The gyaru magazine "nuts," launched in 2004.
The full name is "Happie nuts," and it targeted people in their teens and twenties, offering a more mature gyaru style.
Rather than focusing on the "cute gyaru," it set trends for the "cool, grown-up gyaru" look, leading to the spread of the old sister gyaru style.
Many gyaru models, including the stronger gyaru and mixed-race gyaru, were active in "nuts."
Today, we will introduce some of the most popular models (commonly known as "nuts mates") who were once active in "nuts!"
Aya Hoshi
Born January 23, 1985.
Aya Hoshi, whose real name is Aya Hoshiya, made her modeling debut at 17 in the magazine "BLENDA," which proposed a mature gyaru fashion style.
She then became an exclusive nuts model (nuts mate) at age 19 in 2004 and was immensely popular until 2009.
She was considered "the face of nuts" at the time, with people even saying, "nuts is Aya Hoshi’s magazine!!"
In the September 2009 issue, a special feature called "Aya Hoshi Graduation SPECIAL" was published, and she graduated from the magazine, much to the sadness of many fans.
After that, she worked as an early model for the fashion magazine "Gina" and as a catalog model for an apparel brand.
In 2017, she launched her own shoe brand "YELLO" and currently serves as its director.
"YELLO" products, created by combining Japan's skilled craftsmanship with Western designs, are loved by many women.
Kei
Born February 27, 1985.
Keiko Takahashi, also known as "Kei," joined nuts as a nuts mate in 2007.
She brought excitement to the magazine with her cool beauty style.
In 2009, she changed her stage name from "Kei" to "Lie," and in the December 2010 issue, she graduated from "nuts."
After graduation, she worked as an exclusive model for "EDGE STYLE," appeared at events, and also started the "Ugyaru Project" in 2010, aiming to promote the appeal of seafood to young people.
This project gained widespread attention through media and events. After getting married and giving birth in 2012, she now works as a fitness trainer.
Saki Namba
Born June 11, 1986.
Saki Namba was a popular model who once worked in "nuts."
Around 2007, I had the opportunity to participate in a snapshot shoot for nuts, and that's when I started my activities as nuts mate.
With her beautiful features and toned body, she captivated many women and remained active as a popular model until the April 2011 issue.
After taking a year-long break from modeling after her graduation, she returned as a model in the newly launched fashion magazine "MODELs" in December 2012!
She also worked as a model for the fashion magazine "Majesty JAPAN," which was launched in 2013, and appeared in apparel brand advertisements.
Now, as a mother of one, she also serves as an advisor for the lingerie shop "carrie franca."
Shizuka Takeda
Born May 17, 1988.
Shizuka Takeda, known by her nickname "Shi-chan," was a nuts mate who started in March 2008.
While most nuts mates had long hair, Shi-chan often sported short to medium-length hair, creating a style that set her apart from other models.
After graduating from "nuts," she actively worked as a yoga instructor and continued to model, appearing in advertisements for the apparel brand "michellmacaron."
She also became an exclusive model for "ane-ageha" magazine starting from the January 2021 issue (released December 7, 2020), celebrating its 10th anniversary.
She frequently appears on the cover as a popular model. Additionally, she shares her daily life through social media, so fans won’t want to miss her updates!
Other models who also helped boost nuts’s popularity during the same period included:
- Eriko Tachiya
- Natsuko Murata (NATSU)
- Sayaka Taniguchi
- Aoi Hatazawa
- Chiaki Kawabata
- Tomomi Sanpei
- Akane Suda
- HIROMI
- Fana Hiranuma
- Akane Satomi
