BREAKING: Legendary Actor Shimiken RETIRES, S1's 20th Anniversary Crazy Surprise, Unpai Joins Moodyz & More!

Here's a rundown of some of the top stories that happened in November

In what might be one of the biggest headlines this month and even this year, Ken Shimizu, popularly known as Shimiken, has quietly retired from the industry after over two decades of dedicated service to some of the hottest women on earth.

Contrary to how many of his female contemporaries often announce their retirement with events and all the noise that one could think of, Shimiken chose a more understated exit. The legendary male actor born in 1979 had reduced his workload since the end of 2023 before officially ceasing to shoot JAVs in April 2024

Since retirement loomed over his head, Shimiken took to YouTube in an emotional interview. In the interview, he shared that he began reducing his workload as early as October 2023, feeling it was time to slow down after decades in the industry.

By April 2024, Shimiken completed his final shoot, marking the end of an era in his extensive career. He also clarified that (in the interview below), unlike many in the field, he chose not to film a specific "retirement work" as a closing chapter. Shimiken's career has spanned over 20 years, making him a rare male icon in the female-dominated JAV industry.

According to sources, Shimiken was offered a lucrative deal from a Taiwanese retail food giant. Reports suggest that Shimiken was invited to collaborate with the company, with an enticing eight-digit salary on the table. This is similar to what he received in Japan. However, this is still a huge amount, enough for any film producer (or advertising partner) to consider it carefully before inviting Shimiken.

This reminds me of the time when he launched a food joint in the middle of Tokyo with a dish that resembled & tasted like human feces. Uh-uh, we ain’t falling for that trap this time! Anyway, it was a bad idea and the restaurant shut down even faster than it had launched.

Shimiken's two-decade-long career has been marked by his versatility, dedication, and undeniable talent. He has collaborated with countless actresses, explored numerous genres, and consistently delivered captivating performances. His contributions to the industry have been immeasurable, and his influence will be felt for years to come.

As Shimiken embarks on a new chapter, fans and industry peers alike wish him all the best. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain.

In a recent gossip-worthy development, Tiktok influencer turned JAV sensation Unpai has finally confirmed her departure from S1 after her subsequent move to rival studio Moodyz, "Hello to everyone who always supports me! It's Unpai. This may be sudden, but I've decided to move to MOODYZ."

Recently, on her personal Instagram, the fan-favorite Tiktok influencer turned AV actress Unpai, who’s currently exclusively to S1, took to the platform to post a pic that at first glance looks like a cut from the cover photo of one of her debut JAV, while captioning the post as “There will be a big announcement in November for friends”.

The exact reasons behind Unpai's decision remain undisclosed if gossip is to be believed that a combination of factors influenced the move. S1, despite being a powerhouse in the industry, has a roster of top-tier talents such as Saika Kawakita and Yu Tano. With limited resources and opportunities for further growth, Unpai's potential seemed to have reached its peak and it may have compelled her to look for opportunities elsewhere, "I've been releasing works at S1 for 2 years and 9 months, and I've had a lot of different experiences because the taste and works were only available at S1. I'm happy I was able to come to S1!"

Moodyz, on the other hand, has always been a formidable force in the adult industry, with a strong focus on high production value and far more innovative content than S1. On top of that, Moodyz' roster boasts talented actresses like Mio Ishikawa, and Rena Miyashita who have consistently delivered exceptional performances for the studio. However, it’ll be interesting to see the addition of Unpai to this already impressive lineup.

It began with Unpai recently publishing a story featuring Rikka Ono on her Instagram, and for those wondering, the latter is currently exclusively to Moodyz, while also making a statement that the two had just filmed together, if not JAV, then maybe for their individual Fantia. But, but wait… there’s more. From images that were leaked recently, it could be presumed that the two just did the bus tour series, the famous Moodyz series starring dozens of different actresses going on an annual bus adventure.

I came across a few comments with an overall belief that Moodyz may not be the ideal destination for Unpai. With the recent additions of Himari, Sakura Miura, and Tomo Shirawa further solidified its position. Unpai, while undoubtedly talented, may struggle to carve out a niche in such a competitive environment.

A part of me tells that this move could be a strategic gamble for Unpai. By transitioning to Moodyz, she may have the opportunity to explore new creative projects and collaborate with renowned directors. Here's Unpai confessing, "The reason I moved this time is because there was work I wanted to do at MOODYZ. I'd be happy if you could see a new Unpai again. I want to create lots of cool work! I'll do my best to meet the expectations of all MOODYZ fans, so I hope you'll support me! I want to continue making naughty, fun, and exciting works in 2025!"

Considering Moodyz’s reputation for innovative plots and experimenting with different genres could provide Unpai with the platform after all, that she needs to elevate her career

Ultimately, the success of Unpai's move to Moodyz will depend on a variety of factors, including her ability to adapt to the studio’s style, her chemistry with the directors, and the quality of her performances. If she can successfully navigate these challenges, she may be able to re-establish herself as a leading figure in the industry.

However, if she fails to make a significant impact, her career could stagnate, and she may find herself relegated to part-time freelance work. In such a scenario, a future move to agencies like Tameike Goro or Madonna, the latter famous for onboarding mature actresses, could be on the cards.

Whether Unpai's decision to leave S1 and join Moodyz will prove to be a wise one is a debate we save for some other date. While you’re at it, the trailer of her latest JAV just dropped. Let us know in the comments down below, how you like it!

Get over Unpai & her bus tour with Moodyz, we’ve back to special releases by S1 this holiday season, as it prepares to commemorate its 20th anniversary. Think more of Hollywood’s love affair with Christmas movies at this time of the year. Out of all the JAVs coming out, the most anticipated one that caught my eye has to be SONE-560, after all, it is a star-studded extravaganza featuring 24 of S1's exclusive talents in one freakin JAV!

While the prospect of seeing so many of the studio’s cream talents in a single JAV is undoubtedly thrilling, fans can't help but feel a tinge of disappointment at the absence of a few notable names from the list. For the unversed, Aoi Tsukasa, Aika Yumeno, Konan Koyoi, Mei Washio, and Nagi Hikaru, among others, are noticeably absent from the cast. Maybe they couldn’t provide dates for the specified schedules.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the beginning of S1's 20th-anniversary celebration. Readers will be glad to know that, the studio has lined up seven special releases over the next six months, promising even more exciting collaborations and amazing JAVs as part of the celebration. So, I guess there is a chance for your favorite S1 darling to appear in a future JAV after all.

With the release of SONE-560 on December 6th, it's worth speculating about the potential lineup for the remaining six films. Given the impressive roster of talent at S1, fans can expect to see a wide range of actresses, from seasoned veterans to up-and-coming newcomers.

While the specific details of these upcoming releases are still under wraps, industry insiders have hinted at some tantalizing possibilities. Some rumors suggest that S1 may be planning a series of themed JAVS, exploring different genres and fetishes. Others speculate that the studio may be focusing on showcasing the talents of individual actresses, with each film featuring a single star.

Regardless of the specific format, one thing is certain: S1's 20th-anniversary celebration is shaping up to be an unforgettable event. With a legacy of groundbreaking films and iconic performers, the studio is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of adult entertainment.

With SONE-560 and the subsequent films in the series, it'll be interesting to see what's more in wraps for S1's 20th anniversary.

Wrapping up this column with Miyu Aizawa Not only has she lost her exclusive contract with S1, but the recent closure of her agency, Alp, has further complicated her future in JAV.

Here’s a quick summary of the actress before we delve into the gossip. Miyu started as a member of girl band BBT and she made her exclusive debut with S1 on December 12, 2023. Her debut work ranked third in the FANZA Video Floor Weekly AV Ranking in the first week of her debut, she mentioned being thankful to S1 for the opportunity. "If I'm going to do AV, I want to be No. 1! That's how my life as an actress began. I was grateful to be able to debut with Japan's number one actress maker, and I'm grateful that they decided on me."

Now back to the gossip, Alp (renewed name), a merger of All Group, AllPro, and Arrows, has been facing significant challenges, including a boycott by eight other agencies that have restricted its ability to participate in any sort of industry related deals or activities. This boycott, coupled with the loss of numerous actresses, has pushed the agency to the brink of collapse.

The impact of Alp's closure is far-reaching, affecting not only the 21-year-old but also other talented actresses such as Ena Yamo, Mei Itsukaichi, and Miyu Hakumine. While the latter two have remained relatively silent on the matter, did not post anything about the situation of the agency, especially since Miyu Shiromine was still participating in the Efukai in December.

Miyu chose to confess her motive to leave S1, "When it was time for my contract renewal, I decided to change my format from S1 exclusive to individual projects! I was thankfully able to renew my contract at the one-year mark, but after working for this year, I felt a strong desire to increase the frequency of my work and increase the opportunities for people to see me, and when I imagined myself in four months' time, I decided to transition rather than renew."

With her agency gone, Aizawa faces significant hurdles in continuing her career. The industry's strict regulations require actresses to be affiliated with a legitimate agency to participate in film shoots and public events. Without a new owner or a new agency to represent her, Aizawa's future as an AV actress hangs in the balance. she was originally scheduled to go to Taiwan for her first overseas event but had to cancel it due to the closure of her agency.

But I believe that Miyu Aizawa will not talk nonsense. Unless the PR team that helps her translate makes a mistake, Alp will go bankrupt. As for why a good brokerage company "disappeared"? The reason is still the same. It was boycotted by eight other agencies and refused to perform on the same stage. After a large number of actresses were lost, the business was in crisis.

Although the actress Ema Yano debuted with a signing bonus of 100 million yen and reorganized and after having streamlined the company's HR, it seems that she still couldn't hold on.

"I knew it wasn't a world that would work out that easily, but I found myself wanting to immerse myself in it even more. I have ambition, and I want to gain experience and get bigger. I'll do my best even in a new form, so please give me your support. Sometimes things don't go the way I imagined. If I could be greedy, I would have liked to stay an S forever, but whether it worked out or not is my value system, so I can't say for sure."

The implications of Alp's downfall extend beyond individual careers. The industry's power dynamics have been disrupted, and the potential for further consolidation or fragmentation remains to be seen. Other agencies may follow suit, forming alliances or merging to survive in this increasingly competitive landscape.

As fans and industry observers anxiously await updates on Aizawa's situation, she delved into how she has already gotten started in her works, "In these last five months, I have already shot more than twice as many works as I did in the last year, so I feel like I have a different kind of old-fashioned brain than when I was an exclusive actress, and it's a lot of fun!! I think you'll be able to see a new me from now on, so please look forward to it! Thank you to everyone who has come to love me as an S1 exclusive actress! I hope you will continue to support me as I have in the future!"

The challenges faced by Alp serve as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of the business and the importance of adaptability and resilience.

We'll keep bringing you more such updates at ZENRA, to hop on the fan wagon follow us on Twitter