> Branding (also known as Visual Identity, Brand Management, or Corporate Design), is very important in successful marketing. Mangaka and character designers who provide immediately recognizable faces grant fans the ability to know in an instant that this is a title they are interested in, and whenever they hear an announcement that the same creator is starting a new series, they can know exactly what to expect.
Studio Ghibli has crafted simple character designs that strike a chord, make the protagonist easily likable, and garner sentimentality from the viewers. This strategy ensures repeat…

> Welcome to the wonderful and slightly creepy world of the Gyaru.

Pronounced ‘gi-ha-roo‘ (a Japanese transliteration of the English word gal) it’s a subculture made up of fashion conscious Japanese women and girls essentially rejecting their own oriental features and aesthetic traditions.

Since the culture first gained popularity in the 70s and 80s, many sub-genres have sprouted from it, ranging from the outrageous to the relatively tame looks you saw in the before & after photographs above. Yes, those are the relatively tame ones.

> Kawaii (literally, “lovable”, “cute”, or “adorable”) is the quality of cuteness in the context of Japanese culture. It has become a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys, and most importantly, personal appearance, behavior, and mannerisms.

It’s claimed that Kawaii Syndrome, a.k.a “cute” syndrome has replaced the former Japanese aesthetics of “beautiful” and “refined”.

‘In Japan, cuteness is expected of men and women. Many Japanese men are drawn to the owner of cute merchandise, because it is reminiscent of little girls, and Japanese women try …