Kamikaze Girls

下妻物語

Shimotsuma Monogatari

4 chapters

1 volumes

2002

The story of "Kamikaze Girls" revolves around Momoko, a "Lolita" fashion enthusiast who wears elaborate Victorian-style clothing. She moves to rural Ibaraki prefecture after her yakuza father relocates them following a string of failed counterfeit merchandise schemes. Her mother, a former bar hostess, disappeared shortly after their brief, drunken relationship. Yearning to escape her ordinary life, Momoko immerses herself in French rococo and dreams of living at the Palace of Versailles, frequently shopping for her intricate outfits at an expensive boutique in Tokyo. Ichiko, a tough-talking biker girl who rides a souped-up moped and leads an all-female motorcycle gang called the Ponytails, unexpectedly crosses paths with Momoko. Despite their drastically different personalities, the two set out to find a renowned embroiderer, encountering sly pachinko parlor managers, notorious street punks, and pale costume designers along the way. Their journey is filled with clashes, especially Ichiko's habit of headbutting Momoko, but they might still succeed. Novala Takemoto's celebrated debut novel *Kamikaze Girls*, already a beloved classic in Japan, is more than just a humorous coming-of-age story—it offers a completely fresh perspective on life.