Center GUY emerged around 2003 as a unique substyle of gyaru-o in Tokyo's Shibuya Center Street.
Appearing like a comet, this legendary gyaru-o fashion trend rose to prominence and faded just as quickly.
Below, we explore the origin of the name and defining features of the Center GUY.
What is a Center GUY?
In simple terms, a Center GUY is the male counterpart to manba.
Manba refers to a gyaru style known for deeply tanned skin, voluminous hairstyles, and flashy makeup that stood out in the history of gyaru fashion.
Around 2003, Center GUYs emerged in Shibuya’s Center Street as an evolved version of gyaru-o.
They favored clothing from popular brands like ALBA ROSA and its men’s line MY TANE, and their style was characterized by bold hairstyles, flashy makeup, and an overall eye-catching appearance.
Their popularity skyrocketed due to Men's egg magazine’s feature "Hello! Center GUY" and a 2004 parody skit titled "Shibuya! Mondai GUY!" on the TV show SMAP×SMAP, where Takuya Kimura portrayed a Center GUY.
Origin of the Name
The name "Center GUY" combines "Center Street", the bustling hub of gyaru and gyaru-o in Shibuya, and "GUY," a slang term for a cool dude.
It was also called "Morio."
Center GUYs, alongside manba, stood out in Shibuya’s flashy fashion scene.
Notable gathering spots included the purikura (photo booth) "purikura-no-mekka" and the McDonald’s in Center Street, now known as "Basketball Street."
Characteristics of Center GUY
Skin: Ganguro or Gonguro
While most gyaru-o had tanned skin, Center GUYs took it to the next level with ganguro or gonguro shades—the darkest levels of tanning.
Hairstyle: Long and Colorful
| Hair Color | White, blonde, pink, or bright primary colors were popular. |
|---|---|
| Hair Style | Similar to gyaru-o, their hairstyles were based on wolf cuts with extensions for length. The hair was styled with dramatic volume at the crown. |
Simply put, it's a hairstyle similar to the "Super Saiyan" from Dragon Ball.
Fashion: ALBA ROSA and MY TANE
Center GUYs were known for their love of ALBA ROSA, famous for its hibiscus patterns, and its men’s line MY TANE.
They paired these with unique elements to create highly personalized outfits.
Makeup: As Bold as Manba
It was common for many gal men to wear no make-up, but the make-up worn by the center GUY was flashy!
Similar to Mamba's makeup, they wore colored contacts, highlights on the bridge of their nose and around their eyes, and lip makeup with white concealer.
Strong communication skills
Center GUYs were incredibly outgoing, using their own slang called "GUY language" to connect with others.
They formed groups through mutual recognition and bonded over their love of dance music, particularly trance.
Center GUYs could often be found dancing para-para, in Shibuya.
The flashy fashion and bold behavior of Center GUYs gained media attention but also drew criticism:
ALBA ROSA stores banned Center GUYs from trying on clothes due to their extreme styles.
The Shibuya nightclub atom prohibited entry to both Center GUYs and manba.
Over time, their community dwindled, and Center GUYs disappeared from the streets. However, their short-lived era remains a vivid chapter in the history of Japanese youth subcultures.
