Pastel Academia

Pastel Academia is one of the many variations of the Academia aesthetic and subculture. It revolves around the ideals of having a passion for learning and studying, specifically the arts and literature. Someone who is a part of the Pastel Academia aesthetic is less mature and more child-like than those who identify with the other versions of academia. They enjoy venturing and have an overall upbeat and positive outlook on life, juxtaposing its less optimistic variations. Unlike its more well-known variations, Pastel Academia visually stems from a mixture of East Asian (mainly Japanese) and European cultures.

About

Pastel Academia is another variation of the 'Academia' aesthetic. What makes Pastel Academia different from other Academia aesthetics is that it is very clear and easily identifiable. Pastel Academia focuses on having a passion for learning, exploring, and studying. Like other academias, Pastel Academia is about finding romanticism in education and learning new things. Unlike the more popular variation, Dark Academia, people who identify with Pastel Academia are more life-loving. They find happiness and peace in the little things like hanging out with a small group of friends or going to small cafés early in the morning, similar to people identifying with Light Academia. What makes them stand out the most, though, is their child-like and more immature personality than other variants. They are optimistic, hopelessly romantic, curiosity-driven, young-at-heart individuals. This is not to be associated with them infantilizing themselves (to be discussed later in more detail). Pastel Academia stands out when compared to other academia personalities(the elephant in the room, if you will).

Visual

Pastel Academia visuals are heavily inspired by European and Japanese or East Asian cultures and the environment. For example, the architecture of European-style buildings, specifically universities like Oxford and places like Alnwick Castle, along with countryside and outskirt environments of Japanese provinces such as Chichibu, Shirakaba, and many more. However, if you live somewhere where there isn't much to explore, you're still encouraged to go out and explore places. Look for secret gems in the urban city and create your own homely Pastel Academia environment.

Studying

Cute cafés and secret studying spots are also a huge part of Pastel Academia. Having a cozy space to study in and having cute supplies - like washi tape and personalized notebooks - are also part of Pastel Academia. Cute supplies are just supplies that are supposed to help people study more; this means that they don't have to be expensive. Pastel Academia isn't limited to people who can afford expensive school supplies.

Hobbies

When they are procrastinating on their studies, pastel academics enjoy partaking in creative hobbies which help them calm down or play the role as a beacon of productivity and calmness. This can include journaling, painting, drawing, biking, knitting, crochet, playing an instrument, cooking, watching series and movies,editing, photography, and much more.

Media

Movies

Ponyo
My Neighbor Totoro
Kikki's Delivery Service
Only Yesterday
The Garden Of Words
Hal
Whisper Of The Heart
Your Name
The Secret World Of Arrietty
Tamako Love Story
Sumikko Gurashi The Movie: The Unexpected Picture Book and the Secret Child
L'étranger de la Plage
Cinamonroll The Movie

TV Shows

anime

Fairy Tail
Hanayamata
Sailor Moon
Cardcaptor Sakura
K-On
Quintessential Quintuplets
Love Live School Idol Project
Kinmoza
Is The Order A Rabbit?
Smile Precure
Hyouka
Ouran High School Host club
Kaichou Wa Maid-sama
Teasing Master Takagi-san
Acchi Kocchi
Yuyushiki
Lucky star
Mewkledreamy
Koisuru Asteroid
Fruits Basket
Machikado Mazoku
Hitoribocchi no OO Seikatsu
Saint Tail
Hugtto Precure
Comic Girls
Rilu Rilu Fairilu
Lady Jewelpet
Slow Start
Gakuen Babysitters
Nyanko Days
Non Non Biyori
Chi's Sweet Home
Shugo Chara!
Sansha Sanyou
Mirmo Zibang
ToraDora!
Pri Para
Yumeiro Pattisiere
Momokuri
Hello Kitty Paradise
Yuru Yuri
Hanamaru Youchien
Mitsuboshi Colors
Wakaba Girl
Tokyo Mew Mew
Onegai My Melody
Rilakkuma TO Kaoru
Urawa no Usagi-chan
Maple Twon Monogatari
Ore Monogatari!!
Pita Ten
Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!
Kofuku Graffiti
Kamisama Hajimemashita
Tamako Market
Jewelpet Happiness
Hidamari Sketch
Ojamajo Doremi
Hinako Note
Kaguya-sama: love is war
Nekopara

cartoons

angelina ballerina
Molang
Hello Kitty Super Cute Adventures
We Are Bare Bears
sumer camp island

shows and movies with sensitive content

Puella Magi Madoka Magica
K-12
Scream Queens
Gakko Gurashi
princess tutú
Mahou Shoujo Site

Doramas

love alarm
girl's world

Games/Apps

mobile:

Pastel Girl : Dress Up Game
Neko Atsume
LINE:Disney Tsum Tsum
SUMI SUMI : Matching Puzzle
Rilakkuma Farm
Momo's Dressup
Sumikkogurashi Farm
Peter Rabbit -Hidden World-
Rakko Ukabe - Let's call cute sea otters!
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Love Nikki-Dress UP Queen

nintendo:

Animal Crossing New Horizons
Pokemón
Ouchi De Rilakkuma -Rilakkuma Ga Ouchi Ni Yattekita – Nintendo Switch Japan

Xbox

calico

Books and Manga

Books

Little Women
Little Princess
The Secret Garden
Daddy Long-Legs
Winny de Puh

Manga

Hatsukoi*Rail Trip
CLAMP No Kiseki
Kirari Books Meisouchu!
Fushigi Neko No Kyuu-chan
KiraKira★Study ~Zettai Goukaku Sengen~
The Life After Retirement of Magical Girls
Kitchen Princess
Nanatsu Boshi Tea Time
Kilala Princess
Pixie Pop
Bocchi the Rock
Tsuki Ga Kirei Desu Ne

web toons

odd girl out
Cat Loaf Adventures
True Beauty
HEART Anthology
Cursed Princess Club
Your Smile is a Trap
Saphie The One-Eyed Cat
My Kitty And Old Dog
The Kiss Bet
Choco Latte
Aerial Magic
Smile Brush
Small World
Strawberry Seafoam
All That We Hope To Be

videos that could fit this aesthetic

music videos

If you have any idea of other videos to put, feel free to oppose it.

Fashion

These are some fashion ideas for people who identify with Pastel Academia. There is no need to conform to these ideas; they are just some of many possibilities.

Pastel Academia clothes example — An example of Pastel Academia-style clothes.

Stores

Deer Doll

Alyaboomty Store

Juwas Fashion
Nothin Basic Here

A second example of Pastel Academia-style clothes.

Clothes

45d8add36555717256702d417d855191 — A simpler/casual pastel academia outfit.

Vests, especially sweater vests
Plaid designs and patterns
Trousers
Skirts
White Lolita-style dresses
Collared shirts
Pastel or floral Hijabs
Sweaters
Knitwear
Turtlenecks
Seifuku dresses and uniform
Long net skirts
Lolita-style shoes

Accessories

Bow ties
Neckties
Schoolbags
Berets
Hairclips
Hair bows
Watches
Bracelets
Friendship charms
Lace socks

Hair

Pigtails
Two ponytails
Hair Down with an accessory
Braid(s)
Half-up, half-down twin-tails

Makeup

This is not a necessity if you don't prefer makeup. Don't forget to do what you feel comfortable with.

Rosy pink/red/peachy blush
Peachy eyeshadows and glosses
Gradient lips
Dewy foundation/concealer

Other Media

There is not much media related shows or movies that showcase the Pastel Academia aesthetic as "Pastel Academia" since this is currently a new subculture. Slice of life anime is an excellent example of a genre that usually presents pastel academia ideals and values. TV shows and movies like Scream Queens and The Grand Budapest Hotel represent Pastel Academia as well, though from a more visual perspective. Again, you do not need to like or enjoy every single movie, TV show, anime, or piece of music that is mentioned. As long as you can appreciate and like the visuals of Pastel Academia as well as the values this subculture has to offer, you're good to go.

Music

Pastel Academia-style music involves lots of girl/boy bands, Lo-Fi, soft ballads, soft pop, and musical soundtracks from childhood movies. Pastel Academia is an inclusive subculture where academics don't or shouldn't care about what language the music they listen to is in, as long as it sounds okay.

Artists

Playlists

Pinterest Boards

Notes

The two main aspects in almost every aesthetic is the ideals and personality and the visuals.

The Ideals & Personality

Clearing Up Misconceptions

There could be controversy in the future about this aesthetic being too "childish" to the point where people label it as infantilising. In no way shape or form is the intention of this aesthetic to attract or entertain pedophiles or imitate children. There is a huge difference between enjoying what society labels as 'childish' things and infantilising yourself to entertain adults. Pastel Academia stands for people who never or rarely got to experience being young, even if it's a time in their life they miss. Whether it's part of their personality or something that was developed throughout their life due to their environment, the innocence of this aesthetic is solely to give those people a safe space where they can express their love for studying arts, literature, and much more while standing up to people who tell them to "act their age" just because they are passionate about certain things like going on picnics, pastel colours and collecting things that make them happy. There is no place in this community for individuals who infantilize themselves for the pleasure of pedophiles, incels, and others.

Respect & Inclusivity

The Pastel Academia subculture is inclusive of people from all walks of life. Any race, gender, sexuality, and spirituality are welcomed here. People who marginalise and discriminate against other people are not welcomed in this subculture by any means. Respect is the number one ideology of this subculture. We do not associate with people who claim to be of this subculture but chose to harm and inflict any kind of disrespect onto others for any reason. We aren't immature in the sense that we act like children, but in our interests and hobbies.

Personality

As mentioned before, the Pastel Academia aesthetic focuses on people who are more child-like at heart. They are usually optimists whose strength is that they often think creatively and outside of the box. This makes them academically suited for studies like literature and the arts. However, they don't have to be confined to just those subjects in particular.
They love giving and occasionally craft gifts for their loved ones. In a relationship, they are caring and loving toward the other person/people.
They are also quite spiritual despite their child-like tendencies. They are always searching for meanings to things due to their curiosity through religion or any other practice. This also drives them to philosophy.