Kamikaze Girls Revival Screening Set! Dutch Model Ella Freya Commits to Attend for a Special Reason

Ella Freya, who was captivated by the 20-year-old film “Kamikaze Girls.”

The film “Kamikaze Girls,” featuring Kyoko Fukada as Momoko Ryugasaki, who dedicates herself to Lolita fashion, and Anna Tsuchiya as Ichigo Shirayuri, a local Yankee in a special attack uniform, is back in the spotlight 20 years after its original release in 2004.

Based on the novel of the same name by Nobara Gokumoto, the film tells the story of two girls with differing fashion styles and outlooks on life who clash but ultimately foster a friendship. It has been described as a bible for young women, capturing significant attention upon its release.

To commemorate its 20th anniversary, the film is being revived and screened at TOHO Cinemas in Shinjuku and Umeda starting October 18.

The movie had a considerable impact on the youth of that era. One notable fan is Ella Freya, a 27-year-old Dutch model and influencer with over 3.05 million followers on social media. She reflects on her early experience watching the film, saying,

“I’ve seen it over 10 times, but I first watched it when I was 13 years old at a Lolita fashion store in Utrecht, the Netherlands. I remember watching it with English subtitles at a tea party or something.

I had just started learning Japanese and only had a limited understanding of Japanese culture at the time. I didn’t even know what a pachinko parlor was for, and all I could picture of Japan were Harajuku and skyscrapers. I thought the rural landscapes of Shimotsuma, with its rice paddies and cows, were part of a movie set.”

When she tried on a special attack uniform costume, her friends had an unexpected reaction!

 

The film is rich in comedy elements, and she was taken aback by Ichigo, who belongs to a ladies’ gang called “Ponytail” and rides around on a scooter in a special attack uniform.

“In the Netherlands, there are teenagers who skip school and smoke, but they don’t run wild on bikes wearing unique hairstyles and embroidered clothing. Since I watched the movie as an extension of Lolita fashion, I was surprised by every scene involving the ladies’ gang; it was really amusing.

Two years ago, I borrowed an embroidered special attack uniform from a Japanese friend living in the Netherlands and tried to mimic Ichigo, shouting ‘Oraaa!’ and trying to act tough. But I kept getting feedback like, ‘The outfit and your face don’t match at all’ and ‘You look cute, so just stop’ (laughs).”

The protagonist, Momoko, is a high school girl who loves Lolita fashion. Living in a rural area surrounded by rice fields, no one understands the appeal of frills and ribbons, and Momoko is treated as a weirdo at school.

“Momoko doesn’t care what others think of her; she is happy when she wears the Lolita fashion she loves, and even if people point at her as a ‘strange girl,’ she stays true to her interests.

I didn’t really like school either, and there was only one other girl who liked Lolita fashion, so I often felt like I couldn’t connect with everyone. There was a time when I didn’t like having to dress like everyone else just to fit in, and I found Momoko’s ability to affirm her own interests without worrying about others’ opinions to be so admirable.”

In the story, Momoko wears clothing from Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, a brand that represents Lolita fashion. She particularly loves the designs that embody a maiden’s heart with lace and frills.

“When I first went to Baby’s Harajuku store, I was too intimidated to go in. I loved it, but I felt like it was too wonderful for me, so I couldn’t bring myself to enter. After a few weeks, I finally did.”

As already reported by FRIDAY Digital, she walked the runway dressed in clothing from that beloved brand.

“During the show, Momoko kept coming to mind. I’m planning to visit Japan at the end of October, and I’d like to stop by Shimotsuma. I want to check out locations from the movie, like the JUSCO (now AEON), Toba-no-E Station, and Ushiku Daibutsu. I need to go to a pachinko parlor in Lolita fashion too (laughs).

In the movie, Momoko and Ichigo go to a pachinko parlor together, and I love the scene where Momoko experiences her first pachinko game and has an indescribable expression on her face.”

The maiden’s bible has transcended oceans and reached the Netherlands, playing a role in the development of a charismatic influencer.

Click here to see Ella’s latest photo book, “6th Digital Photo Book: Moe Moe Moe”!