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下妻物語・完 ヤンキーちゃんとロリータちゃんと殺人事件
ダメ親父のバッタもの商売が原因で尼崎を追われ、茨城県は下妻に引っ越してきたロリータ少女・竜ケ崎桃子は、絶滅寸前のヤンキー少女・白百合イチゴと出会い、ふたりは無二の親友となった（ここまで前作。ただし、親友について桃子は認めていない）。桃子は、大好きなブランドBABY,THE SHINE BRIGHTでモデルをやるようになっていたイチゴと、連れだって代官山へ行くようになっていたが、ある日いつものように高速バスに乗ると殺人事件に巻き込まれ、足止めを食らってしまう。殺されたのは歌舞伎町のヤクザの幹部。アリバイがないのと疑惑たっぷりの見た目で、イチゴに容疑がかけられる。桃子探偵は真犯人探しを始めるが……。
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2002
52 people are currently reading
4568 people want to read
About the author
Novala Takemoto
37 books69 followersNovala Takemoto (嶽本 野ばら) is the professional name of Toshiaki Takemoto (嶽本 稔明), a Japanese author and fashion designer. Takemoto has been one of the most active promoters of the Lolita lifestyle and remains fascinated with the Rococo era in particular. He was nominated for the Yukio Mishima Literary Award twice, for his novels Emily (in 2003) and Lolita (in 2004).
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December 9, 2024
Kamikaze Girls, which was originally titled “Shimotsuma Story: Yanki Girl and Lolita Girl” (下妻物語――ヤンキーちゃんとロリータちゃん Shimotsuma Monogatari-Yanki-chan to Rorita-chan) in Japanese and was changed in English to the confusing Kamikaze Girls title for who knows what reason, is an absolutely fantastic tale of fashion, friendship, fake name-brand items, saying "f*ck off" to the world, and finding yourself.
It's narrated by a teenage lolita* who is trapped in the unfashionable Japanese countryside and has ample snark. I consider one of my favorite literary heroines.
A note: "lolita" in this context refers to someone who wears lolita fashion a style reminiscent of Victorian clothing with many sub-genres like sweet, goth, classic, etc. It's not at all associated with or derivative of the novel that shares the name.
In fact, lolita fashion culture vehemently rejects its fashion and members being sexualized, focusing on the aesthetic value of something ultra feminine and pretty and cultivating a safe space for femininity and women. It's basically the antithesis to the definition in the western world and "lolita" isn't capitalized all the time like a proper noun, even when used to describe someone who wears the fashion.
Momoko is smart, snarky, witty, sarcastic, unashamed, dramatic, unabashed, fiercely independent, stubbornly devoted, coolly aloof, impossibly elegant, sometimes vainly selfish, sometimes a spitfire who swears and could kick someone’s butt, and is completely unafraid to live life as she pleases in her lacy, frilly, absolutely decadent classic lolita fashion with her nonconforming “rococo” lifestyle (in other words, Momoko likes to live life like the French aristocracy right before the French Revolution; that sort of dreamy, decadent, sweetly cloying sort of lifestyle of aesthetic and hendoism).
She’s a great narrator who's endlessly entertaining with her two-cents on everything and unique style of storytelling. Even though about 50 pages of the book are just Momoko’s backstory and her leading us up to the encounter with Ichigo, I personally never felt that any of it was dull just because Novala Takemoto created such a great character. Being in Momoko’s head is a blast! Even at her worst, she’s hard to hate and even harder to ignore, because she’s so bluntly honest and unflinching in her observations of the world and people.
My favorite part of the book, however, is the depiction of Momoko’s growing friendship with a girl named Ichigo, whom she meets one day while selling her dad’s bootleg merchandise through a magazine ad.
Ichigo (who wants to go by the name "Ichiko" since "Ichigo" is the word for strawberry and goes against her biker, yanki/delinquent image) is depicted as Momoko’s opposite—where Momoko is all elegance and cold, aloof behavior with a smart, snarky head on her shoulders, Ichigo is aggressive, expressive, emotional, often times not the brightest crayon in the box, and a teen delinquent who’s more likely to use violence and yelling to solve her problems—but we see through the book how ultimately suited they are for each other and how beneficial they are to the other in terms of influence and growth. They get into all sorts of mishaps and adventures, which range from horribly silly to strangely emotional.
Ichigo chases after Momoko, intent on friendship and not caring that Momoko rebuffs her, and eventually her perseverance wins over Momoko, whose friendship, once earned, is eternal. It’s a beautiful, hilarious, entertaining, unique, and above all deeply real depiction of friendship between two vastly different and wonderfully complex teen girls who have both given the world the middle finger in their own way.
Although I’m sure the translation has changed some things from the original Japanese and some things were lost altogether because of the language gap, I ultimately feel like the style of the writing is amazing and that the translator did a fantastic job capturing the essence of Momoko’s personality and voice. It’s modern and isn’t afraid to let you know that this was set in the 2000s, but even reading it in 2017, it doesn’t feel dated. The writing is designed to explain things and do so in a way that any teen girl would—simply, directly, but with ample opinion. The characters are all well fleshed out and given a distinct style to them, making even the most unimportant card-board side character feel like a unique creation. The story, though simple when boiled to its essence, is still masterfully executed and bedazzled by the inner dialog of a narrating Momoko and the presence of Ichigo, who is always a pleasure to see on the page.
Though this is such a simple little book that’s at times silly, I think it’s actually a pretty good little piece of literature that speaks volumes about our modern world and has an excellent portrayal of unconventional friendship. It stands out amongst other books tackling the same ideas in its unique details, setting, and its colorful characters.
Kamikaze Girls has been a favorite of mine since I read it for the first time about six years ago and I give it every recommendation to people who enjoy stories about friendship and who love character driven plots that rely heavily on witty inner dialog to tell a tantalizing, entertaining story about a girl who just wants to live the way she wants and makes a friend along the way that she knows she’ll keep for the rest of her life. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to read and reread again and again without losing its charm. I even have a beat up copy I throw in my bag sometimes just to have in case I’m out somewhere and need something to do for a while.
This book was also made into a great film starring the talented Kyoko Fukada and the talented Anna Tsuchiya as Momoko and Ichigo respectively. I own the DVD and watch the film frequently (thought I will also say that the translation for the film isn’t as good at it is for the book; a lot of stuff is ignored or cut down to its essence for western viewers, so you do miss some stuff if you don’t speak Japanese) and feel it captures the same aesthetic and essence of the book.
It's narrated by a teenage lolita* who is trapped in the unfashionable Japanese countryside and has ample snark. I consider one of my favorite literary heroines.
A note: "lolita" in this context refers to someone who wears lolita fashion a style reminiscent of Victorian clothing with many sub-genres like sweet, goth, classic, etc. It's not at all associated with or derivative of the novel that shares the name.
In fact, lolita fashion culture vehemently rejects its fashion and members being sexualized, focusing on the aesthetic value of something ultra feminine and pretty and cultivating a safe space for femininity and women. It's basically the antithesis to the definition in the western world and "lolita" isn't capitalized all the time like a proper noun, even when used to describe someone who wears the fashion.
Momoko is smart, snarky, witty, sarcastic, unashamed, dramatic, unabashed, fiercely independent, stubbornly devoted, coolly aloof, impossibly elegant, sometimes vainly selfish, sometimes a spitfire who swears and could kick someone’s butt, and is completely unafraid to live life as she pleases in her lacy, frilly, absolutely decadent classic lolita fashion with her nonconforming “rococo” lifestyle (in other words, Momoko likes to live life like the French aristocracy right before the French Revolution; that sort of dreamy, decadent, sweetly cloying sort of lifestyle of aesthetic and hendoism).
She’s a great narrator who's endlessly entertaining with her two-cents on everything and unique style of storytelling. Even though about 50 pages of the book are just Momoko’s backstory and her leading us up to the encounter with Ichigo, I personally never felt that any of it was dull just because Novala Takemoto created such a great character. Being in Momoko’s head is a blast! Even at her worst, she’s hard to hate and even harder to ignore, because she’s so bluntly honest and unflinching in her observations of the world and people.
My favorite part of the book, however, is the depiction of Momoko’s growing friendship with a girl named Ichigo, whom she meets one day while selling her dad’s bootleg merchandise through a magazine ad.
Ichigo (who wants to go by the name "Ichiko" since "Ichigo" is the word for strawberry and goes against her biker, yanki/delinquent image) is depicted as Momoko’s opposite—where Momoko is all elegance and cold, aloof behavior with a smart, snarky head on her shoulders, Ichigo is aggressive, expressive, emotional, often times not the brightest crayon in the box, and a teen delinquent who’s more likely to use violence and yelling to solve her problems—but we see through the book how ultimately suited they are for each other and how beneficial they are to the other in terms of influence and growth. They get into all sorts of mishaps and adventures, which range from horribly silly to strangely emotional.
Ichigo chases after Momoko, intent on friendship and not caring that Momoko rebuffs her, and eventually her perseverance wins over Momoko, whose friendship, once earned, is eternal. It’s a beautiful, hilarious, entertaining, unique, and above all deeply real depiction of friendship between two vastly different and wonderfully complex teen girls who have both given the world the middle finger in their own way.
Although I’m sure the translation has changed some things from the original Japanese and some things were lost altogether because of the language gap, I ultimately feel like the style of the writing is amazing and that the translator did a fantastic job capturing the essence of Momoko’s personality and voice. It’s modern and isn’t afraid to let you know that this was set in the 2000s, but even reading it in 2017, it doesn’t feel dated. The writing is designed to explain things and do so in a way that any teen girl would—simply, directly, but with ample opinion. The characters are all well fleshed out and given a distinct style to them, making even the most unimportant card-board side character feel like a unique creation. The story, though simple when boiled to its essence, is still masterfully executed and bedazzled by the inner dialog of a narrating Momoko and the presence of Ichigo, who is always a pleasure to see on the page.
Though this is such a simple little book that’s at times silly, I think it’s actually a pretty good little piece of literature that speaks volumes about our modern world and has an excellent portrayal of unconventional friendship. It stands out amongst other books tackling the same ideas in its unique details, setting, and its colorful characters.
Kamikaze Girls has been a favorite of mine since I read it for the first time about six years ago and I give it every recommendation to people who enjoy stories about friendship and who love character driven plots that rely heavily on witty inner dialog to tell a tantalizing, entertaining story about a girl who just wants to live the way she wants and makes a friend along the way that she knows she’ll keep for the rest of her life. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to read and reread again and again without losing its charm. I even have a beat up copy I throw in my bag sometimes just to have in case I’m out somewhere and need something to do for a while.
This book was also made into a great film starring the talented Kyoko Fukada and the talented Anna Tsuchiya as Momoko and Ichigo respectively. I own the DVD and watch the film frequently (thought I will also say that the translation for the film isn’t as good at it is for the book; a lot of stuff is ignored or cut down to its essence for western viewers, so you do miss some stuff if you don’t speak Japanese) and feel it captures the same aesthetic and essence of the book.
October 2, 2007
This is seriously one of the funniest books I have ever read in my life! I just remember laughing outloud at all the randomness, and feeling really happy. i was extremely impressed that this book is written by a guy, i didnt see that coming..I thought for sure it was a female writer til i noticed it wasnt halfway through the book. There a lot of rambling chatter that just goes on and on sometimes, but i didn't mind it really. Its told from the pov of a lolita that lies her way to get money for her expensive fashion tastes. She has no friends and doesn't really care, nor if people think she's weird. SHe lives in her own little idealistic fantasy world that is until a yanki, biker gang chick, comes along...
September 10, 2023
4.75 stars. i adored the hell out of this
July 27, 2013
I have to say that I like stories that feature a friendship between two people who are extremely different from each other. So when I found out about Kamikaze Girls, I just knew that I needed the book in my hands. And when I finally got a copy of the novel in my hands and started reading, I couldn't stop laughing!
Kamikaze Girls is a playful and seriously funny book. It's not just the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a Lolita who is completely dedicated to Rococo, and Ichigo, a Yanki who is more than a little in love with the biker gang known as the Ponytails that she happens to be part of, that made me laugh, but also the dialogue and Momoko's voice. I couldn't go a page without finding something I thought to be funny.
Momoko, the Lolita and narrator of this story, is a thoroughly entertaining character. She is humorous, well-rounded, and girly. She goes by her own rules and really couldn't care less about what others think of her and the frilly dresses she wears. Her narrative, which is quite chatty, is engaging and full of wit, even when she is spouting out some lecture on the Rococo era and Lolita fashion, or her sort-of depressing childhood. Momoko is undeniably charming and had me stuck in my bed reading all day.
Ichigo, the Yanki of this story, is also endearing. Yes, she is dim-witted but I never found her to be annoying or needy. Honestly, the things that she says and does are laugh out loud funny. She is full of life and, even though she is normally dim-witted, can be extremely tough and wise. She is loyal and has a strong sense of honor. And, like Momoko, Ichigo doesn't care about what other people think of her. I loved Ichigo and the laughs she brought.
The friendship between the two girls is actually very subtle while it is developing. It is rarely, if not never, directly said that they are friends, until the end. The reader must pay attention to the (hilarious) interactions and conversations that happen between the two characters. I was fond of this fact, though others may not.
I must warn people though that the beginning of the novel is slow. It takes a while for Momoko to meet Ichigo. Though I do think that the wait is well worth it, as Momoko and Ichigo's little adventures are fun and amusing, and that fight scene near the end was pretty exciting. I don't want to spoil so here are only six words: badass Yanki and Lolita kick butt.
The prose is very good, straight to the point could be a way to describe it. But the real treat is the smart, witty dialogue. It really and truly made me feel smile and laugh. And there is quite a bit of dialogue, so there was quite a bit of smiling and laughing.
Kamikaze Girls is a fun, charming coming-of-age tale that I loved a lot. Even if you feel like you have already read a story like this, I still recommend you read this novel. Because Kamikaze Girls is Kamikaze Girls and Kamikaze Girls is awesome. And funny.
Kamikaze Girls is a playful and seriously funny book. It's not just the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a Lolita who is completely dedicated to Rococo, and Ichigo, a Yanki who is more than a little in love with the biker gang known as the Ponytails that she happens to be part of, that made me laugh, but also the dialogue and Momoko's voice. I couldn't go a page without finding something I thought to be funny.
Momoko, the Lolita and narrator of this story, is a thoroughly entertaining character. She is humorous, well-rounded, and girly. She goes by her own rules and really couldn't care less about what others think of her and the frilly dresses she wears. Her narrative, which is quite chatty, is engaging and full of wit, even when she is spouting out some lecture on the Rococo era and Lolita fashion, or her sort-of depressing childhood. Momoko is undeniably charming and had me stuck in my bed reading all day.
Ichigo, the Yanki of this story, is also endearing. Yes, she is dim-witted but I never found her to be annoying or needy. Honestly, the things that she says and does are laugh out loud funny. She is full of life and, even though she is normally dim-witted, can be extremely tough and wise. She is loyal and has a strong sense of honor. And, like Momoko, Ichigo doesn't care about what other people think of her. I loved Ichigo and the laughs she brought.
The friendship between the two girls is actually very subtle while it is developing. It is rarely, if not never, directly said that they are friends, until the end. The reader must pay attention to the (hilarious) interactions and conversations that happen between the two characters. I was fond of this fact, though others may not.
I must warn people though that the beginning of the novel is slow. It takes a while for Momoko to meet Ichigo. Though I do think that the wait is well worth it, as Momoko and Ichigo's little adventures are fun and amusing, and that fight scene near the end was pretty exciting. I don't want to spoil so here are only six words: badass Yanki and Lolita kick butt.
The prose is very good, straight to the point could be a way to describe it. But the real treat is the smart, witty dialogue. It really and truly made me feel smile and laugh. And there is quite a bit of dialogue, so there was quite a bit of smiling and laughing.
Kamikaze Girls is a fun, charming coming-of-age tale that I loved a lot. Even if you feel like you have already read a story like this, I still recommend you read this novel. Because Kamikaze Girls is Kamikaze Girls and Kamikaze Girls is awesome. And funny.
December 4, 2008
Go figure that, after years of being completely unable to relate to almost any female characters in the books I read, I find the perfect girlbonding story that features two clashing, western influenced and dying subcultures in Japan.
For some perspective, as of the writing of this book, both the Yankii/Bosozoku subculture and Lolita subculture were on the fade. Though both have recently had a small resurgence, they are both pretty much the domain of those who are very invested in the lifestyle. Also, while not exactly unheard of, female yankii and bosozoku are much more rare.
This is a story of two girls who find themselves in two completely opposite subcultures out in cabbage country. They find themselves with some extremely unlikely bonding which eventually works its way to true friendship. I saw the movie before reading the book-- they are both similar, but still different enough that I didn't mind reading it. Some of the male characters are far better looking in the book. *laugh*
Firstly, this story is fun.
Secondly, this story is about aggressive consumerism, misanthropy, fists of fury, love for your best friend. The determination to live your life the way YOU want to.
Thirdly, this felt so real to me, that I almost cried at some points. Very touching, with a bit of kick and sarcasm.
Also: For those who objected that the original title "Shimotsuma Monagatari" was changed to "Kamikaze Girls"-- this was not done by Viz. I'm pretty certain the title change happened before any Viz licensing-- and it isn't random Japanese-ism. Yankii often graduate into scooter gangs (bosozoku) and these scooter gangs were often known as Kamikaze Riders. So with that perspective, the title fits quite well.
For some perspective, as of the writing of this book, both the Yankii/Bosozoku subculture and Lolita subculture were on the fade. Though both have recently had a small resurgence, they are both pretty much the domain of those who are very invested in the lifestyle. Also, while not exactly unheard of, female yankii and bosozoku are much more rare.
This is a story of two girls who find themselves in two completely opposite subcultures out in cabbage country. They find themselves with some extremely unlikely bonding which eventually works its way to true friendship. I saw the movie before reading the book-- they are both similar, but still different enough that I didn't mind reading it. Some of the male characters are far better looking in the book. *laugh*
Firstly, this story is fun.
Secondly, this story is about aggressive consumerism, misanthropy, fists of fury, love for your best friend. The determination to live your life the way YOU want to.
Thirdly, this felt so real to me, that I almost cried at some points. Very touching, with a bit of kick and sarcasm.
Also: For those who objected that the original title "Shimotsuma Monagatari" was changed to "Kamikaze Girls"-- this was not done by Viz. I'm pretty certain the title change happened before any Viz licensing-- and it isn't random Japanese-ism. Yankii often graduate into scooter gangs (bosozoku) and these scooter gangs were often known as Kamikaze Riders. So with that perspective, the title fits quite well.
August 30, 2023
Librazo, librazo, librazo.
Mejor lectura del año hasta ahora.
Mejor lectura del año hasta ahora.
September 29, 2021
Me ha tenido con una sonrisa toda la lectura, hacía mucho que no me lo pasaba taaan bien con una novela!
🛵Confieso que lo primero que me llamó la atención de esta novela fue su portada 😍 Y es que con esa estética tan japonesa y colorida sin duda era una historia diferente. No conocía a la autora ni la editorial, pero cómo me alegro de haberlo traído a casa! "Kamikaze girls: Una historia de Shimotsuma" de la autora #NovalaTakemoto 🌸 Dos chicas de 16 años, Momoko (fantasiosa y que adora la estética lolita) e Ichigo (una gamberrilla pero con gran corazón e ingenuidad) cruzan sus caminos y unirán fuerzas para un objetivo en común.
🍑La historia está narrada desde el lado de Momoko y te partes de risa con lo borde que es pese a su aspecto angelical y repolludo 😂 Y pese a su look de tipa dura, Ichigo es todo lo contrario a Momoko, se preocupa por los demás y en el fondo no deja de ser una cría.
🍥Me he partido de risa con algunos momentos, y sin duda me ha tenido con la sonrisa en la cara de principio a fin. Si necesitas algo alocado y divertido pero que resalte el valor de permanecer fiel a uno mismo, esta es una opción perfecta. Para mí, una lectura de 5 🌟.
🛵Confieso que lo primero que me llamó la atención de esta novela fue su portada 😍 Y es que con esa estética tan japonesa y colorida sin duda era una historia diferente. No conocía a la autora ni la editorial, pero cómo me alegro de haberlo traído a casa! "Kamikaze girls: Una historia de Shimotsuma" de la autora #NovalaTakemoto 🌸 Dos chicas de 16 años, Momoko (fantasiosa y que adora la estética lolita) e Ichigo (una gamberrilla pero con gran corazón e ingenuidad) cruzan sus caminos y unirán fuerzas para un objetivo en común.
🍑La historia está narrada desde el lado de Momoko y te partes de risa con lo borde que es pese a su aspecto angelical y repolludo 😂 Y pese a su look de tipa dura, Ichigo es todo lo contrario a Momoko, se preocupa por los demás y en el fondo no deja de ser una cría.
🍥Me he partido de risa con algunos momentos, y sin duda me ha tenido con la sonrisa en la cara de principio a fin. Si necesitas algo alocado y divertido pero que resalte el valor de permanecer fiel a uno mismo, esta es una opción perfecta. Para mí, una lectura de 5 🌟.
July 12, 2012
It was another movie that I had watched first and then discovered that it was a book. It seems to me that most movies I see now of days that interest me turn out to be an adaptation of a novel. I do not know if that is a particularly good or bad thing. As for the book itself, the movie follows it very well and does not stray from it all. It was a fast read, engrossing really, it is considered a light novel.Which I am assuming is equivalent to a young adult novel. But the thing that I do not think the movie captured well was the character of Momoko. In the movie and book she is the narrator and is a Lolita. But what is lost is her tone of voice. It may just be a racial prejudice, but in the book her narration is more adult, in depth, humorous, and well rounded. Though the movie is good, I feel like the actress made her more of a caricature. Considering that this is written for a younger audience and has the usually themes of finding oneself and a bit of coming of age feel, I think that it hits the mark well. It does not dumb down adulthood or personality, but accurately portrays the moral it is striving for. In fact, I feel that the narrator is one of the few characters who has a strong grasp of self and her own morality, she does not have to compromise herself in order to add to the plot. In the end she adds to her already strong character in a beneficial way.
July 17, 2025
“Oh, Ichigo. My darling Ichigo. There’s so much that I owe you, too. But I’m never paying any of it back—not a smidgen. You’re also the one who showed me that growing up might not be such a bad thing after all. Thank you, Ichigo. This is much too embarrassing for me to ever say out loud, but you’re the best friend I could ever have.”
ci ho messo quasi due anni per riuscire a trovare una copia fisica di questo libro ma posso dire con ogni certezza che la lunga attesa ne è valsa assolutamente la pena, avevo già adorato il film e la lettura di questo romanzo non ha fatto altro che rafforzare e centuplicare il mio amore per questa storia. Momoko ed Ichigo sono due personaggi adorabili ed il modo in cui il loro rapporto si evolve durante il corso della narrazione fa scaldare il cuore🩷
senza ombra di dubbio, per me, questo romanzo vale 5⭐️ più che meritate🩷
ci ho messo quasi due anni per riuscire a trovare una copia fisica di questo libro ma posso dire con ogni certezza che la lunga attesa ne è valsa assolutamente la pena, avevo già adorato il film e la lettura di questo romanzo non ha fatto altro che rafforzare e centuplicare il mio amore per questa storia. Momoko ed Ichigo sono due personaggi adorabili ed il modo in cui il loro rapporto si evolve durante il corso della narrazione fa scaldare il cuore🩷
senza ombra di dubbio, per me, questo romanzo vale 5⭐️ più che meritate🩷
December 10, 2016
I will be scheduling appointments with anyone willing to listen to me lecture/yell at them about all the reasons why this is the best coming of age novel I've ever read!!!!!
April 12, 2023
soy gay y estoy feliz muchas gracias
June 23, 2019
4,5
¡Cuantísimo me ha gustado! Aunque al comenzar a leer tuve mis dudas, con el paso de las páginas me fue conquistando totalmente. Las protagonistas y la historia son geniales, me ha hecho reír y ha conseguido engancharme. Es interesante la cantidad de información sobre los yankis, los bōsōzoku y las lolitas que aporta.
La edición me encanta, con notas al pie y un glosario de términos muy interesante.
¡Cuantísimo me ha gustado! Aunque al comenzar a leer tuve mis dudas, con el paso de las páginas me fue conquistando totalmente. Las protagonistas y la historia son geniales, me ha hecho reír y ha conseguido engancharme. Es interesante la cantidad de información sobre los yankis, los bōsōzoku y las lolitas que aporta.
La edición me encanta, con notas al pie y un glosario de términos muy interesante.
October 8, 2023
Autoregalo que me he hecho por mi cumpleaños y muy satisfecha. No es la novela de mi vida ni voy a recordarla hasta el fin de mis días, pero es una novela cuqui, divertida y sobre todo muy moderna, de dos chavalas adolescentes, una pandillera y la otra lolita, que no podrían ser más diferentes y se encuentran por el camino y acaban adorándose entre charlas de ropa y costumbres de las bandas de moteras. Un relato muy simpático y que sin duda, recomiendo.
November 4, 2013
I liked this book, it was rather different. I must say it was a little hard getting into the book, perhaps because some of it didn't translate from Japanese so well. I also was unaccustomed to such great detail given to setting, and the fact that it would go from very little dialogue to pages and pages of nothing but dialogue.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed that immensely. I am happy to report they keep key elements from the novel in the film, it also made me happy to read direct quotations, including some of the voice overs in the movie that represented things the main character Momoko was thinking in the book.
The book is a Japanese telling of unlikely friends, a Lolita, the ultimate in feminity and a Yanki, a hardcore biker. The Lolita Momoko is determined to not care for anyone and wishes to live out a fanciful, but lonesome life style. The Yanki is Ichiko (Ichigo, actually, which means strawberry but she finds the name too girlie) is a blunt, and brash character who cannot hide that beneath it she has a good heart, she also suffers from insecurity believing herself to be dumb. The two strike up a friendship, and each eventually warm up to one another over time, Ichigo becomes more confident and Momoko realizes it's not so bad to have a friend.
If you're a fan of Japanese culture, especially pop culture, this is the book for you. I admit the first bit is rough to get through, but once you do you meet some pretty unforgettable characters, go on some heartwarming adventure, and even laugh a bit along the way.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed that immensely. I am happy to report they keep key elements from the novel in the film, it also made me happy to read direct quotations, including some of the voice overs in the movie that represented things the main character Momoko was thinking in the book.
The book is a Japanese telling of unlikely friends, a Lolita, the ultimate in feminity and a Yanki, a hardcore biker. The Lolita Momoko is determined to not care for anyone and wishes to live out a fanciful, but lonesome life style. The Yanki is Ichiko (Ichigo, actually, which means strawberry but she finds the name too girlie) is a blunt, and brash character who cannot hide that beneath it she has a good heart, she also suffers from insecurity believing herself to be dumb. The two strike up a friendship, and each eventually warm up to one another over time, Ichigo becomes more confident and Momoko realizes it's not so bad to have a friend.
If you're a fan of Japanese culture, especially pop culture, this is the book for you. I admit the first bit is rough to get through, but once you do you meet some pretty unforgettable characters, go on some heartwarming adventure, and even laugh a bit along the way.
August 10, 2014
Kamikaze Girls is still one of my favourite books to date. A selfish lolita + a tough-but-not-too-tough biker girl + rice paddies, pachinko parlours, and gang fights = a ridiculous and heart-warming story of true friendship (covered head to foot in lacy frills and motor oil). While the relationship between these two girls is comically unlikely (and often unwanted), it stems from a need within both to belong somewhere other than where circumstance brings them.
The lolita, Momoko, may be greedy, conniving, and uncaring of others' feelings, motives, and - well, everything, really...but she is also brave and honest (sometimes brutally so), sharing with others her sincere perspective just when they need it most (ie. one of my favourite quotes from any book ever, “Snatching happiness takes a lot more courage than enduring unhappiness.” Simple, to the point, and lovely).
In contrast, Ichigo the yanki, while loud, obnoxious, simple, and perhaps intimidating on first meeting, shows immediately a deep craving for companionship, acceptance, and constancy. This makes an unlikely pairing for Momoko, but it just might be what these two [anti]heroines really need.
The lolita, Momoko, may be greedy, conniving, and uncaring of others' feelings, motives, and - well, everything, really...but she is also brave and honest (sometimes brutally so), sharing with others her sincere perspective just when they need it most (ie. one of my favourite quotes from any book ever, “Snatching happiness takes a lot more courage than enduring unhappiness.” Simple, to the point, and lovely).
In contrast, Ichigo the yanki, while loud, obnoxious, simple, and perhaps intimidating on first meeting, shows immediately a deep craving for companionship, acceptance, and constancy. This makes an unlikely pairing for Momoko, but it just might be what these two [anti]heroines really need.
November 2, 2021
so unapologetically queer and girly. great balance of humour and profundity in the writing, haven’t felt this warm and fuzzy over a book in a long time
August 23, 2024
Momoko e Ichigo, lolita y pandillera respectivamente, dos polos más que opuestos que crean una amistad tan pura y real sin ellas pretenderlo que rompe absolutamente todos los esquemas.
Novela narrada desde el punto de vista de Momoko a quien vamos conociendo a lo largo de los capítulos aunque no del todo según mi opinión, pero lo que muestra de su vida lo hace con un lenguaje tan natural, cómico e irónico que a mí me tiene más que ganada.
El final totalmente inesperado le ha sumado puntos a una lectura en la que he visualizado mentalmente en cada página que leía a ambas protagonistas con su estilo propio y carácter.
⭐ Mi nota real sería un 4,5/5 ⭐
Novela narrada desde el punto de vista de Momoko a quien vamos conociendo a lo largo de los capítulos aunque no del todo según mi opinión, pero lo que muestra de su vida lo hace con un lenguaje tan natural, cómico e irónico que a mí me tiene más que ganada.
El final totalmente inesperado le ha sumado puntos a una lectura en la que he visualizado mentalmente en cada página que leía a ambas protagonistas con su estilo propio y carácter.
⭐ Mi nota real sería un 4,5/5 ⭐
May 22, 2021
Love the writing style of this! Dont really know how to describe it, but love it. Also love the two girls and their dynamic. Really sweet book!
February 14, 2024
Me ha sorprendido gratamente la verdad.
A ver, ha sido raro de narices pero creo que es porque no estoy acostumbrada a este tipo de libros, de todas formas no sé me ha hecho pesado y ha sido divertido. Coges cariño a las protas y la amistad que forjan me parece preciosa. En fin, que no ha estado mal para ser mi segundo contacto con este género, le daré otra oportunidad. 🍓🛵
A ver, ha sido raro de narices pero creo que es porque no estoy acostumbrada a este tipo de libros, de todas formas no sé me ha hecho pesado y ha sido divertido. Coges cariño a las protas y la amistad que forjan me parece preciosa. En fin, que no ha estado mal para ser mi segundo contacto con este género, le daré otra oportunidad. 🍓🛵
February 27, 2024
Me ha encantado.
Una buena historia japonesa coming-of-age de una lolita y una pandillera.
Poco más se le puede pedir a una novela.
A tope con esto.
Una buena historia japonesa coming-of-age de una lolita y una pandillera.
Poco más se le puede pedir a una novela.
A tope con esto.
August 8, 2019
L'adattamento cinematografico di Nakashima Tetsuya è stata una manna dal cielo, perché senza di esso probabilmente Kamikaze Girls non avrebbe goduto di questa edizione in inglese. Già in traduzione è abbastanza tosto da leggere; pieno di contrazioni, gerghi, modi di dire; insomma, decisamente un gradino sopra (facciamo pure un paio) del classico giallo della Christie in lingua originale.
La storia segue quasi fedelmente il film, il che è molto utile, perché, specie nella prima parte, c'e' tutta una digressione sullo stile lolita e la sua nascita che per non addetti a sottogonne e JSK può risultare un po' ostica.
Riguardo alla storia in sé e per sé, la trovo semplicemente adorabile; il film è stato un mio cult post adolescenziale ma i personaggi di Novala Takemoto sono ancora più unici e sfaccettati, specie Momoko, che appare ancora più insensibile e crudele.
Non è certo un capolavoro letterario, ma è un raro caso di letteratura giapponese "generazionale" al di fuori del canonico rintracciabile in inglese. Novala Takemoto dimostra di essere uno scrittore molto capace e arguto, anche se il libro è piuttosto autoreferenziale e ci sono talmente tanti riferimenti alle culture giapponesi giovanili che spesso ci si sente spersi, anche non essendo del tutto nuovi all'argomento.
Nota di merito alla stupenda edizione americana, che vale tutti i suoi 17 dollari; hard cover, copertina con titolo "ricamato", libro ricoperto di carta pregiata con un motivo a rose, pagine stampate divinamente e piene di ghirigori, rilegatura solida ma piuttosto maneggevole.
Insomma, un libro diverso per scoprire una letteratura giapponese al di fuori da quei 4 autori che spacciano sempre qui da noi. Temo però che senza un certo interesse sul lato modaiolo della questione, risulti una lettura accessoria.
La storia segue quasi fedelmente il film, il che è molto utile, perché, specie nella prima parte, c'e' tutta una digressione sullo stile lolita e la sua nascita che per non addetti a sottogonne e JSK può risultare un po' ostica.
Riguardo alla storia in sé e per sé, la trovo semplicemente adorabile; il film è stato un mio cult post adolescenziale ma i personaggi di Novala Takemoto sono ancora più unici e sfaccettati, specie Momoko, che appare ancora più insensibile e crudele.
Non è certo un capolavoro letterario, ma è un raro caso di letteratura giapponese "generazionale" al di fuori del canonico rintracciabile in inglese. Novala Takemoto dimostra di essere uno scrittore molto capace e arguto, anche se il libro è piuttosto autoreferenziale e ci sono talmente tanti riferimenti alle culture giapponesi giovanili che spesso ci si sente spersi, anche non essendo del tutto nuovi all'argomento.
Nota di merito alla stupenda edizione americana, che vale tutti i suoi 17 dollari; hard cover, copertina con titolo "ricamato", libro ricoperto di carta pregiata con un motivo a rose, pagine stampate divinamente e piene di ghirigori, rilegatura solida ma piuttosto maneggevole.
Insomma, un libro diverso per scoprire una letteratura giapponese al di fuori da quei 4 autori che spacciano sempre qui da noi. Temo però che senza un certo interesse sul lato modaiolo della questione, risulti una lettura accessoria.
June 14, 2009
This book...wow. It's hard to describe. The main characters, Ichigo and Momoko are very in-your-face and very funny. They both take pride in their...ah...maturity, though Momoko is very calm and levelheaded (almost emotionless, really) but Ichigo is very brash and loud. However, despite their differences the girls manage to find common ground in the pachinko parlor and in matters of ordinary life. And throughout this novel, the author places his messages of defying authority and doing what you want within reason...all in all, a great book though I wouldn't say it is for everyone.
June 11, 2020
so funny, sarcastic and just a good lighthearted read about owning ur life and respecting others who do the same :33
January 26, 2021
This is one of my favorite books ever. As a Lolita I feel inspired by Takemoto’s words. I believe that reading it is fundamental in this fashion. It carries the Lolita spirit gracefully and inspires you to keep going and follow you passions. It is so well written and the translation by Miss Akemi Wegmüller is perfect
October 1, 2010
Ichiko grew exhausted of biker gang hijinks and wanted to settle down to a life of frippery curtain Lolita outfits with Momoko. She wanted me to take her place but the negotiations fell through over the name Ichiko.
October 18, 2010
Loved it. The chick lit, YA book for people who hate chick lit and YA.
March 15, 2016
Well.
Time to cry again.
This book will have a review soon!
Time to cry again.
This book will have a review soon!
May 6, 2017
It is very likely that English-speakers will come to this light novel after having seen the film adaptation. There are some significant differences between the two, so knowledge of one doesn't affect the surprises (much) of the other. Still, the novel adds much of depth and interest to the film, so if you've enjoyed Fukada and Tsuchiya as Momoko and Ichigo, please be sure to read Takemoto's version of the story. I should add here that this may be the first book I have ever read that I literally could not bring myself to put down. I kept wanting to read more and ended up finishing it in one sitting. I have seen the film before reading the book, myself, and enjoyed the adaptation greatly, so I was perhaps predisposed toward this one, but I haven't had the same experience with any other book where I'd seen the film first.
To summarize the story without giving away too much, in rural Japan two young women who seemingly could not be more opposite meet by chance and become fast friends. As they grow to know and bond with each other, they face the same problems of uncertainty and awkward tentativeness that have been the hallmark of young people since the beginning of time. Obviously, this summary doesn't give a real sense of the specific events in the story, and it doesn't even touch on the techniques brought to bear by the author which tie the narrative into a thematic whole (watch for things that are doubles, for the repeated idea of collaboration between two as a bulwark against the multitude, and the providential role of accident especially). Now, with that aside, spoilers follow.
SPOILER-HEAVY EXTENDED SYNOPSIS
Momoko is a young, disaffected woman who is (similar to Chihiro at the beginning of Miyazaki's film Spirited Away) unable to participate fully in the flow of life. This is presented by her unwillingness and inability to form friendships, her disinterest at witnessing animals dying, her indifference to her parents' divorce, and so on. In Middle School, Momoko develops some interest in embroidery as a result of her fascination with the French Rococo period, the decadence of which she sees as a perfect fulfillment of her alienation. More importantly, she develops a love for the street fashion style called "Lolita", which is focused on extravagant decoration, frills, and lace (and, by the way, is entirely unrelated to the novel by Nabokov, a misperception that has led some Western critics to fundamentally misunderstand it). Her father, whom she calls The Loser, is a man who wants to do the best he can, but who is fundamentally lazy and so unable to do anything well. He tries to rise in the ranks of the organized crime families of Amagasaki, but when one of his schemes, involving using two brands together in counterfeit fashion items (an idea that he got from one of Momoko's fashion magazines) draws the ire of international corporations, he is forced to leave with Momoko to live in Shimotsuma, in rural Ibaraki prefecture, with his mother at her farm.
With this change of residence, Momoko finds that it is more difficult to get money from her father, now that he is not making as much selling counterfeit fashion items, so she casts about for new sources of income. She realizes that, if she is open about the items being counterfeits, she could probably get away with selling small amounts of the remaining stock that her father had brought with them and places an ad, specifying the fake nature of the items, in a local advertising circular. She gets a few responses, but dismisses most of them due to her fear of communicating with male strangers. One of the responses, though, seems to be from a young girl, whose sloppy handwriting and poor grammar point to her being no more than 13 or so. Because the girl lives nearby, Momoko invites her to come examine the goods. When she arrives, though, it turns out that she is a young woman of Momoko's age who is also a motorcycle-riding, hard-fighting Yanki (or biker-gang chick). In the first of many parallels between the girls, just as Momoko mistook Ichiko, the biker, for being a child due to her letter, so Ichiko mistakes Momoko for being younger than she is due to the frilly dress Momoko is wearing when they meet.
After this chance meeting, Ichiko continues to come over and visit, ostensibly to act as a go-between for the rest of her girl gang in buying counterfeit fashion items, which the Yankis go wild for, and the two girls spend more time together. Momoko isn't sure why, but she's never really understood the interactions of people well. Her only real connection in life has been with the Lolita dresses and accessories with which she surrounds herself. In a second parallel between the girls, we are shown how both Momoko and Ichiko externalize their developing sense of self, Momoko into clothing, Ichiko into her tricked out 50cc scooter. Another parallel drawn is between the girls' names. Each feels that they have been given a name that doesn't reflect their inner self: Momoko's name (which means "Peach Girl", and is related to one of Japan's greatest mythic/folklore heroes, Momotarō the Peach Boy) was used for a character in a famous biker manga, and so everyone expects her to be a tough, hard-riding, gangster chick. Meanwhile, it turns out that Ichiko is really Ichigo "Strawberry" (and her family name, Shiroyuri, means "white lily"), which is all Momoko will call her after she learns the truth.
After a while of getting to know each other, Ichigo learns that Momoko buys her clothing in Tokyo, and asks if she knows of a legendary embroiderer called "Emma". Ichigo wants to have her biker coat embroidered with a tribute to her biker gang leader, Akimi, the woman who treated her well when she had run away from home once. Akimi is planning to retire from the gang soon, and they are planning to have a special "parade", where the bikers ride around the town as a way of celebrating. Momoko doesn't know the embroiderer, and suspects that the business doesn't exist, but agrees to look for it. In the course of this conversation, Ichigo also explains about another legendary figure among girl bikers (as Momoko notes, the bikers seem to be surrounded by "legendary" figures), Himiko, who purged the gangs of exploitive criminal elements such as drugs and prostitution, but who vanished after demolishing the local yakuza.
Ichigo convinces Momoko to come play pachinko as a way to make money, in part to pay for the embroidery. Momoko grudgingly agrees to come watch, but when she gets bored watching Ichigo lose, she puts a few yen into a machine she chooses because it is cute and accidentally learns that she has a natural talent for the game, winning big. For a few weeks, the two go around pachinko parlors, Momoko winning enough that the parlor operators start to suspect that the two are cheating. At this point, they meet an up-and-coming yakuza tough who gives them advice on how not to be suspected. Ichigo notes that he happens to have the same design of a god riding a tiger (Momoko points out in her narrative that this particular god normally rides a cloud, not a tiger, and finds the whole thing terribly vulgar) on the back of his jacket as Akimi has on the front of hers, and takes that as an omen. Furthermore, Ichigo is smitten by the young man, but is too afraid to do anything about it.
After searching for Emma's online, Momoko runs into nothing but dead ends, so they decide to go to Tokyo to search the streets (and, not incidentally, to visit Momoko's favorite boutique, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright). Momoko notices that the back of Ichigo's jacket is strange, and asks what it is supposed to mean. Ichigo responds that it is go-iken-muyo "no use for your opinion", but Momoko informs her that the last character is actually buzama "shabby", making it a weird way to say "shabby opinion".
When they arrive at Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, the saleswoman notices that Momoko has added embroidery to the bonnet she'd bought from there. Momoko explains that she had to repair it after moths or mice had chewed it. The saleswoman calls the bonnet to the attention of a man who Momoko first takes for a delivery boy, but then realizes is actually Akinori Isobe, the chief designer for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. She finds herself tongue-tied because he is the man who defined her life, as it were, through his fashion designs. He looks appreciatively at her embroidery work and gives her some free merchandise, but leaves after a polite farewell (a somewhat different scene than portrayed in the film).
Energized by this encounter, Momoko resumes the search for "Emma", and finds it when she remembers to check a phone book instead of just online. Hurrying there, the girls find out that it is the address of an embroidery teacher, not an embroiderer, but the teacher notes that there was once an embroiderer by that name who worked on biker regalia in a different area, but he died 15 years ago. She figures that the similarity of names caused bikers to think that he had moved, since she has had to inform a large number of them who show up on occasion looking for the legendary embroiderer.
Disappointed, Ichigo gives up on the idea of embroidering her coat, but Momoko offers to do it instead. There follows a detailed description of her search for the right font and stitching to use. She then loses herself in the work, stitching without break from the evening of Monday through the morning of Wednesday. Because she is Momoko, she adds a small strawberry to the work (which you can see if you look carefully in the movie). When she presents the coat to Ichigo, the biker is not entirely pleased by the addition of the berry, but is so impressed by the amazing (one might even say legendary) quality that she decides to overlook it. She says, "I didn't even know embroidery could be this beautiful."
The day after the parade, Ichigo calls Momoko and asks her to meet her by the river. There, she tells Momoko all about it, and then reveals that Akimi's reason for retiring was that she was engaged to the young yakuza tough that Ichigo had fallen for, and that she was pregnant with his child. Momoko refuses to offer platitudes and just stands by with a handkerchief while Ichigo cries the pain of unrequited love away.
A few days later, Momoko gets an email from Akinori Isobe of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, asking her to please contact him about an urgent matter and giving a phone number. When she does, he tells her that he needs her to do some embroidery work for him, as the factory has made a mistake and shipped some of the samples without the designs. He needs them for a photo shoot that is happening soon. She agrees, and spends three days finishing the work, in plenty of time. Ichigo comes with her to present the finished items to Isobe. He recognizes Momoko's work on the front of Ichigo's coat right away, and is duly impressed with her work on his jumpers.
Unfortunately, the model who was to wear the clothes in the photo shoot is injured, accidentally, by her manager (he gives her wart remover instead of eye drops, forcing her to go to the hospital). Looking around, Isobe notices Ichigo and asks her to be the model for the shoot. Ichigo has a natural talent for modeling, and after the photo spread is published gets offers for more work, which she takes on, but only when it doesn't interfere with her biker activities, work, school, or anything else in her life. The ad also generates a lot of demand for the jumper with Momoko's embroidery, and Isobe asks if she'd be willing to take on a limited-edition line of them (say, 30 jumpers).
Meanwhile, Ichigo's biker gang starts to change, become more "political", as the new leader, Miko, wants to unify with other local girl-gangs and become bigger. Ichigo isn't thrilled with this, nor with the increased discipline under Anna, their fight squad leader. Because of her attitude toward the new order and her work modeling, Ichigo says that she is being asked to "draw the line", but doesn't explain what that means. Momoko asks The Loser, and he informs her that, in the yakuza, it would be having your pinky finger chopped, and in biker gangs it varied, but could range from being burned by lit cigarettes to being dragged behind a motorcycle at speed. Momoko borrows her grandmother's Viva You scooter (a collaboration from back in the '80s between Honda and the Viva You fashion brand, like if it were a Swatch scooter) and races to be by her friend's side at the Ushika Buddha, a giant statue of the Buddha.
She finds Ichigo surrounded by around 30 biker girls armed with chains, bats, and the like. She hits the brakes too hard and the scooter spills her, the engine cracking and smoking. Ichigo explains that she is going to go it alone, like Momoko, not following orders or obeying rules, and accuses the bikers of being sheep. Miko claims that she and the leader of another gang were told by Himiko, the legendary biker, to unify the gangs, and that Ichigo is stabbing them in the back by trying to leave. For those who have seen the film, the fight plays out quite differently, with the balloons of water that Momoko's father was making being of some importance. There's also no speech about being Himiko and Emma's daughter.
After the fight, as they are riding away, Ichigo tells Momoko about how she had accidentally invented Himiko. She offers to have her mechanic friend pick up the damaged Viva You scooter. As they ride away, Momoko thinks about how, if Baby, the Stars Shine Bright were to make a scooter like Viva You did, she'd be happy to get a license to ride it, then lays her head against Ichigo's back "the way I might with a lover".
To summarize the story without giving away too much, in rural Japan two young women who seemingly could not be more opposite meet by chance and become fast friends. As they grow to know and bond with each other, they face the same problems of uncertainty and awkward tentativeness that have been the hallmark of young people since the beginning of time. Obviously, this summary doesn't give a real sense of the specific events in the story, and it doesn't even touch on the techniques brought to bear by the author which tie the narrative into a thematic whole (watch for things that are doubles, for the repeated idea of collaboration between two as a bulwark against the multitude, and the providential role of accident especially). Now, with that aside, spoilers follow.
SPOILER-HEAVY EXTENDED SYNOPSIS
Momoko is a young, disaffected woman who is (similar to Chihiro at the beginning of Miyazaki's film Spirited Away) unable to participate fully in the flow of life. This is presented by her unwillingness and inability to form friendships, her disinterest at witnessing animals dying, her indifference to her parents' divorce, and so on. In Middle School, Momoko develops some interest in embroidery as a result of her fascination with the French Rococo period, the decadence of which she sees as a perfect fulfillment of her alienation. More importantly, she develops a love for the street fashion style called "Lolita", which is focused on extravagant decoration, frills, and lace (and, by the way, is entirely unrelated to the novel by Nabokov, a misperception that has led some Western critics to fundamentally misunderstand it). Her father, whom she calls The Loser, is a man who wants to do the best he can, but who is fundamentally lazy and so unable to do anything well. He tries to rise in the ranks of the organized crime families of Amagasaki, but when one of his schemes, involving using two brands together in counterfeit fashion items (an idea that he got from one of Momoko's fashion magazines) draws the ire of international corporations, he is forced to leave with Momoko to live in Shimotsuma, in rural Ibaraki prefecture, with his mother at her farm.
With this change of residence, Momoko finds that it is more difficult to get money from her father, now that he is not making as much selling counterfeit fashion items, so she casts about for new sources of income. She realizes that, if she is open about the items being counterfeits, she could probably get away with selling small amounts of the remaining stock that her father had brought with them and places an ad, specifying the fake nature of the items, in a local advertising circular. She gets a few responses, but dismisses most of them due to her fear of communicating with male strangers. One of the responses, though, seems to be from a young girl, whose sloppy handwriting and poor grammar point to her being no more than 13 or so. Because the girl lives nearby, Momoko invites her to come examine the goods. When she arrives, though, it turns out that she is a young woman of Momoko's age who is also a motorcycle-riding, hard-fighting Yanki (or biker-gang chick). In the first of many parallels between the girls, just as Momoko mistook Ichiko, the biker, for being a child due to her letter, so Ichiko mistakes Momoko for being younger than she is due to the frilly dress Momoko is wearing when they meet.
After this chance meeting, Ichiko continues to come over and visit, ostensibly to act as a go-between for the rest of her girl gang in buying counterfeit fashion items, which the Yankis go wild for, and the two girls spend more time together. Momoko isn't sure why, but she's never really understood the interactions of people well. Her only real connection in life has been with the Lolita dresses and accessories with which she surrounds herself. In a second parallel between the girls, we are shown how both Momoko and Ichiko externalize their developing sense of self, Momoko into clothing, Ichiko into her tricked out 50cc scooter. Another parallel drawn is between the girls' names. Each feels that they have been given a name that doesn't reflect their inner self: Momoko's name (which means "Peach Girl", and is related to one of Japan's greatest mythic/folklore heroes, Momotarō the Peach Boy) was used for a character in a famous biker manga, and so everyone expects her to be a tough, hard-riding, gangster chick. Meanwhile, it turns out that Ichiko is really Ichigo "Strawberry" (and her family name, Shiroyuri, means "white lily"), which is all Momoko will call her after she learns the truth.
After a while of getting to know each other, Ichigo learns that Momoko buys her clothing in Tokyo, and asks if she knows of a legendary embroiderer called "Emma". Ichigo wants to have her biker coat embroidered with a tribute to her biker gang leader, Akimi, the woman who treated her well when she had run away from home once. Akimi is planning to retire from the gang soon, and they are planning to have a special "parade", where the bikers ride around the town as a way of celebrating. Momoko doesn't know the embroiderer, and suspects that the business doesn't exist, but agrees to look for it. In the course of this conversation, Ichigo also explains about another legendary figure among girl bikers (as Momoko notes, the bikers seem to be surrounded by "legendary" figures), Himiko, who purged the gangs of exploitive criminal elements such as drugs and prostitution, but who vanished after demolishing the local yakuza.
Ichigo convinces Momoko to come play pachinko as a way to make money, in part to pay for the embroidery. Momoko grudgingly agrees to come watch, but when she gets bored watching Ichigo lose, she puts a few yen into a machine she chooses because it is cute and accidentally learns that she has a natural talent for the game, winning big. For a few weeks, the two go around pachinko parlors, Momoko winning enough that the parlor operators start to suspect that the two are cheating. At this point, they meet an up-and-coming yakuza tough who gives them advice on how not to be suspected. Ichigo notes that he happens to have the same design of a god riding a tiger (Momoko points out in her narrative that this particular god normally rides a cloud, not a tiger, and finds the whole thing terribly vulgar) on the back of his jacket as Akimi has on the front of hers, and takes that as an omen. Furthermore, Ichigo is smitten by the young man, but is too afraid to do anything about it.
After searching for Emma's online, Momoko runs into nothing but dead ends, so they decide to go to Tokyo to search the streets (and, not incidentally, to visit Momoko's favorite boutique, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright). Momoko notices that the back of Ichigo's jacket is strange, and asks what it is supposed to mean. Ichigo responds that it is go-iken-muyo "no use for your opinion", but Momoko informs her that the last character is actually buzama "shabby", making it a weird way to say "shabby opinion".
When they arrive at Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, the saleswoman notices that Momoko has added embroidery to the bonnet she'd bought from there. Momoko explains that she had to repair it after moths or mice had chewed it. The saleswoman calls the bonnet to the attention of a man who Momoko first takes for a delivery boy, but then realizes is actually Akinori Isobe, the chief designer for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. She finds herself tongue-tied because he is the man who defined her life, as it were, through his fashion designs. He looks appreciatively at her embroidery work and gives her some free merchandise, but leaves after a polite farewell (a somewhat different scene than portrayed in the film).
Energized by this encounter, Momoko resumes the search for "Emma", and finds it when she remembers to check a phone book instead of just online. Hurrying there, the girls find out that it is the address of an embroidery teacher, not an embroiderer, but the teacher notes that there was once an embroiderer by that name who worked on biker regalia in a different area, but he died 15 years ago. She figures that the similarity of names caused bikers to think that he had moved, since she has had to inform a large number of them who show up on occasion looking for the legendary embroiderer.
Disappointed, Ichigo gives up on the idea of embroidering her coat, but Momoko offers to do it instead. There follows a detailed description of her search for the right font and stitching to use. She then loses herself in the work, stitching without break from the evening of Monday through the morning of Wednesday. Because she is Momoko, she adds a small strawberry to the work (which you can see if you look carefully in the movie). When she presents the coat to Ichigo, the biker is not entirely pleased by the addition of the berry, but is so impressed by the amazing (one might even say legendary) quality that she decides to overlook it. She says, "I didn't even know embroidery could be this beautiful."
The day after the parade, Ichigo calls Momoko and asks her to meet her by the river. There, she tells Momoko all about it, and then reveals that Akimi's reason for retiring was that she was engaged to the young yakuza tough that Ichigo had fallen for, and that she was pregnant with his child. Momoko refuses to offer platitudes and just stands by with a handkerchief while Ichigo cries the pain of unrequited love away.
A few days later, Momoko gets an email from Akinori Isobe of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, asking her to please contact him about an urgent matter and giving a phone number. When she does, he tells her that he needs her to do some embroidery work for him, as the factory has made a mistake and shipped some of the samples without the designs. He needs them for a photo shoot that is happening soon. She agrees, and spends three days finishing the work, in plenty of time. Ichigo comes with her to present the finished items to Isobe. He recognizes Momoko's work on the front of Ichigo's coat right away, and is duly impressed with her work on his jumpers.
Unfortunately, the model who was to wear the clothes in the photo shoot is injured, accidentally, by her manager (he gives her wart remover instead of eye drops, forcing her to go to the hospital). Looking around, Isobe notices Ichigo and asks her to be the model for the shoot. Ichigo has a natural talent for modeling, and after the photo spread is published gets offers for more work, which she takes on, but only when it doesn't interfere with her biker activities, work, school, or anything else in her life. The ad also generates a lot of demand for the jumper with Momoko's embroidery, and Isobe asks if she'd be willing to take on a limited-edition line of them (say, 30 jumpers).
Meanwhile, Ichigo's biker gang starts to change, become more "political", as the new leader, Miko, wants to unify with other local girl-gangs and become bigger. Ichigo isn't thrilled with this, nor with the increased discipline under Anna, their fight squad leader. Because of her attitude toward the new order and her work modeling, Ichigo says that she is being asked to "draw the line", but doesn't explain what that means. Momoko asks The Loser, and he informs her that, in the yakuza, it would be having your pinky finger chopped, and in biker gangs it varied, but could range from being burned by lit cigarettes to being dragged behind a motorcycle at speed. Momoko borrows her grandmother's Viva You scooter (a collaboration from back in the '80s between Honda and the Viva You fashion brand, like if it were a Swatch scooter) and races to be by her friend's side at the Ushika Buddha, a giant statue of the Buddha.
She finds Ichigo surrounded by around 30 biker girls armed with chains, bats, and the like. She hits the brakes too hard and the scooter spills her, the engine cracking and smoking. Ichigo explains that she is going to go it alone, like Momoko, not following orders or obeying rules, and accuses the bikers of being sheep. Miko claims that she and the leader of another gang were told by Himiko, the legendary biker, to unify the gangs, and that Ichigo is stabbing them in the back by trying to leave. For those who have seen the film, the fight plays out quite differently, with the balloons of water that Momoko's father was making being of some importance. There's also no speech about being Himiko and Emma's daughter.
After the fight, as they are riding away, Ichigo tells Momoko about how she had accidentally invented Himiko. She offers to have her mechanic friend pick up the damaged Viva You scooter. As they ride away, Momoko thinks about how, if Baby, the Stars Shine Bright were to make a scooter like Viva You did, she'd be happy to get a license to ride it, then lays her head against Ichigo's back "the way I might with a lover".
December 23, 2024
Esperaba que fuese una lectura que me marcase muchísimo más y que se colocase entre mis novelas favoritas, así que he sentido cierta decepción ya que no ha cumplido con mis expectativas.
El libro al principio me ha parecido interesantísimo, cuando Momoko dedica los primeros capítulos a hablar del rococó, explicando las características principales de este movimiento artístico y presentando al lector la subcultura lolita. Continúa hablando sobre su vida personal, la cual te hace entender por qué ha adoptado ese modelo frívolo de vivir su existencia. Pero ya cuando empieza a hablar de su padre, como que me ha hecho desvincularme un poco, no sé, esa parte que entiendo que el autor pretendía que fuese “graciosa” por las veces en la que repite la palabra “inútil” me ha parecido poco humana y se me ha hecho hasta pesada.
Después cuando conoce a Ichigo la verdad que en mi opinión vuelve a mejorar la cosa y de nuevo te brinda una oportunidad de aprender de otra subcultura, la yankie, así como de muchos otros rasgos culturales japoneses que quizás en otras novelas u obras no encajan tanto. Por lo que, en ese sentido, la novela si que me ha parecido bastante chula porque te enseña otros estilos de vida en Japón, fuera de los clichés asociados al país.
Así que en resumen, me he sentido decepcionada porque pensé que conectaría mucho más con la protagonista y con la obra en general, aunque eso no quita que me parezca que es una novela muy original y diferente a lo que he leído antes.
3,5⭐️
El libro al principio me ha parecido interesantísimo, cuando Momoko dedica los primeros capítulos a hablar del rococó, explicando las características principales de este movimiento artístico y presentando al lector la subcultura lolita. Continúa hablando sobre su vida personal, la cual te hace entender por qué ha adoptado ese modelo frívolo de vivir su existencia. Pero ya cuando empieza a hablar de su padre, como que me ha hecho desvincularme un poco, no sé, esa parte que entiendo que el autor pretendía que fuese “graciosa” por las veces en la que repite la palabra “inútil” me ha parecido poco humana y se me ha hecho hasta pesada.
Después cuando conoce a Ichigo la verdad que en mi opinión vuelve a mejorar la cosa y de nuevo te brinda una oportunidad de aprender de otra subcultura, la yankie, así como de muchos otros rasgos culturales japoneses que quizás en otras novelas u obras no encajan tanto. Por lo que, en ese sentido, la novela si que me ha parecido bastante chula porque te enseña otros estilos de vida en Japón, fuera de los clichés asociados al país.
Así que en resumen, me he sentido decepcionada porque pensé que conectaría mucho más con la protagonista y con la obra en general, aunque eso no quita que me parezca que es una novela muy original y diferente a lo que he leído antes.
3,5⭐️
August 17, 2025
i usually never write reviews for books on here but honestly after having read this book i really had to get my thoughts out about this.
i picked it up in some bookstore in Kyoto at random not really paying much attention to it as i threw it on my pile of shopping, i’d vaguely heard of the film based on this novel which is partly reason why i picked it up to begin with, however i had no expectations set whatsoever.
What follows in this book is probably the most heartwarming and endearing blossoming of an unlikely friendship i’d encountered in fiction.
It chronicles the Lolita-Rococo fashion obsessed Momoko as she encounters Yanki biker gang member Ichigo and slowly begin to bond over their shared differences, counterfeit Versace, pimped out scooters, kamikaze coats and frilly laced bonnets.
I have to admit the best parts of my days would be getting to read more of this book before my shifts at work, theres never a moment where Momoko’s charming wit and sass or Ichigo’s defiant yet loyally anarchistic mentality didnt brighten up my days in some regard.
I hope one day Takemoto Novela has Kamikaze Girls sequel translated for English speaking countries, as I most assuredly would rush out at the first chance i could to buy it!!
Anyways, beautiful, heartwarming, endearing and charming
Loved this immensely
i picked it up in some bookstore in Kyoto at random not really paying much attention to it as i threw it on my pile of shopping, i’d vaguely heard of the film based on this novel which is partly reason why i picked it up to begin with, however i had no expectations set whatsoever.
What follows in this book is probably the most heartwarming and endearing blossoming of an unlikely friendship i’d encountered in fiction.
It chronicles the Lolita-Rococo fashion obsessed Momoko as she encounters Yanki biker gang member Ichigo and slowly begin to bond over their shared differences, counterfeit Versace, pimped out scooters, kamikaze coats and frilly laced bonnets.
I have to admit the best parts of my days would be getting to read more of this book before my shifts at work, theres never a moment where Momoko’s charming wit and sass or Ichigo’s defiant yet loyally anarchistic mentality didnt brighten up my days in some regard.
I hope one day Takemoto Novela has Kamikaze Girls sequel translated for English speaking countries, as I most assuredly would rush out at the first chance i could to buy it!!
Anyways, beautiful, heartwarming, endearing and charming
Loved this immensely
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