Former AKB48 idol Anna Mori offers dates on photo book crowdfunding campaign

Like that perennial stumper “Where do elephants go to die?”, the question of what happens to all the scores of AKB48 idols once they “graduate” is often on our minds.

Sure, some go on to mildly successful acting careers. But for the most, there is only oblivion or a career in porn.

Faced with this dilemma, Anna Mori decided to go to the grassroots.

She launched this crowdfunding campaign to get her first photo book into publication. Why should only the “top” ladies get all the kudos and merchandise? She has her fans too!

As she turned 20 (and thus an adult — yes!), she set a target of ¥2 million (over $16,000), which she very quickly exceeded.

Why? Well, she was very savvy with the perks she offered.

You could go on a date with Anna Mori and also the other staff involved in the book (all female!). While dating active AKB48 is of course officially banned, it seems they can sell themselves after they graduate.

Sadly the three types of dates, costing a cool ¥200,000, have all been claimed.

The photographer Natsumi is also a cutie so the lucky funders get to meet her too.

Other perks include attending the photo shoot, “VIP cards”, an invite to the book launch, signed photos, and more.

Does this count as prostitution or “compensated dating” (enjo kosai)? Well, there’s no suggestion that you get to do more with Anna Mori than just meet her for three dates, but if you charm her, who knows where the date will lead?

Mori was a member of the idol super group from 2009-2011, before leaving to study childcare. Clearly she still has ambitions of idol grandeur.

So far 55 people have sponsored her and she is ¥500,000 over her target. And there’s still 35 days to go!