Talk about too cool for school. Some high schools are adopting uniforms that draw on contemporary cultural influences such as manga.

It is a continuation of a trend that began in the student counterculture movements of the late 1960s and 1970s. Schools at that time began abolishing military-style uniforms in the hopes of placating rebellious students.

Uniforms are now a factor in students' choice of school. Some of them insist that it should be by a well-known designer, perhaps incorporating cultural touchstones such as manga influences.