Ayu metioned in thesis
 

http://dare.uva.nl/document/466381

On page 18 as an example of a cultural dominant pop icon. ^_^

otherwise it's quite a complex piece on the globalisation of gyaru culture. It's interesting to read, but not really easy to grasp unless you're familiar with the theories and that field of academics already I guess.

As Miller touches upon the influence of Japanese anime and computer games on
Japanese beauty standards, the idea of anime being a possible reference point for gyaru beauty
is academically supported. This observation also makes sense when taking Edmonds'
arguments that "[t]he beautiful are the socially dominant," and that beauty is thus a "domain
of domination" in consideration − for among Japan's socially dominant are fictitious anime
characters and gyaru pop icons, such as Ayumi Hamasaki. The unclear demarcation of ethnic
identities in Japanese animations has stirred many debates as "it is difficult for viewers to
differentiate Japanese from foreign characters," (Pang 173) and I would like to suggest that a
similar ethnic ambiguity is reflected in the appearance of J-gals (Japanese gals)

That's interesting! ^-^

lol well we WERE just talking about in that other thread about how most of the models in Japan are all half, and both look Japanese, and Western, with some being completely ambiguous.

*cough*


some interesting assertions though. Seems like a fun read.