Runa Ichinose Finally Arrives This Week’s Cover Girl Shares Her Signature Tiptoe Pose

A fresh setting

—This is your first time appearing on the cover of FRIDAY! First, how do you feel about it?

“I shot at a place along the coast in Kanagawa that looked like an old traditional house, and the scene where I was sitting in a kotatsu really left an impression on me. I don’t have a kotatsu at home, and I hadn’t really used one before. Also, there was this round, slightly unusual bath that I filled with hot water and got into. With the kotatsu and everything, it was a really warm and cozy shoot!”

—What was your favorite outfit?

“The black beret was really cute! I don’t usually wear one, so it felt fresh.”

—Do you have a signature pose?

“Stretching upward. In full-body shots, I always stand on my tiptoes. I feel like stretching makes my body silhouette look more defined and beautiful.”

—Which part of your body are you most confident about?

“I’m quite slender, so I think my shoulder line looks nice. I’m the type who doesn’t easily gain weight even if I eat, but recently I’ve been eating more, so it’s starting to feel just right. There were days when I used to eat only one meal a day, but now I make sure to eat two or three meals properly.”

—Do you do any training for body maintenance?

“Not at all. Since I don’t gain weight easily, I actually try not to burn too many calories.”

—Any foods you’re currently into?

“Malatang and sushi! Lately, I’ve been eating a lot of sushi. Sometimes I go out to eat, and I also use Uber Eats a lot. I absolutely love salmon and negitoro!”

Days filled with rejection

— Speaking of you, Ichinose-san, you gained major attention after winning the “Miss Magazine 2023 Reader Special Award.”

“Actually, ‘Miss Magazine’ was the first audition I ever passed in my life. Before that, I had tried several auditions for movies and dramas, but I didn’t get accepted to any of them, and I couldn’t land any jobs. I had lost confidence, so even during Miss Magazine, I thought, ‘I’ll probably fail this one too.’ Being chosen for the Reader Special Award gave me a lot more opportunities in gravure, which I had always admired. Gaining confidence also made me smile more, I think.”

— Was it difficult to balance school and entertainment activities?

“To be honest, I devoted everything to my entertainment work, so I couldn’t balance them at all (laughs). I would leave school early to go to auditions—it was like that every day. I was fully focused on entertainment.”

— You’ve experienced various types of work such as gravure, acting, and idol group activities. What would you like to focus on going forward?

“Gravure is my number one priority. I also want to gradually put more effort into acting.”

— You appeared in the drama ‘Reiwa ni Kannō Shōsetsu Tsukutte Masu’ (TV Osaka), which aired this year, playing a café staff member used as a meeting place by the main character. How was that experience?

“I learned a lot from how the actors handled timing and pauses. I’ve been taking acting lessons since I was in 5th grade, but there’s still so much to learn on an actual set.”

— What’s your goal in gravure?

“I want to shoot overseas! I love places with the sea. I want to go to Guam. Actually, I have an ideal shoot in mind. After filming, I want to all sleep together with the staff (laughs). I heard there are condominium-style places in Guam where you can sleep together like that. It’s like a school trip night—my dream is for everyone to sleep in one room (laughs).”

— Who is someone in the entertainment industry you look up to?

“I really love Komatsu Nana (30). She has both cuteness and coolness, and a one-of-a-kind presence. I admire her so much.”

— How do you spend your days off?

“I go on walks a lot. And when I say walk, I mean I properly walk about 4 km. I love looking at beautiful scenery outside, so sometimes after eating with friends, I walk all the way home.”

— Is there anything you’ve recently gotten into?

“Watching animal videos on Instagram! Recently I saw a video of a goat eating ice, and it was so funny. Goats really do eat ice!”

— Lastly, a message for the readers!

“On February 15 this year, I graduated from the idol group ‘Charlotte,’ where I was a member, and officially started my solo activities. I also launched a new fan club. Please continue to support me!”

Ichinose Runa, 19

From Saitama Prefecture. Won the Reader Special Award at “Miss Magazine 2023.” Graduated in February this year from the idol group “Charlotte,” where she served as center. Currently active in gravure, as well as an actress and talent.

Recent personal favorite: “HOME COOKING”
Okonomiyaki

I often spend my days off with my dad. Even now, if I get about two days off in a row, I go back to my parents’ house and cook dinner together. The other day, we made okonomiyaki! My dad did most of the work like chopping vegetables (laughs). When it was time to flip the okonomiyaki, I was cheering in my head, “I hope it goes well!” I’m in charge of putting on the sauce and mayonnaise at the end (laughs).

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”