“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
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa