ICEx member Shiga Riku celebrated the release of his first photo book, 'Yuushoku,' at an event in Tokyo on April 18. The collection, which launched the day before, was shot entirely in Okinawa and captures both candid, relaxed moments and Shiga's range as a performer.

Shiga expressed his surprise at getting a photo book so early in his career. "It was definitely shocking, but it was also a dream of mine," he explained at the event. "I didn't feel it was real until we started doing interviews, but now it's finally sinking in."

The choice of Okinawa wasn't random—Shiga is drawn to the ocean. He spoke enthusiastically about his first visit to the prefecture, describing the soft sand and beautifully gradient waters. His favorite image in the collection features a scenic ocean backdrop across a two-page spread, a choice he made specifically for "the beauty of that setting during the shoot."

When asked about creative inspiration, Shiga revealed he looked to fellow EBiDAN member Yu Kashiwagi of Choutokkyuu for guidance. The two grew up together in the same agency and remain close. "Since we're the same age, I thought there might be things I could learn from him," Shiga said. He studied Kashiwagi's photo book, which captured the transition from age 19 to 20, and found the contrast between relaxed off-camera moments and more polished looks particularly useful.

Shiga gave his own work a perfect score. "I wanted to show everything I have right now, and we did it with full energy and enjoyment," he said. "When I saw the finished product, I felt like I revealed a new side of myself. I'll keep growing, but for my first photo book, I'd say it deserves 100 points."

He also shared a sweet detail: his family watched the finished book together when he returned home, with his mother calling it "mystical and really beautiful."

Looking ahead, Shiga aims to take on more work both with ICEx and as a solo artist. He credited fans for making the photo book possible, saying he "packed everything" of his current self into 'Yuushoku.'