ZENRA Exclusive Interview: Riasu Mizutani

Hello everyone,

Today we have an interview with a special person. Debuts may be easy to get to agree to an interview, but it's rare to find someone who is fluent in English, and also even rarer, someone who wanted to start doing AV to have sex with the people they idolized. We have Riasu Mizutani with us, a Moodyz debut. She is a self proclaimed otaku, and is a University student and translator. But that's enough from me. As always, I've formatted the questions in italics, and her responses will be as normal. Also, her responses are unedited (asides from certain words), so her grammar, etc. is all raw. These words will be surrounded in brackets and written in italics to try and depict the original meaning.

Enjoy!

You've said that you were born in America and also lived in the UK, what made you want to move to Japan?

My biggest reason is that I love living in Tokyo. I’ve lived in and have traveled to many major cities in the world, but I think Tokyo by far has the most to offer in terms of entertainment, food, and job opportunities (at least for me). I bet that in no other city is there a place like Shinjuku, where you can chill at a shisha lounge, meet your favorite JAV actress at SOD Land (I’m so sad it closed), go to an onsen (hot spring), and go for an all-nighter at a member’s only happening bar. And if in any way you are queer, or want to spend time in the company of other queer people in Tokyo, go visit the oldest lesbian bar (I think it’s the oldest in the world now that the ones in the US have had to close) in Nichome. All of these places are within ten minutes by foot.

FYI: SOD is expected to be back up sometime in the coming months

As conservative as mainstream Japanese culture can be, Tokyo has quite a lot to offer in terms of these types of entertainment/nightlife. Also a lot of multinational companies have their offices in Tokyo, which gives me a lot of opportunities for translation work and business connections. And on top of that, so many JAV model agencies, production companies, and studios are based in Tokyo, so I don’t think that I would have been able to pursue a career in JAV if I didn’t live here. Also the food is great and cheap compared to a lot of other big cities. Skiing, Disneyland, Sanrio Puroland, VTuber and anime events are only a train ride away. It’s an absolutely amazing city for an otaku/JAV actress/translator like myself.

 Some people think you resemble former AV actress Asahi Mizuno (in the face). What do you think of that?

It’s an absolute honor! Asahi san has close to 1.5k videos out on FANZA, and she decided to come back as an AV actress as a Madonna label star, so I feel really flattered that some people think I  resemble such a successful actress. It also is reassuring to know that someone with short hair, fairly tall, and “seijun” (innocent looking?) has had a big fan base. Hopefully I can keep my hair short and be popular too!

Are the people closest to you aware of your career? If yes, how did they react? If not, how do you think they would react if they knew?

No, and yes. I haven’t told them yet, but I’ve told a bunch of my friends that I’ve become a JAV actress. My friends are super supportive, and it’s nice to know that I don’t have to hide what I do from my favorite people in the world. I haven’t told my them yet, and I’m not sure how they’ll react. But it is through my [paternal parent] secret collection that I first started watching JAV films so I don’t think he can say much, given that he has contributed (quite a lot) to my love for JAV films. My sibling probably wouldn’t care, they know how free-spirited I am. And whatever my [maternal parent] thinks, well she can’t stop me! I’m an adult now, and I can make decisions for myself. I love them all very much, but their opinions won’t change how I feel about the choices I’ve made.

Words have been edited to make interview 'word compliant'.

Given your background as a translator, we’d like to ask you two extremely important questions:  What is your opinion of Oxford commas?  And do you add one or two spaces after periods?

I must admit that I too am guilty of upholding quite a few of the Oxford school of grammarians’ tedious grammar rules, including the Oxford comma. I do translate legal documents sometimes, and I think I was just taught to write that way in my snobbish private school education. However, I do not add two spaces after periods, as I’ve never written up a document on a typewriter (which I believe is where the double space rule comes from), and I think it looks weird!

You had been very active on Twitter even before your debut title is out, exhibiting a worldly view on current affairs.  Where does that level of confidence for success stems from?

It’s not so much confidence for success, but more of me just wanting to put in as much effort as possible to let people know that I exist, and that my JAV work is available for purchase if they want to get it. If the videos I star in do well, that will hopefully lead to more JAV job offers. I love my work so much, so the most important thing for me is that I’m successful enough that I’ll continue to receive offers from JAV makers. So that’s why I’ve been active on social media!

 Being the confident woman that you are, I'm sure you already had a roadmap of your career planned out.  Are you able to share with us what can we expect from you in the months and years ahead?

In the next few months, you will get to see more videos of me that we’ve already filmed, and if possible, other collaboration projects with other JAV stars, and filmmakers. I’ve also gotten in touch with some of the people who are trying to make reforms to the JAV regulations that were put in place last year by the government, some of which have placed JAV stars and filmmakers in financially difficult situations. It’s my hope that some of the rules will be rewritten for a more sustainable (financial and otherwise) JAV industry.

If my videos sell well, and if people want to see more of me doing JAV related events, projects, etc., I will do everything in my power to make it possible.

But I’m not doing what I do for fame or money. It’s the work itself that I truly enjoy doing, and it’s my passion for JAV that put me here in the first place. So even if I stop starring in JAV, I will continue rooting for my favorite stars, filmmakers, and people (like ZENRA!) who contribute to this industry.

Do you have any funny stories from your AV job?  Your translation job?

Yes! There’s a sex position called “eki-ben” (lunch boxes sold at stations), because it resembles a person selling obento (lunch boxes) at stations in Japan. We don’t really see these types of sellers in Japan anymore, but you might still see it in animes set in older times in Japan (e.g. Rengoku Kyojuro’s film in Kimetsu no Yaiba/ Demon Slayer). Anyways, one of my dreams as an avid JAV fan was to have sex ekiben style. And my dream came true in my debut film! And while we were filming that scene, Kensuke Samejima, the co-star who had me in the position said something along the lines of “oh wouldn’t it be embarrassing to come in ekiben style,” and I said “(yes, because) I’m an obento!” I wasn’t able to say the “yes because” part so it looks like I am just claiming to be a lunchbox. Also even though I just explained it, it doesn’t really make sense, but in my sex hormone riddled mind, it somehow did.

Another shorter funny story is that the day before filming my debut film that’s being released from MOODYZ, a DMM JAV label, I had just submitted a translation work for a completely unrelated project run by DMM.

Speaking of your job, could you tell us about how you got involved in the industry? Did you advance through ‘water trade’ jobs?

I submitted an application to my current JAV actress agency, and they accepted my application! Unlike other actresses, I was a complete nobody, had absolutely no experience in the idol industry or as a social media influencer, so I feel really lucky that a major agency like Bambi, and a super major JAV label like MOODYZ wanted to give me a chance.

Although it’s somewhat unrelated, I have worked at a BDSM club as an “M girl” for about four months, and at a Yoshiwara soapland for about a month. That was also out of voluntary interest, and part of my adventure in learning about my sexual identity and fetishes. It was so much more fun and safer than what I expected, so I would totally work again if I have more free time in the future. Right now, uni, translations, and JAV take up all my work/study time so maybe once I graduate and don’t find anything more fun to do, I’ll return to doing sex work.

Many foreign fans dream of being a male performer in AV.  Do you think there's any market for that though?  Why or why not?  If so, what do you think a foreign guy would need to make it as a male performer?

Definitely yes. I have several reasons. First is that there’s a growing market for JAV targeting female fans. Thanks to more women having free time and money to spend on adult film content, there’s a small but growing group of “ero men” like Ittetsu, Riku Mukai, and so on. And just like Japanese men, Japanese women love hot foreigners too. Like I would love to see Murasame san (a Japanese actor/model/gardener originally from Sweden) show off his sexy body in a romantic JAV for women viewers. But it’s also true that the JAV industry doesn’t have a lot of financial compensation in their contracts for male stars. So in order for foreign guys to make it in the JAV industry, they should probably be ready to support themselves financially through other jobs (at least in the beginning).  Also this is true even for Japanese guys, but it seems that it’s really important for male JAV stars to have personal connections with older male JAV stars. It’s probably quite rare nowadays for JAV makers to host open applications for male stars with the new JAV regulation making that quite difficult. So find your sensei, be ready to have a side job, and get ripped! Or help me start a male JAV star agency!

Ittetsu on Left, Riku on Right.

What's the biggest misconception about AV that you wish would end?

The biggest misconception that I wish would end is that it’s a job for people who are not good enough or skilled enough for “normal jobs.” AV filmmakers, agency people, and AV stars have exceptional communication skills, sexual experiences, imagination, and stamina. They are great at what they do, and that is why they are able to work in this industry. Maybe their skills would be more appreciated in other industries, or maybe AV is their calling. Either way, I think it’s a huge misconception that AV is for people who are somehow not good enough for “normal society.” Try being an agency staff, a make-up artist, a photographer, a director, or an actor for AV. You’ll be surprised at how much knowledge and skills are needed to execute the simplest tasks.

Many foreigners believe the job is easy, especially for exclusive actresses.  You film once a month and that’s it.  How much do you actually work in a month?  Is it easier than non-adult work?

I’m not an exclusive actress, but I definitely work more than the perception in the question. I spend maybe two to three days per month doing interviews, and discussing filming plans with filmmakers, and spend a day or two taking photos at a studio for auctions, events, or my social media. I also spend time posting/creating content on my actress social media everyday. And then if I’m lucky, I get one or two film days, which is the only paid job out of all that’s listed here. I’m still in uni, and have translation work to do as well, so maybe my JAV work alone seems pretty light. But if I start doing events, Fantia/Onlyfans, or get more filming offers, I’d become a lot busier. Also filming all day is pretty physically taxing. I make sure to rest well before and after filming, and do regular exercise to keep myself fit and supple!

With more and more people producing media on their smartphones, do you think Japan will see an increase in individuals releasing their own content rather than going through an agency?

Yes! And I think that some individuals who make a lot of money creating their own content might get exclusive offers from JAV makers, while still being able to continue their personal work. It’s already happening for popular TikTokers (e.g. Nana Misaki) and YouTubers (e.g. Umi Yatsugake).

Umi Yatsugake

Speaking of agencies, what do you consider to be the pro’s and con’s of them?

Pros: they help you with taxes, they have well established connections with filmmakers, they help you with non JAV work too like cosplay events/conferences/ fan photo shoots/personal item auctions, and also provide you with access to professional makeup artists and photographers for personal projects.

Cons: it’s an industry rule to pay actresses at least 30% of the performance fee paid by filmmakers, but it’s up to the agency to decide how much more to pay the actresses than the required minimum. The fact that they can pay you as little as 30% can be frustrating if it seems like the agency isn’t putting enough work for you. Unfortunately, unless you belong to an agency, you can’t get contracts with legal JAV labels so since that became a legal requirement, being independent is not an option if you want to star in the popular JAV label videos.

On that note, given your worldly background, what made you decide to take a more traditional route with your adult career?

I wanted to star in the most authentic/popular/traditional types of JAV created by my favorite directors, and co-star alongside male and female JAV actors that I’ve watched countless times. I’m not really in it for the money. I’m probably more like many other JAV fans who dream of meeting their favorite actors or getting a ride on the MM van just for the fun and excitement of the experience itself. And since it is legally required for JAV actresses to belong to JAV agencies in order to work with JAV filmmakers, it was the only choice I had.

Do you watch JAV for enjoyment?  What about western porn?  If yes for either, what do you watch?

I watch JAV all the time! I mostly buy videos starring Umi Yatsugake, Hibiki Natsume, Akari Mitani, and Kensuke Samejima (male actor). I also sometimes buy works starring other actors I follow online, as well as works directed by Samoari, Masaki, and Komatsu Seventeen. I don’t watch a lot of western porn, but when I do, I like to watch on Crash Pad, Bright Desire and kink.com.

Hibiki Natsume (left) and Akari Mitani (right)

If you had the opportunity to direct a movie with an unlimited budget, what would it be about?

It would be about a girl brought up in an ancient tribe that has passed on relics and teachings of JAV gurus. This movie is set in the future, in a similar universe to our’s, but one in which human reproduction no longer requires sexual intercourse. Moreover, sexual desire, sexual content, and anything and everything related to sexual pleasure have been eradicated from mainstream culture and society. This movie will be about the rediscovery of sexual intimacy, pleasure, as well as violence, through the eyes of a girl brought up in a “backward” community, and starting her adult life in a big city (in the weird future world I described above).

Are you able to separate the sex and pleasure you may feel on set with the same sensations you feel in private?

That’s a really difficult question! I often think about my partner and how I wish they were my co-star on set, but I also often try to remember my interactions with my co-stars and relive them through self-pleasure or in a private sexual encounter. So I guess my answer is no? I think being a JAV actress unlocked another level in my capacity to enjoy watching JAV, self-pleasure, and my private sex adventures.

Do you have a boyfriend?  How does he feel about what you do?  Do you have any rules about what you can and can’t do on set (for example, no raw sex) and what he can and can’t do in private (‘one night love’/brothel versus full-fledged relationships with other women)?

I’m in open relationships with two partners, and they are both jealous and aroused by the fact that I’m having sex on set! The rules are pretty simple; try not to get STDs (since that may affect my work), and expressing jealousy should be through hot sex and not petty fights.

Do you think there's any room for you to do videos where you make use of your English? English teacher/tutor videos seem very underutilized and foreign fans love them.

I think so! I actually have experiences being an English tutor for rich beautiful housewives and fresh ambitious professionals so I have absolutely no issue acting out the “what if” fantasies that live rent free in my head.

 Are there actresses that you want to work with?

Yes! Kanna Fuji, Chisato Shoda, Sakura Tsukishima, Mia Nanasawa, Ran Himeno, Sui Mizumori, Umi Yatsugake, and Hibiki Natsume just to name a few.

From Top Left to Right and Down, Chisato Shoda, Ran Himeno, Mia Nanasawa, Sakura Tsukushima, Sui Mizumori, Fuji Kanna

Many AV actresses have gained more international exposure by being featured in Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise.  Are you a fan of that series?  Would you like to one day be in it?

That would be fantastic. I haven’t played any of the games, but I have watched VTubers play them. But because of YouTube and its rules, they had to cover up the screen for some of the 18+ scenes featuring JAV stars.

Do you plan on doing any fan meet events in the future, and if so, would you appreciate a fan meet article by our writer Anton Algren?

Yes, and yes! Maybe in the summer or fall this year, I will be able to host meet and greet events in Japan. I would absolutely love to read articles by Anton about my events. That could help me with trying to meet fans in other countries, and I think that more people will be able to learn about what kind of person I am. Thank you so much for offering, and I hope I could hold events soon!

If you did not decide on doing AV, what would you be doing now?

I would be a student, and maybe a VTuber.

 Any message for your foreign fans?

I too am an avid fan of JAV, and alongside my career as a JAV actress, I also want to make JAV more widely accessible outside Japan. Thank you for finding me, and I hope that someday I can travel the world to meet you in person.

 Piracy is of course, a huge issue in every industry. What do you think is the best way to tackle the issue? Do you think there are double standards between the expectation of social norms between Japanese and foreigners, i.e. -> expecting foreigners to pirate?

I think the best way to tackle the issue is to recruit and pay doujin (volunteer) translators to make subtitles in various languages, and do what Netflix/Amazon Prime is doing; make contents globally accessible through a subscription platform. That way, people who want to pay for the content as well as people who may not have had an interest in some of the contents could be introduced to the videos through the platform. Also it’s a safer and more convenient way for people to access the contents because these platforms wouldn’t require VPN or be plagued with weird pop ups and viruses. The problem is, who will fund this? What laws need to be reformed? And would it be as successful as Netflix?

On this note, I'm sure you've heard of the issues at R18.  Do you think they should try to sort it out?

Yes. I think DMM should rebrand their platform, putting out disclaimers about the age of performers, their consent, and put out videos that are relatively mild/recently made. It might not completely solve their Visa/Mastercard issue, so alternative methods of payment should be considered, such as USDT, PayPal, etc.

 You’ve said that you want to revive R18.  Could you tell us about what inspired that goal and now knowing more about the issues regarding laws and logistics, how do you plan on moving forward?

I have talked about this issue with a friend who consults companies regarding decentralized finance. I’ll need to study more about the various laws that inhibit global sales of JAV, and make it a part of my activist agenda for legal reforms regarding regulations of JAV.

Given recent events with new the New AV Law, what is your outlook on whether it will be changed or repealed?

I don’t know to what extent the activists and the politicians involved have been able to move forward with their repeal plans. I don’t know if they’re at the stage of drafting the repeal laws, or if they’re negotiating with other parties to push forward their plans. I hope to get in touch with them soon! But my opinion is that certain changes must be made to the current set of laws to at least prevent technical loopholes that is devastating for the performers and JAV makers (e.g. extra casts being able to take down videos leading to the loss of income for JAV makers and lost opportunity for the actress to release another video to the world). However, it is also my opinion that the current set of laws blame and place responsibility on the filmmakers (and to some extent JAV performers who are willingly working in the industry), for the acts of discrimination that various individuals in society have committed against JAV actors. While it is true that some JAV makers in the past tricked or pressured girls into performing in JAV, and that should certainly be prevented from happening again, the current law goes too far, and wastes precious time and budget that could otherwise be used to increase compensation for performers, directors, and other parties involved in the creation of JAV films. I find it ridiculous that I need to spend as long as two to three hours for a contract that could take less than five minutes to read, ask for clarifications, and sign. As a freelancer, I only get paid for the assignment itself, and not for my time signing contracts.

How long did your debut shoot take?

Roughly 15 hours? I made it to the studio at around 8am and my manager san came to pick me up around 11pm! It was long but short! I was sad by the end that filming with Komatsu san (the director) was coming to an end, and became determined to try my best to meet him (as well as all my amazing co-stars) on set again.

Your cover depicts you as being a tomboy. Do you feel like that describes you well? Do you have any other ways you'd like to be presented?

I don’t consider myself a tomboy but I can see that my hairstyle and physical appearance might make people think that way about me. I guess it also explains my love for JAV, puroresu (also US pro-wrestling), female VTubers, and anime girls. Those hobbies and interests are pretty “boyish.” But I also love make-up, getting dressed up, sexy lingerie, and being an obedient sub. I think I’m just a curious person with many interests (hentai and otherwise). I’m up for all types of sexual adventures, and if being a short-haired tomboy is going to open the door, I’m more than happy to be presented and seen that way.


 Given recent events with new the New AV Law, what is your outlook on whether it will be changed or repealed?

I don’t know to what extent the activists and the politicians involved have been able to move forward with their repeal plans. I don’t know if they’re at the stage of drafting the repeal laws, or if they’re negotiating with other parties to push forward their plans. I hope to get in touch with them soon! But my opinion is that certain changes must be made to the current set of laws to at least prevent technical loopholes that is devastating for the performers and JAV makers (e.g. extra casts being able to take down videos leading to the loss of income for JAV makers and lost opportunity for the actress to release another video to the world). However, it is also my opinion that the current set of laws blame and place responsibility on the filmmakers (and to some extent JAV performers who are willingly working in the industry), for the acts of discrimination that various individuals in society have committed against JAV actors. While it is true that some JAV makers in the past tricked or pressured girls into performing in JAV, and that should certainly be prevented from happening again, the current law goes too far, and wastes precious time and budget that could otherwise be used to increase compensation for performers, directors, and other parties involved in the creation of JAV films. I find it ridiculous that I need to spend as long as two to three hours for a contract that could take less than five minutes to read, ask for clarifications, and sign. As a freelancer, I only get paid for the assignment itself, and not for my time signing contracts.

Thank you so much for the interview! We look forward to working with you again soon!

We hope you enjoyed the interview and and support her. You can find her on Twitter here, and her debut with Moodyz is out now!