They’re called Love Livers (ラブライバー or rabu raibaa). And do they ever love schoolgirl anime Love Live. They even have the armor to prove it.
Love Live—sorry Love Live!—follows of group of students who start an idol girl group to keep their school from closing.
Diehard fans show their Love Live! affection by wearing a butt load of buttons, plush toys and other trinkets. The look is quite a sight to see—and quite costly. Buying all that Love Live! merch is not cheap.
The result, however, is what looks like anime armor.
But keep in mind, there is an element of tongue-in-cheek outrageousness with this fashion! It’s supposed to be overdone and unabashed. That’s the point.
Love Livers really started making waves online in Japan in 2014, but continue to pop up through last year’s Love Live! Sunshine!! anime and this month’s “Aqours First LoveLive! Step! Zero to One” concert.
On 2ch, it was pointed out that the anime’s hardcore female fans are also getting into the fashion. Be aware that not all Love Live! fans are into this fashion—not even by a damn sight—and this is really for the most hardcore of hardcore.
This story was originally published on November 10, 2014. It has since been updated.
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