Yabuki Nako shares fan meeting photos, eyes 2025 musical debut in 'Something Rotten!'

Yabuki Nako posted fan meeting photos on June 20, writing in Japanese: "Fan meeting♡ I was happy to meet fans up close after a long time."

The 24-year-old IZONE alum has been building a steady acting resume since the group's run ended. She debuted as an idol through HKT48's theater performance パジャマドライブ in 2013, then joined IZONE for their first mini album COLOR*IZ in 2018. Her screen work started with the 2020 documentary-style film Eyes on Me: The Movie, followed by a supporting role as Oohara Rei in the 2022 film Mukota Barber Shop.

Drama credits pile up quickly. She played Sanjo Aika in Face Only Teacher (2021). Her first lead role came as Sanjo Meika in 18-Year-Old Newlywed Affair (2023). That same year brought appearances in Numaru. Minato Ward High School Girl, The Healing Neighbor Has a Secret, and Love Recommendation. In 2024 she played Kira Moeko in Amazing Teacher. This year she takes on Hareyama Nao in Mikami Teacher.

The biggest 2025 move is her casting as Portia in the comedy musical Something Rotten! — her stage debut in a named role.

Broadcast work runs parallel. She holds a Monday regular slot on MBS radio's アッパレやってます, Wednesday MC duties on Bunka Broadcasting's レコメン!, and a monthly MC role on NHK Radio 1's Furuya Masayuki's POP★A. TV appearances include semi-regular spots on TBS's LOVE IT! and guest slots on Fuji Television's On the Run series and Matsumoto Hiroshi's Stories to Go With Alcohol. Streaming work spans Not Fooled by Rainbow and Wolf, Not Fooled by Him and Wolf, Heart Signal Japan, and Loving Weekend Homestay across Abema TV, TVING, and Paravi.

Off-screen, she served as ambassador for the Campus 2024 Boys&Girls university beauty pageant and was appointed crime prevention publicity ambassador for Tokyo. (Radio, drama, musical, public service — she's juggling a lot.)

She also appeared in KCON-related programs and MMA 2023 awards content, and has taken the stage as model and MC at KCON Japan, Dream Concert in Japan, TGC, and Idol Runway Collection.