Megumi Kagurazaka Returns After 14 Years: “I’d Choose the Same Life All Over Again.”

The “I-cup goddess” has released her first photo book in 14 years!

“In an age that felt closed off, I finally began to feel positive again. I wanted to start moving for myself, and that’s why I decided to return to this stage,” says actress Megumi Kagurazaka (44) with a gentle smile. She also announced that her new photo book will be released on December 18.

Click here to reserve a copy of her latest photo book.

“For the past few years, I’ve been putting myself second to focus on my family and the pandemic. But this spring, just as my daughter was starting elementary school, I received this offer and thought, ‘This is the right time.’”

Kagurazaka began her entertainment career in 2004 and gained attention as the “I-cup goddess.” Her 2008 Hadairo photo book series, which featured bold nude photography, became a hit, selling over 30,000 copies.

In the late 2000s, she transitioned from gravure to acting, earning Best Supporting Actress awards for Cold Fish and Guilty of Romance, which showcased her talent. In 2011, she announced her marriage to film director Sion Sono (63), whom she had met through work, and gradually began stepping away from public life.

“I never officially declared a hiatus, but once I started a family, I naturally took a step back. My child was born in 2019, and just two days later, my husband was rushed to the hospital for a heart attack. Those early years of motherhood were overwhelming, and time just flew by. Not many people know this, but I did appear briefly in a few films by directors I’m close to.”

Preparing for her first photo shoot in 14 years, she took meticulous care of her body and mindset.

“About a year before the offer came, I started exercising at the gym, fasting, and switching to a protein-based diet. I made small, steady changes. It was tricky finding the right balance — losing too much weight would reduce my curves, so I worked hard to keep the right amount of softness. At the shoot, the staff welcomed me so warmly that I rediscovered the joy of expressing myself. I caught myself thinking, ‘Shooting is so much fun,’ and realizing, ‘I’ve been tired for a long time.’ It was a good opportunity to reconnect with myself.”

Her husband’s encouragement gave her a powerful push forward.

“He was worried, saying, ‘Are you okay? It’s been a while since your last shoot,’ but on the morning of the shoot, he smiled and told me, ‘Do your best.’ When I came back, he didn’t ask any questions even though I could tell he was curious about how it went,” she says with a laugh. “Later, when I showed him the finished photos, he told me, ‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen such a gentle smile on your face.’ That really struck me. At home, without realizing it, I had only been showing my roles as a mother and wife.”

With a graceful expression, she once again poses fully nude for the new photo book — yet she admits with a laugh,

“Wearing a white bikini was actually more embarrassing than being naked. I got shy and needed a little time before I could stand in front of the staff. But to me, gravure is a world where I can express myself freely. I’m truly grateful to be able to return to that world once again.”

“The path I took was right.”

After spending her twenties searching for her path as she transitioned from gravure idol to actress, and her thirties balancing between family and career, Megumi Kagurazaka now faces her forties with a bright, clear spirit. Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of her debut, celebrated last year, she shared these heartfelt thoughts:

“If I could say something to myself from 20 years ago, I’d tell her, ‘It’s okay.’ A lot has happened, but I don’t think the path I took was wrong. There were times I wondered, ‘What if I’d chosen a different job?’ or ‘What if I’d chosen a different person?’ But in the end, this was the only road for me. Even when I’ve wished for a quiet life, I don’t think that’s who I am,” she laughs. “So even if I were born again, I’d choose the same life.”

Finally, she shared a personal habit that she continues to value.

“For as long as I can remember, whenever I’m struggling, I write down all the things I love in a notebook. I did it when I was uncertain about my career path, when I left my agency, and again when I decided to do this photo book. Writing helps me organize my thoughts. Whether it’s through acting or expression, I want to keep turning my loves into something real. I want to cherish the mindset of ‘doing this for myself,’ because in the end, that also benefits my family. I haven’t decided on my next project yet, but I’d like to continue going with the flow, whether it’s gravure or acting. This marks the moment I’m restarting my career.”

The woman who has returned is more poised, resilient, and radiant than ever.

October 24/31, 2025 issue