New Talent Haruka Kadowaki Sets Sights on Asadora Heroine Role After Fast-Paced Debut

Haruka Kadowaki (21), a rookie actress who debuted in the entertainment industry in August 2025 and played a geisha role in the Taiga drama Berabou ~Tsutajuu Eika no Yumebanashi~ (NHK) in November, tried her first gravure photoshoot for the January 29 issue of FRIDAY. We asked her about her experience.

On her first-ever gravure shoot

“At first, I was very nervous. I didn’t know where to look at the camera, and I feel like my expressions were a little stiff. But as the shoot went on, I gradually got used to the camera and started to understand how to move and how to make my expressions look better.

In the end, I was able to enjoy the shoot. Among the outfits, my favorites were the purple knit outfit I wore with flowers and the black dress. They felt like something an actress would wear to an awards ceremony, and they were very beautiful.”

She prepared carefully before her first shoot:

“To be honest, I didn’t really know what I should do to get ready for the shoot. But even though I wasn’t sure, I did what I could every day—massages, moisturizing my skin, and other steady efforts.

During the shoot, the staff complimented my waist and abs a lot, but I still feel it’s not enough. I also studied posing and expressions by looking at other gravure work to learn from them.”

Her goal: to appear in an Asadora

“Lately, I’ve been watching My Hero Academia nonstop. The anime aired its final episode last December, so I’ve been catching up. I’m also really into visiting yogurt bowl shops with my friends! These are places where you can choose your toppings on Greek yogurt, and I especially love adding fruits on top.”

Although she seems to be enjoying a full and busy life now, she was truant in high school. Even after graduating, she stayed at home for a while, until in 2023 she watched the drama Nan’yōbi ni Umareta no (TV Asahi), in which actress Marie Iitoyo (28) played a shut-in protagonist. That inspired her to rejoin society.

She set her sights on becoming an actress and, just three months after her debut, appeared in a Taiga drama. “It was really just a small role as a geisha,” she said modestly, reflecting on the experience.

“I was surprised by how many people were involved in making the production. That made me feel I had to deliver good results. But at the same time, I felt a bit strange seeing myself on TV, and I didn’t really want to watch myself in the drama. It still feels very surreal.”

Shyly discussing her first TV appearance, she also shared her future goals:

“I want to appear in many productions and someday play the heroine in an Asadora. I’ve always admired Masami Nagasawa and Hana Sugisaki, and I want to become a wonderful actress like them.”

About gravure, she added, “Next time, I’d like to shoot a little more relaxed than this time,” showing her eagerness to improve. Though still new to the industry, Haruka Kadowaki is already expanding her activities across drama and gravure, and her growth and future success are something to look forward to.