
Who knew awesome fashion could be so functional!
Last year, Kiyoyuki Amano set the internet on fire with his Hikaru Skirt, which used LEDs to light up the wearer’s zettai ryoiki, or “absolute territory,” the name of the skin visible between knee-high socks a skirt. The skirts delivered a delightfully futuristic take on fashion that appealed to everyone from Akihabara idols to anyone who just really likes LEDs.
And now he’s back with a new creation that kicks the futurism up a few notches!
▼ Introducing the Arm Skirt!
While the name is a bit obvious, we suppose, the Arm Skirt is certainly the kind of fashion breakthrough that proves Doctor Octopus was, indeed, a trendsetter. (Not that there was ever any question about Spider-man villain’s position as fashion leader. Just look at his haircut for proof!)
In addition to creating the Hikaru Skirt, Amano is also the creative director of Kayac, a “fun-loving” technology company, so if anyone was going to create robot skirt arms, he’d be the guy to do it! And while robotic arms poking out of a skirt are usually more associated with body horror, we have to admit Arm Skirt does look like a blast to wear.
▼ It can even help you stay hydrated this summer!
This time, it looks like Amano had some help from Amauchi Industries and bloommakeLab in the development of the Arm Skirt. And it’s clear they put a lot of work into this project — the arms have a highly polished look and move fairly smoothly. Sadly, they are apparently remote-controlled — the wearer activates preprogrammed movements with the controller — and not actually plugged directly into the user’s brain as we’d initially hoped. It’s both disappointing and understandable. We’re not sure we’d be willing to get brain surgery just to control a robot arm…
▼ Oh, who are we kidding, we’d definitely get that surgery!
Sadly, there’s no indication the Arm Skirt is actually going to go into production — limited or otherwise — so if you want your own Arm Skirt, you’ll probably have to make it yourself.
Of course, a project of this size would probably require a lot of work, but this would be the best smartphone holder/zattai ryoiki protector anyone could wish for!
On the other hand, if you’re just not in the mood to spend a year working on robot arms, you can still get your high-tech culture fix by checking out this stunning video of drones covered in LEDs dancing to tsugaru-jamisen music in front of Mt. Fuji. Sadly, we still don’t have drones designed to protect our precious zettai ryoiki, but maybe that’ll be Amano’s project for next year!
Sources: Net Lab, Kayac, Instagram/armskirt
Featured image: Instagram/armskirt

Glowing skirt lets you cosplay Hatsune Miku, show off your sexy thighs
Quaint robot ninja virtual sightseeing tours to be held in Kochi Prefecture
Is there a bone-chilling omission in this Japanese fashion model’s photo?
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japan’s ultra-classy overnight bus gives you your own sleeping pod【Photos】
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
Men Who Disappoint at Goukon (Group Blind Date), Nine Types That Shouldn’t Even Bother Showing up!
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
We try the Lawson chicken nuggets that Katy Perry went nuts for on Japanese television
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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