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"Gyaru Is My Battle Armor": Elf Arakawa on Individuality and the Power of Fashion

2025.12.01

When you think of Arakawa from the comedy duo Elf, you picture a radiant personality who embodies the 'gyaru mind.' For her, gyaru fashion is nothing less than 'battle armor' that empowers her to believe in herself.

What does it take to cultivate a style that's not just about following trends but about championing your own 'uniqueness' no matter what? We dive into Elf Arakawa's perspective on fashion, self-expression, and the incredible 'power of self-love'.

PROFILE

Left: Elf Arakawa

A comedian from Osaka, Arakawa formed the comedy duo Elf with her partner, Haru. She is a graduate of Osaka NSC's 38th class.

She has won over fans with her cheerful gyaru persona and one-of-a-kind comedic ideas. Arakawa also takes the lead in writing their routines, which are known for weaving in elements of fashion and culture. Since the duo's formation in 2016, she has consistently proven her skills as a frequent finalist in the 'THE W' competition and has built a powerful presence on social media. With her innate positivity and sharp sense, she stands out as one of the most talked-about young female comedians today.

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Drawn to the Positive Energy of Gyaru

When you're around energetic people, their energy is contagious. Gyaru are the perfect embodiment of this 'chain of positivity.' With the current revival of Y2K and Heisei culture, gyaru are stepping back into the spotlight. So, when did Arakawa first become captivated by them?

"Ever since I was little, I've always been drawn to people who are flashy and cute. When I watched TV, I thought Yukina Kinoshita on Hexagon was the cutest! And whenever Kumi Koda was on Music Station, I made sure to watch it. I guess even back then, I had this idea that 'standing out = being cute.' Out of all the models, Jun Komori was my favorite."

Gyaru culture hit its peak in the late '90s and early 2000s, gradually fading out in the 2010s. Still, during Arakawa's formative years, the gyaru spirit was very much alive on the streets.

"My hometown might have been a little unusual. There were just so many gyaru around, even when I was a kid. They were all so energetic and bright. It was a different vibe from Shibuya—more of an 'Osaka gyaru' style."

Even as fashion trends shifted from bold self-expression to a preference for natural, more understated cuteness, Arakawa's core definition of 'cute' never wavered.

"Other types of 'cute' besides gyaru never really resonated with me. To me, 'cute' meant being flashy and standing out. So, when people told me, 'Your flashy gyaru style is pretty unique,' I was just like, 'Really?' (laughs). From a young age, I was convinced that 'gyaru are the cutest,' so I naturally focused only on them and never really had an interest in other kinds of fashion.

After I became a comedian and started being called the 'gyaru comedian,' people began asking, 'How do you stay so committed to your style?' But for me, it’s not about 'committing' to being a gyaru; this is just my 'normal' (laughs).

That was the vibe around me growing up, and I just lived my life thinking, 'This is the absolute cutest.' It was only later that I came to realize, 'Oh, I guess there are all sorts of different ways to be cute.'"

The Arakawa Way! The Gyaru Code for Spreading Happiness

Whether on variety shows or performing manzai, Arakawa always delights audiences with her colorful gyaru fashion. Her commitment to the classic gyaru look, which has a wonderfully nostalgic feel, has undoubtedly won the hearts of many.

So, what are the key details she focuses on when it comes to her fashion?

"My manzai outfits are where I can go all out and express what I 'love,' so I make them as over-the-top as possible. My personal style is actually a bit more subdued, mainly because I feel like I'm becoming more extravagant myself (laughs). But for my stage costumes, I cram in everything I love: pink, zebra print, a tail, pink furry shoes... you name it."

Unlike the trendy Y2K revival, Arakawa’s style is committed to the 'classic gyaru' look. And surprisingly, she sources many of her key pieces right in her hometown of Osaka.

"In Osaka, there are two shops that are basically the 'holy land of gyaru fashion.' Lots of other gyaru like me work there, so just walking in gets me super excited. I always buy my clothes there. They're located in Amerikamura and Umeda's HEP FIVE, and they're packed with flashy clothes that just scream, 'This is what gyaru is all about!'"

Furthermore, her outfits shine with meticulous attention to detail. The gyaru fashion we see Arakawa sporting daily is actually calculated down to the smallest elements. Behind the striking visual impact lies a thoughtful 'consideration' aimed at delighting her audience.

"If my skirt's too short, I start worrying that the people in the front row might see my underwear. I feel like that would stop them from focusing on the comedy. That’s why I'm mindful of the length and choose designs that make it obvious, like, ‘Hey, these are actually shorts.’

I also avoid showing any cleavage. I just feel like showing cleavage during manzai comedy isn't the right move. When I'm on stage, I don't want anything to distract from our routine. It's not about following some stereotype of 'this is what a gyaru does.' I have my own lines that I draw."

This same meticulous attention to detail also shows up in her nails.

"My right hand is always visible, so I have this urge to just go wild and deck it out with tons of nail art gems! But it’s actually the most restricted hand because I often have to hold chopsticks for food review segments.

If I put wide, horizontal charms on my index and middle fingers, it just doesn’t look elegant when I'm holding chopsticks. So, my personal rule for my right hand is to ‘deck it out with vertical charms.’ I'm also careful to make sure they don't extend past the tip of my nail.

My left hand, on the other hand, is a free-for-all—I can load it up with as many charms as I want. I used to go all out on both hands, but I realized that if I'm on a live broadcast and can't hold my chopsticks properly, it's 'disrespectful to both my nails and the food.' I mean, a gag where 'I can't do anything' because my nails are too over-the-top is one thing (laughs). But fundamentally, I prioritize a balance that 'ensures the people watching don't feel uncomfortable.'"

I Want to Show the World How Awesome Gyaru Are

On Arakawa's YouTube channel, "Elf’s gyaruJAPAN," popular comedians like Naoto Ikeda of Rainbow take on the "gyaru makeup" challenge one after another. The combination of voluminous false eyelashes, sharp eyeliner, and colored contacts, all applied by Arakawa's hand, is a sight to behold.

"Even though I call it 'gyaru makeup,' to me, it's more like having a conversation. I constantly praise the other person’s best features to bring them out. So many people don't realize their own charm, and I have this strong desire to 'help them see it' through makeup. That's why it makes me incredibly happy when younger comedians tell me, 'I don't want to take off this gyaru makeup!'

I don't treat my makeup videos as pure comedy. I could easily make them into skits or mess around, but I don't go that route. The most important thing is 'genuinely aiming to be cute.' Of course, I want the conversation to be funny, but I’m always serious about the makeup itself. My motto for these videos is that it’s not about comedy makeup or a skit—it's a serious challenge."

For Arakawa, who says she wants to "enjoy being a gyaru until I'm around 70," the "gyaru" identity is the ultimate source of brightness, both as she gets older and in her career as a comedian.

"Am I positive because I'm a gyaru, or am I a gyaru because I'm positive? I honestly don't know which came first anymore (laughs). But you know how gyaru are generally such cheerful people? What’s that about? I think it's like we have this power to pump ourselves up, to really get our own spirits soaring.

In the best way, gyaru are completely 'unfiltered.' If we're feeling down, we're down. If we're feeling positive, we're bursting with energy. The cool thing about gyaru is that we can lay it all out there.

Through makeup and fashion, you're in a state of fully unleashing what you 'love,' so your mental strength naturally grows. Because you're always so open, I feel like others open up to you in return.

Ever since I discovered the gyaru world, I truly feel like 'I can do anything!' That goes for being a comedian, and all the connections I’ve made through makeup and nails are all thanks to being a gyaru. Gyaru is a force that will always light up my life."

What Arakawa's words make clear is that "gyaru" isn't just a fashion or makeup style; it's a "mindset" for believing in yourself and living with positivity.

Her desire to keep delivering laughs and embracing what's "cute" no matter her age embodies the new image of the gyaru in the Reiwa era. Her radiant energy will undoubtedly continue to brighten the spirits of countless people for years to come.