Most of the idols who form the hundreds-strong ranks of the Sakamichi and 48 Group music groups soon disappear into obscurity after graduating. A mere handful carve out careers as fashion models, TV celebrities and tarento, and actors. Others go on to build careers in porn.
One way to mark a break from the “pure and innocent” idol world they previously inhabited is to up the ante in choosing acting roles, such as ones that involve (shock!) kissing — or even sex scenes.
Former Nogizaka46 idol Marika Ito (伊藤万理華) is perhaps now trying her luck at pursuing this latter path.
Before readers get too excited, know that this is a role in a mainstream Japanese TV drama, so the sex scene is sadly non-nude.
The 26-year-old Marikka, who was a member of Nogizaka46 from 2011 to 2017, appears in One Night Morning (ワンナイトモーニング), in which she does a sex scene set at a love hotel in the second episode.
Sporting blonde hair, Marikka plays a seductress who is happy to take charge of proceedings in the bedroom.
Adapted from a manga by Kenichi Okuyama, One Night Morning is an eight-part serial shown on the satellite network Wowow. Each episode deals with a different couple.
The third episode stars Nana Asakawa, who recently made a gravure comeback with a nude shoot.
