
What was your “best item for becoming a manly man” in the year 2024? We believe that everyone has their own best items, but OTOKOMAE has selected the most popular products in six categories related to fashion and beauty, based on a reader survey and product reviews by experts and our editorial staff.
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The Manly Man Awards for 2024 have been decided!What has worked best this year to make you more manly?
We nominated products that received a particularly strong response from OTOKOMAE readers, and from among the nominees, 10 experts, including writers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, in addition to OTOKOMAE’s editorial staff, gave their honest evaluations. The product that received the highest score in each of the three fashion and three beauty categories was selected as the Grand Prize winner. The products in the six categories that won this year’s grand prize are introduced in order from the wear items!
Manly Man Awards, Wear and Tops Category BATONER SIGNATURE WASO CARDIGAN
Batoner has been gaining popularity with each passing year as a leading domestic knitwear brand. Although the flagship store in Jingumae is not located in an easy-to-access area, it attracts many fans, and the number of select stores and department stores that carry the brand has increased considerably this year. The SIGNATURE series cardigans representing Buttner, which received high scores this time, were well received by OTOKOMAE readers, and all colors and sizes were sold out at the flagship store at an early stage. In addition to its simple, easy-to-use practicality and overwhelmingly high quality, the one-button kimono-like design that gives the product its name, “WASO,” also shines with individuality, and was extremely well received by the discerning stylists involved with OTOKOMAE and the successful models who often wear many of the garments in a year. The “OTOKOMAE” brand was highly praised by the discerning stylists involved in OTOKOMAE and the successful models who wear the brand’s clothes many times a year.
Manly Man Awards, Wear and Bottoms Category Carhartt WIP COLE CARGO PANT
In addition to the wide silhouettes that dominated the bottoms trend this year, cargo pants added a new element to the mix this year. men wearing wide cargo pants were also spotted at the Pitti Uomo in January and June, and OTOKOMAE’s editorial staff caught a snap of a man wearing a Car The snapshot of a man wearing a pair of wide cargo pants in hearts received a great response from our followers. In the reader survey results, Carhartt’s wide cargos received a large number of votes. 2024 saw many brands, from fast fashion brands to luxury brands, offering wide cargos, but Carhartt’s wide cargos are not only authentic in design and quality, but are also relatively easy to buy. In addition to its authentic design and quality, Carhartt’s relatively affordable price is considered one of the reasons for the high number of votes.
Manly Man Awards, Shoe CategorySalomon XT-6 GORE-TEX
These days The recent sneaker trend has been outdoor/sports-inspired, with volume-sole models being the focus of attention. Among them, Salomon’s XT-6 GORE-TEX was so often seen around town that it could be said to be the face of sneakers this year. At the peak of the season, the product was out of stock at both online and brick-and-mortar stores, making it difficult to buy even if you wanted it. In addition to the trendiness of the design, the slightly narrower foot shape, the fit and lightness of the shoes, which seem to hold the left and right sides of the foot and the footpads, are also attractive, and the comfort of the shoes, which seem to naturally follow your feet, is addictive. The standard design is this black with reflector tape, but new colors such as beige have also been introduced, further expanding their range as a fashion item this year.
Manly Man Award Shampoo & Conditioner CategorySUCCESS RESIL
Success has gained overwhelming recognition for its refreshingly masculine shampoos, but its new product, ” Success Resil,” launched in 2024, has created a stir with its completely new look. In addition to the sophisticated and modern bottle design, the shampoo has changed its direction from the soothing feel that has been synonymous with Success to a less harsh formulation containing plant-derived amino acid ingredients*1 to create a gentle shampoo that is less harsh on the hair and scalp. However, the shampoo still has the solid cleansing power to thoroughly remove styling products, which has been its main selling point. The conditioner is formulated so that it can be applied to the scalp, and when massaged into the scalp, the moisturizing ingredients penetrate the scalp, and the elastic coating ingredients*2 make hair bounce back from the roots. The shampoo was highly rated by experts for its cleansing power, design, fragrance, gentleness to scalp and hair, and bounce and body after washing, and received high scores for its high overall strength without any blind spots for men.
1 Arginine (moisturizing), *2 Sodium alginate derived from natural seaweed, Polyquaternium-52 (hair protection)
Manly Man Award, Skin Care and Lotion CategoryKANEBO Skin Harmonizer
Black Kanebo” appeared like a comet as a new comer in skincare items. Among the series, Skin Harmonizer, a refreshing skin toner, was a particularly big hit, scoring high in the category. Unlike ordinary lotions that simply moisturize and condition the skin, this new-generation skincare item has created quite a stir with its innovative approach to preventing sebum, which can cause dryness and rough skin, from penetrating the skin. It has also won numerous best cosmetic awards in 2024 from @cosme and other sources, and is highly regarded by beauty experts. The liquid consists of a 98:2 ratio of water and oil layers, and is designed to blend well with the skin by adding oil ingredients. Even though it contains oil, it does not feel sticky, and its refreshing feel has been well received by men as well. In a reader survey, there were many who said that they have adopted it in their skincare routine as soon as this year.
Manly Grand Prize in the skincare and serum categorySHISEIDO MEN Ultimune ™︎ Power Rising Concentrate
“Ultimune ™︎ Power Rising Concentrate” from SHISEIDO MEN, a pioneer in men’s cosmetics, won the Grand Prize. The product was featured in the article ” SHISEIDO MEN’s 4th Batter! Why is Black Al so popular? ” which featured the product, achieved 1.7 times the average number of page views and CTR of articles in the men’s beauty category, indicating the high interest of OTOKOMAE readers. The beauty essence is a time-consuming part of skincare, so its effectiveness and efficacy are of particular concern. What received particularly high marks from experts was its ability to retain moisture and its various efficacy designs tailored to the unique characteristics of men’s skin. The technology of the Triple Camellia GL Extract formula improves immunity, anti-oxidation, and damage recovery, reduces fine lines, roughness, and dryness, and provides long-lasting hydration for up to 32 hours.
* OTOKOMAE Grand Prize Selection Summary
The nominated products will be those that have received a favorable response from OTOKOMAE readers. Nominated products will be selected based on the following criteria
The lineup was carefully selected based on reader response and purchasing behavior, as well as the results of a survey. Products with at least 10,000 impressions, a CTR of at least 8%, a purchase rate of at least 3%, and the top 10% of all page views of the article in which the product was introduced. In addition, the product with the highest number of responses in the readers’ survey to select “products I have purchased and liked” and “products I would like to use. (OTOKOMAE Grand Prize Readers’ Survey Period: December 21, 2024, 18:00 – December 26, 2024, 18:00; IMP and other data collection period: December 21, 2023 – December 20, 2024)
OTOKOMAE editorial staff and experts such as writers, stylists, hair and makeup artists The nominated products are evaluated by OTOKOMAE editorial staff and experts such as writers, stylists, and hair/make-up artists. The product with the highest total points is selected as the grand prize winner in each category. The allocation of points and an overview of each evaluation index are as follows
(1) Expected Effectiveness (35P)
How much the product’s design, function and characteristics can contribute to ” manliness. For example, for sneakers, the focus is on whether the design and performance emphasize masculinity and style, or whether the functionality supports daily life. Evaluate whether the product can be expected to “work” based on your knowledge and experience as a specialist.
(2) Practicality and Lifestyle Adaptability (25P)
How well the product matches daily life. Emphasis is placed on ease of use, ease of incorporation into coordination, and whether the functionality improves daily style and comfort. The evaluation point is whether the product is useful in real life for readers who aim for a manly look.
(3) Trendiness and topicality (20P)
Focuses on whether the product is in line with contemporary men’s fashion and beauty trends, and whether it is topical. For example, beauty products that incorporate the latest technology or sneakers with trendy designs. The experts evaluate whether or not the products are current in the rapidly changing waves of fashion and beauty trends.
The experts will be persuasive in recommending the product as ” the product of choice now.
(4) Design/Visual Appeal (15P)
Refinement of appearance, design, materials and details. Impression when seen by others is also subject to evaluation. Measure the ” coolness of appearance ” necessary for manliness.
(5) Innovation/uniqueness (5P)
Points of differentiation compared to other products, presence of new technologies or approaches, and how well the product reflects modern values (e.g. sustainability). The uniqueness of the item as an item that works for men is a factor to be scored.