Dandadan Revives a Nearly Forgotten Anime Trope

The newly released anime adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan series made its debut on October 3, 2024, and fans have responded with enthusiastic acclaim. The animation studio, Science Saru, garnered significant praise for their exceptional work in transforming the manga into vibrant animation.

With the premiere episode now streaming, fans are actively dissecting and critiquing various elements of the show on social media, comparing it closely to the original manga.

On X, one fan highlighted a specific character from the inaugural episode, noting that, although this character had a minor role, they successfully revived a once common anime trope.

Episode 1 of Dandadan Revives Gyaru Culture Representation

In the first episode of Dandadan, after Momo Ayase experiences a breakup, she is shown chatting with her classmates. Notably, one of her friends sports Manba gyaru makeup, an aesthetic derived from the original ganguro style prevalent in Japanese gyaru fashion.

For those who might not be familiar, Manba gyaru represents a bold, colorful substyle within the gyaru culture of Japan. It is characterized by its striking fashion choices, dramatic makeup, and a rebellious vibe that challenges traditional standards of beauty.

This substyle includes deep tanning, vibrant eye makeup, brightly dyed hair, and whimsical clothing. Manba fashion advocates for a carefree, expressive approach to style, often featuring oversized accessories, chunky platform shoes, and intricately designed nails.

The broader gyaru culture traces back to the 1970s and saw its peak in the 1990s and early 2000s. The term “gyaru”originates from the English word “gal”and was first used to depict fashionable, stylish young women. Within this culture, numerous styles, such as Onee-gyaru, Kogyaru, Hime-gyaru, and Ganguro, have emerged.

As previously mentioned, gyaru culture often challenges conventional Japanese aesthetic standards. It began as a movement against restrictive gender norms, embracing women who portrayed confidence, extroversion, and a carefree attitude.

In the realm of anime, gyaru culture has had notable representation, with characters such as Kanako Sumiyoshi, Yukana Yame, Mikoto Aiura, Sakura Hibiki, Marin Kitagawa, Lord of Pastimers, and Shino Goto serving as prominent examples.

Historically, high school anime frequently featured at least one gyaru character, yet recent series have largely omitted such representations, leading fans to speculate that this trope might be fading from popularity.

Fortunately, Dandadan has reintroduced this aspect of gyaru culture through the aforementioned character who appears as one of Momo Ayase’s friends in the inaugural episode.

Fans Celebrate Dandadan’s Gyaru Culture Comeback

With Dandadan episode 1 highlighting gyaru culture, fans expressed their excitement on social media, thrilled at the resurgence of this beloved anime element.

“I lost it over the gyaru girl in Dandadan,”one fan shared.

“GYARU GIRL IN DANDADAN!”declared another excitedly.

“If Dandadan is embracing a gyaru extra like this, that is a promising sign. When did I last see manba represented anywhere?”another commenter added.

“Dandadan nailed it with the traditional gyaru character; SHE IS AMAZING!!”said yet another fan.

Concluding Thoughts

While the gyaru culture may not hold the same prominence it once did, it continues to have a presence in Japan’s street fashion scene and within the anime landscape today.

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