Hina Kikuchi Reveals Her First Drink was Calpis Sour!

“I was able to become a more positive version of myself thanks to my work in gravure.”

Translation:

――Your photo book Memory was published to celebrate your 20th birthday. After five years since your debut at 15, what do you feel has changed the most?

“Through various experiences, I’ve had more moments where I can feel my growth. Especially in terms of my personality, there has been a change. I think I’ve become brighter and more positive. I used to be shy and not comfortable with attention. I used to wonder if this job was right for me. But now, I can actively communicate with others about what I want to do, like ‘I want to shoot something like this’ or ‘I want to try this kind of work.’ I think becoming a more positive person is thanks to my gravure work.”

――What is your favorite outfit from this shoot?

“I don’t usually take the outfits from shoots home, but I really loved the coral green halter neck swimsuit, so I was given it as a special gift. I think it’s a memorable piece in the photo book, so I hope everyone will pay attention to it.”

――Was there anything memorable from the locations in Australia and Ibaraki?

“I was so happy to be able to shoot with dolphins in Australia! I love aquariums, especially dolphin shows. When the location was decided, I jokingly asked, ‘Do you think we could take a photo with dolphins?’ and it actually happened. The dolphins came up really close, and I even got to feed them. It felt like a dream.

Speaking of Australia, it’s known for its Aussie beef, so on the last day of the shoot, the whole team went to eat steak. There was a showcase with various cuts of meat, and you could choose what you wanted. I asked for ‘the best one!’ and was so impressed by how delicious it was. Then one of the staff said, ‘That’s Kobe beef,’ and I was like, ‘What!?'” (laughs)

――How was the shoot in your hometown, Ibaraki?

“It was so nostalgic. In high school, I used to wake up at 3 or 4 a.m., take a one-car train, and commute for over two hours each way. When we shot in Kamogawa, Chiba, it took over five hours to travel back and forth. Looking back, I think I did really well during those days. I wanted to try something new, so I joined the archery club, but it turned out to be much tougher than I imagined.
In the first year, I wasn’t allowed to hold a bow. I had to start by sitting in seiza and strengthening my mind, learning posture and breathing techniques. But because of that, I feel like I developed concentration and patience. I liked studying, so on the train, I would solve kanji drills. During the shooting of my first photo book, my editor even helped me study. I approached the shoot with a return to the basics mindset, thinking about my high school days.”

“I want to try playing various roles without being confined to any specific mold.”

――You’ve recently been active as an actress, what do you find difficult or attractive about acting?

“Acting is difficult because there’s no right answer. Just one change in how you say a line can completely alter the impression, so I’m constantly experimenting with how to express it best. But it’s really fascinating being able to become a person completely different from myself, and I want to try even more roles. My role model is Kanna Hashimoto (26). I’ve always loved anime and manga, and I watch many live-action adaptations. Hashimoto has appeared in several live-action adaptations, like ‘Kingdom,’ and what I admire about her is not just her cuteness but how she fully commits to every role, no matter what. It’s really cool. I also want to try playing various roles without being confined to any particular mold!”

――What kind of projects would you like to be part of?

“I would love to be in a horror movie! I’ve always liked ghost stories and even use them as background noise when I sleep (laughs). While ghost stories are great, I’m especially drawn to the kind of horror that explores human madness—those slow, escalating tensions. I want to try dark roles too, and I’m also curious about how the set of a horror movie works, so I’d love to experience it someday.”

――Since you’ve turned 20, have you felt any moments when you realize you’ve become an adult?

“I drank alcohol! I was able to drink more than I thought (laughs). The first time I drank was a Calpis Sour when I went to eat ramen with my mom on my birthday night. I thought alcohol would taste more bitter, but it was surprisingly easy to drink. Recently, my favorite is Cassis Soda, but it’s not always available at places. I want to try different drinks, but in moderation so it doesn’t affect my work (laughs).”

――What are your goals for the future?

“I feel like there’s still so much to learn. I want to continue challenging myself with new things, and I’d love to perform on stage where I can feel the live reactions from the audience. In the movie ‘V. MARIA,’ which releases on April 1, I play my first leading role. It’s a huge challenge for me, so I would be thrilled if people watch it!”

Kikuchi Hina, 20 years old

Born in 2004, Ibaraki Prefecture. She won the Miss Weekly Shonen Magazine title at the “Miss Magazine 2020” competition and debuted in gravure at the age of 15. In May 2024, she became an exclusive model for the fashion magazine non-no. Her latest photo book, memory, is currently being well-received.

 

My recent best “Relaxing time”:
“Walking my beloved dog”

Walking is my best healing time. My dog used to be a brownish color, kind of like brown sugar, but I heard it would turn white as it grew, so I named it “Sugar.” However, it’s becoming more like the color of raw sugar instead of white. Maybe I should just change the name to “Zarame” (laughs). Taking care of the dog while working is tough, but it motivates me to keep going for Sugar, and when I get home, Sugar greets me so happily, which is truly healing.

 

From the April 4/11, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”