And no, you can’t pick “All of the above.”
Last spring Japanese illustrator and Twitter user @niichi021 touched off an Internet debate when he asked his followers to pick between two schoolgirls he’d drawn who were equally cute in totally different ways. While it’s still a couple of months too early for spring fever, @niichi021 has girls on the brain once again, as he’s back with another schoolgirl showdown, this time with a winter theme.
Some people in Japan take fashion extremely seriously, and it’s not unusual to see young ladies sporting short skirts even in the dead of winter. On the other hand, some people don’t see the point in rocking the hottest fashions if they’ll drop your body temperature.
Putting his artistic skills to use, @niichi021 personified these two disparate sets of values with this new drawing of two schoolgirls, then posed the question of who’s cuter.
「寒くても(主にスカート丈の)こだわりを捨てずにがんばる女の子」と「全てを投げ捨てぬくぬくを優先する女の子」です。
— にいち (@niichi021) January 26, 2016
お好きなほうをお選びください。 pic.twitter.com/8JcDIBM7vj
Let’s take a look at the artist’s notes for each.
The girl who can’t give up on dressing fashionably, even when it’s cold
“Uhhh…I’m going numb…”
● Regrets not at least wearing a scarf.
● Puts on hand lotion to try to ward off frostbite.
● Even though it’s winter, still rolls her skirt up three times at the waist to make it shorter.
● Despite the cold, keeps on wearing her favorite pair of loafers.
● Secretly sticks kairo (adhesive warming packs) on her back for a little extra warmth.
And her opponent…
The girl who prioritizes feeling warm above anything else
“Can’t wait to get home and get into the kotatsu.”
● No matter what, has her warm fur earmuffs.
● Wraps her long scarf around herself several times.
● The warmest coat that’s still allowable under the school dress code
● Wears gloves (obviously).
● Has multiple layers of warm shirts on.
● Doesn’t care one bit about rolling up her skirt.
● Extra warm 210-denier stockings
● Boots that can only be described as “clunky”
@niichi021’s artwork has gained him quite a following on social media, and his shortly after asking his followers which girl they preferred, he had a whopping 57,775 responses, with the practically dressed girl on the right winning a landslide victory with 70 percent of the votes.
あなたの好みはどっちですか?
— にいち (@niichi021) January 26, 2016
Of course, we all know that the true judges of beauty and fashion are the readers of RocketNews24, so let us know which look melts your frozen heart.
Source: Kai-You, Twitter/@niichi021

Manga’s touching take on pressuring non-black-haired kids to dye hair in some Japanese schools
Six ways to spot someone who just moved to Tokyo
Japan’s schoolgirl roomwear outfits are ready for winter with new, extra-warm versions
No more miniskirts? Changes happening in Japanese schoolgirl uniform fashion trends
Japanese Twitter user illustrates the difference between schoolgirl uniforms in major cities
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Anime art book teaches you to draw the subtle mannerisms that make women beautiful…and butts
Dumb Japanese school dress codes — Coronavirus winter edition
Anime artist illustrates the differences between Japanese fashion now and ten years ago
Manga artist wants Japanese teachers to feel, for two seconds, how dumb their girls’ dress code is
Five Cute Things Girls Do in Winter: Japan’s Men Share their Favourites
Hello Kitty goes back to the ‘90s for Sanrio’s kogyaru schoolgirl collection【Photos】
Studio Ghibli scarves, gloves and bags will keep you warm this fall and winter
Japanese schoolgirl points out an especially dumb part of her school’s “no tights” dress code
Manga about 40-something man’s relationship with daughter’s schoolgirl friend sparks controversy
What if One Piece was a girls’ comic? Shojo manga artist produces character redesign【Pics】
Manga materials website offers thousands of reference poses for budding artists to download