The invincible gravure sisters are finally back! Erika and Marina Momose: “On our days off, we have Mario parties together!

I think there is something only we can do.

–The two of you returned to gravure at the end of last year after a six-year absence. What was the deciding factor?

Erika: “When I retired, I had made up my mind that I would never do gravure again. Even so, I received many voices on SNS asking me to return to gravure. Our feelings have changed over the past six years, and we thought we could deliver great work now.”

Marina: “I feel the same way. We talked about it together and decided to resume our gravure activities.”

Erika: “After we retired, it was also significant that there were no half-sister gravure artists like us on the scene. I felt that there was something only we could do.

–Erica: “What was the response to the digital photo book that was released after your return?

Erika: “I have received many comments such as, ‘I’m so glad you are back,’ and ‘Erimari is a legend. Every time I see comments from fans, I think, ‘I have to deliver something better.

–The film was shot at a resort villa in Chiba Prefecture. What were your impressions?

Erica: “Our hometown is Chiba Prefecture. And since it was in Kujukuri, which I love, I felt at ease as if I had returned to my hometown. I think we were able to show our honest expressions because we were not in a place we didn’t know.

Marina: “I had filmed in Kujukuri before I retired, but it was during the cold season. This time it was warm and great. The place and the clothes were so cute and fun!

–It’s been a while since the last gravure shoot with the sisters. Have there been any changes from before?

Marina: “We were more in sync than I thought we would be.”

Erika: “We have become more thoughtful about how we can look sexy and please our readers than when we were in high school before we retired. I think we are better now.”

Marina: “Ever since I was little, we used to play with our mother, who played the role of a photographer, taking pictures of us in bikinis while she played the role of a model. That’s why I made my gravure debut when I was 16, but I wasn’t nervous even then. I wasn’t too embarrassed, was I?”

Erika: “Yes, I was. I was rather excited about the cute bikinis. It’s always fun, now and then!

–Erica: “What is your favorite shot or pose?

Erica: “The shot in the bathtub with our heads on each other’s shoulders. The position was tight, but the pose was innovative and cute.

Marina: “My favorite shot is the one in the black swimsuit with two layers. The way she shifts the top one is sexy.

Erika: “It’s a little naughty, but also very fresh. It’s just the way we like it.

–Erika: “How did you two come up with your unique poses?

Erica: “We don’t discuss and decide beforehand. We would say, “Wouldn’t it be cuter if you put your hand over here? We are always exploring and trying to figure out what to do.

A “true big sister” and an “eternal little sister character

–What is your impression of each other as gravure idols?

Marina: “Eri-tan has a sexiness that I can’t bring out, and I feel that she is ‘mature and sexy.

Erika: “Ehh!　I want her to be more transparent or something like that (laughs). Mari: “I would say ‘devilish. She looks like a little sister and her facial expression is very innocent. It’s a charm that only Mari can bring out.

–What is the relationship between the sisters in everyday life?

Erika: “I am the big sister and Mari is the eternal little sister.

Marina: “Well, it’s tough being a big sister (laughs).

Erika: “When we eat hot food, I have to warn Mari that it’s hot or she’ll burn herself. When we take food from the table, I have to hold Mari’s sleeve or she’ll get sauce or sauce all over it. She is a bit of a natural.

–Erika: “We live separately at home.

Erika: “We have separate houses, but Mari is almost always at my house.

Marina: “We’ve become housemates (laughs). We watch movies together in my room, make meals and cakes, etc.”

Erica: “I like video games, so we play Mario Party on weekends.

–What are your goals for the future?

Erika: “Now that I’m back in gravure, I definitely want to publish a paper photo book!

Marina “Also, I want to do YouTube with the two of us.”

Erika: “I want to do a goofy YouTube. I want people to get to know the parts of my character that are not conveyed in my gravure photos.

–Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

Erica: “I would like to send you many wonderful photos to make up for the six years of waiting. Thank you for waiting for me. I will do my best!

Marina: “I definitely want to publish a paper photo book too. I want to do my best so that I can show you different sides of us, and not just the ones that end with my return!

Erika
Erika is the older sister of the Ellimari sisters. In addition to gravure, she is also active as an influencer, mainly on TikTok.

Marina Momose
The younger sister of the Elimari sisters, she has over 1 million followers on social networking sites and is popular among a wide range of people.

My best recent “GAME&TV
VALORANT” and “Wednesday Night Live

Elica: I like a shooting game called “Valorant” and have been addicted to it for about two and a half years now. Once I start, I play for about 8 hours at a time. I’m a low-ranked player, though (laughs).

Marina: I’m addicted to “Wednesday Night Live” (Hokkaido TV). Recently, I wanted to improve my talk show skills, so I started watching it and couldn’t stop.

From the September 12/19, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY