Pronunciation: [ɡaŋɡjˈʊɹə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The word "ganguro" is spelled with a "g," representing the /ɡ/ sound, and not a "j" which sounds like /dʒ/. The "a" after "g" is pronounced as /æ/ as in "hat." The next syllable "n" is pronounced /n/, followed by "gu" which is pronounced as /ɡu/ with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth at the back. The final syllable "ro" is pronounced with /r/ sound and the vowel /o/ which sounds like "oh."
Ganguro is a Japanese subculture that emerged in the late 1990s and is primarily associated with teenage girls. The term "ganguro" is derived from the Japanese words "gan" meaning "wild" or "stubborn" and "guro" referring to "black", thus translating to "black face" or "black style". Ganguro fashion was characterized by a distinct and exaggerated dark tan achieved through the use of tanning beds, heavy makeup, and even black face paint. The aim was to create a stark contrast between the dark skin and brightly colored dyed hair, which ranged from blonde to shades of pink and orange.
This subculture also embraced unconventional makeup techniques, such as white concealer for the lips and eyes, and overly thick or false eyelashes. Ganguro girls typically wore fashionable and revealing clothing, such as brightly colored mini skirts, platform shoes, and logo t-shirts. The style also incorporated accessories such as large and colorful beaded necklaces, sunglasses, and hair extensions.
Ganguro was not just a fashion trend, but also represented a rebellious expression against traditional Japanese ideas of beauty. It challenged the traditional notion of pale, porcelain skin by celebrating dark skin as a distinctive feature. However, it was met with controversial opinions in Japanese society, where the style faced criticism for distorting cultural norms and promoting self-destructive behavior associated with excessive tanning.
Despite being less prominent today, ganguro remains an influential subculture in the history of Japanese fashion and youth culture. It represented a powerful form of self-expression and a rebellion against societal norms.
The word "ganguro" originates from Japanese, specifically from the combination of two words: "gan" (顔), meaning "face" in Japanese, and "guro" (黒), meaning "black". It is a term that refers to a fashion trend and subculture that emerged in Japan in the 1990s. The style is characterized by heavily tanned or darkened skin, contrasting colorful makeup, bleached or brightly colored hair, and often extravagant or provocative clothing. The word "ganguro" gained popularity in Japan to describe this specific fashion style that deviated from traditional beauty standards.
