(no subject)

[skygiants]

Okay guys, so Kamikaze Girls by Novala Takemoto is basically made of one hundred percent feel-good adorable. It is about two teenagers from RIVAL SUBCULTURES who meet and become UNLIKELY BFF while ACHIEVING THEIR DREAMS! One character grows independence and one character grows a heart, and once Ichigo enters the book about 50 pages in, it passes the Bechdel test on almost every page!

Momoko is completely dedicated to being a "sweet Lolita" (note: nothing to do with the Nabokov novel, lots to do with Victoriana and frilly dresses and appreciation of the over-aestheticized and cutesy); Ichigo is completely dedicated to her hardcore girl biker gang. Momoko wants to make money to buy lots more frilly dresses and accessories; Ichigo wants to make money to have some decoration done on her gang jacket to express her loyalty to her gang leader. Ichigo the gangster is the sweet-hearted marshmallow, by the way, and Momoko the girly-girl is cold and blunt and unemotional, which I totally love. They meet when Momoko sells Ichigo some counterfeit Versace merchandise, and Ichigo is oddly fascinated by Momoko and Momoko basically starts hanging out with her because she has nothing better to do. Ichigo learns that it is possible to be amazingly hardcore in one's dedication to frills and ruffles and rococo! Momoko learns that it is possible to find a certain aesthetic to be appreciated in baggy pants and motorcycle jackets! Ichigo admires Momoko's independent spirit and avoidance of groupthink! Momoko, who has no friends (and has never wanted any) learns the value of friendship! They take field trips to Tokyo and make up monster names for each other and have adventures in unlikely wish-fulfillment, and at one point Momoko RIDES TO ICHIGO'S RESCUE ON A MOTORCYCLE, while wearing her frilly dress, despite having no idea how to drive, and it is so, so cute.

And never at any point do they fight over a boy! *_*

Comments

[gramarye1971]

I have wanted to see the Kamikaze Girls movie for ages. ^_^ Sounds like the book's a very worthwhile read!

[sophistry]

I have the movie! Some...where... IT IS PRETTY MUCH AS ADORABLE AS THE BOOK SOUNDS.

[skygiants]

I so want to see it now! In large part I will admit because I really want to see ALL MOMOKO'S DRESSES. *giggling*

[skygiants]

It really is! The movie is now totally on my list too, I have actually been waffling between renting it for-reals or just taking the lazy way and watching it on youtube, where it happens all to be up. >.>

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

OMG HOW DO I GET THIS

[skygiants]

I have no answer for you except "The New York Public Library" (unhelpful) or "wish really really hard for the god of motorcycle-riding girlfriends to smile upon you," but either way Ji you must acquire it! IT IS SUCH A HAPPY-MAKING BOOK.

[furikku.livejournal.com]

I have been thinking on getting this and now it is firmly in the "Pick up when I see it" category.

[skygiants]

Do, do! I got it from the library, but I'm thinking I might need to buy a copy just to have as a feel-good book whenever I need to read about girls expressing their eternal unlikely friendship through MOTORCYCLE RESCUES and MARATHON ALL-NIGHT EMBROIDERY SESSIONS.

[genarti]

This icon expresses all I have to say about that.

[skygiants]

Gen Gen there is a subplot about the hunt for a LEGENDARY GANGSTER EMBROIDERY MASTER.

[jothra]

YESSS. I love Kamikaze Girls! I am shamed that I did not tell you about it way before now!

[skygiants]

AS WELL YOU SHOULD BE. :O Letting down the team, Jo! For shame!