And yet — the not-going was its own kind of gift. For three months, that hike existed in a perfect, pristine state. No traffic jams. No tired legs. No awkward silences on the train ride home. Just the idea of two friends walking through a crimson tunnel of maples, laughing about nothing in particular.
Behind Itsukaichi's swift rise lie concrete sales and ranking data. In , she achieved the No. 2 position on FANZA's monthly actress ranking in the mail-order division — an extraordinary feat for a performer who had debuted less than a year earlier. She followed this in May 2024 with a No. 5 ranking in the same category, demonstrating sustained popularity rather than a one-month fluke. In September 2024, she appeared at No. 5 in FANZA's monthly rental ranking as well, further cementing her broad-based appeal. mei itsukaichi
With her talent, dedication, and passion for voice acting, Mei Itsukaichi is sure to continue making waves in the anime industry for years to come. And yet — the not-going was its own kind of gift
Another challenge she has faced is the constant risk of scheduling conflicts brought on by her "multiple exclusive contracts," a situation that requires meticulous planning to avoid burning out or disappointing fans. No tired legs
A “maybe coffee” becomes an actual coffee, two years later, in a different city, with different haircuts and different problems. And strangely, it’s better than a scheduled coffee would have been. It carries the weight of all those unspent maybes. It feels like an accident of grace.