Gravure Idol Ami Tokito Talks About Her Return and Message to Former Fans

Ami Tokito, who made her debut after winning the Tsunku♂ Award at Miss Magazine 2005, stirred up the gravure scene of the Heisei era before sadly announcing her retirement from gravure work in 2015.

This year, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her debut, she unveils a comeback gravure feature on FRIDAY for the first time in 10 years! Since FRIDAY is also celebrating its 40th anniversary, Tokito gladly accepted the offer from the editorial department, saying, “It’s like an anniversary collaboration!”

“When I received the offer, I was overjoyed. With it being my 20th anniversary, I’d been thinking about what form of giving back to the fans would be meaningful. Even though I had retired, I already had the desire to do gravure again just for this special occasion.

And because it was special, I felt that if I was going to do it, I had to go big—make it bold and impactful—otherwise it wouldn’t mean anything. That’s when FRIDAY reached out to me, so I said, ‘Absolutely, let’s do it!’” (Ami Tokito)

To prepare for the photoshoot, she went through the unexpected process of a reverse diet

Her first gravure photoshoot in 10 years showed no trace of a hiatus—her expressions, posing, and especially her supple figure radiated a beauty that seemed even greater than before.

That’s no surprise, since Tokito has often gone viral on social media for her fitness journey, which she has maintained for about six years. In 2023, she even placed 3rd in the Women’s Fitwear Model division at the APF JAPAN CLASSIC 2023 body contest.

“When it was decided that I’d be doing gravure again, my manager actually told me, ‘How about you stop training for now?’ (laughs). For the first time ever, I was given a ban on working out.

Gravure is mostly viewed by men, so I thought my body should match that preference. Not to gain weight exactly, but to create a softer, curvier silhouette. So, I pushed myself to eat—late-night ramen, midnight ice cream—for about a month.”

Even after this reverse diet, her abs remained sharply defined—something fans will want to check out on FRIDAY.

“These days, many of my fans are women who know me through infertility treatments or as a mom-talent. That’s why I want women in particular to see this gravure. Once you’ve given birth, your body will always remain in a postpartum state in some way.

But even a postpartum body can be tightened with training—you can always have a body that’s ready to bare. I want to tell women, ‘Let’s work hard together.’ When women get married or have kids, people sometimes criticize them for doing body makeovers, asking, ‘Who are you trying to look good for?’ But I believe that looking beautiful is something to be happy about and something to be proud of.”

“I was so busy that I don’t remember any of it.”

“My always ready to take it off body” — this has been and will continue to be Tokito’s personal motto.

“By the time this issue comes out, I’ll just barely be 37, but I’ll soon be 38. Even at 40, and beyond, I want to be in a state where I can always take it off at a moment’s notice. When I actually received the offer this time, my manager asked, ‘You can shoot anytime, right?’ (laughs). Without any special preparation period, I could honestly say, ‘Yes, anytime is fine.’”

Tokito laughed lightly. She was then asked to reflect on her 20 years since debut.

“It really flew by! I can’t believe 20 years passed so fast. I did gravure mainly in the first ten years, and since I debuted through Miss Magazine, I really feel my career was built around gravure. Back then, the gravure industry was booming, so I’m really happy I could be active during that era.”

Ami Tokito (from Bikini & Glasses vol.2 FRIDAY Digital Photo Collection)

When Ami Tokito debuted in 2005, she was 17 years old. That year, the Grand Prix of Miss Magazine 2005 went to Kii Kitano, while the newly established “Tsunku♂ Award,” which Tokito won, had no subsequent recipients in later years.

“I thought someone would quickly follow as the next Tsunku♂ Award winner, but that never happened (laughs). Kii Kitano quickly shifted toward acting, so I was the one who followed the traditional gravure path. That’s probably why I appeared on more magazine covers. Among my peers, the ones active in gravure were Yuka Kosaka from the generation just above me, and Mami Yamazaki.”

Tokito was extremely busy during her high school years at the peak of her gravure career.

“2005 I was so busy that I honestly don’t remember much from back then. I didn’t really understand what was happening. I kept thinking, ‘Why does everyone know me?’ I was just a regular high school student. After school, I’d get on the train and see everyone looking at a magazine with me on the cover. I’d think, ‘Wait, that’s me on the hanging poster!’ That’s how it all started, and although the gap was confusing at first, I threw myself into it and before I knew it, ten years had passed.”

Thanks to the synergy between the golden age of gravure and her popularity, distant day trips and overseas shoots became a routine for Tokito.

“I feel like I was traveling overseas almost every week. One time, I had a Miss Magazine shoot in Okinawa and the very next day, I went on my school trip to Okinawa (laughs). I thought, ‘Again?!’ But I was still happy just to be there with all my friends.”

Finally, when asked who she wants to see FRIDAY’s latest issue first, she replied:

“Of course, I want my current fans to see it as a thank-you, but more than anything, I want those who have already ‘graduated’ from me to see it! Whether they feel nostalgic or are seeing me for the first time, either way, I’ll be thrilled. I’m confident they’ll fall into my world through this feature!”

PROFILE
Ami Tokito / From Tokyo. Winner of the Tsunku♂ Award at Miss Magazine 2005, she has since worked extensively as a talent, actress, and singer. Her 20th-anniversary single Watashi wa Idol is now available digitally, and the commemorative DVD (title TBA) will be released on October 31. For the latest updates, follow her on Instagram (@amitokito) and X (@aMITOKITO).

Here’s Ami Tokito’s gravure comeback after 10 years.

 

Ami Tokito – Bikini & Glasses vol.1 FRIDAY Digital Photo Book – Purchase here
Ami Tokito – Bikini & Glasses vol.2 FRIDAY Digital Photo Book – Purchase here