The Japanese gravure idol (glamor model) industry is a competitive and overly populated place, with idols coming and going in quick succession. In order to maintain their status, idols are required to keep up strong social media presences. This, of course, means Twitter and Instagram, but increasingly also YouTube. Gradols have to be YouTubers these days, too. The coronavirus has made this more urgent than before as splashy shoots and meet-and-greet events are either not having or only in far reduced numbers, decreasing the potential for idols to earn fees. Perhaps feeling the pinch, ...

The Japanese YouTuber Sakikichi has made her gravure idol shoot debut in the July 13th issue of Weekly Playboy. Known for videos about food and fashion, Sakikichi has an alluring, almost otherworldly beauty that is well used in the five-page shoot. Having already attracted over 17 million YouTube video views and 125,000 subscribers, Sakikichi is hoping to attract a new kind of fandom with this somewhat unexpected career shift. She even made a video for her channel showing some of behind-the-scenes footage from the ...