Customer Reviews
A must have for new-comers and veterans of Japanese fashion alike 
2007-11-02
I just picked up this book today, and I've already fallen in love with it! This is a very informative, well researched book on the fashion styles unique to Japan dating back to the 1960s, going all the way up through today (as in 2007).
As the introduction states, "this book [is] a kind of 'greatest hits' of Japanese schoolgirl culture and fashion." Most of the major, iconic fashion styles have their own, detailed sections, with accompanying diagrams of what the major aspects of the look are. There's even a timeline-type chart that shows how each look is related to and evolved from one another. The book even goes so far as to list sub-genres of the looks (like kuro-loli and ama-loli under gothloli) and mentions certain specific details that an outsider to these fashions would never know about but are intriguing nonetheless (like how there is a rivalry between anime gothic lolitas and visual kei gothic lolitas).
Speaking as a fan of visual kei and gothic lolita, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was not bored by it in the slightest bit. The information presented was well organized, detailed, and didn't come off as condescending like most outsiders' depictions of Japanese fashion do. Yet, the authors start from the beginning, so newcomers to this fashion scene will not be lost. There's a good dose of humor in it too; we're talking about teen fashion not astro-physics and the author's know that and don't take this book too too seriously. The photos are clear, helpful, and clearly captioned, along with the other graphics and diagrams. There's a certain charm about this book and the way it looks that makes you fall in love with it. Yes, the binding does fall apart really easily, but a little glue and it's back together.
I definitely recommend this book to anybody interested in street fashion, Japanese culture, or just have a healthy sense of curiosity.
The most entertaining book about the subject (that isn't in Japanese) 2007-09-02
Although I'm not an English native speaker (I speak Spanish), I could understand almost everything, and since it has many pictures and drawings, it's very amusing to read. I'm very into japanese fashion now and this book helped me know more about it, it's very informative (I didn't know anything about Takenokozoku, Sukeban nor Nagomu gals...I barely knew about Lolita and Manba, which I used to mix up with Gonguro.)
I just wish this book contained more information about lolita fashion in general, not only gothic lolita. Anyway, I really recommend this book, five stars!
Hilarious, yet informative. 2007-09-02
Filled with photos, interviews, etc. It's very informative and gives you the facts, but also adds some humor to it.
Highly recommended ! 2007-08-24
This was such a fun read, I couldn't put it down.
Anybody who has any interest in Japanese subcultures would be doing themselves a major disservice in not owning this book. ^_^
Fun, but for kids 
2007-08-12
I really enjoyed flipping through this and it would make a great gift, but keep in mind it really reads like a teen a vogue and is really intended for ages 12-17.
Harajuku Girls 2008-07-14
I lived in Japan for a long time, and while I got used to many strange things something that never ceased to turn my head was when a tribe of schoolgirls would come walking by dressed in bizarre outfits that looked more like Halloween costumes than actual clothing. I'll never forget my first encounter with the kigurumin, groups of girls dressed in full-length pajamas of popular characters like Pikachu and Winnie the Pooh. The nice thing is these girls are always happy to pose for pictures with an astounded foreigner, and I took more than a few over the years.
"Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno" is a fashion-guide to some of the more outrageous outfits to come in and out of popularity over the years. I know from personal experience that these are all real styles, worn by guys and gals who put considerable time, energy and money into creating the perfect effect. As is true in most Japanese culture, it is all about fitting in with the group, and making sure that everyone is matching. They might like to stand out, but individualism is the last thing on anyone's mind, with choreographed dance moves and coordinated colors declaring your membership in each tribe.
The book starts in the 1970's, with the Sukeban fashion inspired by and inspiring the Pinky Violence genre. These tough and sexy girls were the devils of Japanese streets, managing to be both cute and dangerous at the same time. The trends continue with the Takenoko Zoku in the 80's, the schoolgirl prostitutes known as Kogals, and the incredible Panda-women that haunted Shibuya, Tokyo and were known as Gonguro. All of these fashions were supported by the infamous Egg Magazine, which laid out the rules and costumes for each group.
After seeing these fashions live and in person, it was cool to get the run down on the styles and attitudes behind them, as well as the history and inspirations. "Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno" is more than just a photo book, and does a great job showing the culture necessary to spawn these complicated fashions. Of course, there are photos as well, as well as fantastic illustrations by Nonaka Kazumi that give greater details on the costumes, the type of guys favored by each tribe, and the era in which they were popular.
Cosplay Study Guide 2008-07-12
Great book to add more idea to your cosplay collection to POP at next Event
the title is decieving, and way cooler than the book itself 
2008-01-07
this book is not really for otaku or fanboys. although the book does provide some interesting information, it is over all a pretty lame book.
2 stars is probably generous for how awful the pictures and general layout is. trash.
Well designed book 2007-11-24
This is a very well-designed book (if you're into that sort of thing). With dimensions just slightly larger then your average Japanese manga book, this paperback feels weighter then it should thanks to its use of high-quality, glossy paper stock. The pages are in full color and there is a plethora of full color photos and cartoon style sketches to complement the smatterings of text.
As far as the actual content of this book - if you're at all interested in the concept of the Japanese 'school girl' as a cultural icon - this book does cover the various sub-cultures of this iconic demographic spanning the 1960's through the present and covering everything from the biker-gang type delinquents to the glam Material Girls of today. A very easy book to breeze right through if you have a couple of hours to kill.
cute, but kind of a novelty 
2007-11-09
I could have gotten the info off of a website or magazine. This doesn't really feel like a book to me.
