Reason for Warning: This page contains brief mentions of a suicide attempt, pedophilia, and racism.
Cyber Doll is a niche internet subculture that emerged in the mid-2020s on TikTok, centered around achieving an unreal, porcelain doll-like appearance. Participants in this community utilize makeup and heavy photo editing to make major alterations their facial features, and sometimes even bodies, aiming for a non-human or artificial aesthetic. Content creators are typically transparent about their editing techniques, usually to not endorse unhealthy beauty standards.
The aesthetic, characterized by its artificial and uncanny appearance, cannot be fully understood without considering the influence of the uncanny valley effect, the role of digital manipulation in influecing online identity, and the impact of highly altered images on body image and self-perception. Controversies surrounding prominent figures within the community, such as Umi Chii, who has faced accusations of self-hatred and attempting to mimic Japanese identity, have also shaped the reputation of the community.[1]
Cyber Doll shares some elements with E-Girl style in its focus on constructing and presenting an online persona and with Living Doll in its pursuit of an artificial, doll-like appearance. However, Cyber Dolls utilize digital manipulation to a greater extent to significantly alter their anatomy, deliberately aiming for an uncanny valley effect, and diverges from Living Doll's typical inspiration in Barbie-like beauty ideals.
Visuals[]
Example of a cyber doll editing tutorial by Umi Chii, showing the difference between edited and unedited pictures.
Cyber Doll content creators utilize digital manipulation to achieve an artificial, porcelain doll-like appearance. This often involves heavy editing of facial features to appear non-human, with techniques that may include making the face appear smaller and tinier, creating paler skin, enlarging the eyes, and subtly altering the eyebrows. Creators are typically transparent about their editing techniques, often sharing tutorials on the apps and methods they use. This transparency is intended to avoid promoting unrealistic beauty standards, with some even posting unedited photos and videos alongside their altered content to highlight the extent of the digital manipulation. While the aesthetic may incorporate elements of traditional Asian beauty standards such as thinness and light skin, the overt artificiality also evokes that these are digitally constructed and not authentic/naturally occurring features. The resulting aesthetic often evokes the uncanny valley effect, which is a deliberate aim of the style. Color filters employed in visuals frequently feature muted and gloomy, dark pastel tones, contributing to the overall artificial aesthetic.
Fashion[]
The fashion associated with the Cyber Doll aesthetic is often inspired by schoolgirl attire. This includes elements such as Japanese school uniforms, as noted in discussions surrounding Umi Chii's clothing choices, including the wearing of gym uniforms not typically worn outside of a Japanese school setting by individuals her age. Sailor-style uniforms, which are stereotypically associated with Japanese school uniforms, are also referenced as garments of interest within the community. The adoption of these styles, even by individuals who are not students or residing in Japan, is a key visual component of the Cyber Doll look. This schoolgirl-inspired fashion is sometimes combined with an overall aesthetic that aims for a youthful or childlike appearance.
Controversy[]
Umi Chii, who has over 445,000 followers on TikTok, is one of the most popular Cyber Doll content creators, but has also been the subject of major controversy and debate. Allegations of cultural appropriation have been raised, specifically regarding Umi Chii's frequent use of Japanese language and clothing styles, such as dressing as a Japanese schoolgirl. Critics argue that she is engaging in "East-Asian fishing," attempting to appear Japanese, and point to instances of her speaking English with a Japanese accent. While Umi Chii has stated that her intent is cultural appreciation and explained her accented English as a language learning technique called "shadowing," many netizens have not accepted her explanations.
Another area of controversy concerns accusations of "loli baiting." Umi Chii's use of schoolgirl-inspired attire and certain behaviors have been interpreted by some as the sexualization of young girls and an attempt to attract pedophiles. She has denied these accusations, stating that she is not trying to look younger and possesses "neotenous," or juvenile, features. It's relevant to note, according to understanding by experts, that pedophilia typically involves attraction to children, not to adults (such as the then-19-year-old Umi Chii) who may adopt a childlike aesthetic.
Furthermore, a past Facebook post by Umi Chii led to allegations of self-hatred and internalized racism towards Filipinos, in which she referred to a "cruel illiterate inbred phenotype of Filipinos." While she clarified that she was referring to a "specific group" rather than the entire nationality, this explanation was met with skepticism by many online. This situation is further complicated by documented instances of cultural cringe (e.g., being ashamed of one's own culture) in some Southeast Asian cultures. This sentiment can manifest as viewing one's own cultural background as inferior compared to cultures perceived as more prestigious, such as Japanese culture in this context. Moreover, a Filipino individual embracing a Japanese identity can be seen as particularly sensitive given Japan's history of brutal and violent colonialism in Asia during the 20th century.
The controversies surrounding Umi Chii have led to significant online harassment,[Note 1] which she stated resulted in a severe anxiety attack, hospitalization in a psychiatric ward after a suicide attempt, and the removal of a Google document detailing allegations against her. This has prompted some to question whether the criticism has gone too far, arguing that individuals should be allowed to express their interests freely. However, many remain critical of her actions and explanations, accusing her of insincerity and a refusal to acknowledge harmful behavior.[2]
Gallery[]
.png "Cyberdoll (1).png (634 KB)")
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Notes[]
- ↑ The actions and statements of Cyber Doll figures like Umi Chii have understandably led to significant criticism, but this description of controversies should not be understood as condoning or encouraging any form of harassment or cyberbullying directed towards anyone involved.