Makino Hina will make her gravure debut in July 2024, and her first photo book (Kobunsha) will be released on February 21st. She started playing volleyball in her early elementary school years, and participated in the national tournament "Spring High" during her high school years. Using this experience, she has gained popularity on TikTok with her "Volleyball Club Commonalities" videos. We spoke to Makino about the highlights of her photo book, why she decided to enter the entertainment industry, and her future goals. <New Year's Interview>
◇ For the first time, she also takes on lingerie shots in this photobook.
Makino was born on February 12th, 2004, and is 21 years old and hails from Kochi Prefecture. Her first photobook, which will be released on her 22nd birthday, was shot in the tropical island of Okinawa. It is said to feature her in a more natural state than ever before.
"I think this photobook shows my emotions and the state of my body at the time. It's so natural that even I wonder if it's okay. But that's the side of me I wanted to show, so I'm glad I was able to express it in this photobook."
One of his memories from Okinawa is interacting with water buffalo, which he requested himself.
"I've always loved animals, and the buffalo I met in Okinawa in particular had such pure and innocent eyes. It made such an impression on me that I want to go back to Okinawa just to see the buffalo again."
Her own opinions were reflected in the costumes, which also served as motivation for the shoot.
"I thought the blue shorts set I wore when we went to Blue Seal (the ice cream shop) was really cute, and there's a shot of me wearing a dress that's a color like a heart, which I personally love. This time, I also tried lingerie shots for the first time, and I got to wear my favorite pale colors, which I also really love."
◇ "Discovering a new side of myself" - thoughts on gravure
It has been about a year and a half since she started working as a gravure model. At first, Makino said, "I had only ever played volleyball," and "I never thought I would end up doing gravure modeling."
"When I actually went to the shoot, the atmosphere was very homey and I didn't feel any discomfort at all. In fact, I felt that it was really fun, so I thought I'd like to do it again if possible. Then I was asked to do it a second and third time, so I was really happy."
Even now, she finds fulfillment in the fact that "with each shoot, I can discover a different expression of myself and a new side of myself."
"Those were the things I was looking for when I entered this industry. Also, I often get compliments on my lips, and I've come to love the parts of myself that I was previously insecure about. In that sense, I'm very grateful to have come across gravure modeling."
◇Why did you enter the entertainment industry? There are many things you learned through volleyball...
Why did Makino, who had only ever played volleyball, decide to enter the entertainment industry? The trigger was a movie he saw when he was in junior high school.
"At that time, I had hit rock bottom, and my brother couldn't bear to see me like that, so he invited me to go see a movie, and we went to see The Greatest Showman. I was really moved by the message of everyone coming together to make their dreams come true, including the theme song, 'This Is Me,' and it made me think how amazing entertainment was, and made me want to go into the entertainment world."
She had already been accepted to a strong volleyball school through a recommendation, so she put that dream on hold for the time being. "There are jobs I can do now, so I'm glad I devoted myself to club activities for three years in high school," she reveals. Naturally, she learned a lot through volleyball, and it has become the basis of her activities.
"It's important to be able to do the basic things a person should do, like greeting people, apologizing when you're wrong, and always being grateful. I was always told this since middle school, and it's something I still take to heart."
Makino is currently studying photography at the University of the Arts, working as a gravure model, and gradually getting more acting opportunities. We asked her about her future goals.
"I would like to stand on the stage of the Japan Academy Awards ceremony one day. I know that awards aren't everything, but when I think about what made me want to enter this world, one of my goals is to become an actor who can be involved in such productions and stand on that dream stage."
Makino is expected to achieve even greater success in 2026. On February 21st, her birthday event, "Makino Hina FORTUNE22! ~Spring is Coming!!!~" will be held in Takadanobaba, Tokyo.
