About
Clothes That Kill Virgins (Japanese: 童貞を殺す服; Doutei wo Korosu Fuku) refers to form-fitting women’s apparel, typically including high-waisted skirts, that are believe to intensely arouse and fascinate male otakus. Since the term was coined on Twitter in July 2015, the concept has widely spread across the Japanese social media and illustrator communities Pixiv and Nico Nico Seiga.
Origin
According to the Pixiv Encyclopedia,[1] the term “Clothes That Kill Virgins” first appeared in a tweet by amateur illustrator Keyholder (キーホルダー) on July 5th, 2015. The phrase was used to explain a photo in the Japanese clothing label NO.S PROJECT, featuring girls wearing white blouses and long dark high-waisted skirts. Within 72 hours, the tweet gained over 10,000 retweets and favorites.
飲み会とかで何回か童貞を殺す服を見てきたけどやっぱりダントツはNO.S PROJECTのブラウスとかスカートとかそのへん pic.twitter.com/97hzMD9yWq
— キーホルダー (@key774) July 6, 2015
Translation:
After watching the clothes that kill virgins in several drinking parties, I think the best is something like blouses and skirts produced by NO.S PROJECT.
Spread
After the tweet began circulating on Twitter, many began debating the meaning of the phrase “clothes that kill virgins.” In the coming days, several news sites reported on the online reaction to the tweet.[3][4] Uniforms used by the food chains Anna Miller’s[5] Kobe-ya Kitchen[6], the costumes worn by various cosplayers and popular outfits seen in moe illustrations were cited as examples of the style (shown below).
Examples of “Clothes That Kill Virgins” suggested by Twitter users
Additionally, hundreds of illustrations, photos and parodies referencing “clothes that kill virgins” have been uploaded to Pixiv,[9] Nico Nico Seiga[10] and Twitter.[11] On July 8th, Keyholder explained that he initially used the term to convey an appreciation for his favorite style of women’s outfit.[2]
Criticism
On July 8th, Twitter @pankashi[14] criticized the Keyholders description of the style in a tweet that gained over 9,000 retweets and 4,000 favorites in the next seven months (shown below). Additionally, the Nico Nico Pedia[13] article for this term has defined “clothes that kill virgins” as a style employed by women attempting to manipulate otaku men.
Translation:
Now I’m feeling so blue. Spreading of the term “Clothes That Kill Virgins” must hurt girls who would like to wear that kind of clothes simply because of its “cuteness”. They would stop wearing it as they don’t want to be said like " Wow! You’re wearing the clothes that kill virgins! Who the hell is your target? (lollol".
Various Examples
From top left to bottom right: Sumire Uesaka, Ayana Taketatsu, Saber (Fate), Hajime Ichinose (Gatchaman Crowds), Hotaru Shidare (Dagashi Kashi), Tatsuta (Kantai Collection), Isara Aomi (Love, Election and Chocolate)
Search Interest
External References
Editor’s Note: Registration is needed to browse the original videos/illustrations listed in this section.
[1]Pixiv Encyclopedia – 童貞を殺す服 (Japanese)
[2]Twitter – キーホルダー on Twitter: "@Coltwing 僕は(オタク系)童貞なら確実に目をひかれて惚れてしまうと言う意味で使っていたのですが自律しすぎてもうなにがなんだか" / Posted on 07-08-2015 (Japanese)
[3]ITmedia Netlab – お前らこういうのが好きなんだろ？ Twitterが「童貞を殺す服」の話題で盛り上がる / 07-08-2015 (Japanese)
[4]R25 – 「童貞を殺す服」にツッコミ殺到 / 07-11-2015 (Japanese)
[5]Wikipedia – Anna Miller's
[6]Wikipedia – 神戸屋レストラン (Japanese)
[7]Wikipedia – Sumire Uesaka
[8]Wikipedia – Ayana Taketatsu
[9]Pixiv – Search results for the tag 童貞を殺す服
[10]Nico Nico Seiga – Search results for the tag 童貞を殺す服
[11]Twitter – Search results for the hashtag #童貞を殺す服
[12]Narinari.com – “童貞を殺す服”イラスト続々、キャラに着せた姿がニコニコで人気。 / 07-14-2015 (Japanese)