Gravia Powa: Top most unexpected gravure idols-turned A-list STARS

Okay, so by now I think it’s pretty obvious that some of my posts are quite unconventional and for the last JE post for the most part I ruffled some feathers (pun intended, lol). But then again we can’t please everyone, and everyone is entitled to his own opinion that needs respect. So for the benefit of the sensibilities of others, this post right here needs a DISCLAIMER: this post does not in any way intend to offend anyone in any way, it’s just a presentation of cold, hard facts that may be difficult for die-hard fans to swallow. Don’t worry there’s no complete nudity posted. Open-mindedness is very much a welcome state of mind.

Let’s get this post started.

What exactly is a gravure idol??
Gravure idols are Japanese models who primarily pose in bikinis, leotards, and other provocative clothing for photo spreads in magazines and photobooks aimed largely at men. Fetish themes may include wrestling, martial arts, and Superheroines from tokusatsu.
Gravure idols range from as young as age 9 to as old as 35. However, they do not pose nude or perform sexually explicit acts in their work. (Source: Wikipedia)
OMG. Girls as young as age 9?? How sick is that?

Anyhoodles, just to make it clear. I’m not saying that gravure is entirely wrong. I mean, if modeling requires an “idol” to wear a bikini, then that’s fine, it’s inevitable and only appropriate for beach/ pool location shoots. I’m all for “if you have it, then show it” to a certain extent. And certain movie roles will also include a show of skin so whatever the director or story deems necessary for the film should be done. But if you’re below 18, barely even reaching puberty and still living under your parents’ house? Then that becomes a problem. I do understand the cultural perspective that it’s “normal” in Japan, but sometimes, “normal” does not always mean “acceptable” and “right.”

And in tradition of countdowns, here are the top most unexpected former or present gravure idols who grace Japanese TV today as fan-favorite A-list or famous stars.

Gah. It’s really difficult to put in captions for these things. I mean, what more can you say about bikini clad bodies other than it’s hot or not?? For the first time I’m actually speechless.

10 – CHIAKI KURIYAMA

We all know her as the ass kicking death machine Gogo in her appearance in the Hollywood smash hit KILL BILL. She even co-starred with Kat-tun’s Koki “too-cool-for-school gangsta” in Tanaka Express.

But what most of us don’t know is that she’s got other killer looks that got published in men’s magazines.

In all fairness, the blanket slash scissor cutting theme is quite tastefully done. But not so much for her trying-to-be-sultry-with-pouty-lips look.

9 – ASAMI MIZUKAWA

This underrated girl always stars as the second lead or the lead’s best friend, which is a waste because I think she’s quite talented, especially in Nodame Cantabile and as the no nonsense, cheerful girl in Last Friends. She doesn’t have much exposure like other stars but she did have a few sexy shots here and there.

THE NEXT STARS DID NOT DO HARDCORE GRAVURE AND DID NOT START OUT AS GRAVURE IDOLS, BUT THEY SURE DID NOT ESCAPE THE TREND. Then again it’s hardly a trend since it’s been going on forever and it’s hardly likely that it’s gonna stop soon.

8 – AOI YUU

Cutie pie Osen star Aoi Yuu who co-starred with former JE alcoholic “suspendee” Uchi Hiroki.
Krrr&**!@!crraccck – the sound of heartbroken RyoUchi fanfic addicts. Anyway, this girl is a
promising actress, not to mention a natural cutie at best. She does remind me of Kpop stars
Shin Min Ah and Jung Ryu won though.

7 – MIYAZAKI AOI

Everyone’s favorite Nana girl. Well, I did a double take in these rare shots and wasn’t
sure at first if it was really her. And I still don’t get what she’s doing with that stick.

6 – MASAMI NAGASAWA

Masami started out pretty young. She does have that cutesy patootsy appeal
that would drive boys nuts. Though it is rather creepy. She looks barely 13 in these pics!

DRAMA QUEEN. She’s currently the “it girl” nowadays. She’s freaking everywhere! Ever heard of “overexposure” before??
And is it part of her contract that she can prefers to work in dramas/ movies where JE boys are involved? Rumored bf Nino, Ryo, Matsujun, Pi (who else). I’m not a fan though. She’s just too annoying. And unnatural. And overacting. Okay, I’m not a fan.

5 – AIBU SAKI

Another “it girl.” She’s come a long way from being an extra in some dramas where she always ends up being dumped by Ryo (Gambatte Ikimasshoi and Attention Please), now she has her own starring role in Zettai Kareshi. Poor Girl. Gossip blogs call her “Jyani Kui” because she’s always rumored to have dated Johnny’s boys including Ryo, Matsujun, Pi, Taguchi. Who’s she gonna prowl next? Hey Say Jump?? But at least she got Nagase Tomoya in real life.

Bringing “Sexy Back”?? Can somebody please explain to me what the hell is Aibu Saki doing in this picture? She looks like Sadako sniffing a tree. Currreepy.

Or in this picture? WTH.

EIKURA NANA

A.K.A. Matsujun’s incestous sister slash lover in their movie aptly titled “I’m in love with my little sister,” making viewers wonder what it’s all about. Duh, And Masami’s best friend in ProDai.

ERIKA TODA

Don’t really know how much you can do with a bunch of skin and bones. Thank goodness for that pretty face.

4 – ERIKA SAWAJIRI

We all know bitchy Erika-sama is no angel. Still love her though.
I’m sure she irritated a lot of Japanese fans with her tantrum in a movie conference but well, she’s a diva and she’s not afraid to show it. And it worked for and against her. LOL at that furry rabbit costume.

3 – ARAGAKI YUI

Japan’s little sister and everyone’s best friend. Well, she’s always been introduced as a model so there’s no surprise here. Quite too young though. And she looks a whole lot different with makeup on and posing seductively in a bikini.

2 – AYASE HARUKA

WHOA. In her recent guest appearance in Cartoon Kat-tun she mentioned that she’s “shy” about doing gravure because “her photos might end up in weird magazines.” Well, where does she expect them to get published anyway? Wink Up?? Seventeen??

This just in. In a bid to prevent Ayase from getting pregnant, her company apparently issued an order to her to “preserve her chastity!” Whatever.

(source: http://myfirstgossipblog.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/ayase-haruka-is-the-real-baka/#comments)

DOING A SAWAJIRI POSE. I swear, gravure is THE most uncreative photoshoot evarrr. Bikini. Beach. Ugh. I actually saw a nude pic of her and nearly fell off my seat. Can someone please confirm if it’s really her? (link: http://blog-imgs-10.fc2.com/e/r/o/eroierog/ayase_haruka006.jpg)

OKAY LET’S PROLONG THIS COUNTDOWN FURTHER AND FEATURE SEMI-OLD GRAVURE IDOLS.

NAKAMA YUKIE. The Gokusen 1, 2, 3 star. Not much of a fan. I mean, how long can you extend a gambatte-you-can-do-it! story of an overly enthusiastic teacher versus overly annoying delinquent students? That story is so overused. But she looks really classy though.

ITO MISAKI. Don’t have much to say about her. She’s got gazillion gravure pics everywhere. She starred alongside Kame in one dapper of a drama Sapuri. They both kinda sucked. No chemistry whatsoever. She was quite good in Densha Otoko, but her role as a perfect, beautiful girl is not much of a stretch.

KYOKO FUKADA

Don’t exactly know how old she is. She talks and acts very childishly.

YAMADA YU

Tall beauty Yamada graced the cover of An-An.

And the top, most unexpected gravure idol is….

Er, no. NOT Leah Dizon. That’s hardly a surprise.

Everyone knows she’s the queen B of gravure. It’s what she does best.

1 – MAKI HORIKITA

Little miss pure-and-innocent also did the deed. Quite a shock, it’s a far cry from her roles as the reliable girl-next-door every boy would want to bring home to mom. Looks like she started out in the biz young too, and the pics above looked a bit like a low-budget shady movie that’s just…

So far, I haven’t seen any gravure shots from these idol favorites.

Eye candy Kuroki Meisa and sweetie Inoue Mao.

Drama princess Rosa Kato and perky Aya Ueto.

And my personal fave…

Diva Kitagawa Keiko. Maybe it’s because she started out as an exclusive Seventeen Mag model.

We haven’t seen them in men’s mags. Or at least NOT YET…



Gravure – double exposure. Literally and figuratively. Skin exposure and mass exposure.

POLL QUESTION: WOULD YOU POSE NUDE FOR A MEN’S MAGAZINE IF IT PROMISES YOU A QUICK CLAIM TO FAME? I mean, if it guarantees that you will be brushing elbows with A-listers, walking down red carpets and sealing lucrative ad and movie deals, date the industry’s most coveted men. Think Abiru Yuu, Japan’s most hated biotch, but still had first dibs on Yamapi. Whatever that means. Then again, we all know how THAT turned out. Think Leah Dizon who can get away with almost anything, even bad vocals and mediocre dancing. Sounds tempting? Or not?

Anyway, just want to share this song Stripper by the SOHO DOLLS. Love it. It’s from Gossip Girls. So appropriate.

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