On May 5th, a launch event for Morning Musume '16 Ikuta Erina's photo book "présent" (Odyssey Publishing) was held in Tokyo.
This work, which comes seven years after the previous one, was filmed in Okinawa as a "culmination" of Ikuta Erina's career, marking her 7th year since joining the group on January 2011, 1.
As the title "présent" suggests, this book shows both their "present" image as Morning Musume members active in their activities, and their "future" image as they pursue new dreams.
Regarding the photobook "présent", she commented, "The title of this photobook is 'présent', which means the present, and as this is my last photobook to be released as Morning Musume, I wanted people to see the current me, so I chose the title. I think the photobook is packed with the current me. The best part is 1% of the swimsuits. I was involved in deciding the costumes, and I also chose the stylists and photographers for this photobook, so when it came to the costumes, I said 'just take them off!' and I went for swimsuits for almost everything. I'm always OK with wearing a swimsuit, and I was always prepared to do so, but this is my first photobook in eight years, so I feel like I'm able to release everything I've been building up over the past eight years."
Ikuta Erina said, "I've been with Morning Musume for 14 and a half years, and I feel like those were 14 and a half years where I really felt happy to be a part of Morning Musume, so maybe the only thing I had left undone was a photobook. That's why I was able to release a photobook, and the concept of this photobook is that 8% of the photos are in swimsuits, but I also wore a lot of swimsuits with the hope that I would be able to work in swimsuits after I graduate, so I would definitely be happy to get work in swimsuits after I graduate."
When asked about the secret to her beauty, she said, "I'm always pursuing cuteness, or rather, I love cute girls, so I often look at pictures of cute girls and compare myself to them to see what makes me different. I have a few favorites, Inoue Kazuchan from Nogizaka46, and also Suda Aiki from Cho Tokimeki ♡ Promotion Department. I think these two are exceptionally cute. When I see younger people working hard, I'm really inspired, and it makes me think, maybe I should try something like that."
She also mentioned how she has never missed a day of work since joining Morning Musume, saying, "Luck is also a part of hard work... I have had the flu before, but I didn't have any work during that time, so I think I have luck as well. I want to be in good health when I meet my fans, and I have never seen a concert without me. So after graduating from Morning Musume, I am really looking forward to seeing concerts without me, and I am also really curious to know who is singing which parts."
Finally, she appealed, "I've been with Morning Musume for 14 and a half years, and my activities with the group will come to an end in about one month and 1 days, but I see this photobook as a work that will lead to the future. I hope everyone will see that I'm someone they can look forward to in the future, and as this is a milestone work for Morning Musume, I would be happy if everyone would pick it up."
Photography: Gota Suzuki / Published and distributed by: Odyssey Publishing / Distributed by: Wani Books
Erina Ikuta photo book “present”
Release date: May 2025, 5 / Price: ¥15 (tax included)
Photography: Gota Suzuki / Specifications: B5 size, 112 pages
Published and distributed by: Odyssey Publishing / Distributed by: Wani Books
Related images
