The Fall of R18

How could we not start but with the biggest news of the year. R18 is shutting down. The largest storefront for JAV internationally, the global side of Fanza/DMM is going under. The year started so well for Fanza too. Their competitors had their own troubles. New storefront HerHers shut down earlier this year. SOD and Prestige came back into the fold after leaving Fanza. But that was short lived. Fans saw the warning signs throughout the year. We saw certain tags getting censored within R18. Soon lots of titles of certain genres got wiped out of their library.

(its gone)

Japan AV Laws

This year the Japanese government lowered the legal age of adults from 20 to 18 years old. This set off a firestorm of controversy of the potential issue of 18 year old’s entering the AV industry without parental approval. Which led to the suspiciously quick approval of new AV laws passing. Laws that at face value intended to protect performers but instead made it much harder for performers to find work and studios to release their products. Law that were made with the input of the industry at large. On headlines it sounds as if these laws were made for the better of the AV industry but really only hurt it. A recurring theme with porn laws in recent history.

The Quiet War on Porn

This is all part of a larger crusade being fought against porn and on a more global scale. We’ve seen it through legislative bodies throughout the world but the main arm of it has been from credit card companies and banking. We saw Pornhub come under much scrutiny in recent news and as of writing they still do not take any credit cards. We saw OnlyFans announce the bizarre decision to leave porn in 2021 only to backtrack on it. Porn is under increased scrutiny. Some will say it’s for better accountability and protection for performers. But when you see that these laws are done with little input from the performers themselves and the effect it has on their careers. You question if it is to really make things better or if it is just to make it harder for the porn industry.

R18 Failed Fans

Ultimately it is R18 and Fanza that failed JAV fans. Reliance on a single payment method, continuing to release non-compliant genres that wouldn’t fly outside of Japan, and failing to adapt to the circumstances. At the moment there is no way to save the libraries of their customers. Once R18 shuts down they will all lose access to their videos thanks to R18’s DRM. With their shutdown goes the largest storefront for JAV internationally. Legally that is. It is hard to advocate for legal purchases of JAV when it is becoming so much harder to buy it. Right now you can’t browse the Fanza without a VPN. Hard to argue against piracy when the industry is doing itself no favors. I will say you can support JAV through ZENRA. You can buy legal, subtitled JAV and support the blog.

Eimi Fukada Hug Stunt

Well that was all a bit of a downer, we need some lighter stories. I need a hug after that and Eimi Fukada is ready to give it. The JAV superstar has slowed down a bit in JAV itself but outside of it she is still at the top. This year she announced a 24 hour hugging spree. In which she gave out approximately 3,163 hugs. A funny little stunt that was surprisingly picked up by many outlets outside of porn. Showing that Eimi can still command the headlines when she wants to.

High Profile Debuts

Every year brings in new debuts that enter JAV. We had TikTok stars like the popular Unpai and the dancing petite Meisa Nishimoto. We had a pair of competitive swimmers. Like Saki Shinkai who was a bronze medalist in the Youth Olympics. Late last year we had Momo Aoki another competitive swimmer. Something about the water is drawing girls to AV. Also late last year we saw short lived gravure model Ria Yamate go to AV. That chest and body alone are making her a hot new star. The most high profile debut this year however was easily Yotsuha Kominato. Also known as Rikako Inoue formerly of Jpop band Fairies. A moderately popular band during their heyday. She’s pretty and can sing and dance but time will tell if she can be a star in porn.

(Yotsuha Kominato)

Ebisu Muscats 2 Graduation

Ebisu Muscats the long time Jpop girl group featuring many AV actresses saw a huge even this year. A graduation event that essentially was the end for the second generation of Ebisu Muscats. The large ceremony saw industry legends and former Ebisu members Yuma Asami, Akiho Yoshizawa, Sola Aoi, and Aino Kishi come back to see their juniors off. A star studded event that saw the likes of Yua Mikami, Kana Momonogi, Aika Yamagishi, Airi Kijima, Noa Eikawa, and Nanami Kawakami to name a few. Will there be a third generation of Ebisu Muscats, that is up in the air at the time.

Fake Cum Epidemic

Fake cum is getting epidemic. Its always been going on but its seems lately studios are ramping it up. I get the need/desire to show off big thick loads but it is just getting too unreal. Whose buying this? This could be a consequence of male actors being stretched too thin. There are of course far less male performers then female ones. Still I say they give actresses real load, small or not.

Samoari is Inevitable

I didn’t hate (and hate is the right word) AV director Samoari as much as fellow ZENRA writer Panking. I didn’t think about him much at all. But after watching more of his videos I have to say I don’t like him. It’s not his preference of nipple play and submissive men. It is his terrible camerawork. Jarring angles, quick cuts, and bad filming shots. His videos are just a chore to watch. Having said all that Samoari has become a hot director in demand. Working with big studios and the hottest actresses on the scene. You cannot escape Samoari now. And nor can your favorite actresses. I will say I like the themes of his video and his choice in outfits with the trendy street wear are nothing like the majority of JAV. He just needs someone else to film the scenes.

(He also hangs out with the hottest girls outside of work. My disdain grows)

Social Media Galore

It seems funny to write but social media has become more important then ever in JAV. With the pandemic actresses made the switch over from in person events to connecting with their fans online. Now not only do actresses have a strong social media presences but in multiple platforms. Personal YouTube channels being one of the most popular among them. The channel I’ve become most interested in is FANZA House. A variety channel featuring actresses from all over. Hosting talks, games, skits, and some photoshoots too. It’s pretty nice to see actresses you would never seen normally interact with each other. Here you can see Anna Kami, Nozomi Ishihara, and Ichika Matsumoto gab or Aika Yamagishi and Yura Kano compare their hip sizes. 

Some have taken to video game streaming like Ai Hongo, Mizuki Aiga, and Hibiki Otsuki. My favorite streamer has to be Rika Aimi who might be addicted to Apex Legends. She’s had streaming marathons that run over 10 hours. There is also Yuu Shinoda who has taken to streaming about boat racing of all things. On the more adult side a few actresses have really taken to OnlyFans. Ladies like Ririko Kinoshita, Nina Nishimura, or Hitomi still posting after retirement as do Tia, Maria Nagai, and Anri Okita. Sumire Mizukawa has shoot some full scenes on the side.

(Apex superfan Rika Aimi)

8 Woman Returns

The AV agency 8manpro ran an agency photoshoot with their talent last year called 8 Woman. It was a smash hit and so they followed it up the very next year. A stylish, impressive, and high quality photoshoot that is a feast for the eyes. 8 Woman is the best thing to come out of an agency. I can’t wait for 8 Woman 2023 and their new talent to join them. Next year we should see Mahina Amane aka Maria Hoshi, Aka Askua, aka Nagi Hikaru, and Rin Hachimitsu joining the fray. Before I would’ve said I am not a fan of plastic bodies but after this year I have to say I am more open to them. At least for certain cases.

Manager Twitters

The Second best thing to come out of an agency are management Twitter accounts. The Twitter accounts of the managers for AV actresses. I know of @arina_mane Arina Hashimoto’s manager (Arina Arata), @yuamikami_mane Yua Mikami’s manager, and @momonogikana_mg Kana Momonogi’s manager. Kana’s manager being the most interesting of them all. Showing a weirder less dressed up side of Kana. Which is what these Twitter accounts should be. Less pics of food, more behind the scenes stuff.

(Kana's manager trying to make her laugh)

Twitter Wipeout

Speaking of Twitter there was a large mass deletion of accounts earlier this year. Fan was guessing if it was Twitter cleaning up risqué adult accounts or if an agency handlers were banned for operating multiple accounts. For the latter this is issue that can be avoided if actresses operated the account by themselves. If it is the former then that is an issue that we see in the west too from other platforms. A group released a statement about the quick deletion of accounts from adult performers and how it effects their livelihood. Below is a nervous tweet by an agency during the wipeout.

Mr. President is a Meme?

Long time male actor Masahiro Tabuchi, or as I like to call him Mr. President because of how much he looks like the boss of some company, went a bit viral this year. He’s been making little skits and videos for a jokey sub account of his call the Secret Society (@yaritoradan). One of these videos caught fire on the internet and has become a bit of a meme template. Below is one of the more popular ones. Tabuchi isn’t the only male actor to have fun with social media. There is also Toru Ozawa’s personal OnlyFans accounts that features a lot of his package and we’ll leave it at that.

Mid-Level Actresses in Trouble?

I believe these new laws and restrictions will hurt the bottom line of studios and that this will in turn hurt the mid-level Actresses the most. From both exclusive girls to freelancers. Girls like Suzu Matsuoka who was demoted from Prestige’s main label to a lower one. Mariko Sata who was promoted to SOD’s main label was let go this year. We’ll always see newbies come and go in JAV plus the top tier stars should be safe but girls on the margins may find it harder to go on. It’s most worrisome for newer actresses that are trying to make a career of it. They might not have the same opportunity as they would have in the past.

Old Stars Today

So how have the old stars of JAV been faring this year? In terms of popularity they are still going on strong. You still see the usual names top the sales charts and traffic reports. From Yui Hatano, Mao Hamasaki, Yuu Shinoda, Julia, Iroha Natsume, and Yua Mikami. Some like AIKA, Eimi Fukada, and Hibiki Otsuki saw a bit of a dip but with how long they have been around it’s still amazing that they can rank so high. And with Eimi’s little stunt showing that their popularity extends beyond just JAV at this point. Kurea Hasumi was a surprising name to see on these lists. Especially since she has been on break for such an extended time. Even more impressive is seeing Saeko Matsushita still pop up on these lists. It’s been years now people.

In terms of quality it’s a bit more up and down. Actresses like Yui and Hibiki are as good as ever in my opinion but the quality of the studios they work with fluctuates. These older stars still know how to bring it, it’s just they aren’t as hot in demand anymore it seems with studios. I watched some Yuu and Yui videos this year and came away thinking “yeah they still got it”. Some like AIKA and her butt are looking better than ever. We are also seeing some vets taking breaks now as Mana Sakura and Mao did this year. When you’ve been around as long as they have I imagine you must get restless. Who knows how long they will all last but I have a sinking feeling the end is near for a few of them.

(Aika today)

Too Skinny

Some girls are just getting too skinny for their own good. I like petite and skinny bodies but some have gotten to alarmingly thin degrees. Most notably was Kana Momonogi who even had to address the issue and was that she was working on regaining some weight. There was also Karen Kaede who was getting very thin and then up and retired. Many believed the weight loss and shocking exit to be related. Other actresses I’ve noticed getting a bit too skinny are Umi Yatsugake, Miru, and Yuu Shinoda to name a few. It’s unsure where this weight loss need is coming from; fans, agencies, studios, or from within. A belief that getting skinnier means being more popular. Fans love beautiful ladies but nobody wants them to compromise their health for it.

I am A-OK with Plastic

In a personal observation I have been watching more plastic girls this year. From oldies like Tia to newer ones like Reiran Akame and her ridiculously fake ass. There was also Tsukasa Aoi and her new meaty chest and possibly enhanced ass. And I’m not alone. We’re seeing some new plastic girls pop onto the scene with a good following already. Rising stars like Karen Yuzuriha and debut Rin Hachimitsu have made a splash.

Top Stars of 2022

Who knew that Saika’s return would be so well received. I remembered her as a promising and sneaky good starlet who left too soon. Since coming back Saika has had the JAV world glued on her. And with her beautiful face, slender figure, and mouth skills it is not hard to see why not. Ichika Matsumoto continues to be a hot name and a hard worker. Mina Kitano is a surprise name to see on the top of sales and traffic. A newbie I reviewed well last year she has really made a name for herself. Thanks to her curvy body but really thorough her great performing. Hana Shirato is a pretty face with unique looks that is hiding a much kinkier girl. Fans have resonated with this hot freelancer. Finally we have S1 and Ria Yamate. Proof that a terrific set of boobs are all you really need to get eyeballs.

The Red Wedding of Retirements

This year was absolutely brutal for actress retirements. I called it last year but this was rougher than I expected. Retirements are a natural occurrence. Plenty of actresses new and old call it quits year to year. But this year felt worse then any year in memory. We saw huge names like Tsubomi and Hitomi quit. Long time stars like Iori Kogawa and Kurea Hasumi too. From reliable vets like Rena Aoi, Mikako Abe, and Nanami Kawakami. To newer stars like Touka Rinne and Ruka Inaba.

The biggest shock departure has to be Karen Kaede however. The four year vet was on an upward trajectory and becoming one of the faces of studio giant Idea Pocket. Her quick and sudden exit came as a shock to many fans. Were these retirements normal or accelerated by the pandemic, stricter AV laws, and wider economic tightening. Who can really say, what we can say is that 2022 was terrible for retirements.

Post AV Life

It’s not all bad news for exiting actresses. Some like Nanami are happily engaged, Kurea is managing her very own bar, and last I heard Mahiro was going to try to become a mangaka. Best post AV news however goes to Rena Aoi. Rena is going from in front of the camera to behind it as an AV director. I can’t wait to see what kind of director she is. If she is anything like Nao Masaki another female director and former actress we are in for a treat. There was also Noa Eikawa who has become a director of Life Promotion. A performer sounds like a good choice for a director of an agency. I think only good things can come from actresses and actors taking a hand in how the industry operates.

Comebacks

The year sees both retirements and the rare come back stories too. In recent years we got ladies like Asahi Mizuno and Minori Hatsune coming back. This year we got Ruri Saijou a tanned busty babe returned to JAV after 6 years off. However this was only for her to leave soon after. A one and done comeback. In better news Airi Suzumura came back to JAV after a long hiatus. Praise be. Long time vet Kana Yume also came back following a split with her agency. Now going as Jun Mizukawa. Sakura Miura also on a long hiatus came back to regular filming.

Closing

And that is my Review for JAV in 2022. Lots of bad news for the industry and for fans but JAV will go on. Videos will still be made. I look at all the promising new debuts and established actresses and actors too and am not worried about the quality of content. Porn as a whole will just have to adjust and acclimate to whatever outside forces. As it always has. The end of year series continues with the Best Debuts of 2022. Look out for that soon.