Japanese Goth – Inside the Asian Goth Subculture

While many know that the gothic subculture is quite popular within the United Kingdom and United States, the rise of Asian goth, or Japanese goth and other ethnic goths is often overlooked.

To most, goth is about music, fashion, and a rejection of the mainstream.

When most people think of the gothic community they think of Caucasians. However this is not the case as many ethnic groups belong to the subculture with Asians making up a large portion of it.

The thing that makes goth so universal is its support for those who do not fit in to what is considered normal society. This subculture evolved from punk and was founded on the principles of claiming one’s own independence.

Tolerance plays a big role within this community. This is because most of its members are outcasts that have turned to goth because they feel they do not fit in anywhere else. In turn, gothic subculture has emerged since the 1980s to become an international movement.

Asian goth, or Japanese goth is no different from any other type of goth. It is simply the gothic community that lives in Asian countries like Japan.

The same stereotypes about fashion, clothes, music, and religion apply. While some of these may be true for some they are not always the case. Contrary to what critics of goth believe, it is not a Satanic way of life.

Typical dress is black with lots of dark makeup. Males and females usually dress in elaborate clothes that have a morbid or dark appearance.

The Filipino goth rock band Dominion is very popular amongst this group of people. Their success is directly related to the increasing number of goths within this region. Other popular bands in this genre are Malice Mizer, Dir en Grey, Alice Nine and X Japan.

Like all goth, Asian goth and Japanese goth can not be defined in cut and dry terms. It is a way of life that can only be categorized by each individual within it. Many dance clubs as well as online communities are available for those who wish to connect with others who have similar gothic interests.