Chronicle Books sent along a copy of Japan Schoolgirl Inferno for me to peruse. Really enjoyed the book and do recommend picking it up. Besides covering gaming, I'm been writing about Japanese schoolgirls for something like the past three years for Wired Mag, contributing to its "Japanese Schoolgirl Watch." Anyone who's lived in Japan for an extended period of time will tell you that the styles, tastes and even make-up of teenage girls are always changing. A few years back, girls started wearing Pooh Bear, Hamtaro, and Pikachu costumes in public. Called "Kigurumin" ("ethnic mascot" in Japanese), the trend died out by 2004 when gals realized there were better things to wear than Pikachu costumes. Thank gawd! Brian Ashcraft

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