JAV News Roundup - July Edition - Volume 1

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

Rio Kuriyama Graduates Driving School

Carrying on the tradition of starting the column on a high note, this time around we've Madonna's exclusive girl  Rio Kuriyama adding an extra feather to her hat. The  AV star graduated her motor school training with flying colors this time around without any hassle. As had been the case earlier, the 24 year old star had to face certain hurdles before achieving this feat. Earlier, on a 8 min video delivery via YouTube, the actress cited certain reasons regarding her futile attempt at acquiring the license. The video that has over 2k views at the time of writing, garnered a lot of positive support from the fans as they seemed to uplift Rio for a future attempt. 

"I love you so much
Training camp license, I did my best!
Please see it.
[Tears] I went to the training camp license of the motorcycle but I could not get a license."

Most likely, the fans' efforts weren't in vain because a day later, the actress passed her motor school exam with relative ease. Rio accomplished this goal within the constraints of her demanding schedule as an aspiring actress, even though it may appear modest to some. By stating this one justification, several of her past failings that kept her from earning the licence, such as falling off the bike, might be overlooked. Even if it all appears daunting, Rio obtained her licence in just a couple of weeks, post having picked up her training again after a few failed attempts in the past.

The actress was likely in cloud nine after having had cleared the exams as later that day she took to Twitter to post her jolly good experience regarding the feat amid a plethora of congratulatory texts from her fans. Rio took out time to respond to some of her fans who'd queries regarding the same. Here are some conversations from the tweet. 

"Congratulations!
However, because the purpose is to go to training camp, I wonder if it ends here without getting a license?"

"Afterall, I just put out documents to the license center, so, I will go to get a license when I come here because it is the No. 1 thing that I worked hard for recently!"

"How tired you are when you come home!
The picture is happy that the examination is finished safely. Good night"

Rio appeared to be giving the thumbs up while posing for the photo with her brand-new licence. Although the actress is wearing a simple white pullover and trousers, the tamagotchi particularly attracted my attention because she frequently tweets about the toy and seems to be fond of it.

"Good luck!
I'm curious about the model of the motorcycle of the driving school因 Incidentally, the bike I received in the bubble period was Suzuki Katana 400"

"I don't know what it is, but it says YAMAHA"

Nevertheless, the actress revealed few details about her training regimen or the bike she rode for her practise. I discovered this comment by Rio herself, which confirmed it was a Yamaha, while casually skimming through the comments.

"I did it! I passed the exam!
I was happy to support everyone! Thank you.
This is a training camp license."

While most of it appears to be normal, the glove is a fitting representation of the grind Rio had to go through during her training tenure to obtain the licence, which in and of itself is commendable and praiseworthy in our eyes, here at Zenra. In the photo, Rio could be seen donning her training gear with a matching white helmet and jacket as well as elbow guards and quite a grease laden worn off glove.

Rio Kuriyama's Twitter & Fanza

Minami Kojima Commemorates 11th Year In The Industry

Hats off to Minami Kojima for hitting it out of the ballpark with this one. The Mine's Pro actress has accomplished a significant milestone that is unusually outstanding in an industry like AV and equally gutsy to endure. Having made her acting debut in 2011, the actress just completed 11 full years in the business. Despite the fact that most AV fans would mistake her for a novice given her babyface, she so officially joins the "over a decade" club among the industry stalwarts.

"Minami Kojima Debut 11th anniversary!

Thanks to everyone's support 7/8

I was able to welcome you again in this way

Thank you

I hope we can get along well from now on."

Funada has scheduled an exclusive meet & greet event in one of Tokyo's go to event store, Lammtara Akiba to commemorate the 29 year old actress's anniversary this year. With nothing fancy but a cosy meet & greet followed by a photo and autograph sessions for the fans. To make the readers aware, the event will adhere to a capacity cap of 50, so if you're planning to attend the event scheduled for 17th, you should book your tickets prior to the date. Since ticketing has already begun, dated July 8th. I assure you, it'd be worth every penny.

The actress put up a tweet on her Anniversary, post having wrapped up a video delivery for her Youtube channel, that read. 

"When I was shooting Youtube, everyone congratulated me. I'm so happy!"

In the picture, Minami seems to be posing with her anniversary cake which looks quite delicious to be obvious, dressed in a white top while a strip of ZONE condoms could be spotted in the backdrop. Funny how she didn't bother to take those out of the frame before posting for her Twitter fans.

"Congratulations on your 11th anniversary!

Thank you! Sorry for the rampage"

Heartfelt compliments abounded in the comments section, with Ikuta Matchi, a fellow AV actor, expressing her admiration for her senior counterpart in the most blatant manner. For Minami's channel, both had previously recorded a promotional video for the condom manufacturer.

"She is loved by everyone, Kojimina-chan!!

7/17 commemorates the 11th anniversary

Ship pre-event will also be held

Everyone, also on the day of the event

Please send us your congratulations!"

The same evening, Minami's talent agency Mine's Pro tweeted a congratulatory message for the actress accompanied with the details regarding the upcoming Akihabara event. The handle also requested fans to send their heartiest wishes on the day of the event, the actress seemed to like the gesture. A day prior to her 11th anniversary, the AV star tweeted a series of her recently shot pictures in which she could be seen giving quirky poses along with the caption. 

Under the tweet, AV publishers @butatongpoo & @dxbeppin seemed to congratulate the actress.

"Happy 11th anniversary!

I think that an actress who has exceeded the 10th anniversary can be certified as an AV national Treasure!"

While @butangpoo said that Minami should be designated as an AV national treasure for having worked in the industry for more than ten years.

"Congratulations, I still remember the day I made my debut interview.

I expect more and more success!️"

@dxbeppin recalled his first interview with the actress when she first step foot in the game while forwarding his best wishes.

Minami Kojima's Twitter, Instagram & Fanza

Mary Tachibana Holds Concert On Birthday Eve

AV star Mary Tachibana recently held a concert on her birthday eve. The actress chose Shinjuku's GLEE nightclub as the venue to commemorate her 29th birthday in the presence of her beloved fans who opted for the concert wherein the AV star performed. As per the Livepocket page, the tickets for the event were being sold for an exorbitant sum of 10,000 yen for access to Mary's concert with a complimentary drink for the attendees. 

"I had my birthday today.

Everyone who comes live

I hope you like it.

Let's have a great day!"

With Mary performing the vocals alongside Miyako Matsuoka on the piano, the evening turnt out to be a cosy affair for the fans who might've had a once-a-year opportunity to meet their favorite AV idol and watch her perform live in front of them. Music label Milky pop generation put up a birthday clip for the actress on her special day.

"I hope you like it

Recently more cute"

Mary's birthday tweet was received by a majority of her fans with a special few in the mix like former AV bombshell, Anri Okirta. The duo were earlier spotted hanging out with some of their notable industry colleagues like Hibiki Otsuki and Yui hatano. While we don't have the inside scoop on who all ended up in the concert guest list besides the fans who signed up for it, a casual scrolling through Twitter mad me come across Hikari Ninohee's tweet. I guess the actress was present that evening, cheering for the birthday girl from her front row seat.

"Meari-chan's birthday live

 I went to see

 You're too good at the show!

 Life is best. This person is really.

 It was a very good live!

 Thank you for your hard work, I love you"

Mary looked drop dead gorgeous posing for pictures infront of the piano. Dressed in a black bodycon and glittery heels. Frankly, I couldn't take my eyes of the 29 year old actress. Glad I didn't sign up for the event, my eye oggling could have made the actress quite uncomfortable while performing. Just kidding, lol.

"Ms. Tachibana who can sing the songs of Mr. Yuki Koyanagi, Mr. MISIA, and Mr. Kazumasa Oda is really amazing"

"And Hermes body soap ~ It smelled really good.

I will use it on site! Thank you!"

Mary's music selections for the event were not quite clear to us before the event began, but thanks to a fan's remark on her final post of the evening, we now know which songs she performed. The admirer reportedly gave the actress a Hermes soap, which she appeared to loved and thanked him for the gesture.

"Mary Tachibana Birthday Live

Thank you all for waking up today!

Happy Birthday again, Mari-chan!"

Before the event commenced, Mary's manager at the agency tweeted and published several pictures of the actress; in these, Mary appears to be wearing a different outfit. Might have possibly switched to the gorgeous bodycon later for the occasion

Mary seemed to be over the moon with the affection showered her way. The AV actress via a Twitter thread revealed how her fellow industry pals, Hibiki Otsuki & Ai Uehara gifted her a magnificent garland adorned with a selection of exquisite flowers, with a small birthday note attatched to it. She pinned a small ten second video of her present along with the caption, "Thank You for the Bouquet gift". The actress also thanked her fans for the gesture and making her day so special. In a further thread, Mary revealed that since the Tanabata festival was around the corner, she chose to perform a few songs live for her fans related to the theme.

Mary Tachibana's Twitter, Instagram & Fanza

Usa Miharu Bids Farewell To AV

Usa Miharu, a member of S1 & girl band Ebisu Muscats, has decided to call it a day on her six-year long AV career after making her debut back in 2016. The bubbly AV idol, who rose to fame by being typecasted into roles like the girl next door or the elder step sister in S1's signature dramas, shocked her admirers by announcing the news on Twitter in the early hours of July 9. Using the platform, the actress shared a picture of a handwritten note with the caption,

"Announcement by Usa Miharu, I hope you read it."

"Thank you for always supporting us. It's Hanasaki Miharu! 2nd Generation Muscat's graduation was announced. And I also have news from you. Miharu Hazaki is going to graduate from S1, AV. For me, the work of AV and the work of Muscats are equal, and I am very happy that there is a Hazaki party

When the time came to quit either of them, I decided to graduate both. The time came earlier than I imagined, and suddenly, I was confused.

There was, but there is a reassuring Hazaki fanbase who always supports me, so I'm fine! I thought that it was. Thanks for always supporting me! I can trust you with my heart.

So that we can step up in our lives from now on.

It is the choice I chose. From now on, I will be happy and power with my favorite song

I want to be able to deliver it, I want to have more fun events with Hazaki fanbase, and I want to study and try many things!! From now on, Miharu Hazaki

Thank you.

Your favorite muscat! Until the end.

I will do my best!!

2022.7.9

Miharu Hazaki"

The fans were shocked by the foot-long note that went into great detail regarding Usa's personal testimony to bid farewell to AV. The majority of Usa's followers supported her choice to retire, although most of them were upset by her abrupt change in career.

"Usa-chan who announced AV graduation

even though i feel lonely

it's been and will be the same.

step up, usachan.

i'm secretly supporting you.

if anything happens

I want to help you."

Furthermore, Minami Kojima, who we previously profiled and who is also fairly close to the 30-year-old star in the business, appeared equally astonished and grieved by the actress's premature departure from AV. Through a tweet, Minami appeared to express her support for her cherished buddy over the years. I picked the line from Minami-tweet san's that it made her feel lonely after learning that her friend is getting ready to leave the industry because I can relate with it. While the majority of these actresses earn quite a fat paycheck, many of them have mental trauma associated with their line of work. In these situations, a close friend in the industry is like a life saver. I can empathise to what Minami san is going through right now, and we hope that their friendship will last after Usa retires.

The news comes several days after the girl band Ebisu Muscats decided to disband earlier this month and the actress being an integral part of it, might've got influenced to have taken the step to bid farewell to AV as such, likely what I could make of from her retirement note. The actress also mentioned in the note, that she'd intentions to pursue further studies, post her hiatus from the industry.

"Everyone, Thanks for your warm message

I would like to continue gravure etc.ま

we will continue SNS and activities

I will continue to do so.

I would like to thank you for your continued support.

Thanks to the hashisaki party, we can continue to be active in the future."

The actress quickly dispelled any lingering questions about her future involvements a day after making her intention to leave the business. The actress thanked her fans and made it clear that she would continue to pursue gravure without the AV element involved. She also stated that she had no plans to shut down her SNS, which is currently the only legible way to contact the actress besides her Instagram. This sentence may have proved to be a breath of fresh air for her fans. Meanwhile, to give our readers a taste of what to expect from the actress as she pursues gravure, here's a set of stills tweeted by the celebrity photographer as a tribute to the departing actress, well, not too departing to be evident.

Usa Miharu's Twitter & Instagram 

Kanna Misaki Celebrates 28th Birthday

Since the previous few issues, it has become customary to conclude this column with a birthday mention. This columns ends with a revival of the 28-year-old AV personality who recently moved to a new agency. She broke the news on her birthday by thanking her fans for making it even more special. Yes, we're referring to Kanna Misaki, the Attackers poster girl, who appeared in an untold number of such thriller movies before having a change of heart and switching to GG for a fresh start, maybe reviving her career, as some industry pundits are speculating.

"Thank you all for your birthday congratulations message!

Last year I think that I made a lot of lonely feelings because there was not much surfacing, so let's make memories more and more together from now on!

I have never forgotten it before I could meet you, and I always think of everyone in Kanahorikku.

ーー It is a thank you chuー"

Having suffered anxiety Issues in the past, Kanna admitted in her birthday tweet that she had been a bit of a slacker the previous year, failing to interact with her fans or appear in many AVs. However, she vowed to make up for it this year, and her commitment to doing so seems believable. Particularly considering that she joined her new agency only a few days ago. Kanna tagged the tweet with a pic of her furbaby Chew, the chihuahua she owns and frankly they both looked quite adorable striking the pose.

"We are here to help you. It's hot!

All of a sudden, it's news!

This time, the affiliated production has changed to "GG".

Contact us with the transfer, I think that you can confirm because the address of the delivery will change."

Prior to interacting with her fans this week on her birthday, the 28 year old AV idol dropped a bomb on her new affiliation with the talent agency GG, not to be confused with GIGA, having bid her farewell to the former with warm regards. The actress spilled the beans on her latest industry move in a Twitter thread recognizing that she needed a change and was headed for a fresh start after all these years surviving in the cutthroat industry. Kanna even made her intentions clear through the tweet that she'd rather approach her schedule at her own pace. I hope the studio has allowed her the freedom in terms of contract agreement. No information on the name change or SNS change was put forward, but Kanna used the platform to address any such doubts that the fans may have had.

"I am very grateful to my former employer for taking care of me, but I wanted to work in a new environment, and I came to the transfer.

I think that the shooting and release of new works will be a little ahead, but I would like to work at my own pace. 

We will not change the stage name or SNS, so please continue!"

Kanna Misaki's Twitter & Fanza

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

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