Halloween is celebrated in many different forms and in many different countries all around the world. In the United States, Halloween has become synonymous with pumpkins, scary decorations, and trick-or-treating. Amusement parks feature Halloween-themed events, and parents stock up on candy for the children who are sure to show up at their doors. However, in many other countries, Halloween is celebrated in different ways.
I have been living in Japan for about 4 months now. I thought I knew what to expect, but when I got here, it was everything I expected and more!
Every anime fan has to know something about One Piece. Love it or hate it, it’s one of the biggest anime to hit Japan, the United States and well, the world! Not even a day after arriving in Japan, I saw One Piece merchandise; almost every store in Narita Airport in Tokyo had something with One Piece. All anime stores, convenience stores and even some restaurants sell one Piece goods . If you walk into a 7-11 during the lunch time rush, you will see adults reading One Piece and other Jump manga after chowing down on some bento (Japanese pre-made lunches).
Speaking of Japanese foods, One Piece is not only in Jump, toys, and shirts, but it is on all types of foods, drinks and other daily products like body spray. I have come across Japanese “Cheetos” and “Doritos” with One Piece characters, and if you buy that, it comes with a trading card. I have also purchased Puccho (Japanese chewy candy with different flavors, similar to Hi-Chew) and with that purchase, you get a One Piece phone charm. They are all random, so people can’t pick and choose what they want, but those (like me) who are not picky are happy with any of them.
In any department store you will find other One Piece goods, like key holders, pen cases, folders, pencils, magnets, even bath salts!! Anything you can possibly think of, odds are, there is something with One Piece on it.
Naturally, the main crew is the most popular, but minor characters like Ace, the warlords, and even the Marines are popular. I have seen many crane games in almost any arcade with One Piece characters. They even had Halloween themed Chopper figures. The game machines here are more expensive to play (anywhere 100-200 yen per play) but that makes it more rewarding to get the items. I hope to write an article on arcades sometime since there is a lot to write about them.
As often as I go to anime stores (and that is very often), there seems to be a never ending line of action figures for sale for a fraction of what any and all anime conventions have sold them for. There are even capsule machines (you know, the ones that cost a quarter and you get some plastic ball with a cool prize in it) with nice sized action figures and cell phone straps in them. These cost anywhere from 100-500 yen (phone straps costing about 100-200 and the figures costing about 300-500) and the best thing is, they are not junky toys, they are all official, licensed figures and straps!! I remember paying about $7-$9 for a phone strap at a convention or anime event, and here I have gotten dozens for maybe $3 or so.
Aside from the food and figures, some anime stores actually play One Piece movies or episodes in their stores. I have also been in arcades and non-anime stores and heard One Piece opening and ending themes on the radio. Also, anytime a One Piece movie comes out in theaters, it is a big deal. There are commercials, even more product advertisements and of course, figures, plushies etc…
There are also One Piece themed stores, and exhibits in museums. I went to the Toei Museum and there was so much One Piece I thought I was going to pass out!!
Lastly, One Piece gains popularity by being combined with other Japanese pop icons. Chopper is commonly seen dressed as Hello Kitty or other anime characters. I have seen a Toriko (another popular Jump manga and anime) and One Piece crossover, there have been figures with Dragon Ball Z characters with One Piece characters as well. One Piece characters also make appearances on Japanese landmarks. If you visit any major place like a castle, Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower etc…you will find One Piece characters on phone straps and other merchandise with that landmark on it.
In conclusion, if you come to Japan, expect to see One Piece pretty much everywhere except maybe public restrooms. It’s amazing how much one anime has intertwined itself into the Japanese culture. I don’t think I have ever seen so much of one series/movie in the United States.
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This article is submitted by our friend Rose Rappaport ,and Miccostumes.com will provide $15 gift card to Rose. And we hope more friends will share own articles related to anime,cosplay,convention live news,Japan culture etc to us 🙂
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Believe it or not, school uniforms are absolutely not only clothes for students. They stand for the culture or beauty appreciation standard of a country. To wear uniforms has become a trend in most countries in modern era. Today, let’s take a look at school uniforms in different nations. This will be interesting. And here, you will detect diverse allure!
School Uniforms in Thailand – The Sexiest
Students in Thailand are required to wear school uniforms from the primary school to college. New style of uniforms for girl students is rather sexy, on which white shirt is changed to be close-fitting and short-sleeved. But how tight are they? Yes, they can totally expose each curve of the wearer. Changes also happened on black skirts. They were long to cover knees before. But now, they are drop waist and miniskirts with ruffle. The waistline is near the hip. And the hem only reaches to the middle part of the leg. To walk more conveniently, a split is designed at the slant side of the miniskirt. Referring to this, some middle or old-age people are rather dissatisfied. They think this is an ultimate damage for moral.
School Uniforms in England – The Most Orthodox
Style of England school uniforms is rather classic, simple and decent. Middle school students must wear orthodox western-style school uniforms. Boys wear orthodox western-style clothes, regular leather shoes and must wear necktie. Girls also wear western-style clothes, regular leather shoes and must wear bowtie. This classic clothing style unconsciously affects England students’ temperament and also sense of beauty.
School Uniforms in Korea – The Gentlewomanliest
Do you still remember the classic frames in My Sassy Girl? Gianna Jun and Cyun Cha wore senior school uniforms while going to the bar. What they wore are definitely the most common school uniforms in Korea. Boys wear white shirt and western-style trousers. Girls wear white shirt, flower checked ruffle skirt and bowknot.
School Uniforms in Japan – The Cutest
For students, school uniforms in Japan are not only symbols for a school, but also a symbol for the current fashion trends, even a crucial factor that affects students while choosing a school. Japanese school uniforms for girls originate in sailor suits. So they are also called as sailor suits or sailor uniforms. Anime elements are used on them. Then, Japanese school uniforms for boys are classic dark colored clothes with stand-up collar, being similar to Chinese tunic suits.
School Uniforms in Malaysia – The Most Conservative
Students in Malaysia obey rather strict rules. Girls’ dresses must be long to cover the knees. Shirts must cover the elbow. Comparing with Thai students, they are much more conservative, XD.
School Uniforms in Australia – The Most Unified
Both boy and girl students in Australia are required to wear black leather shoes and white socks. They wear school uniforms all the time except the physical education, when they need to wear gym suits.
School Uniforms in Oman – Having The Most Ethnic Characteristics
School uniforms in Oman are believed to have the most ethnic features. Boy students wear traditional robes. Girl students wear veil.
School Uniforms in Bhutan – The Most Practical
It’s said that students in Bhutan don’t carry school bags. They carry all stationeries and books in clothes. So their uniforms are always bulged.
School Uniforms in United States – The Most Uncontrolled
Campus environment in United States is rather unconstrained. Students can decide by themselves whether they buy and wear school uniforms or not.
School Uniforms in China – The Most Classic & Sportive
School uniforms in most schools of China are only different in size. You can’t find big differences between boys’ uniforms and girls’ uniforms only from the appearance. Both of them are loose sport suits.
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If you are looking for buying Japanese School Uniforms ,you’d better know a little history and current situation about it. And we will introduce more about Japanese school uniforms’ Patterns And Accessories today, you can find some advices in this post i think , and if you are planning do Japanese School Uniforms related cosplay , you can not miss this post XD .
1.To Know Categories and Patterns of Sailor Uniforms by Examples in Animes/Manga
Sailor uniforms are divided into Kanto and Kan
Above picture shows you Kanto collar. This series include Kanto and Sapporo collar (Hokkaido series). Kanto collar is widely adopted in the east Japan. But as the name implies, Sapporo collar is popular in the metropolis of Hokkaido – Sapporo.
Kansai collar is prevalent in Kyrshu. And Nagoya collar is more used in Nagoya areas.
Sailor uniforms from Kanto series carry collars that are smaller or slightly equal to the shoulder width. The cut is high. Sapporo series adopt curvilinear round collars. The breast line is also high. Kansai series have large triangular collars, which are as wide as the shoulders. Most Nagoya collars are made to be white.
Sailor uniforms described in the Maria Sama Ga Miteru series are exactly the most orthodox sailor suits. Uniforms worn by Rosa Foetida, Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinensis definitely belong to Sapporo collar series. Even though Lillian women’s college is located in Tokyo Musashino where should belong to Kanto series, but Sapporo collars are used in that anime. Nobody knows the reason. Probably, curvilinear round collar design better shows girl’s dolce and fit the richly lily sense in Maria Sama Ga Miteru.
Then, let’s take a look at some roles with classic Kansai collars. First, focus on the well-known chairman of the student union in Hayate the Dombat Butler – Miss Du Chuju. Her sailor uniform was altered by the painter to be a sailor suit on the upper body and a dress on the lower part of body. Stand collar and wide shoulders are still adopted. Then, when it comes to girls in the hot Galgame of To Heart released by Leaf organization, they wear wide and red butterfly collars. These uniforms carry collars with straight lines and deep v neck that is lower than the breast line. By the way, author for Hayate the Dombat Butler – Kenjiro Hata was born in Japan Fukuoka Prefecture, which belongs to Kansai Kyrshu areas. Thus, Kansai collar series are certainly used in his works. And likewise, author for To Heart was born in Osaka. He is also prone to choose Kansai collar series.
Then, v neck on sailor uniforms is meaningful. Necktie or bowknot is usually paired in front of a v-neck. Like this picture shows to you, people will notice accessories on the chest, rather than the size of the chest in this case. Thus, girls with small busts give spectators a naturally visual illusion while revising their figures by sailor uniforms with bowknots. Most people do consider girls with sailor suits to be chipper, naive and cute.
Collars that are designed to be as wide as shoulders aim to decorate narrow shoulders. With shoulders covered by large shoulder pads, girls will seem more petite and dolce. In the world of anime, manga and game, Loli seems more childish and cuter after putting on a sailor uniform.
Bodice is absolutely a must-have item on most sailor uniforms. Take school uniforms for North High College in The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi for examples. V neck has been much lower than the breast line and reached to the abdomen. How can a bodice worn inside be neglected? Thus, bodice becomes required item for sailor uniforms with Kansai collar styles.
2.Frequently Seen Accessories on Sailor Uniforms
Next, let’s take a look at another crucial element on sailor uniforms – accessories on the front of chest. As what we have said before, a pretty ornament on the colpus is helpful in drawing eyeballs. Cute embellishments always make anime roles seem much cuter. Generally speaking, ornaments on Galgame sailor uniforms can be divided into four categories: western-style necktie, small triangular scarf, silk ribbon and bowknot. It’s not so popular to pair a sailor suit with a western-style necktie, which originates in England. In the middle ages, England is rather backward. Rude men were accustomed to clean greasy dirt on beards and mouth by sleeves. For convenience, wives tied a piece of long fabric on their husbands’ clothes, which is used as napkin. Along with the development of British culture, even though gentlemen in England changed this habit, they had been used to wearing fabrics on their clothes. When updates took place on those “napkins”, they gradually became must-have accessories for western-style clothes. To wear a necktie makes people feel solemn and accentuates the wearer’s temperament. This kind of design better fits awe-inspiring girls in Galgame. In the anime world, sailor uniforms with neckties only occupy a small amount. The most outstanding one should be Kage Kara Mamoru produced by Achi Taro. Besides, the girl with blue hair in Wandering Souls, who falls in deep love with the hero is another impressive role who wears a sailor uniform with a necktie.
Western-style necktie is frequently seen.
Silk ribbon on sailor uniforms often impresses people by fresh, chipper and concise feel. It’s one of the most frequently used accessories on sailor uniforms and other formal uniforms. Take Miyako Miyamura as an example. She looks rather pretty and does well in sports. On her school uniforms, the arm and shoulder parts are enlarged to be loose. In this case, the suit becomes much wider. While being paired with a red silk ribbon, it makes the girl seem much cuter and graceful (But Miyako Miyamura has been rather decadent).
Small triangular scarf should be one of the best embellishments on sailor uniforms. It carries an incomparable versatility. Hollywood celebrity Elizabeth Taylor had ever said women who didn’t wear scarves were unpromising. If necktie is a privilege for men, scarf is definitely the time to express women’s grace and sweetness. Triangular scarves were rather popular in 17 and 18th century in France. Lace and hand embroidery high-end scarves with silver threads were exactly patens for aristocratic females. Momoko Kuzuryū and Iroha Miyamoto in Sumomomo Momomo: The Strongest Bride on Earth wear uniforms on which triangular scarves are matched with triangular collars. Vivid and vibrant characters are presented in this case.
Bowknot also takes a crucial role on sailor uniforms. First, bowknot occupies a large part on the front of chest, which ideally expresses the wearers’ female property. In the anime of Kusano Kouichi, two heroines wear uniforms on which bowknots cover almost the whole bust and reach to the neck. Smaller collar makes the character seem much slimmer. While illustrator for Shuffle made sailor uniforms carry wide shoulders, low cut and big bowknot. On the lower part, tight western-style uniform is paired with beret, seeming rather fashionable.
Pullover sailor uniforms lead a big trend all the time. As sailor suits are a little tight, wearers need to loosen the neckline while taking them off. Some of them have buttons on the front side, which are easier to be worn. But in most anime and games, sailor uniforms have been altered. School sailor uniforms still maintain v neck and loose cuffs. Western uniform or one-piece dress designs are used on the abdomen. Teresa in Full Metal Panic definitely wore a uniform that can be unfastened from the middle part. But the heroine in Akane Saka – Yuuhi Katagiri and Du Chuju in Hayate the Dombat Butler chose sailor uniforms that adopted traditional patterns on the upper part and lace one-piece dress. This kind of combination makes people feel a rich sense of western fashion and maintains student’ properties, making ordinary students seem much nobler.
When it comes to accessories on the lower part of body, skirts and silk stockings rule the roost. They create “absolute domains” said by men. Exposed white skin between silk stockings and short skirts can be considered to be consecrate parts. Appeal on sailor uniforms and maid outfits will greatly fade if these “absolute domains” are neglected. Like accessories on the front of the chest that create visual illusion, the space between sailor uniform and waistline contributes a lot to flatter wearers’ figures. As we all know, lots of sailor uniforms seem columnar because it’s not a one-piece pattern. When a skirt or corset is put on, you will always feel a sailor uniform is loosely covered onto the waist. In Memories Off 6, Tohmine Ririsu seems rather slim when her sailor uniform covers the skirt and the corset tightly covers the waist. In this case, most girls can look more slender in spite of plump waistlines.
Ruffle patterns on skirts are usually divided into three patterns. Some of them are outward. Some of them are inward. And some of them have more ruffle circles. In most cases, today’s sailor uniforms are not too short. Authorized school uniforms are more conservative. Like school uniforms in Maria Sama ga Miteru and Aoihana, they are made to be rather long, well protecting girls from peeping.
Loose socks are also called as elegant sox. As Japanese girls love to wear dresses, they wear loose socks to hide some undesirable lines on calves. Loose socks have gradually become standard accessories for sailor uniforms in the anime and manga world. Mikoto Misaka in Toaru Kagaku no Railgun should be a well-known role with loose socks.