When you think of "Ranzuki," many might recognize it as a gyaru magazine.
Originally launched in 1998 as "Ranking Daisuki," it was rebranded as "Ranzuki" on July 22, 2000.
Initially, the magazine focused heavily on kuro-gyaru (*1) fashion and makeup, gaining significant support from teenage gyaru.
Today, we will introduce some of the R's (exclusive models of Ranzuki) who were active in the magazine!
.Kuro-gyaru... Refers to gyaru who tan their skin at tanning salons, and it is used as the opposite of shiro-gyaru, who do not tan.
Asuka Hara (Asupon)
Born June 11, 1986.
Asuka Hara, affectionately known as "Asupon," was a former Ranzuki exclusive model who was active from around 2003 to 2007.
In 2004, she became one of the "Three Iconic Models," along with Mayaya (Maya Mori) and Tamochin (Tomoko Tamogami), appearing in many features and covers.
Even after Mayaya graduated in 2006, she continued to lead the magazine alongside Tamochin as the "Two Big Models" until her own graduation.
While Asupon is known for her feminine "Asu Lady" style, when she first debuted in 2003, she was a kuro-gyaru wearing ALBAROSA!
She went through various gyaru styles: Mamba (around May 2004),Tsuyome gyaru (around late 2004), and onee-gyaru (around 2005) before settling into the "Asu Lady" style in 2006.
In April 2007, she moved to the sister magazine "Vanilla Girl," where she was a key model, appearing on the cover for three consecutive issues.
In 2013, she posted four videos on YouTube, but she does not seem to be active as a YouTuber. Her blog has not been updated since July 2017. Judging from her blog in 2017, she seems to be living a fulfilling life, blessed with two children.
Tomoko Tamogami (Tamochin)
Born May 22, 1986.
Tomoko Tamogami, known by the nickname "Tamochin," was discovered by Ranzuki's editorial team in 2004 at age 16 while hanging out in Shibuya, leading to her modeling debut in a street snap.
After that, she appeared in various fashion pages and quickly rose to fame as a charismatic model.
During her time from 2004 to 2008, Tamochin graced the covers of many Ranzuki issues, making her one of the magazine's leading models.
In addition to her modeling work, she appeared in Kana Nishino’s music video for "Style," produced the apparel brand "Amouruze," wrote love columns, and published a book titled Is This Love?.
Currently, she is the designer for the clothing brand "&M'ILA."
On September 26, 2021, she gave birth to her first child.
Mai Miyagi (Maipuu)
Born February 19, 1988.
Mai Miyagi, affectionately known as "Maipuu," was a former Ranzuki exclusive model.
She was scouted in Shibuya as a high school student in 2004, marking the beginning of her modeling career in Ranzuki.
Maipuu gained immense popularity and helped boost the magazine as one of its main models.
She was known for her casual coordination with soft pastel colors and often featured in sweet-casual and girly styles, which were popular looks.
In 2008, at the height of her popularity, Maipuu graduated from Ranzuki in the September issue (released on July 23, the 8th-anniversary special issue) and moved to the sister magazine "JELLY."
Her popularity continued after the transition, making her a top model who appeared on many JELLY covers for around five years.
She later moved to "ViVi" magazine in 2013, remaining active as a ViVi model until the March 2017 issue.
In 2018, after marriage and childbirth, she became a mother of two.
Today, Maipuu continues her modeling career, is active on YouTube, and launched her own brand, "EM."
Miho Ishigami (Mipopo)
Born August 6, 1988.
Miho Ishigami, known by her nickname "Mipopo," made her Ranzuki debut in 2004. AlongsideTamochin and Maipuu, she helped drive the magazine’s popularity.
Mipopo was known as the "kuro-gyaru representative" in Ranzuki and was admired for her bold looks, incorporating neon colors and club fashion into her flashy style.
Mipopo graduated from Ranzuki in the October 2009 issue and moved to the sister magazine "JELLY."
She is currently the director of the select shop "SunVivian."
Other models who also helped boost Ranzuki’s popularity during the same period included:
- Iena Hirano
- Misaki Ii (Mii)
- Akane Monma (Akanen)
- Masami Tsuha (Macha)
