Gothic & Lolita Bible
Encyclopedia
is a quarterly Japanese fashion "mook", a combination of a magazine and book, which focuses on the Gothic and Lolita fashion
s. It was first published in 2001 by Index Communications, and is a spin-off
of the Japanese fashion magazine Kera.
Since February 2008, an English-language version has been released in North America by Tokyopop
. English-language critics praised the Gothic & Lolita Bible as an entertaining magazine with nice pictures and content.
of the Japanese fashion magazine Kera. It is a "mook", the combination of a book and magazine. The Japanese musician Mana
originally proposed the creation of the Gothic & Lolita Bible and along with Kana, a Japanese singer-songwriter, helped to promote the magazine and the Lolita fashion by dressing in the fashion while performing. Essays by Japanese author Takemoto Novala about "the proper behavior and attitudes" of girls also influenced many to join the Lolita fashion and lifestyle. Most of the Gothic & Lolita Bible focuses on the Lolita fashion as it is "the more popular of the two fashions".
The idea of publishing the Gothic & Lolita Bible in North America was first suggested in 2003. In June 2007, Tokopop announced the decision to publish an English-language version and released the first volume in February 2008. It contained articles from past issues, which the editors chose based on available material, and original content. Beginning with the second volume, the English-language Gothic & Lolita Bible features articles, short stories, and interviews that originally ran in the Japanese version a year ago, along with original content about the fashion, events, and trends in the United States.
's 2008 reader poll for the best manga magazine or magazine and book hybrids. It received positive reviews from English-language critics. About.com's Deb Aoki listed it as the 11th most anticipated manga for 2008. Active Anime's Sandra Scholes wrote: "Superb, this is an essential buy for any Lolita's bookshelf!" While noting some "dated" content and that it "isn't a serious scholarly journal", Danielle Van Gorder of Mania Entertainment praised the magazine as "gorgeous glossy mook that should satisfy both the casual fan of lolita fashion as well as the most discriminating sweet lolita princess." Writing for Coolstreak Cartoons, Leroy Douresseaux commented on the "lovely photographs" of the Gothic and Lolita models and called it "a photographic art mook from "The Twilight Zone
" via A Clockwork Orange
, Dangerous Liaisons
, Mad Max
, etc."
Lolita fashion
is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is based on Victorian-era clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period, but the style has expanded greatly beyond these two. The Lolita look began primarily as one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments...
s. It was first published in 2001 by Index Communications, and is a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
of the Japanese fashion magazine Kera.
Since February 2008, an English-language version has been released in North America by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
. English-language critics praised the Gothic & Lolita Bible as an entertaining magazine with nice pictures and content.
History
First published in 2001 by Index Communications, the Gothic & Lolita Bible is a spin-offSpin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
of the Japanese fashion magazine Kera. It is a "mook", the combination of a book and magazine. The Japanese musician Mana
Mana (musician)
Mana is a Japanese musician and fashion designer, best known for his role as leader and guitarist of the visual kei band Malice Mizer. His clothing label, Moi-même-Moitié, helped popularize Japan's Gothic Lolita fashion movement. Mana is currently working on his solo project Moi dix...
originally proposed the creation of the Gothic & Lolita Bible and along with Kana, a Japanese singer-songwriter, helped to promote the magazine and the Lolita fashion by dressing in the fashion while performing. Essays by Japanese author Takemoto Novala about "the proper behavior and attitudes" of girls also influenced many to join the Lolita fashion and lifestyle. Most of the Gothic & Lolita Bible focuses on the Lolita fashion as it is "the more popular of the two fashions".
The idea of publishing the Gothic & Lolita Bible in North America was first suggested in 2003. In June 2007, Tokopop announced the decision to publish an English-language version and released the first volume in February 2008. It contained articles from past issues, which the editors chose based on available material, and original content. Beginning with the second volume, the English-language Gothic & Lolita Bible features articles, short stories, and interviews that originally ran in the Japanese version a year ago, along with original content about the fashion, events, and trends in the United States.
Reception
Gothic & Lolita Bible ranked tenth in About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
's 2008 reader poll for the best manga magazine or magazine and book hybrids. It received positive reviews from English-language critics. About.com's Deb Aoki listed it as the 11th most anticipated manga for 2008. Active Anime's Sandra Scholes wrote: "Superb, this is an essential buy for any Lolita's bookshelf!" While noting some "dated" content and that it "isn't a serious scholarly journal", Danielle Van Gorder of Mania Entertainment praised the magazine as "gorgeous glossy mook that should satisfy both the casual fan of lolita fashion as well as the most discriminating sweet lolita princess." Writing for Coolstreak Cartoons, Leroy Douresseaux commented on the "lovely photographs" of the Gothic and Lolita models and called it "a photographic art mook from "The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
" via A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is a 1962 dystopian novella by Anthony Burgess. The novel contains an experiment in language: the characters often use an argot called "Nadsat", derived from Russian....
, Dangerous Liaisons
Dangerous Liaisons
Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 drama film based upon Christopher Hampton's play, Les liaisons dangereuses, which in turn was a theatrical adaptation of the 18th-century French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos....
, Mad Max
Mad Max
Mad Max is a 1979 Australian dystopian action film directed by George Miller and revised by Miller and Byron Kennedy over the original script by James McCausland. The film stars Mel Gibson, who was unknown at the time. Its narrative based around the traditional western genre, Mad Max tells a story...
, etc."
External links
- Gothic & Lolita Bible at Tokyopop's website