Gangs in Japan

The Gangs of Japan are unique in Cyberpunk universe.

Overview

Japanese society is very socially strict with an emphasis on being respectful and contributing to the country. Individualism is not something emphasized and is seen as selfish. Because of these ideals held, Japan has a lot of gangs. Younger kids usually high schoolers are more likely to get fed up with the school systems, and become rebellious. These kids who want to be free of the restricting uniforms and rules of their school then show their individuality by joining gangs with strict uniform codes and rules. No matter where they go The ideals of respect, honor, and loyalty are always present whether in civil society or gangs. The three main types are Bosozoku, Teamers, and Posers.

Bosozoku

Bosozokus, or 暴走族, can be translated to mean "motorcycle gang", but more closely means "violent run tribe". The name was given literally to describe the lifestyle associated with the fashion style. These gangs are motorized based that roam the cities and highways of Japan with highly customized motorcycles to display their personality. These are tightly large groups of individuals with specific ranks and titles. The Bosozoku charge fees, chant different slogans, and also have regulated uniforms. The leaders are known as atama or socho and are always the senpai of the younger recruits. The second in command is known as fukucho or sabu. The grunts or regular members of the gangs are called ningen or heitai. The most common form of Bosozuku are the motorcycle riders, while the richest of the bosozokus usually have nice customized cars. That being said all the vehicles that are used by the Bosozoku always are painted with loud colors, designs, and logos, while also customizing the bikes or cars with metal teeth, claws of the front, flags on the back, and special unique seats. They also make a habit of revving up their engines as loud as possible in populated areas, causing much mayhem, and trashing the streets in the process. Bosozokus will wear jumpsuits, known as tokko-fuku, which are elaborately embroidered, or the uniforms of manual laborers. The embroidery many include kanji army slogans, patriotic rising sun patches, ancient Chinese characters, or even manji. These jumpsuits are often worn open to reveal haramaki, or bandages wrapped around the torso, and are paired with baggy pants and military boots. Some Bosozoku wear the standard motorcycle leather, but it's way more common to wear satiny armored jackets with kanji forming different slogans. Female bosozokus would follow the same style with long, dyed hair with excessive makeup. There are all-female Bosozoku gangs usually called "Ladies Teams" who may or may not be affiliated with the other gangs. They usually are very similar to the other gangs, except just females and extravagant wear. They are also called yankis. All Bosozoku and Ladies go on to be professional drivers, mechanics, or runners after leaving the gangs or on occasional would go on to join yakuza clans.

Teamers

Teamers, or chiimaa, are types of zoku groups or cliques of frustrated Junior High and High School students. Teamers used to rule the streets of Shibuya, rolling-and-patrolling in their cars, stopping only to pick fights with rival groups infringing on their territory. They're not often seen in public like Bosozokus and are not as popular. Most Teamers are often found under bridges, street corners, alleyways, or the slums drinking and smoking to their hearts content. Around 90% of them are drop outs frustrated from the education system. They are the opposite of the Yakuza when it comes to committing petty crime, usually paid to cause mayhem. They wear a variety of fashionable clothes or leisure wear.

Posers

By the 1970s, posergangs were on the rise in Japan. Twice a year the Otakus (Manga/Anime fans) would have a Komike. During the beginning of this the Otakus would wear cosplays of their favorite characters. This start of Kosupure (コスプレ) grew to be very popular, and once it hit the mid 1980s groups of street dancers in cosplay appeared all over Tokyo. Who were then kicked out by other existing gangs.

In the year 2000, the Komike became one of the largest counter-culture event in the entire world, with more then 700,000 people attending which also included foreign otakus. There was an estimate of around 50,000,000 Eb that changed hands in and around the Komike free market. Anime, manga, and video games made Japan the biggest market in the world for consumption of media entertainment, which led to many events for the rest of the emerging sub-cultures like: Militarist, Hackers, Historians, Gays/Lesbians, Rockers, Bikers, Weapon Experts, and so much more all come together in these large gatherings where everyone could get along.

During the difficult times the Poser Gangs reemerged as guardians of the subculture, this was to keep their characters alive in people's memories. Arasaka occasionally used Bosozoku or Teamer gangs to run ops on the posers. With this spread of VR/Braindance anime, the Posers continued to grow in strength. In the modern day there are three major poser types in Japan: Grapplers, Metalmaxes, and Chambaras.

Grapplers

These are based on various characters from different video games, manga, and anime. They usually gather in the Ge-sens (game centers) and fight each other in VR or arcades, and occasionally on the streets. Most of them have Martial Arts and Action Game skills, as well as the cyberware and illegal weapons. One of the most popular weapons used by the Grapplers is a cyber-shotgun with rubber bullets. Using this actually requires the users to shout "Sonic-fist" or similar battle cries. Real slugs can also be used, but are rarely seen. Many grapplers are found in Arcades much of them are Netrunners and Techies.

Chambaras

These are based on myths, legends, and Jidaigeki (These are period piece films that feature Samurai, Ninja, and Yakuza). Jidaigeki films are also known as Chambara. Though they aren't limited to Japanese history, there are also "Round Table" Chambaras, as well as those who mimic the Chinese "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" tales, as well as "Greek Mythology" and "Celtic Legends." Chambaras are usually from definite eras, places, or stories (History or legends). They will also take on many characters, and in the more fanatic gangs, some will get Exotic treatments, and become either Yokai (Monsters) or Bakamono (Ghost and Demons). Chambaras more often than not practice Martial Arts skills. They can also be found in libraries, or historical places in Japan: Asakusa, Kanda, and Ueno in Tokyo, Himeji Castle in Himeji, or piratically anywhere in Kyoto. Some might even have Doctorate levels of expertise in history and culture. Their Anime and Dojin-shi are very accurate. Many of them make money doing research and acting as extras in the backgrounds in various Chambara productions in Tokyo. On occasion many of them will act as guardians for specific areas, and many will receive funds from civic groups or corporations. The more right-wing gangers may also be recruited by Arasaka. The Nobunagas in North Kyoto are a good example local guardians. They often keep the Japanese public safe above all else. The main danger is getting caught between groups of traditional enemies.

Metalmaxers

The Metalmax Posers are strictly based on Mecha Anime and SF hero shows. They are often used as heavy security for other Poser gangs. Traditionally most of them wear Metalgear or Light Power Armor that is usually modified to resemble their idol, with the chunky robotic looking cyberware. There are also some that wear no armor (The PS's; Plucky Sidekicks), and even a few fanatics will have full body-plating, or become full body Cyborgs. Fortunately for them, the Japanese laws is okay with strong armor, even though it heavily restricts weapons. Due to the amount of Black-market cyberware that they use, Metalmaxes have the greatest potential for unprovoked violence of any poser group. Most of the money they get comes from the Black-market Dojin-shi, Gareki, or underground software. They also receive income from their own parents, who 97% of the time have no idea. All have Expert (Anime/Manga), as well as Paint or Draw skills. Some of the more highly skilled gangs will make a lot of money from sales of their own manga and Dojin-shi. Metalmaxes hang out around the manga/anime stores, figure shops, and armor dealerships. They can also be found around Grappler gangs, since they move in the same Dojin circles, and have the same enemies. The only difference between the Grapplers and Metalmaxes is that one is focuses on martial arts heroes, and the other group does mecha heroes.

Trivia

• Much of the gangs in Cyberpunk 2020 were based on real life movements in Japan during the 1970s to early 2000s. Besides Cosplay groups (Posers as they call them), most gangs such as Bosozoku and Chiimaa (Teamers) are not common anymore.