“Kabe-don” ranked among Japan’s top anime buzzwords of 2014. Facing a woman with her back on the wall, the man places his hand on the wall beside her with a “don!” (the Japanese sound routinely used to represent something hitting a hard surface), with his face close to hers. This situation common in girls’ comics is also frequently seen in TV dramas and movies, and many young women who watch this scene dream of finding themselves in a similar situation with the object of their affections.
But is the ago-kui set to be 2015’s kabe-don and among its most-used phrases?
A new “Mune-kyun” (heart-thumping) action is being talked about all over Japan right now. Using the thumb and the forefinger and lightly lifting somebody’s chin, a move known as “ago-kui” (ago means chin, and kui is an onomatopoeia for the sound of lifting the chin), this small gesture is a romantic step ahead of kabe-don, and gives the impression that a kiss could be just seconds away.
Nozomi Maeda, also known as “Mae-non” and who is a model of the popular magazine POPTEEN, recently received attention for posting her own “ago-kui” photo on Twitter. Fans immediately commented, “Mae-non’s ago-kui is so cute!” and “I’m in love with Mae-non’s ago-kui!”
Along with “Kabe-don”, it seems like many women quite like it when the men whom they are already attracted to are slightly – but only playfully – forceful. The reason why ago-kui is popular, it seems, is because it is much more likely to happen than kabe-don. Some girls have commented online, saying, “Ago-kui is one step before kissing, so that’s what makes it exciting,” or, “I get a tingle just by having my face lifted up by him.” Others felt that ago-kui is infinitely more moe than kabe-don, making it a shoo-in for becoming one of this year’s weird little trends.
Why don’t you try this one with your girlfriend and see what her response is?
More from Tokyo Girls’ Update
10 girls, 10 wall-pounds – Female kabe-don is here!
Fending off unwanted Kabe-don: A guide
Woman on commuter train thinks she’s getting a romantic kabe-don, seems guy would rather beat her
Superheroes, furry creatures, and Hello Kitty’s friend all get in on the kabe-don action
Three shojo manga/anime scenes Japanese survey respondents wish would happen to them
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki says the anime industry’s problem is that it’s full of anime fans
Behold! It’s a rare 7-Eleven “Grand Opening Commemorative Lucky Bag”
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Exhibit featuring cutting-edge smell technology held at Tokyo Skytree
Final Fantasy Chocobo and Dragon Quest Slime street sweets on sale in Tokyo【Taste test】
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】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
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
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Leave a Reply