Mao Takano
Mao Takano was born on September 1, 2003, and is from Tochigi Prefecture. A gravure idol with seju, in just about a year since her debut in March 2025 she has appeared on more covers than you can count, including Weekly Playboy, FRIDAY, and Young Jump.
What's surprising is how she got there. She graduated from nursing school, earned her nursing license, and had already been hired by a university hospital when she was scouted and jumped into show business. She gave up a stable path because she had always been interested in entertainment — she has admired Satomi Ishihara since childhood and even applied to an audition show. That bold decision seems to be fueling her momentum now.
She did ballet for about 10 years, from age 3 to her second year of junior high, and devoted herself to kendo in junior high and high school (she even placed third in a tournament). Perhaps because of that athletic foundation, she's disciplined about building her body for gravure — not only managing her diet and doing strength training, but also studying the magazines she'll appear in to research expressions and poses before shoots. On the other hand, she playfully lists "can hold a toothpick in my dimple" as a special skill, and that contrast is irresistible.
In 2026 she also tried acting in the dramas "Uso no Daisho" and "Phoenix ~Kieta Tensaitachi no Chosen~," and in July released her 1st photobook "Mao no Koto," (まおのこと、). Her goal is to become an actress in an NHK morning drama, like her idol Satomi Ishihara. She and Aoi Mizobata, who debuted at the same time, are close friends known as "the double Cinderellas of gravure." We can't wait to see how far this Cinderella story that began with nursing will go.
Profile of Mao Takano
| Name | Mao Takano（髙野真央） |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Gravure idol, TV personality |
| Date of birth | September 1, 2003 |
| Birthplace | Tochigi, Japan |
| Height | 153cm |
| Blood type | B |
| Skills | Flexibility, kendo, ballet, can hold a toothpick in my dimple |
| Hobbies | Strength training, listening to music, shopping |
| Agency | seju |
| Notable works | 1st photobook "Mao no Koto," (まおのこと、, Kodansha), many covers including Weekly Playboy, FRIDAY, and Weekly Young Jump, drama "Uso no Daisho" (as Aoi Omi), "Phoenix ~Kieta Tensaitachi no Chosen~" (as Satsuki Mikami), TBS "Sunday Japon" |
| Official links |
- Videos
- 39
- Period
- Mar 2025 – Oct 2026
- Main channel
- Weekly Playboy
Popular videos of Mao Takano
髙野真央の記事一覧
1
2
Channels
- Weekly Playboy 12
- FRIDAY DIGITAL 8
- Channel MNK 7
- FRIDAY Glamour Photos 4
- Swimsuit Video Channel 4
- young jump 3
- +Special 2
- photo book PV 2
- Daydream Music Tube 1
- behind the scenes 1
Videos by year
- 2026 21
- 2025 18
