

In _Aobuta_ ("Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai"), the titular bunny-
girl Sakurajima Mai is shown wearing
[stockings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stocking) while attending school.

> [![Sakuta and Mai from Episode
> 11](https://i.stack.imgur.com/usGXSl.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/usGXSl.png)

It doesn't seem like this is a part of the regular school uniform, since no
other female student in the school is seen wearing stockings.

> [![Sakuta observing Mai at school from episode
> 1](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F1Efil.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F1Efil.jpg)

> [![Sakuta observing Mai at the train station from episode
> 1](https://i.stack.imgur.com/slp9Nl.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/slp9Nl.jpg)

How is Mai allowed to wear stockings at school? Is this just artistic license
to distinguish the main character in the series, and/or indicate her celebrity
status/background? Or, are (some) schools in Japan lax about their dress code
to this extent?


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rascal-does-not-dream-of-bunny-girl
Why is Mai allowed to wear stockings at school?


First of all, since no one is able to physically see Mai (other than people
who have the adolescence syndrome) it does not really matter what she wears.
Second, as you said it makes it easier to distinguish her from other
characters in the story. There is no rule in the school that stockings aren't
allowed. Even if stockings weren't allowed no one can see Mai.


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**The regulations on school uniforms in Japan vary.**

Considering Japan is experiencing 4 seasons and hence, winter season, some
schools allow tights on cold weather while others outright ban them.

Some questions on _Yahoo! Chiebukuro_ that supporting if wearing tights is
allowed:

  * [Is it weird to wear tights under a school uniform?](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1449690174) (Japanese) (November 2010)
  * [What is the best denier1 for tights under a school uniform?](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q10183340405) (Japanese) (December 2017)

1 [Denier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Units_of_textile_measurement#Denier):
a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers

While some schools outright banned them (and even made into news
internationally):

  * [Schoolgirls being told "tights are banned!" in a cold winter by their school become a hot topic](https://youpouch.com/2019/02/27/559367/) (Japanese) (February 2019)
  * [Japanese school explains why it won't let cold schoolgirl wear tights under her skirt](https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/school-explains-why-it-won%27t-let-cold-schoolgirl-wear-tights-under-her-skirt) (December 2018)

There are also some that _require_ the students to wear tights in certain
conditions even in spring/summer, like wearing black (and _only black_ )
tights for skirts above the knees.

  * [Is it weird to wear tights in spring/summer?](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q11146804546) (Japanese) (June 2015)

* * *

_Moving to the main topic..._

There is no detail about the regulation for Mai's school, so it can be assumed
that it is leaning to the looser one.

However, while the specific reference is not mentioned, the [Japanese
Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9D%92%E6%98%A5%E3%83%96%E3%82%BF%E9%87%8E%E9%83%8E%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA#%E4%B8%BB%E8%A6%81%E4%BA%BA%E7%89%A9)
mentions that

> 芸能活動の支障にならないよう日焼けを防止するため、夏でも大抵黒のタイツを着用している。
>
> **To prevent sunburn which may hinder her living as a celebrity talent, she
> also wears black tights even in summer.**
>
> (Emphasis added)

This is somewhat strengthened by her character introduction in [_Dengeki
Bunko_ 's heroines in swimsuit](https://dengekibunko.jp/3000/character/09/01/)

> **日焼けを気にして** 、デートでもなかなか素肌を見られる機会がないが、今回は、ファッション誌の撮影のために水着を着用。
>
> **Concerned about sunburn** , while her skin is rarely revealed even while
> dating, this time she is wearing a swimsuit for a fashion magazine photo-
> taking.
>
> (Emphasis added)


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