The Days of “One Rubber Band Every Time You Come” Are Over… Popular Adult Video Actor Riku Mukai Reveals the “Reality of the Set”

“I just really like girls.”

“Sexy videos for women” have evolved in ways distinct from traditional adult videos, featuring storylines reminiscent of romantic dramas and direction that consciously considers the female perspective. Riku Mukai (36) has been active as a male performer in this new genre of adult video since its early days.

In 2017, he made his debut as a male performer with SILK LABO, a studio known for producing numerous titles aimed at women. Since then, he has remained active on the front lines for many years. However, the first time Mukai bared his skin in front of the camera was long before he became a sexy male performer.

“When I was 20, I was doing ‘boys’ erotic photography.’ I debuted in April 2010 and did it for about half a year to a year. I’d wear risqué underwear while sitting on a balance ball or sway my hips on a beanbag. They’d smear something like ice cream on my body, and I’d lick ice cream or clear sticks (laughs).I think it was kind of like the male version of what women do in erotic photo shoots.”

After leaving that world after about a year, he drifted from one job to another. Host club, maid café, gas station—while working in jobs that, at first glance, seemed completely unrelated, it wasn’t until he was around 26 that he first seriously thought about his future.

“I thought, ‘It’s about time I decided what to do.’ So when I asked myself, ‘What do I actually want to do?’, I realized, ‘I like girls’ (laughs). That’s why I became a male porn actor.”

It’s a remarkably simple reason, but when it actually came time to dive into the adult video industry, Mukai steeled himself. That’s because, while researching the industry, he’d seen how poorly male performers were treated.

“There were no waiting rooms—they’d just make you wait in a corner of the studio, and when someone called out, ‘Hey,’ you’d go over (laughs). There were even articles saying that every time you ejaculated, they’d give you a rubber band to put on your wrist. After the shoot, they’d count the number of rubber bands on your wrist and pay you based on how much each one was worth.”

This was an article about so-called “semen actors,” and Mukai says he thought, “I’ll end up like that, too.”

“But once I actually got into the industry, it was completely different. From the very beginning, they’d tell me, ‘Here’s how much you’ll be paid for this shoot,’ and I’d receive a proper receipt. Even when I worked as a ‘semen actor’ on a men’s adult video set, I was welcomed warmly, just like anyone else. Since I’d steeled myself for the worst, it was a bit of a letdown (laughs).After that, once the new AV law went into effect, the contracts became stricter, and I think the environment has changed quite a bit.”

Although Mukai began her career in productions aimed at women, she has also appeared in numerous productions aimed at men. While it might seem that the atmosphere on set would be completely different depending on the target audience, Mukai says the difference is surprisingly small.

“I think they’re essentially the same. The directors usually work with the same cameramen, sound engineers, and lighting technicians. If you go to a specific production company, you’ll find the usual crew there. It’s the same for adult films aimed at men, so for me, the difference boils down to whether there are people I know on set or not.”

When she first debuted, she appeared in productions aimed at women once or twice a month; now, she does about three a year. On the other hand, in productions aimed at men, even if the female performers change, the same male actors are often called in.

“Gradually, I found myself running into people from male-oriented sets more and more often. Of course, there’s a difference in ‘who the audience is.’ But essentially, it doesn’t change that much.”

I hate becoming a “stranger” the moment “cut” is called

So, what has Mukai been conscious of when working on productions aimed primarily at female audiences? Facial expressions, dialogue, physical distance—it seems there are various techniques, but her answer was simple.

“First of all, I think it’s about developing a genuine fondness for the actress myself.”

It’s not simply a matter of “acting in a way I like.”

“I don’t really like the idea that once ‘cut’ is called, she’s just a stranger. It’s easier if I genuinely like her, so to speak. After all, those feelings of affection do come across to the other person, don’t they?”

It’s hard to show affection to someone who doesn’t view you favorably. Conversely, if you sense that “this person likes me,” it becomes easier to open up naturally. That’s the psychology Mukai has in mind.

“If the other person likes you, it’s easier to confess your feelings, isn’t it? So, I make a conscious effort to create an environment where it’s easy to express those feelings.”

Mukai himself describes himself as having “a talent for liking people and things.”

“I’ve actually come to like just about everything. That goes for the jobs I’ve had so far, and I generally like the people I’ve worked with, too. It’s not that I forced myself to ‘like’ things for the sake of work—it just ended up having a positive effect on my work.”

That’s precisely why he avoids putting up unnecessary walls between himself and others.

“Of course, since we’re both adults, we have to maintain an appropriate distance. But if I’m the one putting up a wall, then I’ll just have to break through it again, right? After all, this is a line of work where we do things that might make people wonder, ‘Isn’t it rude to keep your distance?’ (laughs). So, I try to eliminate any unnecessary barriers.”

Through his experiences with countless women, he says he sometimes feels that ordinary men have “misconceptions” about women.

“I think a lot of men believe that rough sex or intense stimulation is what they want. But during sex, the ‘emotional connection’ is incredibly important. Maybe a lot of people don’t really understand that.”

Mukai doesn’t focus solely on physical stimulation.

“I think women get aroused when they experience both physical and emotional stimulation. Physical stimulation alone has its limits. But if you’re in a state where you’re thinking, ‘I like this person,’ even light stimulation can feel intense. So, if I had to choose, I think it’s more important to arouse her emotionally.”

Given his profession as an adult video actor, there’s a question he’s frequently asked by men.

“I get asked, ‘Is there a surefire technique to make a woman climax?’ (laughs). When I’m asked that in an interview, I might explain, ‘I do it this way,’ but in reality, I think getting her to fall for you is more important than any technique.”

The paid version of the FRIDAY subscription features the full text of “[‘One Rubber Band Every Time I Come’—The Era That Passed… Popular Male AV Actor for Women, Riki Mukai, Reveals the ‘Reality of the Filming Set’]” along with numerous exclusive photos.

Check here for top sexy actor Mukai’s revelations on “What All Popular Men Have in Common” and “Dating Techniques You Can Use Starting Tomorrow,” as well as stories from his appearances in the hit films *The Naked Director* and *The Land Scammer*!