2023 was another busy year for us, publishing an article almost every weekday. We hope you enjoyed reading our content.
With just a few days of 2023 left, let’s look back on the year through some of the major developments in the gravure industry.
In January, Ichika Miri announced her retirement (though since she’s just 24 years old, we hope she might return under a different name and new management).
One-time top gravure princess Anri Sugihara released her first photo book in over six years. She is now a charmingly mature 41 years old.
In March, Memo Oba retired. Gravure is brutally competitive, with newbies debuting every month and just as many idols leaving the industry to pursue other careers.
In April, Aoi Fujino announced she is battling cancer.
In happier news, former gradol Rina Nagai was elected to the Saitama municipal assembly. We imagine her presence among the dull ranks of mostly male politicians could be a very welcome distraction!
In May, Ai Satsuki — a completely AI-generated gravure idol — appeared in an issue of Weekly Playboy, but the accompanying photo book was canceled.
In July, former AKB48 member and gravure stunner Satomi Kaneko retired. Her nude shoots will linger long in our memory.
In December, J-cup bombshell Airi Ikawa relaunched her career under a new professional name, Airi Shirakawa.
