Nene Shida: “Creating New Poses with My Mom!”

“A family evaluation session was held (lol).”

— This is your third time as a cover girl in about four months, following last December and this January!

“I’m just so happy, but I’m starting to worry that I might run out of things to talk about in these interviews (laughs).”

— The cover photo for this issue was taken in the Goto Islands (Nagasaki Prefecture). How was the shoot?

“I flew there on a small plane, and it felt like an amusement park ride—it was fun! It was my first time visiting the Goto Islands, and it had rows of old traditional houses and beautiful ocean views, just like I had imagined. While shooting at a place called Oni-dake, a group of young boys who were there as tourists recognized me and said, ‘Isn’t that Nene-maru?’ It made me really happy to be recognized by younger boys too.”

— Where were the indoor shots taken?

“They were taken in the lovely room where I actually stayed. Each person had their own room, and mine was a two-story cottage. But it was too big, and I was scared to sleep alone. So, I ended up staying in the makeup artist’s room. The shoot took place in that makeup artist’s room—the very room I actually slept in!”

— In a previous interview, you mentioned that you are very close to your family. How did they react to the photos taken in the Goto Islands and your photobook Neiro—cantabile—?

“My whole family supports me like devoted fans. Even my grandparents buy all my photo books and merchandise every time. This time, we already have about five copies of the photobook at home. My entire family even came to the release event, and they were all so happy! They lined up this photobook with Neiro—vivace—, which was shot in Taiwan, and started holding a little family review session, saying things like, ‘I like this photo better!’ (laughs). Each family member buys their own copies, even though I tell them I can give them one. But they insist, ‘No! Buying it is part of being a true fan!'”

— Has your younger sister, actress Kohaku Shida (20), seen your new photobook yet?

“Not yet. She always gives me a bit of a cold reaction. When I show her my photo books, she just says things like, ‘That outfit looks cold.’ But she’s a tsundere, so I know that once she actually looks at it, she’ll end up praising me.”

The charm of gravure comes from poses taught directly by my mother.

— Previously, you mentioned being into ramen. How about now?

“You might not believe it, but lately, I’ve been really into exercising, and my trips to ramen shops have significantly decreased! I’ve been a bit concerned about my lower belly recently. (laughs). At home, I’ve started doing flexibility exercises. Since my mom used to do gymnastics, she’s been teaching me how to use my body properly. I want to develop new poses by improving my flexibility. My mom and I are working together on this. Actually, some of the poses in my latest photobook are ones my mom taught me! My signature pose involves arching my back. When I showed it to my mom, she told me, ‘Nene, arch more!’ (laughs).”

— I never expected your mom to be coaching you on posing!

“When I first started gravure, I had no idea how to move or present myself. The photographers would give me directions, but when I got home, I’d ask my mom, ‘Was this okay?’ She’d go, ‘No! Your neck angle should be like this!’ and teach me. I think the combination of my mom’s traditional poses and my own original ones is what makes my gravure style unique.”

— Besides flexibility training, do you do any other exercises?

“I used to appear on a road biking TV show, but that segment has ended. So now I go to Pilates and yoga classes. My focus is more on shaping my body rather than just building strength. I’ve only just started Pilates, but they teach exercises you can do at home, so I’ve been able to keep it up pretty well.”

— In a previous interview, you mentioned wanting to try winter sports. Have you had the chance yet?

“I haven’t been able to yet. My school friends invite me, but since they have weekends off and I usually get weekdays off, our schedules don’t match. But I definitely want to try snowboarding someday. The outfits are so cute! And I really want to ride the lift. More than the actual snowboarding, I’m excited about enjoying the snowy scenery while going up on the lift. I know most people go snowboarding for the ride down, not the ride up (laughs), but that’s my dream!”

Nene Shida, 26 years old. Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1998, height 167 cm. She gained popularity through her appearance in Kamen Rider Geats (TV Asahi) from 2022 to 2023 and is currently active as an actress and talent. Her 3rd photobooks Neiro – vivace- and Neiro – cantabile- (both published by Kodansha) are now on sale with great success!

My recent best Exercise: Pilates

Lately, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to worry about my lower belly (laughs). Pilates helps strengthen the inner muscles related to core stability, which is essential for posing! Right now, I go to a class with an instructor and sometimes train using machines. I don’t like staying inactive for too long, so I also go for runs and practice the stretches I’ve learned together with my mom!  

 

From the March 28, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”