Aoi Mizobata Shares Her Family Tradition: Cozy Cottage Getaways with Their Dog

“I was able to take a photo that looks more mature than usual.”

――How was your third FRIDAY photoshoot?

“This time we were able to use two studios, and one of them even had a pool! The pool felt amazing, and the shoot turned out to really make me feel like I was enjoying summer to the fullest.”

――Which outfit left the biggest impression on you?

“The red ballerina-like outfit. I usually wear my bangs down, but for the first time, they styled my bangs up. I was able to take a photo that looked more mature than usual.”

――Do you have any memorable locations from shoots?

“It was during my previous FRIDAY shoot, but I went to Okinawa Prefecture for the first time. Eating local dishes like soki soba and shabu-shabu there left a strong impression on me.”

――Is there a location you’d like to visit for a gravure shoot?

“I want to go abroad. I’d like to go somewhere resort-like. I love dolphins, and there was once an idea to shoot at a facility where I could interact with dolphins, but the schedule didn’t work out. So one day, my dream is to shoot with dolphins somewhere like Guam.”

――It’s been six months since your debut. Are you enjoying gravure work?

“Absolutely! I’m happy to be able to wear different outfits each time, and it’s fun how the atmosphere changes completely depending on the location. During location shoots, I also get to enjoy delicious meals between shots—that’s one of my little pleasures.”

――Have there been any tough moments?

“None! I’m really positive, so I hardly ever worry about anything. I’m the type to overcome anything with fun!”

――What do you think your strengths are?

“I think it’s my smile. Thankfully, many people who see my gravure say, ‘You have such expressive facial expressions.’ Lately, I’ve also been trying slightly more mature expressions, and I feel like my range has been expanding.”

“I let out six months’ worth of stories during my trip home.”

――Being away from your hometown of Osaka, don’t you get homesick?

“I’ve been doing better than I expected. I talk to my family frequently via video calls, so I haven’t felt that lonely. Plus, from the end of August to the beginning of September, I was able to go back home for a bit. I got to talk a lot with my family and friends for the first time in six months, and it really refreshed me.”

――So you really enjoyed being back in your hometown?

“It’s a tradition for my whole family to stay in a cottage where even our dog can join, and we went again this year. Spending time slowly in nature is really special. I also went out for meals with friends and seniors from high school for the first time in a while. We just kept talking (laughs). It felt like we poured out six months’ worth of stories all at once.”

――Have you made any friends in Tokyo?

“There are some friends from university who moved to Tokyo, and I meet up with them. Recently, I’ve also become close with Mao Takano, who is in the same seju agency. After shoots, we sometimes make TikToks together.”

――What’s been your most memorable experience since moving to Tokyo?

“Going to Disney, I think. Actually, I’ve always had an annual pass for USJ, and on SNS, people even associate me with USJ because I love it so much (laughs). But Disney has a different kind of charm. With so many characters, it really feels like a dream world. USJ has a lot of thrilling attractions, but Disney carefully builds its entire world. Both are amazing in their own ways and can’t really be compared.”

――Is there any content you’ve been into recently?

“I started watching the romance reality show ‘Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita.’ (ABEMA) again after a while. I used to watch it every time back in middle and high school, but naturally drifted away as I got older. Recently, someone from the same agency appeared on the show, so I got interested. I started watching clips on YouTube and couldn’t stop, and before I knew it, I was watching every week (laughs).”

――What kind of work would you like to try in the future?

“I want to keep challenging myself with acting, which I’ve always admired. I don’t have many opportunities yet, but I want to be able to express myself in a way that reaches the audience directly, whether in dramas or movies. Eventually, I want to become someone who can work across multiple fields. I want to challenge myself not only in gravure, but also in acting and variety shows. To do that, I want to continue improving my expressive skills and my ability to talk.”

Mizobata Aoi, age 24.
Born in Osaka. A major rookie who just debuted this March. Her digital photo book “Natsu no Hajime” became a huge hit, and she is active across various genres, including short dramas and variety shows.

My recent personal favorite: “CRAFTS” Diamond Art

Diamond Art is a craft where you stick tiny beads onto an adhesive sheet to create a picture. I got interested after seeing a video on TikTok. Some of the larger pieces can take two to three weeks to complete. I usually work on Diamond Art before bed, and I get so absorbed that time flies by. The piece I’m currently working on, I’d like to frame and display once it’s finished.

From the October 3-10, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”