"Ikemen" (JP) is a term for a grown male character who is cool, stylish, and incredibly handsome. They have a moderately muscular body with sharper, more masculine features, and a fashionable and clean appearance. They are always gentle to women and have a sense of mystery to them, remaining calm and confident. They both look and feel cool, and many people admire them.
Female characters with these traits are known as ikemen joshi.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Ikemen (イケメン) is a combination of "iketeru" (いけてる), meaning "cool, handsome, hot, stylish, fashionable", and "mensu" (メンズ), meaning "men".[2][3]
An ikemen is described as someone who is kakkoii (かっこいい), meaning "cool". They both look and feel cool, and many people admire them.[4]
The Ikémen Series romance games defined it as "Simply put, an ikémen is a hot guy - inside and out! He's sexy and romantic. He knows how to please you. He's romantic and kind. He's loyal and true. He always has your back. And he's ready to fall in love with you."[1]
Origin
The term originated sometime during the 1990s. It is commonly used to describe attractive celebrities, such as K-pop idols.[5]
Localization
When translated for English titles, it is usually localized as "handsome guy", "hot guy", or "good-looking guy".
Usage
Because this archetype includes the word "men" in its name, it only applies to grown men and is not used for young boys. The youngest characters to be officially called ikemen are in high school.[6]
History
The ikemen is a popular archetype in anime and manga.
Otome Games
The ikemen character is also a popular archetype in otome games (games for women). The most notable instance is the "Ikémen Series" by Cybird, which has an entire line of interactive romance games for women all themed around different types of ikemen. They are marketed as being able to "date the man of your dreams".[7]
Characteristics
Ikemen are characters created to be "the man of your dreams" who is the ideal woman fantasy and perfect boyfriend. They are a hot guy, inside and out. Someone who is sexy, romantic, and knows how to please you. Someone kind, loyal, and true, who always has your back."[1]
Traits that make someone an ikemen include:[4][8]
Appearance
- Handsome: They have a cool, well-formed, attractive face. They have sharper facial features that give a cool manly appearance. Rounder eyes are "cute", so they are designed with deep-set slender eyes that make them look cool and give the image of sharp intelligence.
- Muscular: They have a moderately muscular manly body. Because a muscle-free body can often look sloppy or unreliable, they will be conscious of this and make sure to stay fit. At the same time, a body that is too muscular can sometimes look scary, so they lean towards a slender and more athletic build. It is common for them to have six-pack abdominal muscles.
- Well-Dressed: They wear stylish, well-fitting clothes that bring out their natural attractiveness and make them look sharp. They are considered very fashionable and well-dressed.
- Cleanliness: They always care for their skin and keep a clean and fresh appearance. They have a well-groomed, clean-shaven face and smell nice. They also make sure to keep their clothes clean and wrinkle-free. They often use fabric softeners when washing their clothes to give off a clean scent.
Personality
- Mysterious: They have a sense of mystery about them. They look relaxed, not caring what other people think of them, and have a lot of boldness and confidence. They go about doing things in their own way.
- Low Voice: They speak in a lower, clearer voice which makes them sound more mature. It also gives off an impression of calmness and safety to women, which gives a good impression of their character.
- Gentle on Woman: They are always kind to women, being a gentleman and having a gentlemanly demeanor.
- Good Habits: They are put together. They have good habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly and taking care of themselves.
Differences From Other Archetypes
When compared to a bishounen/biseinen, an ikemen does not possess feminine or androgynous physical characteristics. Instead of a slimmer build with softer round features, they have a muscular build with sharper features and a cool, stylish appearance. Bishounen are also sometimes braggadocious about their appearance, while keeping a calm and well-mannered appearance is part of what makes an ikemen "cool". Additionally, ikemen does not have an upper age limit however it is only used for "men". Older teenagers may count if they have masculine features, but it is not used for young children.
Similar Japanese Archetypes
- Bishounen: A term for a beautiful young male character who has traditionally feminine beauty features.
- Ikemen Joshi: A term for a female character who looks like an ikemen.
List of Characters
Gallery
 Protagonist from Ikemen Bouzu wa Jorei Host  Protagonist from Hawawa! Ikemen-san ni Kyuuai Sarechaimashita!  Protagonist from Ikemen Cafe ni Youkoso  Several characters from Ikémen Kakumei  Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen  Several characters from Hanazakari no Kimitachi e |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 What's an Ikemen. Otome Game Ikemen Series (2024/06/28).
- ↑ How Do You Say "Ikemen" in English?. Kimini (2022/03/02).
- ↑ What is Ikemen. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2010/01/06).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 What Are the Conditions for an Ikemen?. Dcollection Men's Fashion.
- ↑ I Just Want To Be Comforted By An Ikemen♡ 33 Celebrities. 25ans (2023/10/31).
- ↑ Houkago no Ikemen Gohan. MyAnimeList (2017/12/20).
- ↑ "Ikémen Series" romance games. Cybird (2024/06/28). “Ikémen: A hot guy; the man of your dreams. Simply put, an ikémen is a hot guy - inside and out! He’s sexy and romantic. He knows how to please you. He’s romantic and kind. He’s loyal and true. He always has your back. And he’s ready to fall in love with you”
- ↑ 9 things that make an ‘ikemen' (hot guy). Japan Today (2012/09/26).