Sebon Star and Lolita Fashion
ep.226 Sebon Star and Lolita Fashion
Published: August 27, 2025, 00:35
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Preface
None written.
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Main Text
“I’m kind of running out of material.”
“Apparently TV is also running out of material, lol. They even used Sebon Star as a topic, something Panda had already written about in an essay.”
Ah, that does make you laugh a little.
When Panda writes about something in an essay first, and then TV later uses it as a topic, it makes you think, “Oh?”
Sebon Star, for TV, is easy to frame in the “nostalgic cute” category, but Panda’s writing style brings out more everyday life details and the child’s perspective, so the comparison would show a clear difference.
If you’d like, I can even make a parody version of the Sebon Star essay that’s structured as if it were a TV segment. Want me to do that?
“If I recall correctly, there was a version made with real gemstones, a perfect look-alike, that cost about 1.28 million yen? Is that right?
My son asked, ‘Who would use something like that, and where?’
Maybe it’s for wealthy people who do Lolita fashion?”
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About the “1.28 million yen” claim
Regarding the statement, “If I recall correctly, there was one made with real gemstones, a perfect replica, that cost about 1.28 million yen?”—
At present, no concrete information has been found that directly supports the exact price of 1.28 million yen.
Searching the web, there are many accessories in a “Lolita” style that use gemstones (including Sebon Star-like cute motifs), but these are mostly sold at retail prices ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars (several thousand yen to tens of thousands of yen).
For comparison:
•A relatively affordable gemstone such as Iolite can cost around USD 100–150 per carat (approx. 15,000–20,000 yen per carat for good quality).
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The plausibility of 1.28 million yen
1.28 million yen is indeed a very high price. For jewelry to be priced that high, certain conditions would apply, such as:
•Use of rare gemstones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.)
•Very large carat weight
•Special cuts, or branding by a luxury house, or crafted by a renowned artisan
•Extremely high-quality materials with intricate designs and embellishments
In such cases, 1.28 million yen would not be impossible, but a specific product described as “a Sebon Star-like replica for Lolita fashion” has not been verified.
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About your son’s comment: “Who would use something like that, and where?”
Indeed, in Lolita fashion circles, people often use gemstone-like parts or costume jewelry. Very few people would actually wear genuine high-end gemstones as part of everyday outfits.
In this genre, what matters is the look, the romance, the overall coordination cuteness. It is much more common to use affordable accessories rather than genuine, expensive gems.
“I’m pretty sure it used ruby and diamond. Panda thinks cubic zirconia would be just fine though—lol.”
Ah, if ruby and diamond were actually used, then 1.28 million yen could definitely make sense.
High-quality natural ruby is expensive even in small sizes, and if combined with diamonds, the price jumps quickly.
As Panda says, visually, cubic zirconia (CZ) looks extremely close to the real thing, and for everyday use, it’s far more practical.
For Lolita fashion in particular, zirconia or Swarovski stones are lighter, cheaper, and easier to wear—and losing them wouldn’t be such a painful loss.
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Comparison: Genuine (ruby + diamond) vs. Synthetic (zirconia, lab diamonds)
•Genuine ruby + diamond
•Ruby and diamond jewelry exists, ranging from tens of thousands of yen to over 100,000 yen.
•Example: brand rings priced around ¥129,800 or ¥142,767 for platinum with ruby + diamond.
•A price tag like 1.28 million yen is possible, depending on carat weight, quality, and brand prestige.
•Lab-grown diamonds
•Lab diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds, but 80–95% cheaper.
•Example:
•A natural diamond, 2 carats, high quality = approx. USD 30,000 (≈ 4 million yen).
•Equivalent lab diamond ≈ USD 1,750 (≈ 250,000 yen).
•As of 2025: average price for a 1.2-carat lab diamond = USD 3,887 (≈ 550,000 yen).
•Typical 1-carat lab diamond = approx. USD 1,000 (≈ 140,000 yen), vs. USD 4,200 for natural.
•Cubic Zirconia (CZ) / Swarovski Zirconia
•Resembles diamond closely, very beautiful, but is a low-cost substitute.
•CZ tends to be heavier, and its brilliance is easier to distinguish from diamond.
•Swarovski Zirconia is higher quality, with excellent cutting, but slightly pricier.
•Actual products often cost just a few thousand yen to about 10,000 yen.
•Example: CZ ring at ¥5,900, Swarovski accessories at ¥7,700–¥9,800.
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Nationwide popular Lolita experience services
•Tokyo Kawaii Studio Harajuku
•Harajuku: “Sweet Lolita to Gothic Lolita, over 50 styles of coordination.”
•Pro hair/makeup and photography included. 1–3 people per session. Cute Harajuku-style booths.
•Esperanto KOKORO Minami-Aoyama Studio
•“Lolita Transformation Experience,” full service from makeup to outfit. Elegant Minami-Aoyama setting. Hands-free participation possible.
•LOCOCO (Aichi)
•Nagoya area salon offering authentic Lolita experiences. Trial course, full course, Gothic Lolita options. Reasonable pricing.
•Harmonie Princess (Metamorphose Osaka)
•Osaka: One-day Lolita fashion experience. Outfit rental + studio use. Now also available via home delivery rental.
•Tokyo Lolita (home delivery rental)
•Outfits shipped to your home. Enjoy anytime you want. Rental from just one piece—easy to try out.
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Tokyo Kawaii Studio Harajuku: Pricing Plans
1.Princess Plan
•Price: ¥13,178 (incl. tax)
•Includes:
•Lolita outfit rental (full set)
•Base makeup (+¥2,000 upgrade to Lolita makeup)
•Hair styling (+¥2,000 wig rental option)
•Professional photography, selfies allowed
•3 photo data files provided (extra available as option)
2.Memorial Plan
•Price: ¥36,000 (incl. tax)
•Includes:
•Choice of 2 outfits (guaranteed selection)
•About 150 minutes of relaxed shooting (semi-private session)
•All photo data provided
•Original photo frame (BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT × studio)
•Seasonal novelty gift
3.Couple Plan
•Price: ¥29,000 (incl. tax)
•Includes:
•2-person photo plan
•Lolita outfit for female, prince outfit for male
•Original photo frame, great for commemorative shoots
Other Options:
•Wig rental: +¥1,500 (excl. tax)
•False eyelashes: +¥500 (excl. tax)
•Outdoor shooting plan: +¥8,000 (excl. tax)
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Summary
For a casual Harajuku Lolita experience, the Princess Plan (approx. ¥13,000) is affordable and recommended.
For a fuller experience, the Memorial Plan (¥36,000) is best.
For friends or couples making memories together, the Couple Plan (¥29,000) fits perfectly.
Other arrangements and options are available if desired.
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“Chat-san is trying to make even 50-year-old chubby Panda wear Lolita clothes—LOL.”
