Japan’s gyaru crown their slang words of the year
The egg buzzword list offers a snapshot of the slang, social media habits and attitudes shaping a Japanese youth culture.
The annual New Words and Buzzwords of the Year event in Japan has unveiled its top 10 nominees for the 2026 edition, with the grand prize winner to be announced on December 1. However, the author finds more interest in the buzzword awards of ギャル magazine egg, as it seems to reflect the language used by Japan's Gen Z more closely.
Founded in 1995, egg has been documenting ギャル culture, including fashion, makeup, and attitudes, particularly in Tokyo's Shibuya district. After printing ceased in 2014, the magazine returned online in 2018 and has gained a new following on social media. The magazine's annual buzzword awards can provide a snapshot of the language used by ギャル at the moment, and the list released on November 1 includes terms ranging from ギャル social dynamics to the challenges of constant online consumption.
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