"Snipping Hair at the Crown"... Why Is "Babo Meori" Trending Among China's Generation Z?

Breaking Away from Uniform Beauty Standards, Expressing Individuality
Inspired by Hairstyles from Japanese Animation

Grab a handful of hair from the crown of your head and snip it off with scissors. Some people even dye the hair so that the strands jutting upwards stand out more.

'Foolish Hair' Trending Among Generation Z in China. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu

According to Chinese media platform Radii on September 28, the so-called "Babo Meori" (Daimao), also referred to as "Foolish Hair," is drawing attention as a new hairstyle among Generation Z in China. This style originates from the hairstyles of characters that frequently appear in Japanese animation and manga, where it is also known as "Ahoge" (antenna hair).

A handful of hair is lifted up and cut to create a "Babo Hair" style. TikTok capture @akonya

The "Sticking-Up Hair" from Animation Becomes Reality

Animated characters with a single strand of hair sticking straight up from the crown have appeared for years. Usually, this is used as a device to express a free-spirited, innocent, or somewhat quirky personality.

A Gen Z Chinese person getting a 'foolish haircut' at a hair salon. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu.

Recently, young people in China are recreating this style as a real-life hairstyle. It's a way to break away from a perfectly polished appearance by deliberately creating a playful and offbeat look, highlighting their own individuality.

Babo Meori is also connected to China's so-called "2D culture," a fandom centered around virtual content such as animation, comics, and games.

The 'Aho-ge' hairstyle featured in animations. Screenshot from Pinterest

The younger generation integrates these animation elements into their real-world fashion and appearance, naturally expressing their favorite content and tastes. This trend also reflects a growing preference for individuality and fun over uniform standards of beauty.

"About Three Strands Are Key"... Tutorials Spreading on SNS

On Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin, videos and photos demonstrating how to create Babo Meori are spreading rapidly.

'Foolish Hair' Hair Tutorial in Korean: Photo (left) and Finished Look (right). Screenshot from Xiaohongshu

The key to styling is to lift a small section of hair at just the right angle. If the hair lies too flat or if too little is used, the quirky vibe doesn't come across; if too much hair is stiffly styled upwards, it loses the signature natural and comical effect.

For those who find it difficult to try a bold hairstyle at work or in other settings, hairpins with artificial hair attached have been released. These products let you create the distinctive upward "Babo Meori" look without having to actually cut your hair.

"Makes Your Face Look Smaller" vs. "Might Look Incompetent"

Online reactions to this styling trend are mixed. Some viewers of the tutorials commented, "Adding volume at the crown makes your face look smaller."

For those who cannot cut their hair immediately due to reasons such as work life, a 'Fool Hair' pin has even emerged. Screenshot from Xiaohongshu

On the other hand, others noted, "If you wore this hairstyle at work, it might give the impression that you're not competent." Some Generation Z users also shared, "When you're a student, you can try any hairstyle you want without restrictions. I'd like to enjoy this trend together with friends."

There is also a positive perspective on blending animation culture with real-life fashion and style. Some fans welcome this trend, saying, "It lets people express their favorite content and culture as part of their own individuality in everyday life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.