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| Nakano Airi Heads to Bali for Dreamy 1st Photobook: “Kawaii to iitte Hoshi” Drops July 30 |
Yup, it’s official — fan fave Nakano Airi from SKE48 is finally dropping her first photobook, and trust us, it’s a total vibe. Titled “Kawaii to itte Hoshii” (translation: “I Want You to Call Me Cute”), this dreamy release is hitting shelves on July 30, 2025, courtesy of KADOKAWA. And guess where she shot it? Bali, baby. That’s right — we’re talkin’ beaches, sunsets, villas, and poolside glow.
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For longtime fans who’ve been begging for a photobook, this one’s been a long time coming. Airi’s been holding it down in SKE48 since the Draft 3rd Gen days, and now she’s finally showing off a side of herself we haven’t seen before — from idol innocence to a more grown-up glam.
Shot over several days across some of Bali’s prettiest backdrops — think beachfront resorts near Kuta, stylish pink-walled cafés, outdoor malls, even supermarkets (yes, really) — the photobook is giving nothing but sunshine and good energy. Despite it being rainy season, Airi Nakano scored clear skies the whole shoot. It’s like the weather itself was stanning.
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She personally picked all the outfits too — and they’re straight fire. We’re talkin’ soft pastel swimwear, breezy one-pieces in yellow and orange, a white mini skirt for that classic idol charm, and yes, even a bit of red-hot grown-up styling with some bold lingerie looks. It’s a full-on visual buffet — something for every Airi fan out there.
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In her own words:
“I’ve always dreamed of releasing a photobook, but I never thought it’d actually happen. I’m so thankful, and I hope everyone who picks it up feels the same excitement I felt while shooting it. It’s full of sides of me you’ve never seen before — so please look forward to it!”
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But wait — there’s more.
The book also features a heartfelt essay where she reflects on her journey from debut to now, plus a long-form interview that takes us behind the curtain on everything from her idol struggles to personal growth. This one’s not just pretty pictures — it’s a whole story.
And for collectors? You’ve got options. There are three cover versions (Standard, Seven Net limited, and HMV & BOOKS online limited), all dropping with special photo bonuses depending on where you buy. Plus, if you’re in Japan this summer, you can hit up exclusive fan events, including:
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July 12: Pre-release reservation event at Hoshino Shoten Kintetsu Passe (Nagoya)
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August 11: Release event at HMV & BOOKS Shibuya
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August 30: Bonus handover event back at Hoshino Shoten
Panel exhibitions are also poppin’ off:
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Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya): July 30 – August 31
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TSUTAYA EBISUBASHI (Osaka): July 30 – August 17
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Oh, and yes — some lucky fans will even get signed panels through a lottery giveaway during the panel runs.
Whether you’re a die-hard SKE48 fan or just discovering Nakano Airi now, “Kawaii to iitte Hoshi” is the kind of release that shows why she’s been quietly leveling up all these years. From idol cutie to photobook queen, she’s proving she’s got range — and we’re so here for it.
Mark your calendars for July 30 — this one’s gonna fly..