Kawaii International

Check out Tokyo's latest nail trends, from dreamy designs to fabulous 3D nail art!
Plus, see the handsome nail artist in Harajuku that everyone's obsessesd with!
And find out what nail salon fashionistas want to keep a secret!

We'll show you lots of fuzzy fashion items that make Tokyo's winter lots of fun, including embroidered smartphone cases and animal mascots!
Plus, we have a report on Kawaii godfather Sebastian Masuda's art performance!

They say cat's have 9 lives and we are living for it! Whether or not you're a "cat person," you'd better get used to our furry friends. We'll give you the lowdown on all things feline. Clothes, accessories, food, and entire bookshops dedicated to cats! You'll even meet celebrity cats, taking the Internet by storm! Kaiju can have a seat because these days, cats are the big thing, here in Japan!

In this episode of Kawaii International we delve into the world of retro Kawaii. You'll see artworks made from vintage records, and century-old cosmetic packaging that are still on the shelves! Meet a young illustrator who proves that life imitates art. Oh, we haven't forgotten the gamers! The ladies in the studio play an 8-bit game but, plot twist, it's brand new!

In this episode of Kawaii International, things are shrinking like we've gone to Wonderland. You'll meet talented chefs who make bite-sized, edible, Kawaii confections. Take a glimpse into the private life of dolls, and meet the people dedicated to keeping them in the latest fashions. Plus, the time has come! After months of voting, we will announce our winner: the next Kawaii Leader!

Tokyo is looked to as the city where trends are created. What's big in Japan for 2018? We've got Bunta, Tokyo's new ‘it boy,' in the studio talking trends, after turning the runway out, at Milan Fashion Week. We also get an up-close look at a ribbon hairstyle that demands attention! Plus, a sad farewell to Melody.

Spring is the time of change and there are big changes in the cards, for Kawaii International. Misha's been pretty blue since Melody's departure… Plot twist, we've invited Lolita fashion icon and YouTube sensation, Rin Rin Doll to come hang out for a while! Recently, sneakers have been popping up on high fashion runways around the world. In Tokyo, sneakers are a cornerstone in the start of Harajuku street style, and their importance has lasted the test of time. It's no surprise that Tokyo sneaker heads take their collections very seriously. The ladies chat with a few of Tokyo's most prominent sneaker heads who have kicks so rare that they'll break the bank, and the Internet. Plus, don't miss this edition of KawaiiIRL, where we get a peek into the life of our 5th kawaii leader, the technicolored Canadian YouTube star, Pixielocks.
And after watching the latest Kawaii Tutorial, you'll never throw away another bottle cap!
Get into it!

There are so many exciting sneaker trends happening in Tokyo, that one episode wasn't enough! See how authentic, handcrafted sneakers are made before Rin Rin takes us to a shop, in Shimokitazawa, that will create your personally designed shoes! Back in the studio you'll learn how you should actually be tying your shoelaces. Plus we've got a brand new Kawaii IRL! See how Sano makes kawaii a part of her life, in Bahrain! This episode sets the record straight. No spoilers, but sometimes the sequel is just as good as the original!

New York claims to be the center of the universe. New Yorkers also make such a claim. Now, we adore New York City but… Tokyo is the true center of the universe. We, literally, live in the future. Perhaps we'll have to agree to disagree, on this one.
Once in awhile we, in Tokyo, forget that there are incredible cities, all over Japan. Each its own brand of cool, kawaii, and unique style. And you know what? It's time we did some exploring! Join one of our new besties, Mr Yabatan, as he takes us on a tour of Osaka. Mr Yabatan meets the people of Osaka, in a way only he can, who march to beat of their own drum. No joke, there are sequins, neon leggings, and leopard printed grannies. C'mon Osaka kawaii-style! Let's get sickening!

Although we're still in recovery mode after the excitement of Mr. Yabatan's adventure in Osaka, in last week's episode, we're getting right back into it! Osaka's independent art scene is lively and colorful. Emphasis on colorful. While he was in Osaka, Mr. Yabatan got an up close look at some one of a kind, handcrafted accessories and wearable art and was eager to share it with Misha and RinRin, in Tokyo. The ladies also have a colorful cooking experience, making rainbow takoyaki with an outcome you don't want to miss seeing.
We also have a special Kawaii in Real Life, featuring Emily Meow, the runner-up of the Kawaii Fashion Contest 2017. What makes this edition so special, you ask? Well, Emily takes us on a little tour of her life as a DJ in Brighton, and shares a tutorial detailing how she achieves her unique kawaii style mixed with drag makeup inspired by an up-and-coming Texas drag superstar. Plus she takes a trip to the Manga Comic-Con at the Leipzig Book Fair, in Germany! Using makeup styling learned from a young queen, hailing from Lancaster PA, she gives an attendee an unforgettable kawaii-drag makeover! This episode is proof that we keep it at 100, here at Kawaii International!

Long ago, a young girl clicked the heels of her ruby slippers together chanting "There's no place like home…" It turns out, she was right. Let us take you on an adventure around Tokyo to see unbelievable houses and meet the lucky few who simply think of it as "home."
The studio gets a wee makeover, Mr. Yabatan goes back in time, and we even get a catch a glimpse of both Misha's and RinRin's apartments! Just click your heels together, three times…

Tokyo is a fast-paced, neon wilderness and, at times, really does feel a bit like living in the future. Newsflash from the future: Tokyo living is a crowded! Apartments are on the small side and when you factor in a vast collection of clothing and accessories … this isn't the future, at all! This is a giant game of Tetris! Grab your notebook because class is in session. By the time this episode is done you'll feel like you're living in a palace. Oh, and don't worry, sacrificing your kawaii aesthetic is not an option.

A certain Australian songstress famously claims "I just can't get you out of my head…" In Japan's case, it's a little higher up. Hats and headwear are all the rage, ranging from the ordinary to the outrageous and we are living for it! You'll meet serious hat collectors and learn the science behind choosing the perfect hat for yourself. Seriously! There's an equation and all! Watch as Mr. Yabatan and RinRin put the equation to the test and see Misha channel her inner Isabella Blow. This is just too good to miss!

It is a known fact that a woman does carry an evening bag at dinner time. Truthfully, we live in the busiest times in the history of the human race. You shouldn't get ready, you need to stay ready. The sheer volume of necessary products and items, no matter your profession or gender, can be shocking and, if you're not careful, just end up a giant mess. Join us as we learn how to put every inch of space to use, in any bag, that'll keep you ready, to walk into the room purse first.

Growing up outside of Japan, being wasteful was frowned upon but there wasn't a big deal. Meanwhile, Japan has a long history of not being wasteful. It even has its own word! Mottainai! Why let anything go to waste, when you can take whatever you have and make the most of it! Take that trash, and turn it into treasure! Misha and RinRin have some treasures in the studio while Mr. Yabatan is on the road again and you won't believe where he ends up! Care for sushi in a sento?

Age ain't nothin' but a number, or that's how the saying goes. If you agree then this episode has your name written all over it. We're firm believers that kawaii knows no limits, so why would age be a restriction? That's what makes kawaii style so rad! Take all those rules and toss them out the window!You'll meet toddlers decked out in designer duds and a couple in their 60s, proving that twinning is winning. Never let a number stand in your way because a lot can happen, at any time, in your Kawaii life!

Growing up outside of Japan a paper-bag lunch, or a couple bucks to buy something was perfectly fine. Bad news: bento lunchboxes are a seriously kawaii method communication between hungry family members. Good news: you're in for the lesson you didn't even know you wanted!

So, you're the outdoorsy type but you just can't bail on Tokyo, the urban jungle we call home. As usual, we've got a secret. A good one. You can live the outdoor fantasy, in the heart of Tokyo! There is a share house designed specifically for those who want the best of both worlds. You're not alone, fishing vests and rubber boots are being spotted all over Harajuku… after all, it is the birthplace of trends!

Zines, independently produced from cover to cover, have a long history in the West. During the 80s and 90s they were a go-to source for underground art and music, a little left of the mainstream. The rise of the Internet did these zines no favors.Fast forward: it's 2018 and iconic Japanese magazines are opting to focus on their online counterparts. You really think that's going to keep the next generation of Tokyo's creative youth culture down? Ha! Quite the opposite! Join us as for an exploration of the incredibly diverse and creative world of Tokyo zines!

If you break a dish what do you do with the pieces? Toss them in the trash and buy something new? Even if it was your very favorite? Not in Japan we don't! Repairing what we love instead of throwing it away is a longstanding Japanese tradition. In this episode we're taking a look at how this tradition lives on, today! We love a history lesson, here at Kawaii International, especially when history is as beautiful as this! Here's a shining spoiler: there is gold involved.

Have you ever seen someone who looks like they have a personal lighting department? They're perfect, they're beautiful, they look like Linda Evangelista, they look like a model. As it turns out, the 'natural look' isn't so natural. Misha and RinRin are in the studio, exploring Japanese makeup trends that are almost unbelievable! Our BFF, Mister Yabatan, is back on the streets of Harajuku on a fact-finding mission! Plus, a professional makeup artist shares some pro-tricks, in a step-by-step tutorial, to achieve the popular 'no-makeup glow' that has taken Tokyo by storm!

It's often said that living in Japan is like living in the future. In reality, it's no science fiction film but we're getting there. When it comes to Japanese beauty trends, the future is now!
We look into a mirror that, like magic, applies makeup to your reflection and explore the growing market of luxury makeup, designed specifically for men. The piece de resistance? Oh, just a scanner that prints custom foundation and concealer, for seamless application to your face. Seriously! What does this all mean? Well, the future is now and consider this your invitation for a private tour!