Yui Nagase Declares Her Retirement. Ichika Mats... -

Following her departure from the industry, Nagase—now living under her real-life nickname, Rina—completely changed her life path.

Yui Nagase’s decision to retire after a brief, two-year stint exemplifies the modern trajectory of many J-idols. Rather than remaining in the industry indefinitely, many performers now utilize their time in the spotlight as a stepping stone toward financial independence or alternative career paths. Yui Nagase declares her retirement. Ichika Mats...

"Then find a new one," Yui said, reaching out to squeeze Ichika’s hand. "The world finally gets to see what the fire looks like when the ice melts away." "Then find a new one," Yui said, reaching

Within two hours of Nagase’s post, , 30, posted a three-minute video message on her official YouTube channel. The two women have long been compared by the media—often pitted as rivals after both auditioned for the same lead role in the 2015 drama Fractured Mirror (which Nagase won, but Matsumoto received a special jury award for her supporting role). A key element of Nagase's legacy is her

A key element of Nagase's legacy is her relationship with Ichika Matsumoto. The two were celebrated for high-profile collaborative releases, such as their popular dual feature highlighted on The Movie Database (TMDB) , which combined Nagase's distinct visual appeal with Matsumoto's highly energetic screen presence.

Following the declaration, —one of the industry's most recognizable and active stars—led the wave of public support. Matsumoto and Nagase, who have frequently crossed paths in high-profile studio collaborations, shared mutual respect online.