
When I woke up this morning, there were a few things I had expected for my day: a few gallons of coffee, a couple hundred photos of cute cats on the Internet, and a dozen more replays of Urbangarde’s music videos. What I had not expected to see was an origin story for none other than Sailor Suit Old Man.
And in case you’re wondering, no, he’s a not a grand wizard from an alternate dimension. But that might not be too far off!
By now, you should be familiar with some of the school-girl-outfit-wearing residents of Tokyo. Of course, there’s Ladybeard–the man who is not a lady but who does have a beard–and then there’s the legendary Sailor Suit Old Man, who is…well, an old man wearing a school girl outfit. Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover, we suppose.
But you’d be wrong to do so in this case, because while Sailor Suit Old Man may look like a slightly crazy wizard of immense power obsessed with being the cutest thing this side of Hello Kitty, it turns out that he’s actually something of a genius. This really shouldn’t surprise anyone who has seen him conversing with Ladybeard in nearly flawless English–the man obviously has a sharp mind.
▼And a distinct appreciation for French cuisine.
But it turns his mind isn’t just sharp–it’s razor sharp. Hideaki Kobayashi, the real name of Sail Suit Old Man, was born in 1962 and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics from the Waseda University’s engineering program. In case you’re not familiar with Japanese universities, Waseda is one of the most highly ranked private universities in the country, which is to say that he’s not just intelligent–the man must have been an incredibly dedicated student.
▼And cute. Damn cute.
セーラー服おじさんクソコラ pic.twitter.com/WoYjUy3UMs
— まこまこP (@zakusan_yuuutu) May 22, 2014
GrowHair, the name Sailor Suit Old Man uses for his artistic pursuits such as photographing dolls (caution: photos are not safe for you sanity) and cosplay, is actually currently employed at a printing company. He just happens to enjoy wearing school girl clothes because, as he said in an interview, “I thought the sailor suit had a cute image. So, I was interested in seeing if I too would become cut if I put on a sailor suit.” Well, the answer, good sir, is a solid, unquestionable YES!
But in addition to his day job and his plethora of hobbies, it looks like Sailor Suit Old Man is also developing a side career as a guest lecturer!
What you see directly above is a close up of the press release from Waseda Juku, a prep school for middle and high school students getting ready for college entrance exams, announcing the lecture. As the press release explains, they’ve asked Sailor Suit Old Man, who also happens to be an international patent holder, to give a special lecture about “A Rich & Happy Life” and the importance of studying hard. As someone with a grin that infectious, he certainly seems like the right person for the job!
Unfortunately, it looks like the lecture is meant for middle and high school students. Maybe if we all put on our best school girl outfits, they won’t be able to tell the difference. Someone get Mr. Sato some high socks and a skirt!
Sources: Waseda Juku, ITMedia, Naver Matome, GrowHair
Images: Twitter (@GrowHair),



Ladybeard x Sailor Suit Old Man star in “dream collaboration” at school!
When Ladybeard meets “Sailor Suit Old Man”, it’s an explosion of manly cuteness【Photos】
Sailor Suit Old Man’s mobile game just as cute and fun as the man himself
This stoic gentleman is Sailor Suit Old Man?!?
Finally, the Ladybeard and Sailor Suit Old Man wrestling match you’ve been waiting for
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Japanese city gets its very own Starbucks Frappuccino for a limited time
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Top Secret Cookie Recipe Finally Comes to Light
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply