Popteen, a fashion magazine with a long history since its founding in 1980, focuses on casual and girly styles for teens and is still highly popular among middle and high school girls today.
However, Popteen was once known as a gyaru fashion magazine, producing numerous iconic models who represented the gyaru culture.
In this article, we will introduce some of the most popular models who were active in Popteen during its heyday!
Moe Oshikiri
Born on December 29, 1979.
Moe Oshikiri is a popular model known for her work with fashion magazines "CanCam" and "AneCan."
However, she also has a past as a model for Popteen during her late teens to early 20s (late 1990s to around 2000).
During her Popteen days, she was so popular that she was called a "Super High School Student," and she earned the status of a charismatic gyaru model.
After graduating from Popteen, she thrived as an exclusive model for "CanCam" and "AneCan."
In August 2013, she made her debut as a novelist with her book "Asaki Yume Mishi."
She also holds various qualifications, such as a "Street Food Meister" and a "Wine Expert."
In her personal life, she married professional baseball player Hidetaka Wakui in November 2016, gave birth to their first child in March 2018, and welcomed their second child in July 2021.
She is currently a mother of two, dedicated to raising her children.
Aki Hatada
Born on September 29, 1981.
Aki Hatada was a former exclusive model for Popteen, active in the early 2000s.
Her stunning beauty captivated many readers.
In November 2003, she announced her marriage to a famous music producer in Popteen, and her appearance on the cover in a traditional white wedding kimono became a hot topic.
She is now based in Singapore, living with her three children.
Tomomi Kudo (Tomochin)
Born on June 4, 1980.
Tomomi Kudo, affectionately known as "Tomochin," was a popular gyaru model who graced Popteen and egg.
From 1999 to 2001, she was also a member of the "Parapara All-Stars," who led the third Parapara dance craze.
Additionally, she worked as a gravure idol, gaining enthusiastic fans regardless of gender.
With her cute looks and stunning figure, Tomochin was also chosen as the 11th "Triumph Campaign Girl," a representative for the lingerie brand's campaigns.
Maiko Hashino (Maimai)
Born on October 18, 1985.
Maiko Hashino, also known by the nickname "Maimai," debuted as a model for Popteen when she was in junior high school.
She represented the clean and pure white skin gyaru style and was a prominent signboard model, often gracing the magazine's front pages.
Besides her modeling for Popteen, her cute looks earned her spots as an ad model for LIZ LISA and as an image model for the purikura machine "Hime to Koakuma."
After graduating from Popteen in the December 2007 issue, she attended beauty school and worked as an esthetician. Following her marriage and the birth of her child, she is now focused on raising her family.
Other models who also helped boost Popteen’s popularity during the same period included:
- Sayuri Iijima
- Aki Nakahira
- Hanako Fukunaga
