Fetish Amish
Jane Pinckard describes this year's otaku craze, Fetish Amish or Goth-Lolita. (Otaku or cosplay -- costume play -- is a Japanese pop phenomenon involving elaborate costumes of media characters or other imaginary people. See also Elvis)
The creepy cuteness is meant to disturb, to provoke. The "Lolita" is alluring, but the "Goth" says you might not like what you get. The Goth is twisted, in control of herself and of the Lolita. She's a little girl, but a fake little girl, because she's actually Death disguised, decay clothed in innocent frills. This over-elaborateness is meant to be attractive and repulsive at the same time.
Reversing out the title picture spoils it, and the piece gets off to a slow start, but if GameGirlAdvance's new zine, Play, can keep this up, it will change the game world.