Guys, it’s time to go beyond your standard centre part or modern mullet, and explore these manga-inspired hairstyles for men. From windswept waves to textured layers, everyday hair looks are elevated in favour of styles sported by Shoujo manga’s best-tressed leading men.
Are these manga hairstyles made more for the woman’s gaze? Perhaps. While Peaky Blinders‘ fades have certainly kept barbers busy over the past few years, the tide is turning towards gentler, fluid styles. Think: sexy tendrils that sweep the face or the smouldering, tousled bed-head look. Consider this a new, healthy expression of masculinity: toxic ideals are left in favour of softer, confident displays of man/manehood.
To some, “it’s just hair” however one can’t deny the power that hair holds in changing a man’s narrative. Like dreamboat Shoujo manga characters, these looks have an element of romance and are expressive in style.
If you can’t foresee yourself sporting space buns on the trading floor, never discount a classic: clean, natural look that translates to handsome waves. For hair that feels soft, resilient, and healthy after every wash, try K18’s Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo.
Time to cast predictability to the wind with these hot manga hairstyles for men.
1 / 5
Vampire Knight
Channel your inner ikemen (Japanese for ‘cool man’) with piecey, textured strands. Ouai’s Matte Pomade helps to do just that, while adding volume and body if you’re in a pinch.
Epiphany wears singlet, model’s own; Yves Saint Laurent biker jacket
2 / 5
From Me to You
Romantic tendrils get the airtime they deserve with this effortless half-up, half-down style. Activate your curls with Kevin.Murphy’s Killer Curls. The antioxidant-rich, anti-frizz curl-defining cream brings vigour back to coarse, curly or naturally wavy hair. Rake through clean, damp hair and rock on.
Rusydi wears singlet, necklace, and rings, model’s own
3 / 5
Tsubaki-Chou Lonely Planet
Sculptural and whimsical, play it both ways in this dimensional artful style. For precision-perfect styling, Vogue Man loves Aesop’s Tame Hair Serum. The lightweight formula infused with reviving notes of petitgrain and bergamot will show frizz and flyaway strands who’s boss.
Rusydi wears blazer, model’s own
4 / 5
Love is Hard for Otaku
Cheat youthful layers with Claymation by Hanz De Fuko, available at Sephora. Warm a pea-sized amount in your hands before aggressively scrunching and raking it into your ends for that slept-in look.
Epiphany wears singlet, model’s own
5 / 5
Bishōnen Boy
To make a fun and fluid impression with hair, this space bun-style is sure to turn heads at your after-dark haunt. We’re partial to Saint Laurent’s bandana print poplin scrunchies, but a simple elastic does the trick.
Anthony wears shirt from Gucci
Photography: Zantz Han
Beauty Director: Alli Sim
Hair: Junz Loke
Make-up: Kenneth Chia
Associate beauty editor and words: Emily Heng
Photographer assistant: Jaron Tay
Beauty assistants: Verity Cheng and Celeste Lee
Models: Epiphany Cheng/NOW Models Management, Rusydi Naf/Titan Digital Media, and Anthony Podolinsky
