Tops Kindle Store, Rakuten Kobo, DMM Books and More, Becoming a Major Topic on Social Media

Atsuko Maeda, known as AKB48’s “absolute center,” gained popularity as a national idol who symbolized an era and is now forging a new path as an actor.

Last year, she marked 20 years in entertainment and released the commemorative photobook Atsuko Maeda Photobook Beste (pronounced “Beste”), which she calls her last, on February 13. Her first digital edition was also released on March 18 and immediately ranked No. 1 across major online bookstores. The digital edition also includes bonus images. More than a month after the photobook’s release, it continues to be a major topic on social media.

Vienna, Austria, in Central Europe, was chosen as the location for the shoot. The entire book was carefully photographed in the city where history, art and music thrive. Centered on the “adult love” of a woman in her thirties, it captures in Vienna’s light both her dignified beauty and her wistful expressions as she moves between dreamlike moments with the person she loves and reality.

“I Want People to Immerse Themselves Fully in Adult Romance”

The theme of this work is “adult love.” It aims for an intimate, delicate world in which two people spend time alone together, one that makes readers think, “I would like to experience a love like this.”

Maeda commented: “I hope people will immerse themselves fully in adult romance while looking through the photobook. While shooting it, I myself started wanting someone I like. Vienna was a wonderful city that made my imagination grow: ‘I want to come here with someone I like,’ and ‘If someone brought me to a place like this, I would definitely fall for them.’”

As she said, “As my last photobook, I want to give it everything I have with no regrets,” highlights include her wistful, sensual expressions and a challenge to more daring exposure than in her past photobooks.

Sharing the Latest Information on the Official X Account

To commemorate the photobook’s release, the official Atsuko Maeda Photobook X account, @atsuko_book, has also been launched. Advance images, additional images and the latest information will be posted there in sequence.

Profile

Atsuko Maeda (あつこ まえだ)

Born July 10, 1991, in Chiba Prefecture. She debuted in 2005 as a first-generation member of AKB48 and performed at the AKB48 Theater. From the group’s indie debut in 2006, she served as center for about five years, gaining national popularity as the “absolute center.” After graduating from the group in 2012, she has continued her work as an actor. She marked 20 years in entertainment in 2025.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atsuko_maeda_official/

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Atsuko_100

Official website: https://maedaatsuko.com/

Bibliographic Information

  • Title: Atsuko Maeda Photobook Beste
  • Photography: Toshiaki Kitaoka
  • Release date: February 13, 2026 (digital edition available from March 18)
  • Price: ¥3,300 (tax included)
  • Format: A4
  • Pages: 144
  • Published by: Kodansha Ltd.

Photo Credit

© Kodansha / Photograph by Toshiaki Kitaoka

Source: PR TIMES