TOKYO (TR) – The ascension to the top of Japan’s adult video (AV) industry has been swift for Yua Mikami.
Following her debut release “Princess Peach” in 2015, the former pop idol took the Best New Actress at the DMM Adult Awards the next year. For 2017, she has done herself one better.
On Sunday, the 23-year-old starlet topped a field of 10 contestants at the same event, which assembles some of the top female talent in the industry, to take the Best Actress prize.
“When I was an idol, I didn’t enter contests,” said Mikami, attired in a fluffy blue and pink dress, during the proceedings, held in front of hundreds of fans at the Toyosu Pit hall in Tokyo’s Koto Ward. “I thought they were entirely uninteresting. So when I entered this industry I thought for sure I would take first place at something. This is the best day in all of my 23 years.”
The winners of the event were determined by a combination of internet fan voting and sales data for titles distributed by DMM in 2016. A total of 20 actresses strode through the hall via a red carpet in hopes of garnering accolades for their performances.
Just before receiving her award, Mikami presented the Best New Actress prize to Shoko Takahashi, 23, whose ascent has been nearly as swift as that of her predecessor. Following rumors that she was engaged in prostitution while a gravure idol in 2015, Takahashi transitioned to the AV industry the following year.
“I have a complex about my breasts,” said Takahashi, who checks in with a G-cup chest, “But thanks to them my life has become brighter.”
By the end of the night, some familiar faces walked away with other top prizes. Kirara Asuka was presented the Excellent Actress award. Meanwhile, the Excellent New Actress prize went to Miharu Usa. Also receiving accolades were Kana Momonogi (Media Award) and Mikako Abe (Special Prize).