While browsing the Bookoff in West Shinjuku, Seba and I found a Malice Mizer special magazine. We bought it for Yukiro… but not before snapping photos for you!

Boy, did Mana and Gackt look young in the early 1990s.

The magazine’s a dream for fans. Filled with pretty, colored drawings of the band.

Mana has a bit of a Sailor Moon vibe.

Inspired by the Gekka No Yasoukyaku PV (music video).

Sleek stage outfits.

And even a funny chibi comic!

Love how the band took glam rock influences and ran with them.

Can you guess how much this spectacular magazine cost?

350 yen — a measly $3.50!

Are you a Malize Mizer fanatic? What do you love best about the Visual Kei band?

Album of the Day: Mylene Farmer – L’Autre (she’s a big influence on the band)

Japanese subculture beauty and fashion seems to come from a different planet! Here are images from Ageha, the gyaru (gal) and hostess style magazine.

Big eye makeup, false eyelashes, a twisted or curled hair set, and sparkly everything.

Ageha Magazine has step-by-step tutorials for how to make your eyes look as big as possible. The gist: fake top and bottom lashes, eye-shadowing techniques (white on the inside corners), circle contact lenses with giant irises… and of course, Photoshop.

One easy way to get the look: purikura (sticker picture machines). The new “Lady by Tokyo” has classier options and a matte finish.

After choosing the photos, Cotton Bale and I decorated them with bows, stars and cat-noses.
My Pirate striped top is gifted by CamdenLock Clothing, who also sent me this knit punk set.

All the purikura machines emphasize eye-enlargement.

And very white skin.

Bling-bling nail art is another gyaru must. (In fact, I’m getting my nails done today for a magazine photoshoot!)

Here are more big-eye Japanese girl photos.

What do you think of the gyaru look? Thoughts on Asian standards of beauty, and the techniques for big eyes and white skin? Let’s have a discussion in the comments.

PS: Thanks to the Seoul Times for featuring me.

Song of the Day: Perfume – Chocolate Disco

Today, we celebrate twisted heroines! Keep reading for a review of The Three Musketeers, the new Steampunk-Rococo action movie, and a Halloween book giveaway.

It’s nearly the most important holiday of the year. Let’s celebrate with a contest: win autographed copies of a gorgeous book, along with original illustrations, inspired by Greek mythology and fantastical characters.

These haunting drawings were created by Katy Smail, a talented Scottish artist, who has collaborated with indie author Jeremy Tarr. Together have created this fantasy fairy tale titled: (S)mythology.

(S)mythology revolves around twenty-one year old “Sophie” has spent her life in seclusion, fearful of a curse turning her loved ones to marble. But when events drive her onto the streets of London, she must combat her fears and battle the forces that have kept her hidden away. Her adventure takes her from haunted islands to African villages, from the peaks of the Alps to the depths of the Underworld.

Now, the best part: three lucky readers will each win an autographed paperback and illustration from the book! To enter to win, simply answer the following question and comment on this post:

“Sophie may be young, but she tackles life like a true heroine. Share with us, who is your superhero and what sort of superpower do you wish you had?”

Contest is open to US and Canada residents only and ends October 31st at midnight. 3 winners chosen at random. (S)mythology is responsible for shipping prizes to winners.

The (S)mythology eBook is currently available at a special “Halloween price” of only $3.99 at Nook and Kindle stores. (Also available on iTunes/iBook App, and in hardcover and paperback).

And the authors partnered with the Keep A Breast Foundation to raise funds for breast cancer awareness! One dollar of every book sold for the next month will benefit KAB, so show your support and visit the Facebook page for more details.

Speaking of heroines… I’m thrilled that Milady the Winter is front and center in the new Paul WS Anderson movie, The Three Musketeers. She’s cold-hearted, and switches alliances at the toss of a dime. But when she’s wielding a sword, Rococo skirts flying, you can’t help but cheer her on.

Even better: she’s played by Milla Jovovich, who kicks zombie butt in the Resident Evil series (I wrote a review of Afterlife here). Throw in steampunk devices, and 17th century French aristocrat fashion? Sounds like the film was written by me!

The Musketeers are charismatic swashbucklers, brought to life in fast-moving 3D. The story follows a few Alexandre Dumas storylines: D’Artagnan’s arrival in Paris, and the intrigue of the Queen’s missing necklace.

Personally, I loved the modern artistic license. Steampunk airship battles. Arr.

Sure, parts of the movie are ridiculous, but the quick action keeps your attention. I laughed at the portrayal of King Louis XXIII, whining about the color of his man-leggings (reminds me of some people I know…) The servant Planchet, a non-entity in the book, becomes a gay-ish fuddler with some of the best lines.

Don’t even get me started on the ringlet hair, and grand Rococo dresses with high collars and hoods! The Three Musketeers opens today; go see for yourself. (Thanks to Alliance for the advance screening tickets.)

What do you think of the 2011 steampunk adaptation of The Three Musketeers? I highly recommend the adventure book; it’s one of my favorites.

And don’t miss your chance to win a copy of the Gothic-fantasy book, (S)mythology! What are you waiting for? Simply comment about your hero and coveted power.

Song of the Day: NamNamBulu – Alone

I’m on the cover of Goth magazine Alt Noir! Here’s a sneak peek at issue 12, with a La Carmina in spooky bodypaint.

The photos turned out amazing, thanks to my Vancouver superhero team. I can’t thank them enough for putting in their time and energy!

Makeup and Bodypaint by Jennifer Little of Glitter Machine
Photography by Lee Kembel of Glitter Machine
Wardrobe and styling by Tracy Rodger and Jenni Wong of Deadly Couture
Hair by Isolde Semple of Avant Garde Salon

Glitter Machine, based in Vancouver Canada, specializes in body painting and alternative photography. Airbrushing literally gave me goosebumps, but what a stunning result.

A few teasers… wait until you see my kawaii-cyber and Goth pirate looks for Alt Noir Magazine, out soon.

I’m now in Tokyo, Japan. Off to meet Evil Queen Yukiro and work like mad on this TV shoot. Lots of photos to come!

Song of the Day: Mr Taxi (Saw this Japanese — oops, Korean — girl group PV on the plane and laughed so hard. The lyrics… “Take me massugu!”)

Yowee for yaoi! Sebastian, the Black Butler from the popular manga, welcomes otaku into an Ikebukuro manga store dedicated to Boys’ Love — Japanese comics about intimacies between men.

The recurring theme in yaoi is homosexual or homoerotic relationships between the male characters – usually young beautiful boys (bishonen).

The “action” can get quite explicit. Usually, one has the seme (top) role, while the other is uke (bottom).

Interestingly, most readers of yaoi manga are not gay men — but women seeking romance stories. As one told me, “Most of the time, real relationships cause trouble and we don’t want to feel hurt. Reading yaoi is a flight from reality. No woman exists between you and the boys in the stories.”

That’s why “fan service” moments, such as kisses between male Jrock musicians, get fans swooning.

The Ikebukuro district of Tokyo is boys love central. Be sure to visit the Swallowtail butler cafe, where 19th century style pretty boys serve you tea. Nearby, there’s a large selection of yaoi manga and figurine stores. To get there, please check out my Ikebukuro map and guide.

I photographed a Shibuya butlers cafe for my book, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo. Please check it out — there are stories and images from Tokyo’s strangest themed cafes.

PS: Speaking of Sebastians… Seba has a new interview out on Catwalk Magazine, come see.

Do you read yaoi? If so, what is it about the male relationships or themes that compels you? Why do you think yaoi is popular in Japan among women?

Song of the Day: Here’s one of the many Visual Kei fan service videos on the net.