The gravure world has a fascinating new face—and she’s far from the typical fresh-out-of-school rookie. Meet Eriko Kimura, a 29-year-old (turning 30 this September) who balances a full-time role at a major IT company with her rising modeling career.
Affiliated with the prestigious Oscar Promotion agency, Kimura treats gravure as a passionate side hustle rather than a full career switch. She continues working weekdays in the office while shooting photos and attending events on weekends.
A Late Bloomer with Serious Momentum
Kimura made her official gravure debut last July with a digital photo book. Her latest breakthrough came in the June 15 issue of Weekly Playboy, marking her first major print gravure spread. She first caught widespread attention in 2024 after winning the Executive Committee Chairman’s Award at the Miss World Japan beauty contest.
This Saitama native isn’t just posing for the camera—she also works as a ring girl at boxing events, adding variety to her portfolio while maintaining her “office lady” (OL) lifestyle.
Exclusive Interview Highlights from Weekly Playboy
Weekly Playboy sat down with Kimura during her latest shoot. Here are some translated key excerpts:
Q: You’re working at a major IT company while building a gravure career. How do you manage both?
Kimura: I never planned to quit my job. A stable career is my foundation, and I knew I’d feel anxious without it. When job hunting, I specifically looked for companies that allow side work. Balancing weekdays in the office with weekend shoots and events feels completely natural now. It’s demanding, but since it’s something I genuinely want to do, it doesn’t feel like a burden.
Q: What inspired you to start gravure?
Kimura: The biggest trigger was competing in Miss World Japan in 2024. Winning that award led me to my current agency. I’ve always loved gravure photography, so when I first met the agency chairman, I told him straight away: “I want to do gravure.”
Q: What draws you to gravure specifically?
Kimura: Gravure lets you express everything—your facial expressions, your body, and even your condition on that day. Unlike fashion modeling where you’re just showcasing clothes, gravure is about revealing your true self. That authenticity is what I’ve always admired.
Q: How did this Weekly Playboy shoot compare to your first one?
Kimura: It was completely different. During my debut shoot, I was totally inexperienced. The photographer told me to think about what message I wanted to convey to readers, but I didn’t understand at first—I thought just looking pretty was enough. As the day went on, I started focusing on expressing my own individuality. This time around, the photographer said I seemed much more relaxed. I felt like I could show my true self more naturally.
Q: What are your strongest assets in gravure?
Kimura: Definitely my long, beautiful hair. The contrast between my fair skin and black hair really highlights my individuality. I also love my body’s S-curve—from the waist to the pelvis. I didn’t appreciate it much before, but gravure has helped me embrace it as one of my unique feminine charms.
Q: What are your future goals?
Kimura: I’d love to appear on a magazine cover and release a physical photo book. I’m living my dream doing gravure, and I want to keep pushing forward. I’m also interested in outdoor shoots and concepts that play off my real-life office worker background.
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