"I never expected them to take a shot like this...!" What is the most surprising shot for voice actress Ayasa Ito in her third photo book?

Voice actress Ayasa Ito, known for her roles as Vivlos in "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" and Arisa Ichigaya in "BanG Dream!", will release her third photo book, "Ayasage," on June 24, following her second photo book "HONEY" released in 2023.

Shot on location on Bintan Island, Indonesia, and in Singapore, this photo book captures her in the final years of her twenties, fully showcasing Ito's cute yet mature charm through swimwear and lingerie photos.

In this article, we bring you an interview with Ito ahead of the release of "Ayasage," where we asked about behind-the-scenes stories of the overseas shoot, her favorite shots, and her future prospects.

—I had the opportunity to take an early look at "Ayasage," and the opening photo of you in the white outfit is incredibly powerful and impactful. I was instantly drawn in, and I felt that the way it transitions into the cute swimwear photos beautifully expresses the multifaceted aspects of your charm, blending both cuteness and maturity.

Ito: I'm so glad! Since this is my third photo book, we wanted an opening different from my second photo book, "HONEY," which is why this photo was chosen. We paid a lot of attention to the flow of the layout, so I'd be happy if people can appreciate that aspect.

—The opening sequence of shots was taken on Bintan Island in Indonesia, correct? The blue sky and desert in the background are very striking. Was it your original intention to take such impactful photos there?

Ito: It was a massive tourist spot with dunes stretching out all over and incredibly clear water, offering a mysterious sense of scale. Initially, the outfit was supposed to be a bit simpler, with the direction aimed at showing a powerful, natural version of myself. However, with the lace and ruffles, it became like "wearing cuteness as armor," and I feel that in the end, it managed to express a strength that is uniquely me.

—This time, you also had a shoot on location in Singapore, and the photos featuring Marina Bay Sands were lovely. I liked how it was captured very subtly.

Ito: Exactly! That’s a point I was really particular about (lol). The breeze felt amazing, the sky was so vast, and it felt like a comfortable space where I could quietly converse with my inner self. It’s my number one recommended spot among all the locations in this book!

*Editor's note: It was shot at Marina Barrage, Singapore's largest reservoir, which can also be enjoyed as a leisure spot.

—I'd love to visit! Marina Bay Sands can be overwhelming when you see it up close, but it seems like you can view it calmly from there (lol). Since the photos were taken during the evening, they also have a bit of a chill vibe, don't they?

Ito: I'm originally from Kyoto, and it felt like Singapore's version of the Kamogawa River (lol). The people there were enjoying themselves while maintaining a comfortable distance from each other, and I thought it was a really nice place to relax.

—Singapore has its famous landmarks concentrated within a small area, making it easy to get around to various places, which is great.

Ito: It really is. We kept waiting for the sunset to take photos with the buildings in the background, but since Singapore is close to the equator, the sun just wouldn't go down (lol). We ended up with a little free time, but it's compact enough that you can just look around during a short break.

—The Merlion is also near the cluster of buildings, right?

Ito: Yes, that's right.

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