BREAKING: Luna Tsukino Lands Netflix Gig, Anri Okita's Girl Band To Disband?

August is by far the most happening month yet. Catch up on all the JAV gossip we had our eyes on!

You know that feeling when an agency teases an actress and you start being impatient and can’t resist finding out, right? As some of our readers might be aware by now that 8MAN, in their classic style, decided to tease a certain actress earlier. For the unversed, they teased a side profile, enough for fans to ride the rumors. Honestly, at first glance, it had the air of a major debut, as if some stunning new debutante was about to be unleashed upon the JAV industry. But seasoned eyes like mine could tell it was none other than Luna Tsukino!

Apparently, Luna has switched agencies just to make a long-awaited comeback. And like most transitions, you might expect a rebranding of sorts, but that is not really the case here with Luna. And here's where it gets interesting. Usually, actresses who have been in the industry for a while opt for a fresh stage name to avoid any association with their past selves. But Luna’s leaning right into it. That tells me she’s confident in her past.

And of course, 8MAN didn’t leave any stones unturned to give her the best launch. Luna is set to get her very own photo album scheduled for release at the end of the month. But wait, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Apparently, being affiliated with 8Man comes with perks. It seems as if Luna’s already bagged a spot in a Netflix gag comedy show titled Death Kiss Game, where comedians team up with JAV actresses to deliver skits ending with the perfect kiss scene.

Just the lineup is mouthwatering to say the least. Nana Yagi, Mary Tachibana, Kiho Kanematsu, Aoi Ibuki, Mana Sakura, MINAMO, and yes, Luna herself. I don’t know about you, but the trailer looks exciting to say the least!

But the real tea here isn’t just about her Netflix appearance, it’s about what comes next in her JAV career. Luna’s earlier fame was built on back-to-back releases, but that’s not the lifestyle she’d usually crave now. These days, most of them prefer selective, exclusive affiliations over an exhausting production schedule.

And here’s where things get tricky. 8MAN, for all its industry clout, doesn’t specialize in managing freelancers who hop from studio to studio. They thrive when pairing talent with big, established studios that can offer structure and exclusivity. Which means if Luna wants stability (and the kind of paycheck she deserves), she’ll likely have to be exclusive to just one studio.

Now, before you start placing bets, let’s get realistic. The top three major studios? They might pass on her, unless, of course, Moodyz suddenly decides to roll up its sleeves and make a bid for her. Faleno, however, is a very different story. They’re 8MAN’s go-to partner, and it’s no surprise that most of the names that 8MAN rakes in end up filming with Faleno

Whatever the case, this particular comeback has been the hype lately. The industry has evolved ever since she left, and her second stint will definitely be a test. The Netflix skit feature is just a beginning; locking down an exclusive deal is what remains a challenge for the 32-year-old right now.

I stumbled across a tweet earlier this month while doomscrolling through X. Buried in Black Diamond’s official feed was a seemingly innocent concert announcement, but tucked discreetly was a twist for those sharp enough to notice.

“The Shinjuku live concert on Friday, August 8th, is just around the corner! During the second part of the concert, L.V. and RENA’s new unit, ‘Violet DIAMOND,’ will be launched! And what’s more, we’ll be offering free invitations to live ambassadors who will film the second part of the concert and share it on social media! Don’t miss this opportunity!”

So guess who’s taking Black Diamond’s place? (if at all it’s true) An offshoot unit of Anri’s Black Diamond that is already turning heads with its catchy name, Violet Diamond.

Now, anyone who’s followed the group would have read that twice. L.V. and Rena are disbanding to form a new unit. What makes it even more intriguing is the fact that the group came into existence during one of Black Diamond’s recent concerts. That’s one way to make a statement.

For the unversed, the debut happened on August 8th at Shinjuku ReNY, a venue known for its intimate yet electric atmosphere. The producers pulled out all the stops by inviting fans to become “live ambassadors,” filming the performance, and uploading it on their X handles to put the word out there. Most of the audience got in on special invitations, though there was the customary 700 yen charge for drinks.

Honestly, all this reminds me of the quote, “all that glitters is not gold”. I’m kinda curious as to why would two of Black Diamond’s core members, both JAV actresses with their respective fanbases launch an entirely new unit instead of simply releasing new songs under the Black Diamond banner?

For me, it certainly points to the end of Anri Okita’s vision. Remember, when Anri had launched it, Black Diamond debunked all definitions of a pop group; it was a rare fusion of JAV star power and J-pop ambition. The lineup had the charm and a certain scandalous allure that drew in JAV fans to it. But that kind of mix also comes with egos, competing schedules, and clashing visions.

If readers were to take my word, I’d suggest there might have been some kinda tension brewing for months. Could be over creative differences or personal fallouts, or perhaps just the natural fatigue of juggling JAV careers, public appearances, and a demanding idol schedule.

For now, all we’ve got from Black Diamond’s official handle is a freshly dropped promo video of the brand new unit, teasing their first live concert. It’ll make you believe that everything is sorted among the members, but deep down, this could be an impending sign of disbandment.

So that brings me to my question: Is Black Diamond really dead? As of now, officially, no. Since they still have the X handle up live. But in the unpredictable industry of JAV, a subgroup launch like this often signals the beginning of the end. Till then, I’ll be keeping my eyes glued to their X for the next big update!

Every time I open my Twitter feed, someone’s always announcing their retirement. And this week, we’ve got Hitomi Honda on our radar. Yes, the same Hitomi Honda who debuted with Madonna, under whom she was being touted as “Ms. Diamond” during her debut.

Earlier this month, Hitomi took to X to break the news in a discreet way, as she mentioned, stepping away from JAV while leaving her agency, LIGHT, on December 31, 2025. That’s right, come New Year’s Day, she’ll be closing the curtain on her brief career

What caught my attention wasn’t just the announcement itself, but the way she framed it. Apparently, before she even debuted, she’d intended to make her stint short, more like a run-of-the-mill experiment. And yet, here we are, five years later. In her own words, the time just “slipped away.” She credits the people around her, producers, crew, editors, and managers, for making every shoot an experience worth staying for. And she had nothing but praise for LIGHT, calling it a “truly great agency” and even insisting she’s never had a single complaint.

Now, for those of you unfamiliar with Hitomi’s career arc, let me paint the picture. She was every inch the “typical” LIGHT actress, pretty, approachable, with that girl-next-door warmth. At 156cm with a D-cup frame, she was never over-the-top with her glamour quotient. Instead, she’s let her work speak. Besides, she has also got that “dark history” in uncensored JAV.

In her farewell tweet, she thanked the fans for buying her works, for supporting her, and for letting her keep going this long. And then she made one simple request: “I want to give it my all this year, so please continue to support me until the end.” Expect a few standout releases that will leave her fans with no regrets, after all.

Hitomi’s retirement feels way different from the scandal-fueled or burnout-driven exits we so often see in the industry. There’s no drama, just a woman closing a chapter on her terms. But let’s not romanticize it too much. Five years is a long run in JAV, and while her career never quite reached the stratospheric heights some predicted, she carved out her niche in the industry.

So, what now for Honda Hitomi? That’s the million-dollar question. Will she disappear entirely from public life, or will she pull a “soft retirement” and pop up later? I wouldn’t rule out a surprise return down the line, just not in the same form.

For now, fans should just consider getting their hands on those JAV DVDs, rewatch some of her past works, and I bet that makes for a proper send-off.

Because come January 1st, Hitomi Honda’s set to become JAV history.

We'll keep bringing you more such updates at ZENRA. To hop on the fan wagon, follow us on Twitter