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| Yumigeta Ako Turns 17 and Treats Fans to Her First Ever Photobook |
Just when we thought July couldn’t get any sweeter, Morning Musume’s youngest starlet Yumigeta Ako (弓桁朱琴) is blessing fans with a gorgeous gift — her first ever photobook, ako seventeen, landing on 8th July 2025, a.k.a. her 17th birthday!
That’s right — the bubbly 17th gen member of Hello! Project’s legendary girl group is celebrating her special day in style with 112 pages of full-colour radiance, shot entirely in her beloved hometown of Shizuoka. It’s both a tribute and a coming-of-age snapshot — all wrapped up in one glossy B5-sized package.
Ako-chan herself broke the news in her usual adorable style on her blog, cheekily noting it was her “second update of the day” — a rare move for the usually reserved idol. But who can blame her? “I might be posting twice in one day for the first time ever!” she joked. “But I’ve got something really important to tell you all!”
Then came the big announcement: her 1st photobook is officially titled ako seventeen, set for release by Odyssey Publishing. And yes — the photoshoot took place right in the heart of her home turf, which fans will know holds deep sentimental value for her.
The blog post practically burst with excitement (and exclamation marks), as Ako shared the official cover shot — a striking image of her in a fiery red ballet tutu. “I got to wear a ballet costume! It’s called a tutu, you know!” she added with a wink.
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ako seventeen promises to be a colourful, heartfelt look at Ako’s journey — from small-town stage starlet to national pop idol. Longtime fans might remember her early days performing with At Mark Company and Kaizokusen Theater in Shizuoka. She’s even appeared in a video digest for the local musical “Kono Michi Deai” on YouTube — so it’s no surprise she chose to return to her roots for this debut photobook.
The Shizuoka-born idol has always kept her local pride close, and this project feels like a full-circle moment. From her childhood stage days to being centre stage in one of Japan’s biggest idol groups — Ako’s growth is something to behold, and this photobook captures her right on the cusp of womanhood, with the same sparkly, cheerful energy fans adore.
Here’s what we know so far about the photobook:
📘 Title: ako seventeen
📆 Release Date: 8 July 2025 (Happy Birthday, Ako!)
📏 Format: B5 size, 112 pages
📍 Location: Shizuoka, Japan
📸 Publisher: Odyssey Publishing
Ako signed off her blog with a mega dose of love and gratitude, saying, “Please keep supporting Yumigeta Ako!! Pretty please!! With everything I’ve got!!” — and we’d expect nothing less from her signature extra-ness.
With this being her first solo release, expectations are sky-high — and early preview shots have fans buzzing. Will there be cute beach pics? Ballet vibes? Maybe even some behind-the-scenes hometown snaps? Either way, Ako’s fans — old and new — are in for a summer treat.
So mark your calendars, folks. July 8 is more than just her birthday — it’s a milestone moment for one of Morning Musume’s brightest young talents.