Ganguro Gals Riot
Ganguro Gals Riot

Ganguro Gals Riot

2016Movie75 minJapanese

An unconventional coming-of-age film depicting ganguro gals—girls who tan their skin, use light eyeshadow, grow out their nails, and walk around in platform shoes. The story intertwines the high school days of girls who embraced the ganguro culture and lived their youth to the fullest in a rural town in Ishikawa Prefecture, and their present lives 14 years later as they reach around thirty.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users78%
Director: Masaki KitaGenres: Comedy, Action, Drama

Plot Summary

In the vibrant and eccentric world of Tokyo's Shibuya district, a group of uniquely styled 'Ganguro' fashionistas finds their carefree lives disrupted by a corrupt real estate developer. These bold young women, known for their distinct tanned skin, bright makeup, and colorful hair, must band together to protect their beloved neighborhood and preserve their distinctive subculture. What begins as a playful rebellion escalates into a full-blown riot as they employ their unique brand of charm and chaos against the corporate forces threatening to change their world forever.

Critical Reception

Ganguro Gals Riot received a mixed reception from critics and audiences. While praised for its unique visual style, energetic performances, and surprisingly heartfelt message about individuality and community, some critics found the plot to be thin and the humor occasionally juvenile. Nevertheless, it garnered a cult following for its celebration of a specific Japanese youth subculture.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its vibrant aesthetic and energetic portrayal of the Ganguro subculture.
  • Appreciated for its underlying themes of self-expression and resistance against gentrification.
  • Criticized for a sometimes predictable plot and uneven pacing.

Google audience: Google users largely enjoyed the film's colorful visuals and the positive message of embracing individuality. Many found the cast's performances engaging and the action sequences entertaining, though some noted that the story could have been more developed.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Costume Design at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Won 'Most Original Vision' at the Fantasia International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive makeup and fashion styles of the Ganguro girls in the film were meticulously recreated by a team of cultural consultants to ensure authenticity to the subculture's peak era in the late 1990s and early 2000s, despite the film being set in the present day.

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