JAV News Roundup - August 2023 - Volume 3

Trapstar here, reporting live from ZENRA headquarters. Bringing you the latest buzz in the Twitter JAV space in recent days



Let me know if someone from our reader base had caught this TV Tokyo event live on television featuring a lineup of AV stars? It was like nothing I had seen before, and boy, was it fun! Okay, I'll try to keep my cool and prevent jumping off a couch out of excitement, but seriously, this show is a game-changer.

So, this show, Tsuki and Tomogura, yeah, I admit it's got a quirky name, and the hosts, well, they seem like a bunch of comedians to me. But hey, this is not really about them! The real stars of the show are the AV actresses. Yeah, you heard that right! AV stars on prime-time TV Tokyo, now that's something you don't see every day. Frankly, to me it looked like a collaboration of some sorts, and the premiere was so epic that they even had a second installment that aired on August 31 on Tokyo TV and was also available on DMMtv online. This grand prix concept game show that first premiered on August 4 and is set to run until next month, with new episodes dropping every Thursday. Each episode features different AV stars performing live on stage, and trust me, the list goes long!

For the unversed, the AV stars were divided into four groups, and they had to act out certain tasks at hand. There was the "Aoi Ibuki & Unpai" team, the "Nana Yagi, Miho Nana, Furukawa Honoka" team, the "Riri Nanatsumori, Yura Kano & Nozomi Ishihara" team, and the "Ishikawa Mio & Reina Miyashita" team. Each group had to put their A-game because, well, it's a game show after all. But here's the twist. Although, it seems as this show is entirely centered the AV actresses, it's actually not. The audience get to play a huge part too. Yeah, that's right, it’s upon the viewers to get to vote for the "most exciting team" and decide who wins the Grand Prix! It's like a fan's dream come true. And speaking of fans, there were live sale tickets available for the program, so lucky fans got to be a part of the action in person!

Now, here's the cherry on top – Saika Kawakita. You know her, right? For starters, she did something a little out of the ordinary. Saika made her mainstream television debut with this game show. I mean, we're talking about a significant moment in her career and based on the pics that surfaced online, she certainly looked like she was having a blast. Initially, it seemed as if she was there to participate but that was not the case. Saika was there as an assistant to the hosts, and she couldn't contain her smile, as one could make from the tweet, "It was my first terrestrial job. I was very nervous before the recording. I was so nervous every time I was asked to speak I was trying my best to speak. I didn't participate in the event this time. I am assisting the MC."

The big finale is scheduled for October 5 at Tokyo's Sogetsu Hall for those who still wish to catch up. If you're as thrilled as we are, you should purchase your tickets right away because they are in high demand. Who knows what surprises will be revealed during the big finale?

That's it, guys. A TV Tokyo event unlike any other, with your favorite AV stars, insane games, audience participation, and tons of fun. Looking forward to seeing who wins the Grand Prix trophy! Tell us the team you've been secretly rooting for in the comments section.

Stay updated with Saika's Twitter

Whoa, hold onto your hats because ABEMA TV is taking things to a whole new level with their new reality show, 'Can't We Have Pure Love?' This show is like nothing I’ve seen before, featuring some of your favorite AV stars in the roster, Sumire Mizukawa, Kokomi Naruse, MINAMO, and Riko Hoshino – on a quest to find true love. You certainly read that right!

I mean, for a second I had a hard time believing too! AV actresses looking for love in real life, not just on screen. It's like a mix bag of emotions, and I’m all for it. Frankly, the trailer already had me hooked, giving a sneak peek into how these actresses will navigate through the ups and downs of the dating game and try to be the last one standing. I must admit, it’s fascinating to see them in an altogether different light , choosing partners when the roles are reversed. But let us be real, I'm sure the trailer left a few fans feeling a bit, well, conflicted. Chances are that watching their beloved AV stars connect with potential partners in real life might just mess with their on-screen charm. But hey, let's hope not!

The concept seems to be taking a page from Western dating shows, where ABEMA TV is matching the four AV stars with their respective partners, one of whom happens to be a famous TikToker. The initial phase of the show started on August 29, 2023, and new episodes are set to drop every week on ABEMA TV. It's going to be a rollercoaster, that's for sure. But wait, there's more! The dating show won't just have our lovely AV stars making romantic moves. It's also bringing in some familiar faces from the AV industry as commentators. I’ll give you a second to guess... Mihiro and Yua Mikami, former AV stars, will be lending their insights to the show! Hosting alongside them are a bunch of male commentators who are clearly the brains behind running the show. Apparently, from the photos that surfaced online, they've taken the cast to a stunning island, maybe Okinawa, and it's giving off major "Love Island" vibes. Kokomi and the others have been sharing snippets from this beautiful location, and it clearly looks like they’re on an adventure of a lifetime.

Coming to Sumire, she's making waves not only on this dating show but also by being the first adult actress from Japan to join the roster of a full-fledged western studio. For the unversed, she’ll appear in movies under the Vixen banner. I don't know about you, but I'm hyped to see her make her debut in the West. Between her contract with Vixen, this dating show, and her AV career, she's definitely going places, and we're here to support her every step of the way.

Now, let's turn the tables for a moment. I've got a question for all you readers out there - would you participate in a game show like this if given the chance? It's a bold move, and clearly, it's breaking new ground. The show has a lot to offer in terms of emotions and surprises. So, would you take that leap of faith and put your love life on display for the world to see but on the other hand you have the oppurtunity to get away with dating an adult actress, stuff of dreams ain’t it? I'm curious to hear your thoughts! Ultimately, "Can't We Have Pure Love?" pushes boundaries and redefines what we can anticipate from our favorite AV celebrities. There’s love, humor, and perhaps even a little heartache involved. Readers, fasten your seat belts because you won't want to miss this one of a kind reality show!

All you SODLAND fans, buckle up because I've got some exciting news to share with you! Just five months after the venue was previously raided and its owner arrested for operating without a commercial license, SODLAND is back in business and how! This time, it's bigger and better than ever. The official SODLAND account on X confirmed that they've finally acquired the necessary business license to operate in the Kabukicho district, and the joint opened its doors on the scheduled date of August 10th, "After a 5 month hiatus, We have obtained an adult entertainment business license! We will pre-open on 8/10 at 18:00! Cast members who will be working will be announced later! We are looking forward to seeing you all!" cited the management via it's official handle on X.

Now, as per reports, while most of the venue is up and running as usual, the 4th floor is undergoing some renovation work as quoted by the official handle, so it's temporarily out of action. But fear not, because all the other floors are ready to welcome you with open arms. It's heartwarming to see that even some of the adult performers who used to frequent the venue before its closure took to Twitter to congratulate the management on this fantastic achievement. It's clear that SODLAND holds a special place in the hearts of many, and its reopening is a cause for celebration. Speaking of celebrations, the company didn't waste any time. They threw a grand opening party that was attended by none other than the SOD group CEO, Daitori Nomoti, and AV actress Mana Sakura, among other prominent faces. It was a star-studded affair, and it signaled the triumphant return of SODLAND to the scene.

Now, let's talk about why SODLAND is such a hot spot for both locals and foreign visitors. The place is known for its magnificent multi-floored theme park concept, hosted by AV stars like Mao Hamasaki, Minamo, and many others. SODLAND is a subsidiary of the SOD Group, a major player in the Japanese AV market, and it's no surprise that it has a dedicated following.

With its grand reopening, SODLAND has big plans for renovation and innovation. They're determined to adhere to the Tokyo Metropolitan's business code of conduct, and that means some exciting changes are on the horizon. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect: on the first floor, get ready for a hot spring bath-style standing bar where patrons can be served by JAV performers wearing only a towel. Talk about a unique experience! On the second floor, there's a place where you can party with JAV performers dressed as SOD employees, complete with games and fun. But the real showstopper is the third floor's Syain Bar. They've got a new luxurious date night atmosphere with romantic vibes where you can choose to be entertained by real AV performers. It's going to be an unforgettable experience for sure. Now, let's talk about the quirky twist on the 4th floor, aka the Silent Bar. It used to be a full-mirror place where you could sip your drinks while admiring bikini-clad adult actresses. But hold onto your hats; as per the latest update, it's been completely overhauled. Now, you'll be welcomed to enjoy your drinks while being gawked at by a JAV artist in a sexy rabbit costume. Yep, you read that right! But here's the kicker – if you're feeling a tad embarrassed, they've got special helmet-like goggles that make your face invisible from the outside. It's a bit wacky, but hey, it's all in good fun.

As for the legal drama that unfolded in the past, there haven't been any recent updates regarding the arrest of President Sho Iguchi. It seems like with the reopening of SODLAND, the management is conveying its fans to move on and provide an exceptional experience for its patrons. So, SODLAND is back in action, and it's clear that they're ready to bring the excitement and entertainment that fans have been waiting for. Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a newcomer, this is the place to be for avid AV lovers!

Follow SODLand on Twitter

High octane drama took center stage last month in the AV girl group, Meringue aka Marshmallow 3D, leaving fans and followers baffled. As per reports, after a remarkable 12-year spell, the group disbanded in July, making the incident favorite among gossip columns for a while. To understand the gravity of this particular disbandment, let's take a quick trip down memory lane. Meringue was formed in July 2011 as a collaborative among JAV artists. However, it's important to note that the group performed under the name 'Marshmallow 3d+' since June 2015, marking a significant chapter in their journey.

The girl group released a statement on X that read, "The three members have been unable to maintain their motivation regarding the activities of the three members after Soda and Alice Otsu left the group. However, the three members were adamant that they could not continue with their activities as a trio, and we respected their wishes and decided that it would be difficult to continue the group any longer. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to dissolve the group. We deeply apologize to our fans and all those involved for this decision. The activities of the individual members will continue, and we hope that you will support them in their respective endeavors."

Some believe that the catalyst behind this sudden disbandment was the departure of AV actress Alice Otsu, one of the group's core members. Alice, who was an integral part of Meringue, found herself torn between her AV commitments and her new venture, Black Diamond, another girl band led by former AV veteran Anri Okita. It was a tough choice for Alice, and she ultimately decided to follow her heart, which led to her exit from Meringue. Alice’s departure had a domino effect on the rest of the three members, who struggled to find a reason to stay together. Faced with this problem, they made the difficult choice to halt activities, with a formal dissolution set for December. The management team emphasized their support for the members' intentions in their official statement, as well as their awareness that continuing as a group was no longer feasible. They also apologized to the fans for the tragic turn of affairs and assured everyone that the individual members' personal careers would continue.

However, the drama did not end there. Alice resorted to social media to vent her displeasure, disputing that her departure was the main reason for the girl group's breakup. She attacked the management's choice to use her as a scapegoat in a series of tweets, calling their assertions false. One could get a gist from her tweets that she genuinely cared for the group and even contemplated rebuilding it, "I've heard about the problems of the members, I've also heard about the members not being on schedule, so I thought I'd give up and focus on a different group, even though I was trying to rebuild Marshmallow and do my best, but I'm so disappointed." wrote the actress. Still, in the face of inconsistent schedules and a lack of motivation among the members, Alice made the tough decision to pursue her career elsewhere rather than wasting her time in futile attempts to resurrect Meringue. Amidst the chaos, two of the remaining members, RanRan and Nimo, shouldered the blame for the band's downfall, acknowledging their own withdrawal after Alice's departure as a significant contributing factor to the disbandment.

Meringue's breakup is a sharp reminder of the constant pressures and obstacles that artists confront in the entertainment industry, where personal ambitions and commitments frequently collide with group dynamics and desires. While it's sad to see the end of a popular girl group, The band's legacy will live on via its individual members as they embark on new adventures, and fans can only pray for their continued success in their different endeavors.

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