What is the shelf life of a teenage idol? While there is no definitive answer, the unwritten “25-year-old retirement rule” (Note 1) in Japan’s idol industry has long set an unspoken standard. Yet, as with all rules, there are exceptions. Debuting with the million-selling single Love Machine and spending just three years in Morning Musume, Goto Maki propelled the group to unprecedented heights, breaking records that remain unchallenged to this day. Twenty-five years have passed since her debut on Asayan, but astonishingly, age has not limited her.
At 39, Goto Maki has released a new album, embarked on a nationwide tour, and announced the reissue of a photobook even before its release. Her remarkable energy prompts one to wonder: is this the dawn of her “Second Golden Era”?
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Taiker Magazine proudly features this iconic superstar as the cover star for its special issue The New Era. This is also her first time gracing the cover of a Taiwanese magazine. With 25 years of experience and energy behind her, is this the perfect moment to embark on her “New Era”? On an early autumn day, we met Goto Maki in Tokyo to explore her thoughts, plans, and ambitions for The New Era.
