The Fashionable Loiterers

All around Shibuya and Shinjuku as the hours press into the night, a social force comes into the public arena. Called Ganguro or Gyaru these, usually teenage girls, commonly loiter in the areas where bars and pachinko are prevalent, although partaking in these activities is rare. After interviewing three groups of these girls, some basic facts have come to light. At the surface appearance, these teenagers appear to be an odd mix of Southern Californian beach goers, clown style makeup, and the latest skimpy fashions Tokyo can muster. But is there more to these girls than their intentionally outlandish attention grabbing style? Apparently not. The subjects of my questions responded without much thought, or insight into any deeper meaning. The most important question was, why such a deviant style? The anser ranged from 'beautiful' to 'summer fashion' but apparently no one had any clue who had started the trend, or why they participated at all. The mystery of such a fashion trend will remain a mystery so long as the participants do not question their own motives, and as this is as it is now, I can only posit that the future of the Gyaru is as unkown as the women beneath the masks of makeup.