Iori Kitagawa

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Lore & Background

Iori Kitagawa is a college freshman who moves to the Izu Peninsula to live above his uncle's dive shop, Grand Blue. He initially plans to enjoy a quiet college life, but is immediately dragged into the chaotic world of the Izu Scuba Divers Club, a group of hard-drinking, party-loving divers. Despite his frequent protests, Iori develops a genuine love for scuba diving and becomes a loyal member of the club, often finding himself in absurd and hilarious situations involving alcohol, nudity, and peer pressure.

In Their Own Story

In February 2015, Sakurai joined the idol group Million Girls Z alongside Rika Hoshimi, Kizuna Sakura, Ayaka Tomoda, Ichika Ayamori, and Anju Mizushima. In March 2015, she was inaugurated as monthly store manager at Tsutaya Adult with Chika Arimura, Saki Hatsumi, Ayaka Tomoda, and Rika Hoshimi. In April 2015, she appeared on MGZ's first terrestrial regular programme on Tokyo MX. She became exclusive to Million in May 2015. In July 2015, MGZ made their major debut with "I ♥ MGZ". She earned MVP at the Sky Perfect Swimming Tournament of the 1st Sexy Actress Darake! Million Girls Z and later won Best Performance Award at the "Sexy Idol Music Festa 2015". In November 2015, the "MGZ Asia Tour 2015 'Hatsukoi'" began in Guangzhou and Macau. In December 2015, she received the 2015 Promotion Award at the KMP Award held in Macau.

Reader's Guide

In February 2016, Sakurai graduated from her exclusive contract with Million and returned to being a Kikatan actress. In March 2016, she graduated from MGZ. She received the Cyzo Prize at the Adult Broadcasting Awards 2016. As she had declared for a long time, she retired from the AV industry in three years. In April 2016, she released a retirement memorial work. In May 2016, after retirement, she appeared in the column gravure of the monthly Cyzo 6th month as part of the Cyzo prize reception commemoration project. In December 2016, she appeared under the name Yoshimi at "MGZ Last Gigs" and began appearing on stage under the name Yoshimi Sakurai. In January 2017, she participated in "Men's Show 2017 South Korea" under the name Ayu Sakurai. Her post-AV work includes stage productions such as "Mukenjigoku -Maboroshi no Kumo no Ito-" (December 2016), "Take" (February 2017), "199X-toshi" (May 2017), and "BPMD" (October 2017). She appeared in the R15+ film "Blue Porno / Tokyo Gate Bridge" (September 2023).

Did You Know?

• Iori is often mistaken for a delinquent due to his muscular build and intimidating face, but he is actually a kind-hearted and easily flustered guy.
• He is a surprisingly skilled diver, though he often gets dragged into drinking contests before or after dives.
• Iori's cousin, Chisa Kotegawa, is also a member of the diving club and frequently scolds him for his antics.
• Despite his protests, Iori has a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and often goes along with their crazy plans.
• He is known for his 'innocent airhead' moments, which contrast sharply with his muscular physique.

Early Career and Industry Breakthrough

Born in Miyazaki Prefecture, Ayu Sakurai began her professional journey after being scouted while residing in Osaka. She entered the adult video industry in March 2013 under Prestige, quickly distinguishing herself by branding as a 'chippai actress' who highlighted her small bust as a unique selling point. Her early years were defined by independence; she worked as a 'Kikatan,' an unaffiliated performer, which allowed her to build a substantial portfolio before securing exclusive contracts. In 2014, her momentum surged with nominations for the DMM Adult Award and significant recognition at the Weekly Asahi Geinō AV Grand Award, where she earned the Excellent Actress title alongside Minami Kojima and Aika Yumeno. That same year, she ranked in the top ten across multiple sectors in DM14.R18's annual rankings, solidifying her status as a leading figure before transitioning to an exclusive contract with Million in September 2015.

Idol Group Success and International Exposure

In early 2015, Sakurai expanded her career beyond traditional adult films by joining the idol group Million Girls Z. This marked a pivotal shift into mainstream entertainment, where she participated in terrestrial television programs on Tokyo MX and released music singles like 'I ♥ MGZ.' Her role within the group extended to live performances across Asia, including events in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Macau during their 2015 tour. These international appearances showcased her versatility as a performer capable of engaging diverse audiences outside the adult industry. During this period, she also achieved notable accolades such as the MVP title at a swimming tournament and the Best Performance Award at the Sexy Idol Music Festa. Her involvement in MGZ demonstrated a strategic effort to bridge the gap between adult entertainment and idol culture, leveraging her popularity to secure roles in major events like the Asian Adult Expo.

Transition to Mainstream Acting

Despite her success in adult media, Sakurai consistently expressed a desire to transition into non-pornographic acting. She officially retired from the AV industry in 2016 after releasing over 800 productions, initially adopting the stage name Yoshimi Sakurai for her post-retirement activities. Her shift to mainstream entertainment included diverse roles in short dramas on TikTok, comedic sketches on YouTube, and dramatized promotional videos. On stage, she took on significant characters in various theatrical productions ranging from 'Mukenjigoku' to 'Yasashii Akuma,' proving her adaptability as a dramatic actress. By 2017, she began performing under her original name again at overseas events, signaling a full rebranding toward civilian life while maintaining her connection to performance arts through theater and independent film projects like the R15+ movie 'Blue Porno / Tokyo Gate Bridge.'

Gaming Roles and Cultural Impact

Sakurai's influence extended into the video game sector, most notably with her casting in 'Yakuza 0' released in 2015. In this high-profile title, she portrayed Ayu, a timid young woman aspiring to become a dominatrix, a role that brought her character to millions of players worldwide. This appearance was significant as it represented one of the few instances where an adult film actress secured a prominent voice and motion capture role in a major AAA game franchise. Her inclusion in such a widely recognized title helped normalize the crossover between adult entertainment performers and mainstream gaming culture. Additionally, her participation in various industry awards and expos, including the Japan Adult Expo and events in Macau, highlighted her status as a cultural icon who successfully navigated multiple entertainment spheres before establishing herself as a legitimate stage and screen actress.