B.L.T. July 2026 Issue Unveils Covers Featuring Hinatazaka46's Yoko Shogenji and Rio Shimizu, Including a 37-Page Special Feature
Tokyo News Service has revealed the covers for the July 2026 issue of B.L.T., releasing on May 28. The front cover features Hinatazaka46's Yoko Shogenji, while the back cover features Rio Shimizu. The issue includes a massive 37-page, 20,000+ word feature on Hinatazaka46, also starring Yuwa Sato. Gravure sections of members from Nogizaka46 and AKB48 are also included.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 23, 2026 at 06:18
- 🔍 Collected: May 22, 2026 at 22:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 22, 2026 at 22:11 (9 min after Collected)
Tokyo News Service will release the July 2026 issue of the entertainment magazine "B.L.T.," which introduces female idols, actresses, and voice actresses through high-quality gravure and long interviews, on Thursday, May 28. Pre-orders are available at bookstores nationwide and online.
Yoko Shogenji from Hinatazaka46, who will release their 17th single "Kind of love" on Wednesday, May 20, appears on the cover and opening pages of the July 2026 issue of "B.L.T.," releasing on May 28. The cover image has now been unveiled. The cover is a striking cut featuring her natural smile and direct gaze in soft light. It is a cover where Shogenji's characteristic approachability and eye-catching beauty coexist.
Furthermore, the design for the back cover featuring Hinatazaka46's Rio Shimizu has also been released. The back cover showcases Shimizu's powerful visuals and honed presence.
Hinatazaka46's Yoko Shogenji makes her first appearance on a solo "B.L.T." cover.
While loved for her innocent character, Shogenji also possesses strong visuals that captivate viewers. In order to reconsider her charm, this gravure focuses straight on her beauty.
The photo shoot took place in a nostalgic Japanese-style house and a seaside location in early summer. In scenes wearing pure white outfits, the nuances of her shifting emotions were carefully captured, from wandering freely in the courtyard, laughing innocently while bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees, to the fleeting expressions she showed when she paused. In cuts styled with a ponytail, Shogenji's well-defined features and beautiful profile stand out even more, exuding an elegance that catches the eye. Additionally, during the seaside shoot, there are emotional scenes where she spreads a pink coat in the sea breeze and shows her best smile of the day. It is a gravure where every page expresses Shogenji's various forms of beauty.
In an interview exceeding 10,000 words, she stated, "I feel like I've found a 'way to live easily as myself' since turning 19. I might have stepped out of what you call 'puberty,'" confessing her mental changes compared to when she first joined. She also thoroughly revealed her current thoughts, including behind-the-scenes stories of her guitar performance at the "7th Hina-Tansai" held in April, her feelings toward her peer Kaho Fujishima who serves as the center for the 17th single "Kind of love," and things she wants to challenge individually.
"B.L.T. July 2026 Issue" Separate Appendix: Yoko Shogenji (Hinatazaka46) Double-Sided Super Big Poster
There is a reason for her beauty. Hinatazaka46's Rio Shimizu makes her first solo gravure appearance.
Hinatazaka46 fourth-generation member Rio Shimizu appears on the back cover and inside gravure. In recent years, she has made significant visual evolution, and her proactive character livening up the group's variety show "Hinatazaka de Aimashou" (TV Tokyo) often becomes a topic of conversation. This gravure features her powerful beauty. Wearing a red top, the portraits captured in quiet air finish highlighting her dignified presence. In the riverbed shoot, she shows off a natural expression and breathtaking beauty while feeling the wind.
Hinatazaka46's Yuwa Sato shows outstanding transparency and fresh loveliness in her first solo "B.L.T." gravure.
Furthermore, Yuwa Sato, who centers the fifth-generation song "Enshuritsu" (Pi), also appears inside. In a simple studio with soft natural light, Sato's loveliness and delicate atmosphere were carefully captured. In quiet back alleys, she exudes a solid presence while blending into the peaceful streets. The gravure expresses the unique transience she brings.
Nogizaka46 6th Generation Series' Second Appearance! Hinano Ogoshi's charm within the "Group."
Hinano Ogoshi appears in the Nogizaka46 6th Generation series "Gravure Improvement Committee ~gravure à la mode~." This project brings out new charms of the members with different themes in each issue. This is Ogoshi's second appearance in the project. This time, the shoot was themed "Group/Assembly." Set in apartment complexes and mirrored spaces, she expressed "a presence that isn't buried even within the same scenery." The gravure captures Ogoshi's charm shining within the "collective" of the group, such as quietly projecting her outline in uniform landscapes or harboring distinct individuality even while reflecting in mirrors. It is an impressive gravure where softness and incongruity coexist.
Everyone wants to adore the appearance of "Ma-tan Rabbit." 21st generation member Mao Takahashi appears in the AKB48 trainee series!
This time, 15-year-old Mao Takahashi was styled with a rabbit motif and shot in a quiet forest. Retaining the atmosphere of being doted on daily by members as part of the younger group, she shows an adorable figure that makes you want to protect her. Furthermore, look forward to the 48 Questions and 48 Answers filled with first-time revealed information, such as her favorite dialect from her hometown of Hokkaido and memorable comments written on her school report cards.
Close coverage of the MV shoot for BokuAo's latest single "FUNKY SUMMER"!
We closely followed the MV shoot for Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora's 8th single "FUNKY SUMMER," which recently premiered and became a hot topic for featuring all members in the title track since their debut single! It was a shoot that screamed "This is BokuAo," highlighting the synchronized choreography, dance scenes, and the good relationships among the 20 members.
Prior to the one-man live "3rd Anniversary: The 'Blue Sky Outdoor' Live I Wanted to See 2026" held at Yamanashi Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater on June 20, we asked all members celebrating their 3rd anniversary, "What is BokuAo to you!?"
The Birth of RE-GE! A new story spun by 9 members begins!!
The 9 members who passed the "HAJIMARE Project" audition held since May last year will make their CD debut with the single "0 Byou Mae" releasing on Wednesday, June 3! We focus on "RE-GE," taking steps into a new world while gaining experience through free live tours and more!
The innocent cuteness and beauty shown by Teratera's Kaho Kuroda.
Yoko Shogenji from Hinatazaka46, who will release their 17th single "Kind of love" on Wednesday, May 20, appears on the cover and opening pages of the July 2026 issue of "B.L.T.," releasing on May 28. The cover image has now been unveiled. The cover is a striking cut featuring her natural smile and direct gaze in soft light. It is a cover where Shogenji's characteristic approachability and eye-catching beauty coexist.
Furthermore, the design for the back cover featuring Hinatazaka46's Rio Shimizu has also been released. The back cover showcases Shimizu's powerful visuals and honed presence.
Hinatazaka46's Yoko Shogenji makes her first appearance on a solo "B.L.T." cover.
While loved for her innocent character, Shogenji also possesses strong visuals that captivate viewers. In order to reconsider her charm, this gravure focuses straight on her beauty.
The photo shoot took place in a nostalgic Japanese-style house and a seaside location in early summer. In scenes wearing pure white outfits, the nuances of her shifting emotions were carefully captured, from wandering freely in the courtyard, laughing innocently while bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees, to the fleeting expressions she showed when she paused. In cuts styled with a ponytail, Shogenji's well-defined features and beautiful profile stand out even more, exuding an elegance that catches the eye. Additionally, during the seaside shoot, there are emotional scenes where she spreads a pink coat in the sea breeze and shows her best smile of the day. It is a gravure where every page expresses Shogenji's various forms of beauty.
In an interview exceeding 10,000 words, she stated, "I feel like I've found a 'way to live easily as myself' since turning 19. I might have stepped out of what you call 'puberty,'" confessing her mental changes compared to when she first joined. She also thoroughly revealed her current thoughts, including behind-the-scenes stories of her guitar performance at the "7th Hina-Tansai" held in April, her feelings toward her peer Kaho Fujishima who serves as the center for the 17th single "Kind of love," and things she wants to challenge individually.
"B.L.T. July 2026 Issue" Separate Appendix: Yoko Shogenji (Hinatazaka46) Double-Sided Super Big Poster
There is a reason for her beauty. Hinatazaka46's Rio Shimizu makes her first solo gravure appearance.
Hinatazaka46 fourth-generation member Rio Shimizu appears on the back cover and inside gravure. In recent years, she has made significant visual evolution, and her proactive character livening up the group's variety show "Hinatazaka de Aimashou" (TV Tokyo) often becomes a topic of conversation. This gravure features her powerful beauty. Wearing a red top, the portraits captured in quiet air finish highlighting her dignified presence. In the riverbed shoot, she shows off a natural expression and breathtaking beauty while feeling the wind.
Hinatazaka46's Yuwa Sato shows outstanding transparency and fresh loveliness in her first solo "B.L.T." gravure.
Furthermore, Yuwa Sato, who centers the fifth-generation song "Enshuritsu" (Pi), also appears inside. In a simple studio with soft natural light, Sato's loveliness and delicate atmosphere were carefully captured. In quiet back alleys, she exudes a solid presence while blending into the peaceful streets. The gravure expresses the unique transience she brings.
Nogizaka46 6th Generation Series' Second Appearance! Hinano Ogoshi's charm within the "Group."
Hinano Ogoshi appears in the Nogizaka46 6th Generation series "Gravure Improvement Committee ~gravure à la mode~." This project brings out new charms of the members with different themes in each issue. This is Ogoshi's second appearance in the project. This time, the shoot was themed "Group/Assembly." Set in apartment complexes and mirrored spaces, she expressed "a presence that isn't buried even within the same scenery." The gravure captures Ogoshi's charm shining within the "collective" of the group, such as quietly projecting her outline in uniform landscapes or harboring distinct individuality even while reflecting in mirrors. It is an impressive gravure where softness and incongruity coexist.
Everyone wants to adore the appearance of "Ma-tan Rabbit." 21st generation member Mao Takahashi appears in the AKB48 trainee series!
This time, 15-year-old Mao Takahashi was styled with a rabbit motif and shot in a quiet forest. Retaining the atmosphere of being doted on daily by members as part of the younger group, she shows an adorable figure that makes you want to protect her. Furthermore, look forward to the 48 Questions and 48 Answers filled with first-time revealed information, such as her favorite dialect from her hometown of Hokkaido and memorable comments written on her school report cards.
Close coverage of the MV shoot for BokuAo's latest single "FUNKY SUMMER"!
We closely followed the MV shoot for Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora's 8th single "FUNKY SUMMER," which recently premiered and became a hot topic for featuring all members in the title track since their debut single! It was a shoot that screamed "This is BokuAo," highlighting the synchronized choreography, dance scenes, and the good relationships among the 20 members.
Prior to the one-man live "3rd Anniversary: The 'Blue Sky Outdoor' Live I Wanted to See 2026" held at Yamanashi Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater on June 20, we asked all members celebrating their 3rd anniversary, "What is BokuAo to you!?"
The Birth of RE-GE! A new story spun by 9 members begins!!
The 9 members who passed the "HAJIMARE Project" audition held since May last year will make their CD debut with the single "0 Byou Mae" releasing on Wednesday, June 3! We focus on "RE-GE," taking steps into a new world while gaining experience through free live tours and more!
The innocent cuteness and beauty shown by Teratera's Kaho Kuroda.
FAQ
Who is on the cover of the B.L.T. July 2026 issue?
Yoko Shogenji of Hinatazaka46.
How large is the Hinatazaka46 feature?
It's a massive feature of 37 pages and over 20,000 words.
When is the release date?
Thursday, May 28, 2026.