I love when people randomly follow me because I assume they’ve just seen something I said and went “ah yes. This nerd seems particularly strange. Let’s see what else it does”
No, no, you have no idea. It actually IS the beginning of the whole so-called “kawaii culture”. And it started because girls started using mechanical pencils, which provided fine handwriting. After being banished (more precisely, during the 80s), this kind of writing started being used in products like magazines and make-up. And, during this time, icons we usually associate with the whole kawaii industry (like the characters from Sanrio) came to life too.
And what many people don’t realize is that this subculture was born as a way for young girls to express themselves in their own way. And it was also used as something against the adult life and the traditional culture, often seen as dull and boring and oppressive. By embracing cuteness, these young girls (and adult women, after a while) were showing non-conformation with the current standards.
So yep. Kawaii is important, and it all started with cute, simple handwritting a few hearts and cat faces in some girls’ school notebooks <3
!!!!!
NO OK THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!
This is also how the kawaii fashions started! Girls began dressing in cute and off beat styles for themsleves, they were criticized by adult figures telling them “you’ll never find a husband if you dress that way!” to which they began to reply “Good!”
All the japanese subcultures and fashions that evolved out of this became a rebellion to tradition and the starch gender roles and expectations the adults were forcing on the younger generations. As early as the 70s and still to this day you’ll see an emphasis on child-like fashion and themes in more kawaii styles and the dismissal of the male gaze with styles like lolita (a lot of western people assume lolita is somehow sexual due to the name of the fashion, but ask any japanese lolita and they will tell you that men hate the style and find it unattractive which is sometimes a large reason they gravitate towards the style - they can express their femininity and individuality while remaining independent and without the pressure to appeal to men)
Its so so so important to understand the hyper cute and ‘odd’ fashions of Japanese girls carry such a huge message of feminism and reclaiming of their own lives.
1- I am glorious above all things 2- Eat when hungry, sleep when sleepy, play when bored 3- Affection is given and received on my terms and only mine 4- Show displeasure clearly. 5- NO 6- Demand the things you want. If they aren’t given, demand them again, but louder this time. 7- If you are touched when you don’t want to be, say so. If they continue to touch you, make them bleed.
Chan’Feilax is thought to be the first Jem’Hadar to graduate from Starfleet Academy. One of Odo’s first acts when he rejoined the Great Link was to implore the Founders to give some Jem’Hadar the ability to determine their own fates rather than remain mindless killing machines. Bred to be free of any ketracel-white addiction or an innate worship of Changelings, Chan’Feilax represents the initial attempt by the Dominion to create a more docile Jem’Hadar.
Although he has a somewhat gentler and more sociable demeanor than his brethren who were bred solely for combat, the heart of a warrior still beats within his chest. Much of his mental discipline is spent on suppressing his more violent instincts that have not been completely bred out of him.
Despite all of his difficulties and some residual resentment of Jem’Hadar by Federation citizens after the Dominion War, Chan’Feilax excelled at the Academy. He rose quickly in his career to attain the rank of captain and earned the respect of many. The Founders can only hope that his continued success will lead to stronger diplomatic relations between the Dominion and the Federation.
