Mao Takano Reveals She Studied Hina Kikuchi’s Expressions to Grow in Gravure

Training in front of the mirror! Growth on display in her second gravure photoshoot.

During the shoot, Mao Takano impressed her manager and the staff with an expressiveness that seemed far beyond that of a newcomer. Behind her growth was careful preparation.

“Once the shoot was confirmed, I bought various magazines and studied how to create different facial expressions. I was especially drawn to the mature look Hina Kikuchi had on the cover of FRIDAY—it felt so elegant. So I practiced in front of the mirror. I really wanted to show how much I’ve grown since last time, so I prepared as much as I could. I’ve gained a bit of confidence in my expressions and posing, so I actually enjoyed this shoot even more.”

Her improved body line was also noticeable—more refined and toned than in her debut gravure.

“I’ve been cutting back on fats in my diet and doing strength training to shape up. I focus mainly on my stomach, back, and butt. I don’t have a personal trainer—I’ve been following workout videos on YouTube and getting tips from friends who know a lot about fitness. I was a bit unsure at first, but I feel like I’m starting to find a routine that works for me.”

She says her favorite outfits from the shoot were the black one-piece dress and the pleated skirt paired with a dress shirt.

“I usually wear black clothes, so they make me feel calm, and I like how they make my body look more toned. It reminded me how versatile black really is. The dress shirt was something I don’t normally wear, so it felt really fresh.”

“I love pumpkin and rice flour.”

Lately, she’s been hooked on pumpkin and rice flour.

“I often go to the supermarket with my mom and buy pumpkin side dishes. Not desserts—I like the ones from the deli section. I also really like rice flour, and sometimes I make cookies or pie crusts with it from scratch.”

When asked to recommend a local spot in her hometown of Tochigi, she didn’t hesitate.

“Definitely ‘Ichigo no Sato’ in Oyama City. They have tons of strawberry-themed dishes and amazing desserts. You can also go strawberry picking with fresh berries—it’s a place you can enjoy all day. Though, you do need a car to get there. It’s a bit tricky to access by train.”

Finally, we asked her what kind of work she’d like to try in the future.

“I’m really interested in acting, so I’d love to pursue that. A while ago, some fans on social media told me things like, ‘You’d be great at playing a villainess,’ or ‘You’ve got the face of an empress.’ At first, I was surprised, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt like those kinds of roles could actually be really fun. It seems like I’d be able to show a completely different side of myself, so I definitely want to give it a try.”

Takano Mao, 21 years old
Born in Tochigi Prefecture. She made her debut in the entertainment industry in March of this year. She has been actively posting on TikTok, and the total number of views has exceeded 3.6 million. Her latest digital photo book “Innocent Girl” is now on sale. For the latest information, check her X (@mao_takano_), Instagram (@maomayoj_), and TikTok (@mayomayoj9)!