TOKYO (TR) – Last month, writer Kodansha revealed a extremely revealing photograph e book that includes former AKB48 member and actress Atsuko Maeda.
Published on February 16, “Atsuko Maeda Photo Book Beste” is the previous pop idol’s first photograph e book in almost 14 years.
“As my last photo book, I wanted to give it my all without any regrets,” the 34-year-old Maeda mentioned.
Maeda could have executed simply that. The unfold incorporates a few of her most seductive images so far, together with quite a few cleavage photographs and glimpses, in accordance with sleuths on X, of her pubic hair.
Just over every week after it hit retailer cabinets, the e book shot up Oricon Weekly Book Rankings to the number-one place.
Evening tabloid Nikkan Gendai (Mar. 25) reviews that Maeda’s flip to the steamy aspect follows the success of Maki Goto, whose revealing photograph unfold from two years in the past left followers calling for extra.
“Not playing it safe”
Released by Kodansha on November 29, 2024, “flos” is an erotic photograph e book that includes former Morning Musume member Goto. Many of the photographs present her virtually nude.
As with Maeda’s e book, it grew to become an enormous matter of dialog on social media from the second it was launched. It rapidly went into its tenth printing.
For many, the revealing images of those former prime idols was surprising since they each are moms.
“Some people are giving negative reviews, saying that idols who boldly undress in photo books have fallen from grace, but that’s an outdated perspective,” a trend journal editor tells Gendai. “No matter their age, their attitude of not playing it safe and instead going on the offensive, and boldly revealing themselves to take on challenges, is seen by many women as ‘cool.’ They have an erotic side. Even though they’re mothers, you can still feel they’re women.”
Mother of two
Maeda married 39-year-old actor Ryo Katsuji in 2018. Their eldest son was born the next yr. She introduced their divorce in 2021. She is at present elevating her 7-year-old son as a single mom. Goto married a non-celebrity man in 2015. She is a mom of two.
On March 21, Maeda appeared on the MBS TV program “Tsukai! Akashiya TV.” During the episode, she shared a heartwarming anecdote about her parenting struggles.
“She talked about how her son would be a part of different households in eating places and different public locations and boast, ‘My mom used to be an idol,’” the same editor says. “Of course, there are concerns about her son knowing that his mother has released a provocative photo book with revealing photos, but the photo book itself shows a certain boldness, demonstrating her life as a mother who was once a top idol. This kind of resolute attitude, typical of a former top idol, is likely a factor in why she’s thought of ‘cool’ by ladies.”
Goto appeared in ‘flos’ earlier than turning 40. Meanwhile, Maeda remains to be in her 30s.
“The timing of when they undress is important in terms of generating buzz, but it’s precisely because these two top idols showed such bold sides that they garnered support from women and achieved such strong sales,” the identical editor continues. “Their willingness to continue challenging themselves without fear of criticism, even as they get older and become mothers, shows they still have the same mindset they had as top idols.”
Gendai concludes that overtly placing eroticism on show stands out as the final second profession alternative solely permitted to former prime idols.