,000 Yen upwards to 10,000 Yen.
How long does it take to develop the disease?
Up to 30 years. It is said that taking the medication daily will delay the onset by 2 or 3 times than when it is untreated.
~
Alright, this blog got way longer than I anticipated... I hope that's okay!! I also hope I didn't come off too preachy or high and mighty; that wasn't my intention. I just get a lot of questions from baby gals on multiple platforms, so I've become really passionate about trying to be honest about the reality of Gyaru. I just think being honest about life in general is good, since even if these whippersnappers don't heed my advice, at least they have it in their brains, lol. Also, I'm an older sibling... I can't help myself when it comes to life lessons! Anyway, once again, let me know if anything in my blog about Japanese culture is off or misguided! Any input is welcome, and I'll make changes if needed! Well, that's all from me for now! If you made it this far, thank you for reading!! I know this one turned out to be a behemoth lol.
Remember, antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
Unpopular Opinions: Gyaru Edition
Hello~! It's me again~
So far, the Gyaru blogs I've been posting have been educational, and that doesn't leave a lot of room for my own personal opinions... And as someone with a ton of opinions, I can only hold off on sharing them for so long! So, that's what this blog is going to be about!
Since this is an unpopular opinions blog, this has the potential to ruffle some feathers... But I dont mind! Gyaru is about being yourself, so who cares if I don't have the same opinions as everyone else? So long as the opinion is antithetical to Gyaru as a whole, I think its fair game!
Teeny tiny disclaimer: I use a lot of targeted language (you, y'all, etc), (that's just the way I talk), but in general, dont take it too seriously. This isn't directed towards anyone in particular. I use words like you and y'all as sort of general, neutral terms, if that makes sense? I just foresee some people getting worked up over it, haha...
Anyway, onto the blog!
~
*Opinions are in no particular order!*
1. Gyaru has rules that cannot be ignored
This might be considered a milquetoast opinion to some of y'all, but I feel like the TikTok-ification of Gyaru has made this a pretty popular mindset. Yes, there are no rules when it comes to your self-expression as a Gyaru. You don't wanna limit yourself to one style? Go ahead! You dont wanna wear contacts? Fair enough! Do insanely long nails not work for you? Understandable! Do you not wanna be in Gyaru 24/7? I GET IT! Basically, the sky is the limit! but that doesn't mean there are no rules at all. Not all styles require heavy tans or insane make, but you shouldn't call yourself Yamanba, for instance, if you don't do either of those. There are gals that can dress Gyaru 24/7, but for a lot of people, that is very understandably not realistic (especially for those just starting out). However, if you dont wanna dress Gyaru 24/7, you shouldnt expect to be recognized as Gyaru if you're out of it. When I go out in no make, I dont have the right to get angry that people dont clock me as a gal. To quote my beloved idol Harutamu...
Makeup is a non-negotiable for Gyaru. You either wear makeup, or you aren't Gyaru. I see a lot of people on TikTok specifically saying that Gyaru doesn't require makeup, people asking if they're still Gyaru if they don't wear makeup, asking "what if my parents dont let me wear makeup?" or "what if I get made fun of?" I also see a lot of people bringing up that "Gal is MIND," so as long as they have the attitude and mindset, why should anything else matter? A lot of the people saying these things are baby gals that probably aren't super comfortable with their identity as gals yet, so I won't be too harsh about it, but to put it simply: Gyaru requires a certain amount of dedication, and that dedication includes adhering to some rules. Of course, the mindset is important... But that's only half the battle. I'll put it like this: It doesn't matter how much I think I can run a marathon; it doesn't matter if I have the perfect attitude and mindset to do it. If I don't actually run the marathon or even train to run the marathon, I can never say that I did. That's how I feel about gyaru. I think a lot of this boils down to people liking the look of a certain aesthetic, but it just doesn't work for them. If you generally don't wear makeup or aren't allowed to, Gyaru might not be for you. I understand being worried about what people think at first, but if you care that much about what others think, Gyaru isn't for you. Plus, why would you wanna be Gyaru without makeup? That's the best part!
I don't mean to harp on about makeup so much, but that's one of the biggest things I see people calling optional. So, all this to say, expect to have to follow some guidelines.
2. There is no one way to be Gyaru
I'm preparing to be called a hypocrite after the tangent I just went on, but hear me out! For a lot of alternative styles that are focused on being non-conforming, I feel like we veer so far into that, that we circle right back into policing people if they dont conform to the "right way" of participating. This is something that will always shock me about this community, but so many people bully others for their make or coords. Can you believe that? Gals bullying other gals because they don't like the way they look? Like do they even realize how stupid it is to tell someone "you aren't non-comforming in the way you should!!!!!" To those who do that: Theres no one way to be Gyaru, get over yourself.
3. IDGAF about a white droop
This opinion might get me crucified, but I dont care. This is a relatively new "rule," in fact, I think people literally made it up. People will say only advanced gals with advanced makeup skills can do it, but that literally makes zero sense. Personally, I dont like the look of a white droop on myself, but I think other gals look great with it! I dont care if people think its ugly, or "too dolly," or whatever. A white droop will never be the end of the world to me, lol.
4. Owning Gyaru brands doesn't make you a better gal, it just means that theres a 99.9% chance you paid a stupid amount of money for a poor-quality item
There's a lot of elitism in the Gyaru space about owning brand-name clothes/accessories/shoes, and I think its stupid. Gyaru is fast-fashion, hyper-consumerism personified, so a lot of these vintage holy grail pieces are mass-produced and Shein quality. Gyaru was mainstream at one point, so tons of brands jumped on the bandwagon, meaning a lot of the products are just shit. That doesnt mean they dont look cool! After all, you're paying for the brand, and it's the brand's job to be eye-catching and cool. However, scalpers grab pieces for cheap off of places like Mercari JP and resell them at insanely price-gouged margins. i dont think you're bad for buying/owning brand, but I think you're an idiot if you think it makes you in any way superior.
5. Gyaru is not the feminist subculture a lot of y'all think it is
Just walk with me. I see this idea being spread on places like TikTok that styles like Yamanba were created by Japanese women to get men to stop raping them, and that's only half the truth. Yes, Gyaru was created to go against the Japanese beauty standard and their standards for how one should behave. It is a form of rebellion created by women, but it is nowhere near the paragon of female empowerment its been made out to be. Japan is a patriarchal society. Gyaru became hugely fetishized and objectified, made to be palatable for the male-dominated media. Many gals engaged in compensated dating as a result of the consumerist mindset that permeated the space. Many of these gals were teenagers, high school/middle school girls, feeling pressured to keep up with trends. Many gals struggled deeply with mental illness, neurodivergence, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, and other things in a society that actively discourages speaking up and getting help. Many of them were runaways. Gyaru is not sunshine and rainbows, a utopia of girlbossery and female empowerment. A lot of these girls were victims of society and the patriarchy. Gyaru is rife with struggle and pain, and we need to be realistic about that.
If you want a real, honest depiction of what it was like to be Gyaru, I recommend checking out Tomonya's Ameblo.
6. A lot of people are pagyaru and need to accept it
This is the one I think will get some people REALLY in a tizzy, but a hit dog will holler, as they say. A lot of people only want the social points being Gyaru will give them (god knows why, we get made fun of all the time). They only like the look, and dont care about the fact that Gyaru needs to be a lifestyle. Gal is MIND, and a lot of people just dont have the mindset. A lot of y'all are mean, insecure, and scared of true authenticity. You might have the look, but to me, it means nothing if you're a hateful person.
7. Gyaru is largely inspired by black culture. DEAL WITH IT.
The amount of anti-blackness in this community is astounding, considering the fact that black culture and fashion are literally the blueprint. A lot of styles take inspiration from American aesthetics, and you know who created those aesthetics? BLACK AMERICANS. You know who popularized fake nails? BLACK AMERICANS. LOOK AT THE WAY SOME GALS TAN! There is literally a substyle with the goal of appropriating black culture, and some of y'all still wanna insist that black culture has nothing to do with Gyaru. Namie Amuro, the certified mother of Gyaru, has gone on record that Janet Jackson and TLC were some of her biggest inspirations. Some of the most important, influential Gyaru creators online are black gals. And yet they're the same gals I see get the most hate and receive the most vitriol. They're literally integral to Gyaru, responsible for getting Gyaru back on the map, and yet people still don't give them the credit they deserve. The anti-blackness is TIRED.
~
Aaaand I think I've officially made enough people hate me now, so I'll leave this here! I didn't intend for this to be quite so negative, but I'm very passionate and have a lot of thoughts and opinions. If you don't hate me, please look forward to my next blog! I promise it'll be much more positive! Feel free to share your own opinions, disagree with mine, or say whatever you like in the comments!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
So far, the Gyaru blogs I've been posting have been educational, and that doesn't leave a lot of room for my own personal opinions... And as someone with a ton of opinions, I can only hold off on sharing them for so long! So, that's what this blog is going to be about!
Since this is an unpopular opinions blog, this has the potential to ruffle some feathers... But I dont mind! Gyaru is about being yourself, so who cares if I don't have the same opinions as everyone else? So long as the opinion is antithetical to Gyaru as a whole, I think its fair game!
Teeny tiny disclaimer: I use a lot of targeted language (you, y'all, etc), (that's just the way I talk), but in general, dont take it too seriously. This isn't directed towards anyone in particular. I use words like you and y'all as sort of general, neutral terms, if that makes sense? I just foresee some people getting worked up over it, haha...
Anyway, onto the blog!
~
*Opinions are in no particular order!*
1. Gyaru has rules that cannot be ignored
This might be considered a milquetoast opinion to some of y'all, but I feel like the TikTok-ification of Gyaru has made this a pretty popular mindset. Yes, there are no rules when it comes to your self-expression as a Gyaru. You don't wanna limit yourself to one style? Go ahead! You dont wanna wear contacts? Fair enough! Do insanely long nails not work for you? Understandable! Do you not wanna be in Gyaru 24/7? I GET IT! Basically, the sky is the limit! but that doesn't mean there are no rules at all. Not all styles require heavy tans or insane make, but you shouldn't call yourself Yamanba, for instance, if you don't do either of those. There are gals that can dress Gyaru 24/7, but for a lot of people, that is very understandably not realistic (especially for those just starting out). However, if you dont wanna dress Gyaru 24/7, you shouldnt expect to be recognized as Gyaru if you're out of it. When I go out in no make, I dont have the right to get angry that people dont clock me as a gal. To quote my beloved idol Harutamu...
Makeup is a non-negotiable for Gyaru. You either wear makeup, or you aren't Gyaru. I see a lot of people on TikTok specifically saying that Gyaru doesn't require makeup, people asking if they're still Gyaru if they don't wear makeup, asking "what if my parents dont let me wear makeup?" or "what if I get made fun of?" I also see a lot of people bringing up that "Gal is MIND," so as long as they have the attitude and mindset, why should anything else matter? A lot of the people saying these things are baby gals that probably aren't super comfortable with their identity as gals yet, so I won't be too harsh about it, but to put it simply: Gyaru requires a certain amount of dedication, and that dedication includes adhering to some rules. Of course, the mindset is important... But that's only half the battle. I'll put it like this: It doesn't matter how much I think I can run a marathon; it doesn't matter if I have the perfect attitude and mindset to do it. If I don't actually run the marathon or even train to run the marathon, I can never say that I did. That's how I feel about gyaru. I think a lot of this boils down to people liking the look of a certain aesthetic, but it just doesn't work for them. If you generally don't wear makeup or aren't allowed to, Gyaru might not be for you. I understand being worried about what people think at first, but if you care that much about what others think, Gyaru isn't for you. Plus, why would you wanna be Gyaru without makeup? That's the best part!
I don't mean to harp on about makeup so much, but that's one of the biggest things I see people calling optional. So, all this to say, expect to have to follow some guidelines.
2. There is no one way to be Gyaru
I'm preparing to be called a hypocrite after the tangent I just went on, but hear me out! For a lot of alternative styles that are focused on being non-conforming, I feel like we veer so far into that, that we circle right back into policing people if they dont conform to the "right way" of participating. This is something that will always shock me about this community, but so many people bully others for their make or coords. Can you believe that? Gals bullying other gals because they don't like the way they look? Like do they even realize how stupid it is to tell someone "you aren't non-comforming in the way you should!!!!!" To those who do that: Theres no one way to be Gyaru, get over yourself.
3. IDGAF about a white droop
This opinion might get me crucified, but I dont care. This is a relatively new "rule," in fact, I think people literally made it up. People will say only advanced gals with advanced makeup skills can do it, but that literally makes zero sense. Personally, I dont like the look of a white droop on myself, but I think other gals look great with it! I dont care if people think its ugly, or "too dolly," or whatever. A white droop will never be the end of the world to me, lol.
4. Owning Gyaru brands doesn't make you a better gal, it just means that theres a 99.9% chance you paid a stupid amount of money for a poor-quality item
There's a lot of elitism in the Gyaru space about owning brand-name clothes/accessories/shoes, and I think its stupid. Gyaru is fast-fashion, hyper-consumerism personified, so a lot of these vintage holy grail pieces are mass-produced and Shein quality. Gyaru was mainstream at one point, so tons of brands jumped on the bandwagon, meaning a lot of the products are just shit. That doesnt mean they dont look cool! After all, you're paying for the brand, and it's the brand's job to be eye-catching and cool. However, scalpers grab pieces for cheap off of places like Mercari JP and resell them at insanely price-gouged margins. i dont think you're bad for buying/owning brand, but I think you're an idiot if you think it makes you in any way superior.
5. Gyaru is not the feminist subculture a lot of y'all think it is
Just walk with me. I see this idea being spread on places like TikTok that styles like Yamanba were created by Japanese women to get men to stop raping them, and that's only half the truth. Yes, Gyaru was created to go against the Japanese beauty standard and their standards for how one should behave. It is a form of rebellion created by women, but it is nowhere near the paragon of female empowerment its been made out to be. Japan is a patriarchal society. Gyaru became hugely fetishized and objectified, made to be palatable for the male-dominated media. Many gals engaged in compensated dating as a result of the consumerist mindset that permeated the space. Many of these gals were teenagers, high school/middle school girls, feeling pressured to keep up with trends. Many gals struggled deeply with mental illness, neurodivergence, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, and other things in a society that actively discourages speaking up and getting help. Many of them were runaways. Gyaru is not sunshine and rainbows, a utopia of girlbossery and female empowerment. A lot of these girls were victims of society and the patriarchy. Gyaru is rife with struggle and pain, and we need to be realistic about that.
If you want a real, honest depiction of what it was like to be Gyaru, I recommend checking out Tomonya's Ameblo.
6. A lot of people are pagyaru and need to accept it
This is the one I think will get some people REALLY in a tizzy, but a hit dog will holler, as they say. A lot of people only want the social points being Gyaru will give them (god knows why, we get made fun of all the time). They only like the look, and dont care about the fact that Gyaru needs to be a lifestyle. Gal is MIND, and a lot of people just dont have the mindset. A lot of y'all are mean, insecure, and scared of true authenticity. You might have the look, but to me, it means nothing if you're a hateful person.
7. Gyaru is largely inspired by black culture. DEAL WITH IT.
The amount of anti-blackness in this community is astounding, considering the fact that black culture and fashion are literally the blueprint. A lot of styles take inspiration from American aesthetics, and you know who created those aesthetics? BLACK AMERICANS. You know who popularized fake nails? BLACK AMERICANS. LOOK AT THE WAY SOME GALS TAN! There is literally a substyle with the goal of appropriating black culture, and some of y'all still wanna insist that black culture has nothing to do with Gyaru. Namie Amuro, the certified mother of Gyaru, has gone on record that Janet Jackson and TLC were some of her biggest inspirations. Some of the most important, influential Gyaru creators online are black gals. And yet they're the same gals I see get the most hate and receive the most vitriol. They're literally integral to Gyaru, responsible for getting Gyaru back on the map, and yet people still don't give them the credit they deserve. The anti-blackness is TIRED.
~
Aaaand I think I've officially made enough people hate me now, so I'll leave this here! I didn't intend for this to be quite so negative, but I'm very passionate and have a lot of thoughts and opinions. If you don't hate me, please look forward to my next blog! I promise it'll be much more positive! Feel free to share your own opinions, disagree with mine, or say whatever you like in the comments!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
Gyaru Terms & Vocab!
Welcome back~! And sorry for the wait... Life has been busy since I'm getting ready to move, but I finally have some free time!
So it's time for another Gyaru blog!
If you remember the ending of my substyles blog, then you may remember that I mentioned I used quite a bit of Gyaru-specific words and wanted to make a blog about what it all means! So that's exactly what I'm doing!
It feels like my blogs always start with "a few quick notes," but anyway! Firstly, I don't think this blog will be quite as comprehensive as my other blogs. I don't think this topic is obscure or anything, but it's niche enough that it can be a little difficult to include every possible piece of Gyaru terms/vocab/language. Plus, I speak Japanese like a kindergartener (if that! Japanese toddlers probably speak circles around me), so finding terms and translating can be a bit tough... I'm going to try my best, though! I'll include examples/definitions from other resources, so that should be helpful for us all! Finally, a lot of the slang is just regular Japanese slang, but naturally, gals use a lot of slang, so I wanted to include them!
I'll likely be adding to this every so often, so please feel free to check back whenever you wish!
Alright, I'll be quiet now... Enjoy~!
~
GENERAL TERMINOLOGY
Gyaru (ギャル)/Gyaruo (ギャル男, ギャルオ): The feminine and masculine forms for anyone who participates in the Gyaru lifestyle; can be shortened to gal or guy
Gaijin (外人): The Japanese word for foreigner; used to identify non-Japanese or overseas Gyaru (gaijin Gyaru)
Pagyaru/pagal (ぱギャル): Half-assed gal; not fully gal
Ogyaru/ogal (汚ギャル): Literally means "dirty girl"; a gal who is unhygienic
Coord (コーディネート)/co*de (コーデ): Outfit
Make (メイク): Makeup
Tareme (垂れ目): Literally "droopy eyes"; iconic Gyaru eye makeup, often simply called a droop
e.g.,
Namida bukuro (なみだぶくろ, 涙袋): Tear bag; also known as aegyo sal
Sujimori (スジ盛り): Intricate hairstyles worn by both gals and guys
e.g.,
Para para (パラパラ): Synchronized dance that originated in Japan; unlike most club dancing and rave dancing, there are specific synchronized movements for each song, much like line dancing
Purikura (プリクラ): A photo sticker booth or the product of such a photo booth; gals are known to collect purikura for both personal photobooks/photo albums and to share on social media
e.g.,
Gyarusa (ギャルサークル, ギャルサー): Also known as gyaru circle, gal-circle, gal-cir, gal-unit, gyaru-sa; a group of Gyaru and Gyaruo who come together for meetups and events, as well as having their own online communities in which they communicate with one another
Brand (ブランド): Gyaru/Shibuya 109 brands
Souzai: A type of pixel emoji/emoticon, or in Japanese, decome (デコメ) or decorative messages (デコメ絵文字 or デコメール); mainly associated with Gyaru pixels from the site Deco Gal
e.g.,
Decoden: Also written as dekoden; a term for a style of decorated accessories; deco is short for decorated, and den is short for denwa (phone in Japanese), but is not exclusively for phones
e.g.,
SLANG & LANGUAGE (GYARU-GO/ギャル語)
*Please note- this is exclusive to speaking Japanese!*
Gyaru-moji (ギャル文字): Meaning gals alphabet; a style of Japanese writing popularized by Gyaru in the 2000's, and is similar to the shorthand language and slang phrases used in the English language, often over text messages or in online spaces
quick examples:
⤷ Hiragana consisting of connected strokes is replaced by symbols or Greek letters, so す (su) may be rendered as the section symbol §
⤷ Hiragana consisting of detached elements are replaced by sequences of kana, western letters, or symbols, so ほ (ho) may be typed as |ま (vertical bar + Hiragana ma) or (ま (open parenthesis + ma)
⤷ Compound kanji are split into left and right elements, which are written as individual kanji or kana, so the kanji 好 in 好き, meaning "like, enjoy", may be split into 女子 (the kanji for woman and child, respectively).
96: Used by Kuro Gyaru, as the Japanese pronunciation of the numbers 9 (kuu) and 6 (rokku) resembles the word Kuro
46: 96, but for Shiro Gyaru
JK: Abbreviated form of joshi-kousei (女子高生), or high school student
Yabai (やばい): Used to express something dangerous, risky, or sketchy; can also describe something really cool or amazing
⤷ この映画、やばい！ (Kono eiga, yabai!) – This movie is amazing!
Maji (まじ): Short for honki (本気), meaning serious; can be used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis
⤷ まじで？ (Maji de?) – Are you serious?
⤷ can be shortened to “ま？”
Hamaru (はまる): Means “to get hooked” or “to be into something”; used to describe a hobby or activity that someone is really interested in
⤷ このゲーム、はまってる！ (Kono geemu, hamatteru!) – I’m hooked on this game!
Mattari suru (まったりする): Means “to chill” or “to relax”
⤷ 今日は家でまったりする。 (Kyou wa ie de mattari suru.) – I’m going to chill at home today.
Shika katan (しか勝たん): Means “nothing can beat” or “the best is”
⤷ このラーメン屋しか勝たん！ (Kono ramen-ya shika katan!) – This ramen restaurant is the best, nothing can beat it!
Sukaru (スカる): Comes from the English word scarf; means to cancel or to be stood up, often used in dating situations
⤷ デート中にスカられた。 (Deeto chuu ni sukarareta.) – I got stood up during the date.
Wairudo (ワイルド): Comes from the English word wild; means cool or awesome, often used to describe a person’s attitude or style
⤷ 彼はワイルドな人だ。 (Kare wa wairudo na hito da.) – He’s a cool and wild person.
Boyaku (ボヤく): Means to complain or to grumble; used to describe someone who complains too much
⤷ 彼女、いつも何かにボヤいてるよね。 (Kanojo, itsumo nanika ni boyaiteru yo ne.) – She’s always complaining about something.
Majikichi (マジキチ): Comes from the words maji (マジ) and kichigai (キチガイ), which means crazy; means seriously crazy or insane
⤷ あの人、マジキチだよね。 (Ano hito, majikichi da yo ne.) – That person is seriously crazy.
Sensu ii (センスいい): Means “stylish” or “tasteful”
⤷ 彼女のコーディネート、センスいいよね。 (Kanojo no koodineeto, sensu ii yo ne.) – Her outfit has a good sense of style, right?
Jiwaru (ジワる): Means “to gradually become popular” or “to gain momentum”; used to describe a trend or a product that becomes more popular over time
⤷ このアプリ、最近ジワってきたよね。 (Kono apuri, saikin jiwa tte kita yo ne.) – This app has been gradually becoming more popular recently.
Omatsuri sawagi (お祭り騒ぎ): Means “a big commotion” or “a lively event”; used to describe a festival or a party
⤷ あの日のパーティー、お祭り騒ぎだったね。 (Ano hi no paatii, omatsuri sawagi datta ne.) – That party was a big commotion, right?
Bazuru (バズる): Comes from the English word buzz; means “to go viral” or “to become popular on social media”
⤷ この動画、バズってるらしいよ。 (Kono douga, bazutteru rashii yo.) – This video seems to be going viral.
Gyau (ぎゃう): A shortened form of Gyaru
⤷ あの子、ぎゃうだよね。 (Ano ko, gyau da yo ne.) – That girl is a gyaru, right?
Gyarupi (ギャルピ): An abbreviation of Gyaru piisu (ギャルピース), a hand gesture that involves making a V-sign with the fingers
e.g.,
Poyo (ぽよ): Suffix that sounds cute
⤷ ぽよぽよ – poyopoyo
Agepoyo (あげぽよ): The most popular poyo word; means to be super excited, energetic
⤷ あっ！コメンットがある！あげぽよ〜！– Ahh! I got a comment! Yayyy~!
⤷ けいすけからメール来た！アゲポヨ！– I got a text from Keisuke! Agepoyo!
Sagepoyo (さげぽよ): From sage (さげ), meaning "to lower"; sad, disappointed
Shogepoyo (しょげぽよ): Opposite of agepoyo; bored, not excited
Rabupoyo (らぶぽよ): From rabu (ラブ), meaning "love"; feeling of love, in love
Yabapoyo (やばぽよ): From yabai (やばい); bad, dangerous, risky fun
Himapoyo (ひまぽよ): From hima (暇), meaning "free time"; nothing to do
Kamitteru (かみってる): God-like
⤷ あのメイクアップはかみってる〜 – That makeup is God-like~
Torima (とりま): A shortened version of toriaezu maa, which means "for the meantime, well…"; anyway
⤷ ゆきてぃんは遅刻よ。とりま、先に行こうかな – Yuki-tin is running late. Well, for now let’s just go anyways.
Pachikoku (ぱちこく): Tell a lie
Ukepii (うけぴい): Funny
Oolong cha (烏龍茶): Annoying; long hair; brown-colored hair
Atonsu (あとんす): Thank you
Yababa (やばば): A twist on yabai, an expression to yell when something is either really terrible or really great; the more ba's (ば) you add to the end, the more yabai it becomes
⤷ やばばばばば！つけま忘れちゃった！– Omgggggg! I forgot my fake eyelashes!
KS: Stands for kidoku suruu (既読 [きどく] スルー); when someone reads your message on LINE but doesn't respond to it either because they forgot or they're ignoring you
⤷ みかみかにあそぼーってLINEしたけどKSされた！– I asked Mikamika to hang out with me on LINE, but she KS’d me!
Nicknames: Adding things like "-min," "-po," or "-chya" to the end of names or shortening names is common in Gyaru spaces
⤷ For example, if you have a friend named Megumi, you may decide to call her "Megumin"
Obasan kobun (おばさん構文): Slang for someone who doesn't understand slang, memes, etc.; texts like a granny
⤷ マジでおばさん構文だったんよ！ – She seriously texts like a granny!
~
Remember what I said last time about the next blog being wayyy shorter and less overwhelming?
...Yeah, me neither... If you've gotten to the end of this, you get a kiss *mwah!*
Anyway, for my friends who can speak Japanese/are interested in Japanese, I'll be adding the resources I used here to my resource masterblog, so please check that out if you want! I can with 100% certainty promise that the next blog will be shorter and easier to get through, so please look forward to it! As always, let me know if you'd like clarification on anything, wanna point out any mistakes I may have made, or anything else you desire in the comments!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
So it's time for another Gyaru blog!
If you remember the ending of my substyles blog, then you may remember that I mentioned I used quite a bit of Gyaru-specific words and wanted to make a blog about what it all means! So that's exactly what I'm doing!
It feels like my blogs always start with "a few quick notes," but anyway! Firstly, I don't think this blog will be quite as comprehensive as my other blogs. I don't think this topic is obscure or anything, but it's niche enough that it can be a little difficult to include every possible piece of Gyaru terms/vocab/language. Plus, I speak Japanese like a kindergartener (if that! Japanese toddlers probably speak circles around me), so finding terms and translating can be a bit tough... I'm going to try my best, though! I'll include examples/definitions from other resources, so that should be helpful for us all! Finally, a lot of the slang is just regular Japanese slang, but naturally, gals use a lot of slang, so I wanted to include them!
I'll likely be adding to this every so often, so please feel free to check back whenever you wish!
Alright, I'll be quiet now... Enjoy~!
~
GENERAL TERMINOLOGY
Gyaru (ギャル)/Gyaruo (ギャル男, ギャルオ): The feminine and masculine forms for anyone who participates in the Gyaru lifestyle; can be shortened to gal or guy
Gaijin (外人): The Japanese word for foreigner; used to identify non-Japanese or overseas Gyaru (gaijin Gyaru)
Pagyaru/pagal (ぱギャル): Half-assed gal; not fully gal
Ogyaru/ogal (汚ギャル): Literally means "dirty girl"; a gal who is unhygienic
Coord (コーディネート)/co*de (コーデ): Outfit
Make (メイク): Makeup
Tareme (垂れ目): Literally "droopy eyes"; iconic Gyaru eye makeup, often simply called a droop
e.g.,
Namida bukuro (なみだぶくろ, 涙袋): Tear bag; also known as aegyo sal
Sujimori (スジ盛り): Intricate hairstyles worn by both gals and guys
e.g.,
Para para (パラパラ): Synchronized dance that originated in Japan; unlike most club dancing and rave dancing, there are specific synchronized movements for each song, much like line dancing
Purikura (プリクラ): A photo sticker booth or the product of such a photo booth; gals are known to collect purikura for both personal photobooks/photo albums and to share on social media
e.g.,
Gyarusa (ギャルサークル, ギャルサー): Also known as gyaru circle, gal-circle, gal-cir, gal-unit, gyaru-sa; a group of Gyaru and Gyaruo who come together for meetups and events, as well as having their own online communities in which they communicate with one another
Brand (ブランド): Gyaru/Shibuya 109 brands
Souzai: A type of pixel emoji/emoticon, or in Japanese, decome (デコメ) or decorative messages (デコメ絵文字 or デコメール); mainly associated with Gyaru pixels from the site Deco Gal
e.g.,
Decoden: Also written as dekoden; a term for a style of decorated accessories; deco is short for decorated, and den is short for denwa (phone in Japanese), but is not exclusively for phones
e.g.,
SLANG & LANGUAGE (GYARU-GO/ギャル語)
*Please note- this is exclusive to speaking Japanese!*
Gyaru-moji (ギャル文字): Meaning gals alphabet; a style of Japanese writing popularized by Gyaru in the 2000's, and is similar to the shorthand language and slang phrases used in the English language, often over text messages or in online spaces
quick examples:
⤷ Hiragana consisting of connected strokes is replaced by symbols or Greek letters, so す (su) may be rendered as the section symbol §
⤷ Hiragana consisting of detached elements are replaced by sequences of kana, western letters, or symbols, so ほ (ho) may be typed as |ま (vertical bar + Hiragana ma) or (ま (open parenthesis + ma)
⤷ Compound kanji are split into left and right elements, which are written as individual kanji or kana, so the kanji 好 in 好き, meaning "like, enjoy", may be split into 女子 (the kanji for woman and child, respectively).
96: Used by Kuro Gyaru, as the Japanese pronunciation of the numbers 9 (kuu) and 6 (rokku) resembles the word Kuro
46: 96, but for Shiro Gyaru
JK: Abbreviated form of joshi-kousei (女子高生), or high school student
Yabai (やばい): Used to express something dangerous, risky, or sketchy; can also describe something really cool or amazing
⤷ この映画、やばい！ (Kono eiga, yabai!) – This movie is amazing!
Maji (まじ): Short for honki (本気), meaning serious; can be used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis
⤷ まじで？ (Maji de?) – Are you serious?
⤷ can be shortened to “ま？”
Hamaru (はまる): Means “to get hooked” or “to be into something”; used to describe a hobby or activity that someone is really interested in
⤷ このゲーム、はまってる！ (Kono geemu, hamatteru!) – I’m hooked on this game!
Mattari suru (まったりする): Means “to chill” or “to relax”
⤷ 今日は家でまったりする。 (Kyou wa ie de mattari suru.) – I’m going to chill at home today.
Shika katan (しか勝たん): Means “nothing can beat” or “the best is”
⤷ このラーメン屋しか勝たん！ (Kono ramen-ya shika katan!) – This ramen restaurant is the best, nothing can beat it!
Sukaru (スカる): Comes from the English word scarf; means to cancel or to be stood up, often used in dating situations
⤷ デート中にスカられた。 (Deeto chuu ni sukarareta.) – I got stood up during the date.
Wairudo (ワイルド): Comes from the English word wild; means cool or awesome, often used to describe a person’s attitude or style
⤷ 彼はワイルドな人だ。 (Kare wa wairudo na hito da.) – He’s a cool and wild person.
Boyaku (ボヤく): Means to complain or to grumble; used to describe someone who complains too much
⤷ 彼女、いつも何かにボヤいてるよね。 (Kanojo, itsumo nanika ni boyaiteru yo ne.) – She’s always complaining about something.
Majikichi (マジキチ): Comes from the words maji (マジ) and kichigai (キチガイ), which means crazy; means seriously crazy or insane
⤷ あの人、マジキチだよね。 (Ano hito, majikichi da yo ne.) – That person is seriously crazy.
Sensu ii (センスいい): Means “stylish” or “tasteful”
⤷ 彼女のコーディネート、センスいいよね。 (Kanojo no koodineeto, sensu ii yo ne.) – Her outfit has a good sense of style, right?
Jiwaru (ジワる): Means “to gradually become popular” or “to gain momentum”; used to describe a trend or a product that becomes more popular over time
⤷ このアプリ、最近ジワってきたよね。 (Kono apuri, saikin jiwa tte kita yo ne.) – This app has been gradually becoming more popular recently.
Omatsuri sawagi (お祭り騒ぎ): Means “a big commotion” or “a lively event”; used to describe a festival or a party
⤷ あの日のパーティー、お祭り騒ぎだったね。 (Ano hi no paatii, omatsuri sawagi datta ne.) – That party was a big commotion, right?
Bazuru (バズる): Comes from the English word buzz; means “to go viral” or “to become popular on social media”
⤷ この動画、バズってるらしいよ。 (Kono douga, bazutteru rashii yo.) – This video seems to be going viral.
Gyau (ぎゃう): A shortened form of Gyaru
⤷ あの子、ぎゃうだよね。 (Ano ko, gyau da yo ne.) – That girl is a gyaru, right?
Gyarupi (ギャルピ): An abbreviation of Gyaru piisu (ギャルピース), a hand gesture that involves making a V-sign with the fingers
e.g.,
Poyo (ぽよ): Suffix that sounds cute
⤷ ぽよぽよ – poyopoyo
Agepoyo (あげぽよ): The most popular poyo word; means to be super excited, energetic
⤷ あっ！コメンットがある！あげぽよ〜！– Ahh! I got a comment! Yayyy~!
⤷ けいすけからメール来た！アゲポヨ！– I got a text from Keisuke! Agepoyo!
Sagepoyo (さげぽよ): From sage (さげ), meaning "to lower"; sad, disappointed
Shogepoyo (しょげぽよ): Opposite of agepoyo; bored, not excited
Rabupoyo (らぶぽよ): From rabu (ラブ), meaning "love"; feeling of love, in love
Yabapoyo (やばぽよ): From yabai (やばい); bad, dangerous, risky fun
Himapoyo (ひまぽよ): From hima (暇), meaning "free time"; nothing to do
Kamitteru (かみってる): God-like
⤷ あのメイクアップはかみってる〜 – That makeup is God-like~
Torima (とりま): A shortened version of toriaezu maa, which means "for the meantime, well…"; anyway
⤷ ゆきてぃんは遅刻よ。とりま、先に行こうかな – Yuki-tin is running late. Well, for now let’s just go anyways.
Pachikoku (ぱちこく): Tell a lie
Ukepii (うけぴい): Funny
Oolong cha (烏龍茶): Annoying; long hair; brown-colored hair
Atonsu (あとんす): Thank you
Yababa (やばば): A twist on yabai, an expression to yell when something is either really terrible or really great; the more ba's (ば) you add to the end, the more yabai it becomes
⤷ やばばばばば！つけま忘れちゃった！– Omgggggg! I forgot my fake eyelashes!
KS: Stands for kidoku suruu (既読 [きどく] スルー); when someone reads your message on LINE but doesn't respond to it either because they forgot or they're ignoring you
⤷ みかみかにあそぼーってLINEしたけどKSされた！– I asked Mikamika to hang out with me on LINE, but she KS’d me!
Nicknames: Adding things like "-min," "-po," or "-chya" to the end of names or shortening names is common in Gyaru spaces
⤷ For example, if you have a friend named Megumi, you may decide to call her "Megumin"
Obasan kobun (おばさん構文): Slang for someone who doesn't understand slang, memes, etc.; texts like a granny
⤷ マジでおばさん構文だったんよ！ – She seriously texts like a granny!
~
Remember what I said last time about the next blog being wayyy shorter and less overwhelming?
...Yeah, me neither... If you've gotten to the end of this, you get a kiss *mwah!*
Anyway, for my friends who can speak Japanese/are interested in Japanese, I'll be adding the resources I used here to my resource masterblog, so please check that out if you want! I can with 100% certainty promise that the next blog will be shorter and easier to get through, so please look forward to it! As always, let me know if you'd like clarification on anything, wanna point out any mistakes I may have made, or anything else you desire in the comments!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
The Different Substyles of Gyaru!
**JAN 2026 EDIT: i've been reviewing a bunch of my older blogs, and i think they're actually quite garbage! so for the next little while, i'm going to attempt an overhaul of this blog with better information. so, don't worry if you find that some sections are half-edited or gone entirely, they will be fixed! i don't have a specific timeline for when it will be completed, but when u see that this edit is either gone or replaced with something else, it is done! thank you for understanding~**
Behold! The long-awaited substyles blog!
If you thought my history of Gyaru blog was long, then this one is going to be actually insane. There are so many ways to be a Gyaru, and it can be difficult to find one that you feel really represents you! You're in luck, though, because this blog is going to give in-depth descriptions of each substyle!
A few things of note before we begin: One of the most popular Gyaru styles, Kogyaru/Kogal, is not actually a substyle. It is just an age range for gals who are in high school, so non-high school-aged gals cannot technically be Kogal. I'm going to include a description of it anyway, though, since many beginner/baby gals are high school aged and will find it useful! Kuro Gyaru and Shiro Gyaru are also not technically substyles, but rather identifiers for skin tone/tan level. I also want to make it clear that anyone of any skin tone can participate in any style they please. Gyaru is for all!
There are also a few substyles that I did not include upon writing this the first time. Information about them can be found here.
Now, onto the yapathon!
~
KOGYARU/KOGAL
This style describes a high school-aged Gyaru. It is one of the oldest Gyaru styles, as is where the term Gyaru comes from. It is characterized by the use of the school uniform: Shortened skirts to show off their legs, and cardigans (most often oversized) in colors like beige, pink, or navy. They can be worn in place of a blazer or tied around the waist. By far the most iconic aspect of the style is the socks, which are worn loose and oversized to create a slouchy appearance. Many Kogals use sock glue to keep their socks in place. Just like any Gyaru style, accessories are a huge part of Kogyaru. Keychains on school bags and cell phones (decoden cell phones are also very popular) are very important, and can help show a gal's personality in the strict Japanese school system. Speaking of school bags, many Kogals choose to carry shopping bags (shoppers) from Gyaru brands, usually used as a form of status symbol, as a secondary bag, or even their main school bag. Many Kogals tan, but it is not required. Decorated nails and piercings are also popular accessories, similar to most Gyaru styles. The make can be a spectrum, some choosing to keep it more toned down and others choosing to be extreme. Basically, the extremeness of the look is all based on the style the gal prefers.
GANGURO
This style is most often called "old school," as with Kogyaru, it is one of the oldest styles. It is considered a dying style, but a lot of people continue to wear it, and it is the origin point of other styles. A big part of this style is the tan, anywhere from medium to extra dark, as well as bleached blonde hair. Clothing-wise, Ganguro gals favor tropical floral prints and neon colors. Hibiscus and plumeria prints are a staple, as well as wearing leis and flower accessories. Other popular accessories include beaded jewelry or anything that would be considered "tacky." Platform sandals with wooden soles or cut-outs, wedge heels, or just any kind of sandal are popular footwear amongst Ganguro gals, and they should be equally as colorful as the rest of the outfit. For the make, it must be bright white for a lot of contrast against the tanned skin. A lot of the focus is placed around the eyes (coupled with huge lashes), nose, and lips. A lot of Ganguro gals also put stickers on their faces, and modern Ganguro gals use face paint or colorful eyeliners to achieve a similar effect. Ganguro gals also tend to have decorated nails. The goal of the style is to be very vivid, loud, and tropical, and to ignore all conventional Japanese beauty standards. Popular brands are ALBA ROSA, ROXY, and ESPERANZA, among others.
YAMANBA/MANBA
The name Yamanba comes from Japanese folklore, meaning "mountain witch." It shares many similarities with Ganguro, but it is even more extreme. In general, the clothing, make, and accessories are incredibly similar. However, it is common to see Yamanba gals with hair dyed bright colors or with colorful streaks in their blonde hair, and with lots of volume. Their tans tend to be even heavier than Ganguro tans, making the white make stand out even more. Their nails can be insanely long, and decked out to the max with deco. The same goes for their cell phones. Besides platform sandals, Yamanba gals also like to wear platform boots. Like Ganguro, many call Yamanba a "dead" style, but plenty of gals continue to wear it. Some gals in the gyarusa Black Diamond wear versions of Yamanba. Manba is more extreme than Yamanba.
AGEJO
Behold! The long-awaited substyles blog!
If you thought my history of Gyaru blog was long, then this one is going to be actually insane. There are so many ways to be a Gyaru, and it can be difficult to find one that you feel really represents you! You're in luck, though, because this blog is going to give in-depth descriptions of each substyle!
A few things of note before we begin: One of the most popular Gyaru styles, Kogyaru/Kogal, is not actually a substyle. It is just an age range for gals who are in high school, so non-high school-aged gals cannot technically be Kogal. I'm going to include a description of it anyway, though, since many beginner/baby gals are high school aged and will find it useful! Kuro Gyaru and Shiro Gyaru are also not technically substyles, but rather identifiers for skin tone/tan level. I also want to make it clear that anyone of any skin tone can participate in any style they please. Gyaru is for all!
There are also a few substyles that I did not include upon writing this the first time. Information about them can be found here.
Now, onto the yapathon!
~
KOGYARU/KOGAL
This style describes a high school-aged Gyaru. It is one of the oldest Gyaru styles, as is where the term Gyaru comes from. It is characterized by the use of the school uniform: Shortened skirts to show off their legs, and cardigans (most often oversized) in colors like beige, pink, or navy. They can be worn in place of a blazer or tied around the waist. By far the most iconic aspect of the style is the socks, which are worn loose and oversized to create a slouchy appearance. Many Kogals use sock glue to keep their socks in place. Just like any Gyaru style, accessories are a huge part of Kogyaru. Keychains on school bags and cell phones (decoden cell phones are also very popular) are very important, and can help show a gal's personality in the strict Japanese school system. Speaking of school bags, many Kogals choose to carry shopping bags (shoppers) from Gyaru brands, usually used as a form of status symbol, as a secondary bag, or even their main school bag. Many Kogals tan, but it is not required. Decorated nails and piercings are also popular accessories, similar to most Gyaru styles. The make can be a spectrum, some choosing to keep it more toned down and others choosing to be extreme. Basically, the extremeness of the look is all based on the style the gal prefers.
GANGURO
This style is most often called "old school," as with Kogyaru, it is one of the oldest styles. It is considered a dying style, but a lot of people continue to wear it, and it is the origin point of other styles. A big part of this style is the tan, anywhere from medium to extra dark, as well as bleached blonde hair. Clothing-wise, Ganguro gals favor tropical floral prints and neon colors. Hibiscus and plumeria prints are a staple, as well as wearing leis and flower accessories. Other popular accessories include beaded jewelry or anything that would be considered "tacky." Platform sandals with wooden soles or cut-outs, wedge heels, or just any kind of sandal are popular footwear amongst Ganguro gals, and they should be equally as colorful as the rest of the outfit. For the make, it must be bright white for a lot of contrast against the tanned skin. A lot of the focus is placed around the eyes (coupled with huge lashes), nose, and lips. A lot of Ganguro gals also put stickers on their faces, and modern Ganguro gals use face paint or colorful eyeliners to achieve a similar effect. Ganguro gals also tend to have decorated nails. The goal of the style is to be very vivid, loud, and tropical, and to ignore all conventional Japanese beauty standards. Popular brands are ALBA ROSA, ROXY, and ESPERANZA, among others.
YAMANBA/MANBA
The name Yamanba comes from Japanese folklore, meaning "mountain witch." It shares many similarities with Ganguro, but it is even more extreme. In general, the clothing, make, and accessories are incredibly similar. However, it is common to see Yamanba gals with hair dyed bright colors or with colorful streaks in their blonde hair, and with lots of volume. Their tans tend to be even heavier than Ganguro tans, making the white make stand out even more. Their nails can be insanely long, and decked out to the max with deco. The same goes for their cell phones. Besides platform sandals, Yamanba gals also like to wear platform boots. Like Ganguro, many call Yamanba a "dead" style, but plenty of gals continue to wear it. Some gals in the gyarusa Black Diamond wear versions of Yamanba. Manba is more extreme than Yamanba.
AGEJO
The name of the style is short for "Ageha lady," inspired by the Gyaru publication Koakuma Ageha (小悪魔ageha) magazine and the styles shown in it. The style is very mature and glamorous, and is popular amongst hostesses. The clothing focuses on being sexy, with lingerie elements being very popular: Corsets, lace, bras, garters, and stockings are key elements. The goal is to be revealing while still being classy. The skirts and dresses are worn very short and tight. Big, intricate hairstyles are another key element, most of the time being long or curly. The hair is normally kept darker, unlike other Gyaru styles. Tanning is not a requirement, but Agejo gals who do tan tend to keep it on the light-medium side. The make is very dolly, with dolly circle contact lenses being a popular choice. The lashes are very thick and Gyaru-like, but the make tends to be less extreme than other styles and leans more towards sexy. Rest assured, it is still very Gyaru. Long, deco'd nails are a popular accessory, but natural nails or a French manicure are acceptable as well. Bows, brand-name bags, and jewelry also make for good Agejo accessories, as they are more mature. Stilettos and pumps are preferred to platforms, as are high-heeled knee-high boots. A popular agejo brand is MA*RS, known for its iconic prints.
HIME GYARU
Hime means "princess," so Hime Gyaru is quite literally "princess gal." Hair is arguably the biggest part of the look, with hairstyles (sujimori) being huge, beehive styles with curls. Hime Gals hair colors can vary, with light brown being popular. Blonde is seen, but it is more natural compared to a Ganguro blonde. Some Hime Gals choose to have dark brown or black hair. Hair accessories are a must, with large bows, flowers, and strings of pearls being popular choices. Accessorizing is crucial for Hime Gals. Nails are heavily deco'd, as are shoes, bags, cell phones, and themselves with jewelry. Lace, ruffles, and bows are key elements. Clothes are often pink or white, or in cutesy prints. The clothes are very soft, while still remaining over the top. The make is very dolly like Agejo, featuring circle lenses to make the eyes appear larger. White accents are seen for this effect as well, as well as pink blush, light pink lips, and thick yet cutesy eyelashes. Tanning is not essential. Popular Hime brands are LIZ LISA and JESUS DIAMANTE.
HIMEKAJI
This style is the step below Hime, as denoted by kaji, meaning casual. In general, it requires less upkeep than the Hime style whilst holding onto the cutesy flair. Think of it as "princess off-duty." The hair is less intricate, being either long or short in lighter colors, curled, and mostly worn down. Accessories are fewer, including those for nails and clothing. Himekaji prioritizes comfort whilst still being cute and princess-like. Pink is an important element for Himekaji clothing, but it also features more natural, earth tones like browns. Hearts, florals, pom-poms, and fur lining are very popular, as are lace, ruffles, and bows, but on a smaller scale. The make is mostly similar to Hime, just toned down. Tanning is also not essential. LIZ LISA is also extremely popular for Himekaji gals, as well as Ank Rouge.
AMEKAJI
The name of this style translates to "American casual," and is characterized by a stereotypically 90's American/Western aesthetic. The style is very bold, comfortable, and casual. Baggy clothing is the key element, with baggy jeans, sweatpants/joggers, and dungarees/overalls. Shorts and skirts are also popular options, but dresses are a rare sight for Amekaji. The tops can be either loose or tight, but it's important that they have some sort of cute or busy print/pattern or slogan, and are brightly colored. Baseball caps, beanies, chunky belts, and fun jewelry are key accessories. It's common to see Amekaji gals wearing sneakers (high tops or basketball style), ballet flats, and sometimes boots. Hair is kept light, either blonde or light brown, and is often worn in simple styles like ponytails, half up-half down styles, or down. It can be either long or short. The tans range from light to medium. The make is very simple but still Gyaru, with bold lashes and eyeliner, and pops of color from the lips. The brand JSG is popular among Amekaji gals.
ROKKU
This style incorporates elements of rock (as you can tell by the name) and Visual kei, or Vkei. Unlike other Gyaru styles, Rokku prioritizes dark colors over bright colors and prints. Crosses, studs, leather, and ripped clothing are key elements, as well as tattoos and piercings. The hair can be dyed any color (unnatural colors are common), and having a take on the classic vkei silhouette is a popular styling choice. Hair can be worn in many styles: Many Rokku gals like big, intricate sujimori with long curls, and others prefer short hair. No matter the style, though, bangs or fringe are very common. Rokku accessories favor chokers, fishnet tights or stockings in general, cuff bracelets or bracelet stacks, cross necklaces, fingerless gloves, buckles and chains, and belts. Footwear can range from boots, platforms, heels, or sneakers. Most Rokku gals choose not to tan, and if they do, it is very light. The make is very dramatic, focusing on dark smoky eyes and dark lips.
GOSHIKKU
This style is similar to Rokku, but incorporates more Gothic elements. While Rokku implements all dark colors, Goshikku tends to stick to black and grey, with minimal pops of white or color. The style is also more toned down when compared to Rokku, especially in terms of accessories and clothing. Stockings/tights and garters are popular accessories. Dresses and skirts are popular, as well as oversized t-shirts and blouses. The style is surprisingly cute and dolly, with lace and ruffles being popular elements, whilst still being edgy with rips and cut-outs. Pendants, chokers, cross necklaces, chains, and bracelets are popular jewelry options. Footwear can range from boots, platforms/flatforms, high heels, or dolly shoes. Like Rokku, hair can be worn in any style, but the colors are commonly black, blonde, white, or grey. The make is less dramatic than Rokku, but it is still dark and bold. Nude or dark lips are commonly seen in Goshikku make. Tanning is not very popular or essential for the style.
KURO GYARU
The name of this style translates to "black-skinned gal," as evidenced by the heavy tans that Kuro gals are known for. Like I mentioned above, Kuro is not technically a substyle, but the gyarusa Black Diamond in particular made it into one. There is some controversy about the tanning habits of Kuro gals, as they can be incredibly dark, verging on offensive, and the tanning habits of some gals can be downright dangerous. However, there is a way to do it in a way that is both safe and non-offensive. Kuro shares many similarities with Yamanba (many Yamanba gals consider themselves Kuro gals as well), with white make, circle lenses, big sujimori (either bleached or colorful), and heavy deco and accessories. Piercings are also seen amongst Kuro gals. Nails are incredibly long with huge deco. Clothing ranges from primarily black to colorful, but animal prints (specifically cheetah and leopard) and fur are staples. Denim shorts in a variety of colors and washes are also staple pieces, as well as furry leg warmers. The iconic D.I.A belt was extremely popular amongst Kuro gals, with big belt buckles and gold chains. Gold is very key to the Kuro gal style. Shoes can range from knee-high boots, heels, platforms, and even Crocs with characters on them. Popular Kuro brands are D.I.A and GALEO (which was founded by the founding member of Black Diamond, Harutamu).
BANBA
Coined by the gyarusa Angeleek in 2005, this style is derived from Manba and means "Barbie Manba."
TSUYOME
Tsyuome is the more modern counterpart to Banba. The two styles are often used interchangeably by some, but there is a distinction between the styles.
ONEE-GYARU
Translating to "older sister gal," this style is more mature and sophisticated. Unlike Agejo, which is considered more mature as well, its focus is not quite on sex appeal. Onee-Gyaru can be described as sexier, yes, but it lacks things like lingerie elements that Agejo has. As its key audience is older gals, one of the most important aspects is brand names and labels. Basically, the main draw is that older gals have more disposable income for high-end and designer brands. The entire style is very put together and elegant: Perfectly styled hair, classic Gyaru make, well-thought-out coords, and always keeping up with trends. The hair is often worn in natural colors (blonde, brown, red, or black), long, and crimped or curled. The make can vary from a more natural look to a bold look; it depends on personal preference, but it is still a very developed, elevated Gyaru make. Nails can be deco'd, but they tend to be more subtle. Animal prints are popular (as are prints in general) and leather. Popular pieces in a Onee-Gyaru coord are blouses, miniskirts, mini-dresses, overcoats/blazers, cardigans, furs, and tweed-style outfits. The pieces should be tight to emphasize the body and be slightly revealing. Stilettos, pumps, and thigh-high high-heeled boots are common footwear choices. Popular accessories are sunglasses, belts, high-end jewelry, and designer handbags. Designer labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are popular amongst Onee-gals, and CECIL McBEE, LIP SERVICE, RESEXXY, DURAS, DaTuRa, and Delyle NOIR are popular Gyaru brands.
ORA ORA
Also known as Ora Ora kei, this style focuses on a tough, delinquent-type style. It creates a mix of Gyaru and Yankii style, and it was a very popular style in the magazine Soul Sister. The style can vary between sexier and more relaxed or tomboy-ish, depending on the gal, but the style's core focus is on being rebellious. Tracksuits, t-shirts, wife beaters, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, bandeau tops, and tokkofuku (embroidered jumpsuits/trench coats worn by gang members) are popular clothing options. Clothes will often be black/dark colors, and things like tracksuits and sweatshirts will have slogans and symbols on them. Shoes can range from sneakers, boots, and stilettos. Key accessories are baseball/snapback caps, bandanas, gold chains, hoop earrings, and other piercings. Hairstyles are more relaxed, and can be worn long, or some gals will opt for buzzcuts, in a variety of colors. Yakuza-style tattoos are common. The make places a lot of focus on the eyes, and Ora Ora gals like to keep them dark, smoky, and dramatic. Lips are often nude, and Ora Ora gals prefer orange/brown blush to pink.
SHIRO GYARU
This is the exact opposite of Kuro gyaro, translating to "white-skinned gal," and is also known as Ganjiro. Like Kuro Gyaru, Shiro Gyaru is not technically a substyle. The key identifier is to be as untanned as possible.
ROMA
Roma, short for romantic, shares some similarities with Himekaji but is even more casual and relaxed. It is a style that is very wearable for the day-to-day and very approachable for people who like the general cutesy, girly aesthetic. There is special emphasis on comfort and cuteness for the clothing. Prints like gingham, polka dots, plaid, florals, and knit fabrics are staples. Pieces like dresses, sweaters, blouses, skirts, and anything off the shoulder are common. Ruffles and lace are popular elements, but on a more understated level when compared to Himekaji. Beanies, berets, headbands, bows, and lockets/pendants are popular accessories. Footwear ranges from any sort of boot, knee-highs, heels, to boots with fringe, to heels, flats, and any casual yet cute style of shoe. Hair is kept to natural colors, and can be worn down or in a casual up-do like a messy bun. The make is very simple and sweet, and the nails are kept plain or have a French manicure. LIZ LISA and Ank Rouge have many options for Roma gals.
HAADY
Also spelled as Haaady, the name of this style is derived from the Japanese word hade, meaning flashy. It was created by egg model Kaoru Watanabe, and is largely associated with her brand JSG (mentioned in the Amekaji section). It was a relatively short-lived style back in the day, but there are many gals today who participate in the style. It takes inspiration from American/British styles, the 80's, and shares some similarities with Amekaji. The hair is often bleached blonde with colorful extensions or highlights, or can be dyed colorfully all over, and is worn straight or crimped. The clothing is very similar to Amekaji in terms of bright, neon, or rainbow colors and prints (leopard, skulls, stripes, etc.), but it is not as baggy. The clothing is pretty tight, and the 80's inspiration can be seen in the popularity of pieces like tights and leggings, sweatshirts, and more. Hoodies, zip-ups, dresses, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and ruffled blouses are also seen. Footwear ranges from heels to sneakers. Common accessories are fun bracelets, necklaces, glasses, scarves, and caps. The make is classically Gyaru, with a focus on neon colors. The tan is on the light-medium side.
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Okay, I told you the length of this blog would be ridiculous. If you've made it to the end, I salute you! The next few blogs will be considerably shorter and less overwhelming, I promise. I'm sure your brain is as numb as mine after reading this, but if you have any brain power left, feel free to leave a comment with any questions or additional information! Apologies for any misinformation or mistakes. I tried to research each substyle as in-depth as I possibly could, but alas, I am but a mere human... Also, I noticed I used a lot of Gyaru-specific language, so I think my next blog will be all about Gyaru terms and vocab! Anyway, my brain has been sufficiently turned to mush, so this is where I will leave you!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
HIME GYARU
Hime means "princess," so Hime Gyaru is quite literally "princess gal." Hair is arguably the biggest part of the look, with hairstyles (sujimori) being huge, beehive styles with curls. Hime Gals hair colors can vary, with light brown being popular. Blonde is seen, but it is more natural compared to a Ganguro blonde. Some Hime Gals choose to have dark brown or black hair. Hair accessories are a must, with large bows, flowers, and strings of pearls being popular choices. Accessorizing is crucial for Hime Gals. Nails are heavily deco'd, as are shoes, bags, cell phones, and themselves with jewelry. Lace, ruffles, and bows are key elements. Clothes are often pink or white, or in cutesy prints. The clothes are very soft, while still remaining over the top. The make is very dolly like Agejo, featuring circle lenses to make the eyes appear larger. White accents are seen for this effect as well, as well as pink blush, light pink lips, and thick yet cutesy eyelashes. Tanning is not essential. Popular Hime brands are LIZ LISA and JESUS DIAMANTE.
HIMEKAJI
This style is the step below Hime, as denoted by kaji, meaning casual. In general, it requires less upkeep than the Hime style whilst holding onto the cutesy flair. Think of it as "princess off-duty." The hair is less intricate, being either long or short in lighter colors, curled, and mostly worn down. Accessories are fewer, including those for nails and clothing. Himekaji prioritizes comfort whilst still being cute and princess-like. Pink is an important element for Himekaji clothing, but it also features more natural, earth tones like browns. Hearts, florals, pom-poms, and fur lining are very popular, as are lace, ruffles, and bows, but on a smaller scale. The make is mostly similar to Hime, just toned down. Tanning is also not essential. LIZ LISA is also extremely popular for Himekaji gals, as well as Ank Rouge.
AMEKAJI
The name of this style translates to "American casual," and is characterized by a stereotypically 90's American/Western aesthetic. The style is very bold, comfortable, and casual. Baggy clothing is the key element, with baggy jeans, sweatpants/joggers, and dungarees/overalls. Shorts and skirts are also popular options, but dresses are a rare sight for Amekaji. The tops can be either loose or tight, but it's important that they have some sort of cute or busy print/pattern or slogan, and are brightly colored. Baseball caps, beanies, chunky belts, and fun jewelry are key accessories. It's common to see Amekaji gals wearing sneakers (high tops or basketball style), ballet flats, and sometimes boots. Hair is kept light, either blonde or light brown, and is often worn in simple styles like ponytails, half up-half down styles, or down. It can be either long or short. The tans range from light to medium. The make is very simple but still Gyaru, with bold lashes and eyeliner, and pops of color from the lips. The brand JSG is popular among Amekaji gals.
ROKKU
This style incorporates elements of rock (as you can tell by the name) and Visual kei, or Vkei. Unlike other Gyaru styles, Rokku prioritizes dark colors over bright colors and prints. Crosses, studs, leather, and ripped clothing are key elements, as well as tattoos and piercings. The hair can be dyed any color (unnatural colors are common), and having a take on the classic vkei silhouette is a popular styling choice. Hair can be worn in many styles: Many Rokku gals like big, intricate sujimori with long curls, and others prefer short hair. No matter the style, though, bangs or fringe are very common. Rokku accessories favor chokers, fishnet tights or stockings in general, cuff bracelets or bracelet stacks, cross necklaces, fingerless gloves, buckles and chains, and belts. Footwear can range from boots, platforms, heels, or sneakers. Most Rokku gals choose not to tan, and if they do, it is very light. The make is very dramatic, focusing on dark smoky eyes and dark lips.
GOSHIKKU
This style is similar to Rokku, but incorporates more Gothic elements. While Rokku implements all dark colors, Goshikku tends to stick to black and grey, with minimal pops of white or color. The style is also more toned down when compared to Rokku, especially in terms of accessories and clothing. Stockings/tights and garters are popular accessories. Dresses and skirts are popular, as well as oversized t-shirts and blouses. The style is surprisingly cute and dolly, with lace and ruffles being popular elements, whilst still being edgy with rips and cut-outs. Pendants, chokers, cross necklaces, chains, and bracelets are popular jewelry options. Footwear can range from boots, platforms/flatforms, high heels, or dolly shoes. Like Rokku, hair can be worn in any style, but the colors are commonly black, blonde, white, or grey. The make is less dramatic than Rokku, but it is still dark and bold. Nude or dark lips are commonly seen in Goshikku make. Tanning is not very popular or essential for the style.
KURO GYARU
The name of this style translates to "black-skinned gal," as evidenced by the heavy tans that Kuro gals are known for. Like I mentioned above, Kuro is not technically a substyle, but the gyarusa Black Diamond in particular made it into one. There is some controversy about the tanning habits of Kuro gals, as they can be incredibly dark, verging on offensive, and the tanning habits of some gals can be downright dangerous. However, there is a way to do it in a way that is both safe and non-offensive. Kuro shares many similarities with Yamanba (many Yamanba gals consider themselves Kuro gals as well), with white make, circle lenses, big sujimori (either bleached or colorful), and heavy deco and accessories. Piercings are also seen amongst Kuro gals. Nails are incredibly long with huge deco. Clothing ranges from primarily black to colorful, but animal prints (specifically cheetah and leopard) and fur are staples. Denim shorts in a variety of colors and washes are also staple pieces, as well as furry leg warmers. The iconic D.I.A belt was extremely popular amongst Kuro gals, with big belt buckles and gold chains. Gold is very key to the Kuro gal style. Shoes can range from knee-high boots, heels, platforms, and even Crocs with characters on them. Popular Kuro brands are D.I.A and GALEO (which was founded by the founding member of Black Diamond, Harutamu).
BANBA
Coined by the gyarusa Angeleek in 2005, this style is derived from Manba and means "Barbie Manba."
TSUYOME
Tsyuome is the more modern counterpart to Banba. The two styles are often used interchangeably by some, but there is a distinction between the styles.
ONEE-GYARU
Translating to "older sister gal," this style is more mature and sophisticated. Unlike Agejo, which is considered more mature as well, its focus is not quite on sex appeal. Onee-Gyaru can be described as sexier, yes, but it lacks things like lingerie elements that Agejo has. As its key audience is older gals, one of the most important aspects is brand names and labels. Basically, the main draw is that older gals have more disposable income for high-end and designer brands. The entire style is very put together and elegant: Perfectly styled hair, classic Gyaru make, well-thought-out coords, and always keeping up with trends. The hair is often worn in natural colors (blonde, brown, red, or black), long, and crimped or curled. The make can vary from a more natural look to a bold look; it depends on personal preference, but it is still a very developed, elevated Gyaru make. Nails can be deco'd, but they tend to be more subtle. Animal prints are popular (as are prints in general) and leather. Popular pieces in a Onee-Gyaru coord are blouses, miniskirts, mini-dresses, overcoats/blazers, cardigans, furs, and tweed-style outfits. The pieces should be tight to emphasize the body and be slightly revealing. Stilettos, pumps, and thigh-high high-heeled boots are common footwear choices. Popular accessories are sunglasses, belts, high-end jewelry, and designer handbags. Designer labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are popular amongst Onee-gals, and CECIL McBEE, LIP SERVICE, RESEXXY, DURAS, DaTuRa, and Delyle NOIR are popular Gyaru brands.
ORA ORA
Also known as Ora Ora kei, this style focuses on a tough, delinquent-type style. It creates a mix of Gyaru and Yankii style, and it was a very popular style in the magazine Soul Sister. The style can vary between sexier and more relaxed or tomboy-ish, depending on the gal, but the style's core focus is on being rebellious. Tracksuits, t-shirts, wife beaters, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, bandeau tops, and tokkofuku (embroidered jumpsuits/trench coats worn by gang members) are popular clothing options. Clothes will often be black/dark colors, and things like tracksuits and sweatshirts will have slogans and symbols on them. Shoes can range from sneakers, boots, and stilettos. Key accessories are baseball/snapback caps, bandanas, gold chains, hoop earrings, and other piercings. Hairstyles are more relaxed, and can be worn long, or some gals will opt for buzzcuts, in a variety of colors. Yakuza-style tattoos are common. The make places a lot of focus on the eyes, and Ora Ora gals like to keep them dark, smoky, and dramatic. Lips are often nude, and Ora Ora gals prefer orange/brown blush to pink.
SHIRO GYARU
This is the exact opposite of Kuro gyaro, translating to "white-skinned gal," and is also known as Ganjiro. Like Kuro Gyaru, Shiro Gyaru is not technically a substyle. The key identifier is to be as untanned as possible.
ROMA
Roma, short for romantic, shares some similarities with Himekaji but is even more casual and relaxed. It is a style that is very wearable for the day-to-day and very approachable for people who like the general cutesy, girly aesthetic. There is special emphasis on comfort and cuteness for the clothing. Prints like gingham, polka dots, plaid, florals, and knit fabrics are staples. Pieces like dresses, sweaters, blouses, skirts, and anything off the shoulder are common. Ruffles and lace are popular elements, but on a more understated level when compared to Himekaji. Beanies, berets, headbands, bows, and lockets/pendants are popular accessories. Footwear ranges from any sort of boot, knee-highs, heels, to boots with fringe, to heels, flats, and any casual yet cute style of shoe. Hair is kept to natural colors, and can be worn down or in a casual up-do like a messy bun. The make is very simple and sweet, and the nails are kept plain or have a French manicure. LIZ LISA and Ank Rouge have many options for Roma gals.
HAADY
Also spelled as Haaady, the name of this style is derived from the Japanese word hade, meaning flashy. It was created by egg model Kaoru Watanabe, and is largely associated with her brand JSG (mentioned in the Amekaji section). It was a relatively short-lived style back in the day, but there are many gals today who participate in the style. It takes inspiration from American/British styles, the 80's, and shares some similarities with Amekaji. The hair is often bleached blonde with colorful extensions or highlights, or can be dyed colorfully all over, and is worn straight or crimped. The clothing is very similar to Amekaji in terms of bright, neon, or rainbow colors and prints (leopard, skulls, stripes, etc.), but it is not as baggy. The clothing is pretty tight, and the 80's inspiration can be seen in the popularity of pieces like tights and leggings, sweatshirts, and more. Hoodies, zip-ups, dresses, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and ruffled blouses are also seen. Footwear ranges from heels to sneakers. Common accessories are fun bracelets, necklaces, glasses, scarves, and caps. The make is classically Gyaru, with a focus on neon colors. The tan is on the light-medium side.
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Okay, I told you the length of this blog would be ridiculous. If you've made it to the end, I salute you! The next few blogs will be considerably shorter and less overwhelming, I promise. I'm sure your brain is as numb as mine after reading this, but if you have any brain power left, feel free to leave a comment with any questions or additional information! Apologies for any misinformation or mistakes. I tried to research each substyle as in-depth as I possibly could, but alas, I am but a mere human... Also, I noticed I used a lot of Gyaru-specific language, so I think my next blog will be all about Gyaru terms and vocab! Anyway, my brain has been sufficiently turned to mush, so this is where I will leave you!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
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