Japanese Comedian Tanabe Shares Photos From Her Past as a "Gyaru"

Tanabe Chika, a member of the Japanese comedy duo/group Boru-Juku, has surprised fans by sharing old photographs that reveal a dramatic physical transformation from her twenties, long before she became a well-known comedian.

According to the photos, Tanabe once weighed 85kg but later underwent significant weight loss, eventually reaching 53kg. The contrast between her past and present appearance has drawn considerable attention online, with many commenters expressing astonishment at how slim she appeared in the newly surfaced images.

The photographs also show that Tanabe previously embraced the "gyaru" subculture, a distinctive Japanese fashion movement typically associated with bleached or dyed hair, elaborate makeup and a bold, youthful style. Reflecting on this period, Tanabe said she had lightened her hair color to fit the look.

Tanabe further recounted spending time in Center Gai, a busy street in Shibuya renowned as a gathering spot for young people interested in fashion and nightlife. She described performing a dance style known as "para para," a once-popular form of club dancing in Japan characterized by synchronized hand and arm movements.

In addition to her dancing, Tanabe revealed that she had frequently visited nightclubs on a near-daily basis during this stage of her life, well before pursuing a career in comedy. She also mentioned that at the age of 27, she managed to achieve a long-held personal goal, although the exact nature of this achievement was not elaborated on in the original report.

The resurfaced images have sparked a wave of reactions from fans, many of whom were unaware of this earlier chapter in Tanabe's life. Comments highlighting her noticeable change, such as remarks on how "thin" she had become, spread quickly across social media platforms.

Tanabe is now recognized as a prominent figure in Japanese entertainment, performing as part of Boru-Juku. Her willingness to openly discuss her past, including both her physical transformation and her earlier lifestyle as part of Shibuya's youth culture, has been seen by many as a candid and relatable glimpse into her life before fame.