Ideological Representation of Japanese School Uniforms Through the Case of Koushun Takami's Battle Royale

Abstract

Despite school uniforms' historic role in the democratization and equity of different social classes, they have gradually become signified as the clothing of disciplined and institutionalized bodies, thus becoming the instrument of the ideological subordination of the individuals/bodies. Although being associated with an anti fashion attitude universally, school uniforms in Japan are incorporated into the elements of street style and thus, their meaning is transformed into a form of rebellion. In this transformation, Japanese cinema played a vital role, particularly after the 1990s. In this article, we aim to analyse the transmogrification of the 'high school girl movement' by examining Kinji Fukasaku's film adaptation of Koushun Takami's Battle Royale through a cross-disciplinary reading between fashion and film studies.