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!"
Sayoko Ozaki (Osayo)
ヘアメイクnuts、10月29日発売しました。これまでのヘアメイク集大成。渾身の一冊。これさえあれば絶対に綺麗になれる！ヘアメイク本は中々出せないのでレアです。売り切れないうちに書店orコンビニへgoーーー！！！ pic.twitter.com/qyJdjRCA
— 尾崎紗代子 (@osayo_osayo) October 29, 2012
Born December 20, 1989.
Sayoko Ozaki, affectionately known as "Osayo," became a popular cover model for "nuts" starting with the April 2009 issue.
Her popularity rivaled that of Aya Hoshi, who was once referred to as "the face of nuts."
During her roughly five years as a "nuts mate," she graced the cover many times as a charismatic gyaru model.
Osayo-chan was originally scouted at the age of 17 while working as a shop assistant for "Lip Service" at Shibuya 109.
She made her debut as a reader model for the gyaru magazine "egg" and was later scouted by "nuts," where she became an exclusive model (nuts mate).
Currently, she works as a producer for clothing, accessories, and colored contact lenses while actively posting on YouTube and social media.
In her personal life, she is married to Ken'u Terui, who was a popular model for "men's egg," and they have three children together.
Yui Minemura
Born March 17, 1991.
Yui Minemura started her modeling career with the gyaru magazine "Ranzuki" in 2008 while attending BLEA High School, known for its ties to gyaru models.
Alongside her work as an exclusive model for Ranzuki, she also worked as a shop assistant at the shoe brand "Esperanza" in Shibuya 109.
She graduated from "Ranzuki" in the December 2010 issue and transferred to "nuts," beginning her activities as a nuts mate in the January 2011 issue.
Four months after joining, she landed a solo cover for the May 2011 issue, and she appeared on the cover again for the June issue.
With the support of many gyaru fans, she frequently graced the covers and, alongside Sayoko Ozaki, became one of the leading models for nuts.
In 2011, Yui appeared in a music video for Wakadanna, and in 2012, she showcased her singing talents alongside ISSA × SoulJa, expanding her activities beyond modeling.
Mami Koshikawa
Born November 14, 1992.
Mami Koshikawa was originally a popular model for the gyaru magazine "egg," but she graduated from "egg" with the November 2012 issue, released on October 1.
In the same month, she began her activities as a nuts mate with the December issue, released on October 17.
Just four months after becoming an exclusive model for "nuts," she appeared on the cover, demonstrating her popularity at the time.
In 2012, nuts frequently featured feminine fashion styles, and Mami's cute take on these looks captivated many fans.
Together with key models like Sayoko Ozaki, Yui Minemura, and Anna Yano, Mami was one of the main models leading "nuts," but her activities as a "nuts mate" came to an end when the magazine temporarily ceased publication in 2014.
In the past, Mami obtained a Level 2 Diet Certification and was appointed as a "Gyaru Diet Goodwill Ambassador" by the Japan Diet and Health Association.
She is currently active as an influencer.
Anna Yano
【Happie nuts発売日】本日5月号発売です！カバーガールに矢野ちゃん登場です♡４連続表紙登場です！以前にtweetした、EMODAさんとの撮影はこのことでしたー！春らしい、ピンクの表紙がとってもかわいい！宜しくお願いします★ pic.twitter.com/Um15CQgKNH
— ANNA STAFF【公式】 (@YanoAnna_staff) March 17, 2014
Born December 25, 1992.
Anna Yano, after modeling for magazines like "egg" and "Popteen," joined "nuts" with the June 2013 issue.
At the time, "nuts" was filled with more mature, onee-gyaru models, but Anna's sweet atmosphere and her famously "small face" earned her a lot of popularity.
Three months after joining the Nuts model, she appeared on the cover of four consecutive issues (from September 2013 to December 2013).
Shortly after, she again graced the cover for four more consecutive issues (from the February 2014 issue to the May issue), making her a dominant presence.
After "nuts" ceased publication, she moved to "JELLY."
As soon as she joined the JELLY model, she appeared on the cover and became a hot topic.
In 2015, she married and gave birth to her first child, and two years later, she had her second child. She now shares updates about her life on social media.
Other models who also helped boost nuts’s popularity during the same period included:
- Akane Satomi
- Nicole Abe
Despite the success of "nuts," it suddenly announced a temporary suspension in 2014. Though it briefly resumed publication, it eventually went out of print again.
However, with renewed interest in gyaru culture in recent years, "nuts" was revived in October 2020.
The current "nuts" consists of new models, who not only appear in the magazine but also post fashion coordination and various projects on YouTube.
We hope that the new "nuts" will attract many young people and further fuel the resurgence of the gyaru trend!
