JAV News Roundup - June 2023 - Volume 1

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

AV Veteran Retires After Being Fed Up With Her Management

In case you missed it, let's take a quick flashback to the biggest news of the month. Brace yourselves because Minami Aizawa, made a shocking announcement during a press conference in Taiwan. And it’s not just you guys, the news of her early retirement took everyone by surprise!

The IdeaPocket regular revealed in a testimony, up on Twitter that she had actually planned to retire back in 2019. It was partly influenced by the tragic passing of a certain Aizawa, who was like a mentor figure to the 27 year old. However, she had a change of heart and decided to carry on entertaining her fans for a few more years. But just when she thought she could finally bid farewell to the industry, the pandemic hit, and her retirement plans were tossed out of the bus.

As per an AV publication, rumors were ripe regarding the actress’s dissatisfaction with her agency. the article further chose to state that her agency 44 Management was on the verge of bankruptcy and several talents were compelled to leave. However, as for Minami, she didn't address these rumors in her official statement. Instead, in her interview given to the Taiwanese press, Minami expressed her interest in working in Taiwanese daily soaps in the future. It seems like a pretty possible transition to me since she’ll be out of work post retirement anyway.

Interestingly, the 27 year old didn't hold back when it came to voicing her opinion on the ever prevalent AV discrimination in Japan. Born in Japan, Minami spent a significant part of her childhood in the United States and Hong Kong before returning to Japan during her teenage years and ultimately finding her heart in AV. She criticized her native country for being discriminatory towards adult performers. Perhaps, why she chose to announce her retirement in Taiwan as it would have garnered significantly more attention than having done the same in Japan.

While it's heartbreaking to see such a veteran leave the industry, it's important to respect Minami's decision on the other hand. After all, everyone deserves to pursue their dreams and find happiness in their chosen path. We can only hope that she finds success and fulfillment in her future endeavors.

So, there you have it, folks. Minami Aizawa's unexpected retirement announcement, her aspirations for Taiwanese dramas, and her criticisms of Japan's attitudes towards the adult industry. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, but such is life. We at ZENRA wish Minami all the best in her future endeavors and hope to see her shine in whatever she decides to pursue. Until then, let's cherish the memories she has created for her fans throughout her career. Farewell, Minami Aizawa! You will be missed.

Stay updated with Minami Aizawai's Twitter

FunStar Talent Announces Retirement On Livestream

Well, this was unexpected. Yuki Akagi, a small time AV actress affiliated with FunStar, revealed her decision via a tweet to retire during a late-night program called "FunStar Night" on NicoJockey a video sharing site launched in 2007. The 31 year old had a comparatively late debut from Venus and might’ve had appeared in just a handful of JAVs in her time.

"To all of you who always support me. Thank you for following me among so many actresses. As announced at last night's NicoJockey FunStar Night, I, Yuki Akagi, will retire from the porn industry at the end of June. I am very much in love with eroticism and the underground, so the biggest reason for my retirement is that I am no longer bound by the restrictions of the world. I don't want to complain about what I am working on, change my ways and means until I am satisfied if I want to continue. I believe that I am responsible for my own work, good or bad. I will not delete my work once it is out in the world. Please keep on liking Akagi Yuuki until the end of your life." In her tweet, Yuki expressed her gratitude to her fans and assured them that she would not withdraw her works from AV marketplaces post retirement.

(screenshot of the tweet)

During the program, Yuki requested continued support from her fans until she concludes her career. Moreover, she acknowledged her manager at the office for allowing her to maintain her social media presence subsequent to her retirement. I believe, this will help will enable Yuki to stay connected with her fans and share updates about any future gigs that she would pick up. 

"Thankfully, thanks to the kindness of our office, we will be able to continue to use Twitter and Instagram for future activities. (Thanks to my manager, Ms. Kwa!) If you are interested, please continue to follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Funstar Night will continue after next month, so watch out for the new actresses who will join us!" The AV actress also stated in the tweet that she intends to resume her activities with NicoJockey, notably that she wants to continue hosting "FunStar Night." This show has grown in popularity as a result of interviews and appearances by several well known faces from the AV industry. Yuki's ongoing appearance in the program was a shy of relief for her fans and supporters.

(screenshot of the tweet)

Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Yuki thanked her fans who discovered her through her AV pursuits and those who have supported her radio program. "Finally, to those of you who came to know me through porn and NicoJockey, thank you so much. I will definitely make an opportunity to meet you someday. So, once and for all, goodbye!", The 31 year old reassured them that she would make efforts to meet them through fan meets, ensuring that the bond between her and her fans remains strong even after her retirement.

This could be a significant turning point in her career, but it is evident that she values the support and love she has received from her fans. With her commitment to staying active on social media and continuing her association with NicoJockey, Yuki's transition from AV actress to her future endeavors promises to be an exciting journey to watch out for. I believe her fans eagerly await her next steps and are eager to show their unwavering support throughout her post-AV career.

Stay updated with Yuki Akagi's Twitter

Former Gymnast Pulls Down Curtain On Her AV Career

Former gymnast turned adult performer Rui Minagawa, recently concluded an event just a day after announcing her retirement. Having debuted with Kawaii in 2021, she had starred in an interracial AV produced by Shark among some of her notable works. However, this month she has decided to retire, following in the footsteps of Yuki Akagi (well, somewhat).

Reflecting on her journey, Rui admitted that she initially entered the industry without much contemplation, but it soon became an indispensable part of her life. "I will graduate in June. We apologize for the sudden notice. I started my career as an AV actress with a lot of energy, not knowing what was right and what was left. but before I knew it, it had become an important and indispensable part of my daily life. I am very excited and enjoy this job very much. This job is very exciting and fun, But there were times when things didn't work out the way I had envisioned. There were times when I felt frustrated and unbearable. I blamed myself and wondered if it was okay for me to stay here." The former gymnast confessed to loving the job of acting in AVs, but also expressed frustration when things didn't go as planned, which occasionally made her doubt her career as an adult star.

Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude to her peers and the team at her agency, Bambi Promotion, for their support and for providing her with the opportunity to debut. "I can't tell you how many times I was saved by the warm words and actions of the people who needed me and supported me. It is a miracle that I was given the opportunity to make my debut as a nobody, to be on the cover of a national newspaper, and to have so many experiences. It was also Bambi that gave me the courage to become stronger and pushed me forward. It has been a truly meaningful three years for me!" For obvious reasons, her debut was even covered by a national newspaper, catapulting her debut within the industry but in contrary to popular opinion she couldn’t live up to the hype.

Now, as Rui prepares to bid farewell to her adult career, she has decided to put forth her appreciation to her loyal fans. In a heartfelt message, she thanked her peers who had been associated with her during the two years of her career while acknowledging their support. "The one who made me think so. The makers of my films. The actresses who let me learn a lot of things actresses who helped me learn a lot from the films I did. My manager who supported me in every situation. And my favorite fans who support me I would like to thank all of them for their support. I am grateful for the support of all the people involved in my life. I want to continue to enjoy my life to the fullest. The AV industry has made me think so. I really love it and treasure it. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who were involved with me. Thank you and I love you from the bottom of my heart" 

The outgoing actress had a release event scheduled on June 17th as she expressed her desire for a full attendance from her fans. "Tomorrow, June 17, will be the last event where you can meet me. I want to tell you how much I love you in person. Please let me enjoy the whole event until the end. I hope you will warmly watch over me from now on, too"

The event turned out to be a success for the Bambi actress, as one could make out from the tweet she posted afterwards. This very might well be the beginning of a new chapter for Rui as every performer in the industry has his or her set of ups and downs and I’m convinced Rui wasn’t barred of it, but it has undoubtedly shaped her as a performer. Her retirement could be taken as a reminder of the transient nature of fame and the pressures these individuals have to go through to survive in this dog eat dog world of AV

Stay updated with Rui Minagawa's Twitter

Moodyz Talent Compelled To Take Indefinite Break After Battle With Fibromyalgia

There are times when an AV actress quits over reasons that are particular to them but then there have been instances in the past when an actress has quit over health reasons. In one such case, a somewhat popular AV star Rino Yuki, recently announced that she would be taking an indefinite break from her career due to poor health conditions. The announcement comes after a two-month break from social media, which had the fans concerned of her well-being. 

I’d been scouring through her ScanLover page and noticed that some fans had qualms with the quality of her movies, as she seemed to prioritize quantity in the recent past over maintaining her usual high standards. The change in approach certainly must have raised eyebrows among her dedicated fans which is a far cry from her debut JAV with Kawaii which I recall was teased under the pretext of her having a boyfriend at that time. Adding to the speculation surrounding her hiatus, the 24 year old had lifted her interracial ban with a JAV produced by Aegean Studio that was released in late May and which might have been one of her notable works in the industry. This must have come as a shocker for many of her fans!

Unfortunately, it has now come to light that the 24 year old has been battling with fibromyalgia, a chronic health condition known to cause severe pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. "The name of the disease is fibromyalgia, and about 2 million people in Japan have been diagnosed with it, including Lady Gaga, who seems to be suffering from the same disease. Depending on the day, I have severe pain in all joints and muscles in my body, I have trouble with my fingers, can't open a plastic bottle, and can't cut my fingernails. Now, after over a month of various tests, I am finally on treatment." This condition has had a drastic impact on her overall health, similar to the struggles faced by international pop star Lady Gaga.

To address the same, Rino opened up in a heartfelt tweet, about her condition and shed light on the challenges she has been facing behind the scenes. "I believe that not even one-tenth of what is seen on location reaches the other side of the screen, so I want to give it my all and give more than 120% of what I can do on location. This is just my ego, but I think it's my policy that I want the people who are paying to see my work to have more fun filming than I do when I'm tired, and I think that's the worst thing in pornography if they can tell that I've compelled myself to work too hard. It's because it's not just watching a movie. I think that porn that doesn't affect you is not porn." It has personally been very traumatic for the actress as she expressed her desire to resume work only when she has regained her health, emphasizing that fans may not fully comprehend the toll an adult film shoot takes on a performer. I kind of agree with her statement, as in past several performers from the adult fraternity have noted how physically exhausting those full day shoots could get.

"I would like to move this account again, and since I used to work as a video editor while working as an AV actress, I think it would be good to post my recent work on Youtube or something." Since video editing is her forte, Rino intends to redirect her energy towards producing content for her YouTube channel during her hiatus. She believes this will provide her with a creative outlet while allowing her to nurture her health back to its optimum state. Further in the tweet, she humbly apologized to her industry peers for any inconvenience her health-related absence may cause and expressed gratitude for their understanding and support during this challenging time, "To those in the industry, Bambi's managers, fellow actresses, and my favorite fans, I apologize for any inconvenience or worry this may cause, and thank you in advance for your patience."

While Rino embarks on her journey towards recovery, her fans will await her return to AV soon. In the meantime, readers can keep up with the content she will produce for her YouTube channel, in a way extending support for her endeavors beyond the world of AV. Fans and colleagues alike are rallying around Rino, offering their well-wishes and encouraging her to prioritize her health above all else. The industry recognizes the toll that comes with adult film production and respects her decision to step back until she is fit to return.

Stay updated with Rino Yuki's Twitter

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