So before I say anything about this, I will confess that I am not Japanese and am not fluent in Japanese. I can barely read the magazine, and 50% is me guessing what they seems to make sense in relation to the photos. Anyways, different countries have different structures-for example, I see too much advertisements in US fashion magazines. Japan has many varieties when it comes to magazines-according to their variety of different cultural group within the Japan- I have been a fan of Japanese magazine for such a long time. (about 8 years now). According to my experience with them, I realized they are the most rich in its context- shopping guide, outfit suggestions, trend reports.. and so on. They gives so many photos of different outfits and try to give ideas about certain style of dressing in most efficient manner.
It's funny to look at different fashion magazines in Japan, because each of their styles are so different. It's like they made magazines for each cultural group and style within the Japan. There are magazines for popular teenage clothing (which is similar to teen Vogue or Seventeen in US), J-pop style (like Amuro Namie or Koda Kumi), Punk Lolita Style, Natural style, Luxury Style, California-admiring style, and so on. I will just list some of my favorites. Also, here is the thing- Japanese magazines are fun to look at although you don't speak Japanese. It's because they have way too many photos you can look at. Photos explain everything. You will have so much fun looking at different outfits and make-up tutorials. If you get to go to Asian market, check out some Japanese magazines. They rock!
Cancam is one of the most popular fashion magazine in Japan. I first started to read it when I was second grade middle school. It majorly shows popular style of mid 20-to early 30 ladies' style. They feature outfits you can wear in many different occasion from office-look to going-on-a date look (in summer, it's majorly focused in vacation look of course). Aside from Fashion, they often suggest luxury brand items that is popular in Japan, and bento guide.( Cooking guide-related to diet menu) I think Cancam has one of the most rich contents.
Vivi targets women who loves J-pop style added to admiration towards US pop style. Also they majorly use models who are half-Japanese. It is interesting to see how they show such mixed style of Japan and United States. They adopt both US brands and Japanese brands and always gives you helpful ideas about outfits and new collection from popular brands. (They have more unique photographs compare to Cancam- where Cancam often gives you direct shot of outfits, they do it in more fashion-photography manner. It's more fancy I should say.) I think they are targeting early 20- to late 20 ladies. They are much more flashy in its style compare to Cancam. (They often features Koda Kumi and Leah Dizon- along with Rhianna and Paris Hilton. That explains everything.)
Ranzuki is.... one of the sub-culture type of magazine I feel like. I think Ranzuki is targeting the sub-culture in Japan called Mamba and gyaru. (those girls who puts brown make up on their face and gets tanned and blah blah...)I heard those groups are inspred by California style, and the magazine shows such style mixed with their own unique super FLASHY color mixes. Of course, most of the models are very tanned or has their hair dyed into yellow. They always have super thick make ups and often features casual styles that reminds you of Hollister. (more like Hollister has gone mad-style.) It's fun to look at their make-up tutorials since you will be surprised to see how much step they take to make such detailed makeup. Color contact is must-have item for them.
Pinky is little weak version of Vivi-and targeting mostly teenagers who are about to graduate and go to college.(that sounds weird) Anyways, they have good mix of casual style and j-pop inspired dress-up style. I personally loved Pinky in the beggining since my favorite Japanese model Nozomi was main model in Pinky. They are very girly, and the taste seems very young.
Popteen = TONS of decoration. Popteen used to be one of my favorite magazine until last year before my taste has changed. Popteen shows teenager fashion in super bling-bling style. They focuses in little details, (such as nail arts-it's one of the major feature in this magazine) and very flashy, mostly casual outfits for girls. I just loved their super girly, pinky style finishing with playful fashion experiments. (also love the fact that they don't have much advertisements)
Seventeen is one of the most popular teen fashion magazine. They feature fashions for teenagers- and the fun part is that they show you how to be fashionable while wearing school uniforms. It's so much fun to see the details they show- the length of the loose socks, what needs to be in your school bag, the skirt length, and lots of school-romance related articles. They geniusely give ideas about hair style, makeup, and tips about school uniforms that doesn't go against limitation of school rules. I think Seventeen in Japan is so romantic and cute- you can totally feel the teenage culture through the magazine. The magazine bombs with hilarious articles during Valentine's Day special issue.
Non-no is still my favorite, but I don't read it often. I used to read it every month, and it was because of their comfortable, natural style. They seems like they have power to make such simple and ordinary fashion items to shine. Their suggestions about outfits are often brilliant. They are never overdone. Also I love their page where they show you how to wear limited items in differnt way. They always feature your week-long coordi, and they brilliantly put same shirts and pants with different items-making it look totally fresh everyday. It's one of the most useful magazine I have found. You don't learn what to buy- you learn how to WEAR.
Oh and I am huge fan of their main model Danaka Miho. I have feautred her in celeb fashion article in this blog long time ago.
Cutie is in-between magazine. I personally like this magazine, however you honestly don't get too much out of it. They are lacking in information and photos. However, just like their name, they have some pages that are worth to buy the magazine-(which I always end up doing) Their style is focusing in layered outfits, and I think they are mix of popteen + Kera. I will explain Kera in next one. Anyways, if you are looking for some light magazine that you can quickly take a look, Cutie is a good choice. They also show good range of street fashion as well. (of course no compare to FRUITS. If you are looking for Street Fashion, get FRUITS no matter what.) Cutie is the magazine I love which I don't know what exactly I love about this. Maybe it's their cute gifts that comes with magazine when you buy it. I got pretty ribbon pouch last time I bought this magazine. They are really cheap too. And someone like me who judge the magazines with its cover, you will not be able to pass by Cutie. Somehow their magazine cover is always the prettiest one.
Kera is my favorite magazine along with So-En. It is specifically targeting the punk & Gothic & Lolita group. They often feature Tsuchiya Anna and other visual kei bands. What I love about Kera is that they show some briliant outfits and coordi that you cannot find in other magazines. Their coordi seems extremely unique to me and although I don't dress up in such style, I become an admirer of such style. They are just wonderful and genius in color and accessories. You will see how advanced and fashionable Japanese punk culture is. I mean, you can guess if you have read NANA. Kera is so playful, charismatic and sweet at the same time. Always worth to buy.(for me at least.)
So-En is my another favorite magazine- and yay! Iconiq was the cover of So En. (remember the celeb article I wrote about Iconiq?) So-En focuses in Japanese art school style and Japanese fashion designers who share unique style of line. Some of them are very well known, and some of them are featured from their college graduate fashion show. Since it focuses in Art&Fashion in Japan, you see many strong pieces of emerging designers and get to know about their recent collections. I often feel like a finding a treasure when I read ths magazine-since I get to find out about college fashion student who made awesome collections- I write their name down, and look for their websites. I just love how they focuses in Japanese emerging designers and give readers opportunity to sneak a pick at brilliant emerging designers or students. Definitely worth to buy.
Okay I think I have spent enough time to write about all these....now I gotta lay down.
If you have more questions about Japanese magazines, email me! There are much more other magazines I would like to list, but I just listed some of my favorites since I don't have much time. (maybe next time, I will do the rest.) Oh and all the images are from my magazine-buying site Nepic.
Have a great week gals!
