Yami Kawaii Fashion: A Way to Face the Imperfect Self

What is Yami Kawaii Fashion?

In recent year, a new subculture fashion called “Yami Kawaii” has caught the public’s eye in Japan. “Yami” is a Japanese word that can mean darkness or sickness. Yami Kawaii Fashion is a cute fashion with a lot of patterns or accessories related to illness, such as blood, bandage and syringe. It shows a kind of morbid beauty by drawing those illness elements in a cute style.

Figure 1: A typical shirt in yami kawaii fashion. Retrieved 18 March 2021, from https://item.rakuten.co.jp/acdcrag/jr-339-87/

Figure 1 shows a typical pattern of clothes in yami kawaii fashion. Two cute cartoon bunnies are printed on the shirt, but if you look carefully, you will find out that they are handcuffed and there are some wounds on their bodies. Although dark colours like black or red will be also used, pastel colours like pink will be used mostly to show a cute and bright image.

Iconic Character: Menhera-chan

Figure 2: An illustration of Menhera-chan. Retrieved 18 March 2021, from https://menherachan-official.tumblr.com/post/169125493421

Menhera-chan, an iconic character of yami kawaii, is designed by Japanese illustrator and manga artist Bisuko Ezaki. Menhera is a Japanese net slung which means people who suffer from mental illness. In his artworks, we always can see a mix of cute and darkness. For example, In Menhera-can manga, she needs to do wrist cutting in order to transform into a magical girl for fighting. Thus, a lot of self-harm, death, and illness elements are drawn in Bisuko’s artworks. He gives a positive image of these elements by combining them with the cute and cartoon style of art.

Besides, Menhera-chan collaborates with different Harajuku fashion brands. Therefore, we can see Menhera-chan on clothes usually.

Figure 3: Bisuko Ezaki wearing the Menhera-chan’s collaboration product. Retrieved 18 March 2021, from https://numan.tokyo/interview/Mnp8j

Reaction from the public

Japanese rarely talk about depression and mental illness. The traditional concept in Japan is that they do not cause trouble to others. Depression and mental illness also mean unnormal to the public. Thus, even they suffer from mental illness, they will choose to be endured but not finding someone’s help. This concept leads to the high suicide rate in Japan because they live in a high-pressure environment.

Perhaps someone may think that this fashion style glorifies self-harm and suicide, but Bisuko said that he wanted to show people things that people generally avoid facing it and encourage people to express their true feelings. (Mai, 2018)

To conclude, yami kawaii fashion can change the negative image of mental health issues, since the patterns of the clothes are very adorable and colourful. It is a way to help those who are suffering from mental health to express themselves through dressing up. I believe that fashion might help people to build their confidence and accept the imperfect themselves. Perhaps it also can break the taboo in Japan and raise public concern on this issue. Of course, not all people who dress in yami kawaii style are suffering from mental health, maybe they just think that this style is cute and unique. What do you think about yami kawaii fashion? Comment and tell us what you think.

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Reference:

Mai, N. (2018). When Dark And Cute Meet: Yami Kawaii With Bisuko Ezaki. Asia Pacific arts. [Online] Available at https://asiapacificarts.org/2018/07/13/bisukoezaki/