Gyaru is more than just makeup and fashion. As with any counterculture movement, Gyaru is defined by key hobbies. Gals en masse flock to wherever community thrives, and the atmosphere is wildest, so let's discuss a bit!
Wee note before we begin: Not all Gyaru did these things, and you certainly don't have to do these things to be considered Gyaru. This is just a general overview of where and what a gal could likely be seen doing. I feel it's important to talk about our community spaces, so that any beginner gals know where they can go, either online or in real life, to find like-minded people.
Alright, let's begin~!
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IN GENERAL
First things first, we need to establish that there are secondary groups within Gyaru. Gals in middle school, gals in high school, and adult gals. Although both middle school and high school aged gals share the moniker of Kogyaru, they don't do the same things. Think about it, didn't your hobbies change from middle school to high school? And of course, grown-up gals do different things from both groups. As a whole, many gals have hobbies that are separate from Gyaru, hobbies seen as "regular." Especially when it comes to Kogyaru, many gals follow popular trends that aren't exclusive to Gyaru. It's encouraged to understand wider Japanese teen culture to understand Kogyaru. They watch popular dramas and TV shows, hang out at the mall and the park, read fashion magazines, and listen to popular music. As I said, very much hobbies that align with current trends. Plenty of Gyaru also read manga/comics and watch anime, even though many see Gyaru as the exact opposite of otaku. So, all this to say, Gyaru is oftentimes not someone's entire personality. It's a huge part of it, yes, but in general, Gyaru engage with things outside the gal realm.
PARA PARA
This, however, is very much inside the gal realm. Para Para is synchronized dancing that originated in Japan. Unlike most club dancing and rave dancing, there are specific synchronized movements for each song, much like line dancing. Gals in Japan would meet up at karaoke, clubs, etc., to learn the dances. In old school Para Para videos, huge groups of gals and guys are seen dancing in the streets. The gyarusa Angeleek had a specific rule for joining that stated members must be able to dance Para Para.
PURIKURA
Purikura is 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, and like Para Para, large groups of gals and guys are known to crowd into purikura booths and take photos.
TANNING
Tanning is one of the most important hobbies in Gyaru culture. Although tanning culture has dwindled since the 90's and 2000's in both Japan and overseas, its still a cornerstone of the gal lifestyle. Many Gyaru communities had rules around tanning, such as Angeleek having rules that members must go to a tanning salon at least 4 times a week, and that they must be "totally black, so black you cannot be seen in a nightclub." In some groups, tanning was a big point of competition to see who could go the darkest. In the modern day, Gyaru magazine LOALO is distributed for free in tanning salons, as an effort to revitalize tanning culture and bring back the sense of community.
CLUBBING/DANCING/KARAOKE
If tanning is considered important, then clubbing is crucial. The Gyaru subculture was born in nightclubs in the 80's and 90's, as well as things like Para Para. Going clubbing or going to karaoke is one of the main ways gals have fun together. In the early days, gals would get together at karaoke and sing the songs of Gyaru idols Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki. Today, karaoke is a massive part of Japanese social culture in general, with middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults alike. Clubbing and going dancing is an excellent way to make more friends, practice Para Para, and listen to music.
BLOGGING
Blogging is a rite of passage for gals and guys. Either on Amoeba or their own personalized webpages, documenting the life of a Gyaru is another way gals express themselves and connect with each other. Sharing their photos from purikura, sharing their other hobbies, and planning meet-ups and events make blogging so vital to the Gyaru experience.
DECODEN
Decoden, also written as dekoden, is a term for a style of decorating accessories. Deco is short for decorated, and den is short for denwa (phone in Japanese), but is not exclusively just for phones. Being it on other electronics, nails, or accessories, decoden is just one way that DIY infiltrates the Gyaru lifestyle. Deco is one of the ways a gal expresses themselves and becomes as eccentric as possible.
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Not a very long read today, but I assure you, the next blog will make up for that and more... Because we're talking about popular gals and where they are today next! Anyway, I decided to keep this one a bit short because gals come in all varieties, and I didn't think it'd be very fun to list off every possible hobby in the world, haha. As always, feel free to leave anything you want in the comments, and thank you so very much for reading! The support I get is so sweet, and it makes me so happy~
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
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