The Japanese porn industry is incredibly prolific and its output is fueled in part by parody releases: adult video productions that operate at a kind of meta level, inspired by a recent incident, social trend, or something from popular culture. Sometimes, since parody occupies an ambiguous place under the rubric of Japanese law, this can get the producers into trouble. The recent AV release based on the DJ Soda groping incident was canceled prior to release, possibly due to the social media backlash or perhaps out of fears of legal repercussions (at a time when things are difficult for the ...

It's something of an open secret these days that all the commercial excitement comes from Nogizaka46, not AKB or its direct sister groups. Photo books by the likes of Mai Shiraishi and Nanami Hashimoto have become runaway bestsellers, or photo shoots by Misa Eto have dazzled. Even more minor members such as Yumi Wakatsuki, Mai Shinuchi, Kazumi Takayama, and Miona Hori have established their reputations in recent times -- at least in our consciousness. But let's not forget the official AKB48 sister groups. NMB48's Miru Shiroma, for example, is a true star on the rise. And now the Nogizaka46 ...