A new phenomenon in Japan, where men wear silicone bodysuits and lifelike female masks, is raising safety concerns, particularly among women. Known as “tight men” for their tight-fitting bodysuits, these individuals have been accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior in public spaces.

The trend appears to be inspired by animegao kigurumi, a cosplay style rooted in Japan’s anime culture.

Animegao kigurumi enthusiasts wear bodysuits and anthropomorphic masks to cosplay as their favorite anime characters.

In this case, the tight men’s intentions are not to display their creativity or gender identity but to approach women with perverted motives, according to local reports.

A phenomenon involving men wearing silicone bodysuits and female masks on Japanese subways is raising safety concerns among women

Image credits: QQ.com

In February, a video went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter) showing a masked individual dressed in a silicone bodysuit while sitting on the subway.

An internet user nicknamed Kawaso  posted on the Japanese forum Togetter that the individual was a man posing as a woman.

“He deliberately sat in crowded areas with many women, positioning his body towards them. Even though I was sitting a bit far away, I felt scared,” Kawaso wrote on April 21, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Kawaso reported the issue to the police, but no action was taken, according to the outlet.

Image credits: QQ.com

A separate “tight man” known as Rin reportedly admitted on a livestream that he was a man and that he had entered women’s restrooms wearing a bodysuit and mask, requesting photos from strangers.

“I was scared at that time, and I did not know what would happen if I refused,” wrote an anonymous young woman who allegedly encountered Rin. The man claimed his actions caused no harm. 

According to internet user @natsoiku, Rin and his group are often seen at the Shibuya subway station and around Shinjuku in Tokyo, the SCMP reported.

Known as “tight men,” these individuals have been accused of entering women’s restrooms, taking photos of women, and touching them in crowded spaces

Image credits: QQ.com

Image credits: コレコレサブチャンネル

Another witness said, “At first, I thought it was a mannequin, but when I got closer, I moved, and [the tight man] saw me, so I ran away because I was scared,” as per MK.

Under Japanese law, unlawful entry into a women’s restroom can result in a fine of up to 100,000 yen ($650) and carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison.

There are currently no reports of Rin being arrested.

“He deliberately sat in crowded areas with many women, positioning his body towards them,” a witness described

Image credits: コレコレサブチャンネル

Yuichi Sato, a representative of Japan’s Suspicious Persons Information Centre, said that identifying these individuals based on their appearance alone is challenging due to their costumes.

Additionally, in Japan, wearing a costume in public isn’t illegal unless the wearer conceals their identity to commit a crime.

The costumes appear to be inspired by animegao kigurumi, a cosplay style rooted in Japan’s anime culture

Image credits: machig3rita

Image credits: alexis.averno

Animegao kigurumi enthusiasts wear masks to cosplay as their favorite anime characters

Image credits: kzzrttt

Under Japanese law, it’s illegal to wear a costume in public if the wearer conceals their identity to commit a crime

@marcelakuara what is going on here #wtff ♬ original sound – Marcela Kuara

Women-only carriages have been operating on Japanese trains since 2005. The initiative was implemented after women reported a record number of touching and other sexual harassment incidents—such as taking obscene photos—on public transit the previous year. 

In 2022, the Oedo Line, a line in the Toei Subway that passes through some of Tokyo’s most office-dense districts, launched a “Women Only” train during the morning rush on weekdays, Japan Today reported.

Other cities that have implemented women-only carriages as a protective measure against potential sexual harassment from men include Delhi and Mumbai in India, Mexico City, The Cairo Metro in Egypt, and the Rio de Janeiro Metro in Brazil.

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