Yume Kawaii (ゆめかわいい) is a Japanese aesthetic that centers around fantasy themes in pastel colors. It appears like the embodiment of a “girl's dream” and you can find many illustrations, clothing, and goods, which incorporate this aesthetic. Due to the nature of dreams, it can also feature nightmarish elements.
History[]
Although the concept of the aesthetic has existed for some time, it wasn't until 2013 that it started to spread under the name Yume Kawaii. Eventually, the rise of image-centric social media platforms gave birth to online groups such as "Strawberry Milk Gang" (いちごみるく団) that were a major contributor to shaping the aesthetic with their image edits. In 2015, Yume Kawaii caught the attention of companies, and pastel-colored goods with the aesthetic in mind hit up the shelves, spreading its popularity among a mainstream audience.
Visuals[]
As mentioned previously, Yume Kawaii doesn't only consist of good dreams, but also nightmares. Due to that, there's also edited images and artworks that embody this pale cuteness and slightly sad poems. There's also many artists who focus on the Yume Kawaii aesthetic. One of the most well-known illustrators who represents Yume Kawaii is Kato Rei. He has released his first artbook "Girl Friend" in 2015, featuring a romantic world view drawn in pastel colors, embodying Yume Kawaii.
Fashion[]
Genres of Kawaii Yume Kawaii
Yume Kawaii fashion includes feathers, frills, ribbons, and other fluffy materials in its looks. The outfits usually consist of printed tops with a sailor collar, sheer jackets, poofy skirts or pants, loose socks, and platform shoes. Sleeping masks and pillows are also popular in the aesthetic.
While Fairy Kei emits a vintage, retro kind of kawaii, Yume Kawaii covers many modern styles and features lots of motifs related to Japanese pop culture, such as magical girls, strawberry milk, and konpeito.
Hairstyles are often bleached and dyed to light colors like milk tea, pastel pink, and lavender, but fluffy wigs are also very common.
There are many circle lenses, glitter under the eyes, and pop impressions. There's also an important element: The "Sleepy" look, which can be achieved by applying an excessive amount of blush under the eyes.
Media[]
Characters[]
- Cream Unicorn Cookie from Cookie Run: Ovenbreak/Cookie Run: Kingdom
- Cotton Candy Cookie from Cookie Run: Ovenbreak
- Nemurin/Nemu Sanjou from Magical Girl Raising Project
- Yui Yumekawa from Idol Time Pripara
- Punicorn from Idol Time Pripara
- Little Twin Stars/Kiki and Lala from Sanrio
- Kirara Hanazono from Aikatsu Stars
- Peropero Sparkles
- PAREO/Reona Nyubara from BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!
- Kanata Konoe from Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
- Yume Nijino from Aikatsu Stars
- Fuwa from Star Twinkle Precure
- Princess Ellee/Ellee-chan/Cure Majesty from Hirogaru Sky! Precure
- Cream Teddy from Show by Rock!!
- Sigewinne from Genshin Impact
Manga & Anime[]
- Aikatsu Stars!
- Beelzebub-jou no Okinimesu mama
- Creamy Mami
- Idol Time PriPara
- Jewelpet
- Little Twin Stars
- Luminary Tears
- Maoujou de Oyasumi
- Mewkledreamy
- Onegai My Melody
- Hugtto PreCure
- Star Twinkle PreCure
- Hirogaru Sky PreCure
- Tom and Jerry Play
- WishCat
Video Games[]
- Dream Cat Paradise
- Hello Sweet Days
- Pastel Girl
- Pigg Party
- Pokekoro
- Pretty Rhythm
- Purenista
Music[]
Popular artists within Yume Kawaii include:
- Candye♡Syrup
- CY8ER
- Ice Cream Yume Shoujo
- Niji Universe Inc
- Senanan
- Strawberry Syndrome
- Yunomi
Resources[]
External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.
Blogs[]
Vendors[]
Playlists[]
- DREAMWAVE - OFFICIAL PLAYLIST (UPDATED) by Dreamwave
- Dreamwave Spotify playlist by jokerfil
- DREAMWAVE Spotify playlist by fe.iza
- Yume Kawaii💫🌨 Spotify playlist by 22rb23s2mdl4dtfdxqtroqtgi
- 🍭🤡When you wanna put stickers on your face🍫🐇 by Pholantasia
- Dreamwave Spotify playlist by JNasty
- Dreamwave Spotify playlist by Rowan Easter
Pinterest Boards[]
Gallery[]
