JAV News Roundup - February 2023 - Volume 3
Trapstar here, reporting live from ZENRA headquarters. Bringing you the latest buzz in the Twitter JAV space in recent days
Asuka Momose Has A Bad News For Her Fans
It feels like yesterday when Asuka Momose, the 22 year old made her debut. The SOD exclusive, recently announced her retirement from the AV business by the end of this year. Asuka had quite a successful career, making her debut in mid-2020 with SOD’s youth label before transitioning to freelance work in early 2021. While her career began with a hot streak gaining momentum and recognition in the industry, she soon transitioned to VR works for Kawaii’s in-house VR brand, Kawaii VR, later occasionally rolling out mundane compilations of her early works. The 22 year old SOD darling even went on to appear in JAVs alongside the industry’s top talents with the likes of Hibiki Otsuki, Mao Hamasaki, Waka Misono, and her lookalike, Ichiki Matsumoto. Her cryptic tweet referring to retirement surely got a lot of fans worried.
(screengrab from her now deleted tweet)
Fans, however, were taken aback by her abrupt retirement, especially given her career trajectory that was on the rise lately. They began to speculate if Momose might follow Mei Satsuki, another SOD recruit who had previously announced her retirement via Instagram before later retracting from her statement. Indeed, those speculations turned reality for her fans. In her final tweet, which has since been removed, Momose made a statement clarifying the reasons behind her retirement, "A lot of people I loved are gone. It was my fault. I'm sorry. Thank you very much for watching the fans so far. I won't forget the people who supported me. I'm going to retire on December 31, 2023. I have llittle time, but I'm going to delete this account", citing that many of the individuals she cared for had moved on. Fans are compelled to speculate about the causes of her retirement because given nature of the statement, it lacks a context and is unspecified whether this is a private concern or one that is connected to her dealings with the industry.
To my knowledge Asuka had been quite close to her Attackers co-star Shirato Hana since both had starred in consecutive back to back movies for Attackers and if her last tweet is industry-related, I speculate Shirato is headed for a hiatus or more so a retirement in no time.
Asuka's retirement underscores the relatively brief careers of adult actresses in Japan. In retrospect Momose's career lasted fewer than two years, despite her brief success. This is not unusual, given the industry's reputation for tight and grueling work schedules, as well as the stigmas associated with adult film performers. Yet, it is worth noting that Momose's career was devoid of accomplishments. The 22 year old has been recognised for her work in VR and compilation works. While her appearances in films alongside prominent actresses demonstrate that she was well-liked by her contemporaries in the field. Although the retirement news comes as a disappointment to her followers, it is crucial to accept her decision and wish her well in her future pursuits.
Although early, the SOD exclusive’s decision to retire from the adult film industry has left her fans in quite a shock. Her brief but successful career exemplifies the industry's difficult nature, and the reasons for her departure remain unknown for the time being. Regardless, her contributions to the the industry should be recognised in the form of her works. Her fans should appreciate her decision and wish her well in the future. For those who want to cherish Asuka in all her glory for one last time, Faleno has collaborated with the actress and have a release scheduled for the following month, so don't forget to check it out when it releases.
Since the announcement Asuka Momose has gone on to delete her socials.
Matsuri Kiritani Makes Her Retirement Official
We’ve another SOD debutante making her way into this column. Post treating herself to a two year hiatus, AV’s veteran star Matsuri Kiritani has finally announced her retirement from the industry, and this time it’s official! Matsuri who made her debut back in December 2016 with SOD’s in-house label, SOD-Star had managed to quickly gain a loyal fanbase for her performances under major AV banners. Nevertheless, in November 2018, she announced a hiatus from the industry without any clarification, indefinitely cutting short her stint in the AV business for an unspecified period. Her most recent release could be tracked down with Tameike Goro in November 2020, post the release of that AV, fans assumed she'd left the industry. Matsuri however, did not make it official until earlier this month. There hasn’t been a word on whether Kiritani will feature in a retirement AV, which is typical to the Japanese AV fraternity.
Several fans expressed worry over her hiatus, with a handful from the adultboard Scanlover even giving way to wild rumors such as that she was in a relationship with a photographer of one of her several photobooks. The former SOD star despite rumours and speculations, did not make a formal declaration until lately. "How are you all doing! I am well. I know some of you have been wondering about this, but I would like to tell you. I, Matsuri Kiritani, am all about the works I am currently working on. I'm sorry that I can't do the works and events that accompany them at the end. I can't thank you enough for all the support you have given me." the actress was quoted through her tweet. Kiritani's retirement comes after having spent seven years in the AV industry, and her fans seems disheartened by the news. There are several possible theories that link to her retirement. One of the most significant factors could be the implementation of a new AV law in Japan, which cut off jobs for many performers since the last year. On record, Matsuri has not divulged any information or published a statement regarding this matter, and it remains unclear if it played a role in her intent to retire.
Having had her brief career in the industry, Matsuri made a mark in the industry with her trademark smile and talent, which made her an instant fan favorite back in the day. To even begun with her combined portfolio under different AV makers seem overwhelming and what her fans would agree to, is it's 'too good to be true'. "And although I haven't surfaced much lately, I'll be putting an end to Twitter in March. Until then, I'll try to be on as much as possible, so if you want to join me, please do! I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of food, drinks, scenery, etc.! Thank you very much!" Kiritani's Twitter activities will stop by late March as per an update published on her Twitter, and her fans are sure to miss out on her online presence. However, they can still cherish the memories of her performances and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
That being said, Matsuri Kiritani's retirement marks the end of a short but successful career in the Japanese adult industry. While her fans will miss her, they can take comfort in the fact that she has left behind a legacy of talent, and a subtle charm that had her fans craving more. Now that we look back, what are some of Matsuri's best performances in hindsight? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay updated with Matsuri Kiritani's Twitter
Kaho Imai Has A New Career Lined Up Post AV
Blessed with a killer tan body, AV actress Kaho Imai, has announced that she is prepared to leave the industry to pursue a career as a full time DJ. Like most of the actresses in this column, she too debuted under SOD’s youth label Sheisun Jidai in 2019, and since then has gained popularity for her tanned physique. Fans of the actress find an uncanny resemblance to veteran AV star Mei Matsumoto.
Despite having a couple of JAVs lined up for release in the following month, The 22 year old has decided to follow in the footsteps of her accomplice, Mao Hamasaki, who earlier this year took a brief hiatus from the industry but doesn't seem have a retirement planned out yet. The former SOD girl has been traveling quite a lot in recent months, with her AV activities having significantly reduced in the recent few months.
Based on her Instagram stories it's likely that the 23 year old has decided to quit the industry early on. Lately, Kaho has developed a knack in pursuing a career as a DJ. The actress changed her Instagram alias to suit her future motive, but some of her fans have downplayed the idea of her pursuing a career as a DJ, citing an old but factual statement, "Hot chicks thinking they're gonna be world-famous DJs is such a sad cliche."
To wrap up her retirement AV, Kaho has decided to pull up the ban on her performing anal, hence the 23 year rolled out an anal AV much to the dismay of some of her fans. The actress has faced reasonable criticism from her fanbase for her recent anal scene with Attackers. They don't seem to be too fond of the actress doing this particular scene citing that top actresses shouldn't do anal. However, the former SOD girl seems unfazed by the criticism and is determined to pursue her passion for her newfound love of disc-jockeying.
Imai's decision to leave the JAV industry is not entirely surprising, as it’s quite natural for AV talents to leave the industry subsequent to a few years. However, her decision to become a DJ is a departure from the norm with only a handful of actresses in the past who piqued interest for the same, and it will be interesting to see how she fares in her new career. Kaho doesn’t remain the foremost of those JAV actress to pursue a career in mainstream media. Several actresses have made the transition, including Anri Okita, Yua Mikami, and Rola Takizawa in the past. However, success in the mainstream industry is not guaranteed, and many actresses have failed to make a name for themselves venturing outside the adult industry.
Despite the challenges faced, Imai seems determined to make a name for herself as a DJ. Her fans will undoubtedly be disheartened to see her leave the JAV industry, but they will be glad to support her in her new endeavour.
Stay updated with Kaho Imai's Twitter & Instagram
Former Freelancer Turns Madonna Exclusive
Being one of the most sought after AV freelancer that she is, this recent announcement that Yu Shinoda has signed with Madonna for their brand new label Achijo, that niches down on slut-themed JAVs comes as an absolute shocker and what may have left many fans feeling baffled. For once the news feels exciting, now that the 31 year old has found a permanent residency in the form of Madonna but on the downside, her fans are saddened with the fact that they will no longer be able to see her in AVs of other studios. All in all, the news of her joining Madonna's new label has generated a lot of buzz in the industry.
ACHJ-007 | Madonna x Slut Specialization
However, it is an exciting development for Madonna and their new Achijo label. It appears that Yu has already shot two movies under the Madonna sub-brand, which are scheduled to be released later this month. On top of it, she will also be performing for Madonna's primary label in the near future. The JAV (featured above) is shot by Samoari and what better could one expect in a Samoari directed JAV than some scrumptious nipple licking & amazing POV shots, that make one feel like they are part of the cast. The timing of the move, of Madonna having recruited Yu comes as well-planned move for the banner, which tends to identify itself as a mature AV maker. Considering that Yu is in her early 30s, and Madonna being the established mature AV maker they are, it almost seems like a match made in heaven. By JAV standards, this is a significant transfer. Yu's popularity and experience make her an excellent addition to Madonna's roster.
Before the announcement, Yu had been actively pursuing Fantia as a side hustle when she had not been shooting mainstream AV. For those unaware, Fantia is the japanese equivalent of OnlyFans that allows creators to monetize their content by offering exclusive content to subscribers. It has become a popular platform for JAV actresses in recent years, as it provides an additional income stream and a way to connect with fans outside of their work in AV. This move to Madonna's new label may be seen as a significant career progression for her, and it will be interesting to see how her performances under the new label are received.
This news has also sparked a debate about the JAV industry and the role of labels and freelancers within it. While some fans lament the loss of their favorite performer in other studios, others see this as an opportunity for Yu to showcase her talent on a bigger platform. However, signing an exclusive contract with a studio like Madonna can offer more stability and opportunities for growth in the industry. It also means that Yu will be able to focus solely on her work with Madonna and their new Achijo label, without the added pressure of managing a Fantia account, though we know she does it out of pure love for it.
While the news may be saddening for Yu's fans who will miss seeing her in JAVs of other studios, it is an exciting development for Madonna and their newly launched label, Achijo. Yu's talent and popularity make her a valuable addition to the studio's roster, and her exclusive contract is a sign for fans of Madonna's commitment to producing quality AV content in future under the collaboration.
Stay updated with Yu Shinoda's Twitter & Fantia
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Comments
We are in the golden age of Japanese adult video. Note I didn't write JAV for a reason.
I've a different take on this. I believe, there is a cycle for everything and the recent shift in the industry stands testament to it. The industry is due for a resurgence and it will only gravitate upwards from here on.
By trapstar @ January 9th, 2022
By trapstar @ October 22nd, 2022
By Fried Chikan @ December 8th, 2022