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Who is Jin Kazama?
Is he a fighter? Definitely. A devil? If the horns and wings are any indication, yes. A terrorist? According to multiple governments, also yes. A fashion icon?
In the past decade, there has been no bigger fashion celebrity than the Lightning of Fate himself.
Over the years, Jin has effortlessly guided dozens of fashion trends. Oversized leather biker jackets? A Jin staple. Black workout pants with red flames? A trend that started after a paparazzo leaked a photo of Jin at the gym. The millions of black hoodies with wings and horns? They're all looking to copy Jin flying through the sky as he defeats enemies in a demonic flurry of kicks and punches.
Still, the question remains. Exactly who is Jin Kazama? And what is it about his fashion style that's made him the world's most unexpected fashionista?
Jin's sudden appearance in the fashion world was that of a flash lightning. Unexpected, explosive, and an indication of the storm that was to come.
Little is known of Jin's personal background. We know he was trained in martial arts, went to the Mishima Polytechnical School, and first showed off his fighting chops in the third King of Iron Fist Tournament. But besides that, getting more details out of the man is as difficult as getting an interview with him in the first place.
Despite his elusive nature and distaste for news reporters, Jin has been a prominent figure in the media ever since he took a stand against Kazuya Mishima, the Cold Blooded Leader of G Corporation. His fame only grew when he was revealed to be Mishima's son, and a devil to boot.
While many assumed that his horns and demonic form would detract his many fans, his popularity only grew.
These supernatural elements add an extra mystery to Jin. Where did this demon form come from? Why has he not used his power to raze the Earth to the ground? And why is his demon form so attractive?
We may never know, and maybe that's the key to his popularity. The never-ending mystery that's only gets more and more compelling.
For many, Jin comes off as rude and standoff-ish. Why else would he be ignoring everyone who wants to get a straight answer out of him? But it's also important to remember that Jin never asked for fame. He was never a model, and never consciously sought to make a name of himself in the fashion world.
Maybe he's not one for talking with strangers. Maybe he's extremely protective of his privacy. Whatever the reason, the air of mystery is alluring for many of his fans.
It also helps that he looks stunning in every outfit he tries on.
Jin's wardrobe is striking, bold, and deceptively simple. His clothes are more practical than superfluous, consisting of many pieces that are easy to move in (he is a fighter, after all). But it's the little details, like the flame stitching on his leather jacket or workout pants, that add a touch of flair to the outfit. It gives him a cohesive and consistent style that has followed him throughout the years.
Imitating Jin's style without outright copying it is a challenge and a half. But it pales in comparison to getting a clear picture of the man.
While most models and fashion idols are photographed on the red carpet, Jin Kazama is usually photographed during a high-stakes battle. If not there, then photographers capture moments of him walking down the street or entering imposing office buildings. Particularly savvy reporters have even tracked him to remote training halls in the mountains.
The famous photograph of Jin meditating in black and gold sweatpants, while shirtless, was taken at a dojo in rural Japan. The original maker of the sweatpants turned millions in profit overnight as people flocked to get the same garment. In less than a month, over ten brands churned out form-fitting t-shirts with the design of Jin's abs on the front.
Yes, everyone wants to look like Jin Kazama.
Unfortunately, despite many people's efforts, Jin has refused any and all interviews. He is infamous for avoiding them at all costs, to the point where the only quotes reporters get from him come from shouts in the middle of a heated battle or an off-the-cuff quip he barks out before slinking away from interviewers and their microphones.
Even when one reporter managed to track him to a remote mountain range in Mongolia, Jin didn't give him a single word to quote. This evasiveness has made it difficult for fans and critics alike to get an insight into his mindset regarding the fashion world.
Still, a lack of direct information has led to waves of theories and debates. Famed designers write detailed articles about Jin's fashion evolution. Wave after wave of YouTube videos theorize about his opinions on the couture world. There's also a popular subreddit, r/KazamaInStyle, that has spawned thousands of discussion posts. All this has also inspired the creation of "Runway Jin", an indie video game title set to release early next year, that includes an in-depth dress-up mechanic.
Yes, we will be playing "Runway Superstar Jin" when it comes out. And yes, we will review it in a future issue of our publication.
Until then, we are here to speculate about what Jin thinks about his status in the fashion world. On one hand, it's easy to say that he doesn't care, or else he'd connect with it more. But on the other hand, being a fashion icon doesn't necessarily equate to being in-touch with the media. There have been plenty of fashionistas who prefer to stay out of the limelight, only shining in public for one bright moment before returning to their private lives.
Who knows? Beneath the spiky hair and leather jackets, maybe Jin Kazama is a designer diva in demon disguise.
But the most fascinating and intriguing aspect of all this is the sheer effortlessness of it. Unlike other trendsetters, who are usually up-to-date with the newest designers and styles, Jin seems uninterested in any of it. He appears to just wear what he wants, with no concern to the reaction of his millions of fans.
This gives him an air of genuineness. Authenticity. He doesn't wear clothes for the sake of impressing anyone. He just wears what he likes.
And that's the exact attitude that draws in his fanbase. That's the reason why, against all odds, Jin Kazama is the newest fashion icon of the 21st century.