Sola Aoi

Sora Aoi was born on April 26, 1981, in Kanagawa. As a student, she worked at various part-time jobs in the food-service industry, such as pizza parlors, pubs and sushi bars{{cite web|url=http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|title=蒼井そらの部屋へようこそ – Video Idol Interview|access-date=2007-05-01|website=b-v.co.jp|language=ja|quote=いろいろやってましたよ。居酒屋さんとか、すし屋さんとかピザ屋さんとか……。|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509051618/http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|archive-date=2007-05-09}} with the intent of becoming a pre-school teacher.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/life/japans-adult-video-stars-make-their-way-real-world-932681|title=Japan's porn stars make their way in the real world|author=Poole, Robert Michael|publisher=CNNGo.com|access-date=2010-08-17|date=2010-08-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819173456/http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/life/japans-adult-video-stars-make-their-way-real-world-932681|archive-date=2010-08-19}} While in her third year in high school, Aoi was scouted in Shibuya by a talent agency for gravure modelling.{{cite web|url=http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|title=蒼井そらの部屋へようこそ – Video Idol Interview|access-date=2007-05-01|website=b-v.co.jp|language=ja|quote=渋谷で友だちと待ち合わせしていたときにスカウトされたんです... 高校３年生でした。|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509051618/http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|archive-date=2007-05-09}} She decided to enter the adult entertainment industry with the aim of eventually working on TV and in other parts of the entertainment industry, stating that "If there was only the AV industry, I couldn't do it."{{cite magazine|url=http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/721/feature.asp|title=Cool Erotica|author=Poole, Robert Michael|magazine=Metropolis|access-date=2011-05-03|date=2008-01-18|archive-date=2009-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227174428/http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/721/feature.asp|url-status=dead}}

When asked how her stage name was chosen, Aoi explained: "My agency asked what color I liked. I said blue [aoi in Japanese]. He also asked what I like in general. I said sky [sora in Japanese]. So, he chose Aoi Sora."{{cite web |url=http://www.jsexnetwork.com/interviews/Sora_Aoi/|title=Sora Aoi Interview|access-date=2007-05-01|website=jsexnetwork.com}}

Aoi appeared as a gravure idol in the June 2002 issue of Bejean{{cite web|url=http://www.bejean.net/magazine/?_number=200207|title=Bejean 2002年7月号|website=bejean.net|access-date=2013-10-09|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217081010/http://www.bejean.net/magazine/?_number=200207|archive-date=2009-12-17}} and then made her debut in adult videos (AV) in July 2002, with Happy Go Lucky! for the Alice Japan studio,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310070452/http://homepage3.nifty.com/kurokami/years/years_2002.htm|archive-date=2007-03-10|url=http://homepage3.nifty.com/kurokami/years/years_2002.htm

|script-title=ja:2002年 （平成14年）|publisher=homepage3.nifty.com AV 研究所 (AV Research Laboratory)|access-date=2010-05-03|language=ja}} part of the Kuki Inc. group which was one of Japan's largest producers of pornography at the time.{{cite magazine |url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Cross-Cultural-Porn-Digressions-With-Kuki-Group-s-Tadasu-Isogawa-38603.html|title=Cross-Cultural Porn Digressions with Kuki Group's Tadasu Isogawa|date=January 1, 2004|access-date=2013-10-08|last=Ochs|first=Stephen|magazine=AVN}} The next month, she appeared in the AV The Blue Sky on the Samansa label for the Max-A studio, also part of the Kuki group.{{cite web|url=http://urabon-navigator.com/?p=mcard&id=21|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131009055754/http://urabon-navigator.com/?p=mcard&id=21|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2013|title=The Blue Sky|access-date=2013-10-08|publisher=urabon-navigator.com (Urabon Navigator)}} For her video appearances in 2002, Aoi was awarded the Second Place Award as Best New Actress in the 2002 X City Grand Prix Awards.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105230630/http://xxx.xcity.jp/city_org/grandprix2002/prize/result.html|archive-date=2007-01-05|url=http://xxx.xcity.jp/city_org/grandprix2002/prize/result.html|title=A.V.G.P. Adult Video Grand Prix 2002|access-date=2008-11-16|publisher=xxx.xcity.jp (X City)}} Aoi continued making videos for both Alice Japan and Max-A for almost two-and-a-half years until late 2004.{{cite web|url=http://urabon-navigator.com/profiles/n0502%26mode%3Dmovies|title=Sora Aoi 蒼井そら|publisher=urabon-navigator.com (Urabon Navigator)|access-date=2013-10-08|archive-date=2012-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929184705/http://urabon-navigator.com/profiles/n0502%26mode%3Dmovies|url-status=dead}}

While continuing to perform in hardcore AVs, Aoi also appeared in the first video release of the Shuffle company's new label Believe. Entitled The Naked Body, this June 2003 release was an "image video", which has nude modeling but features no sex.{{cite web|url=http://urabon-navigator.com/?p=mcard&id=18035|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131009055748/http://urabon-navigator.com/?p=mcard&id=18035|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2013|title=Full Nude Sora Aoi|publisher=urabon-navigator.com (Urabon Navigator)|access-date=2013-10-08}}

During this period, Aoi also started making appearances in mainstream media. In May 2003, she had a role in the theatrical release Gun Crazy 4: Requiem for a Bodyguard{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=240950|title=GUN CRAZY Episode３ 叛逆者の狂詩曲（ラプソディー）／Episode４ 用心棒の鎮魂歌（レクイエム）|website=allcinema.net|access-date=2013-10-08|language=ja}} and from July to December 2003, Aoi had a role in the TV Asahi J-dorama Tokumei Kakarichō Tadano Hitoshi.{{cite web |url=http://www.jdorama.com/drama.798.htm|title=Tokumei Kakaricou Tadano Hitoshi [特命係長 只野仁]|access-date=2008-01-23|website=jdorama.com}} For her starring role in the pink film, {{nihongo|Tsumugi|制服美少女　先生あたしを抱いて|Seifuku bishōjo: Sensei atashi wo daite}}, released to theaters in July 2004, Aoi was given a Best Actress Award at the 2004 Pink Grand Prix ceremony.{{cite web|url=http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~p-g/award/2004.htm|title=Best Ten of 2004 (２００４年度ベストテン)|access-date=January 21, 2009|publisher=www2u.biglobe.ne.jp (P*G Website)|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805205527/http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~p-g/award/2004.htm|archive-date=August 5, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The film was ranked the fourth-best pink film release of the year.{{cite web|last=Toda|first=Miho|url=http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/report/report3435.html|title='Pink Prize': What Should Be Called the Academy Awards of the Pink Film World: Sora Aoi, Yumika Hayashi Among Those Present, Close Coverage of This Yearly Festival (ピンク映画界のアカデミー賞というべき"ピンク大賞"蒼井そら、林由美香らが来場する、年に一度の祭典に密着！: Pinku eigakai no akademii shou to iubeki 'Pinku taishou' Aoi Sora, Hayashi Yumikaraga raijousuru, toshi ni ichido no saiten ni mitchaku)|date=2005-05-06|access-date=January 21, 2009|website=walkerplus.com|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213075036/http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/report/report3435.html|archive-date=February 13, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Aoi also starred in the October 2004 release of the manga-based theatrical thriller Stop the Bitch Campaign: Hell Version.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449927/|title=Enjo-kôsai bokumetsu undô: jigoku-hen (2004)|access-date=2010-10-19|website=imdb.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=321000|script-title=ja:援助交際撲滅運動 地獄変(2004)|access-date=2010-10-19|website=allcinema.net|language=ja}} According to one reviewer of the June 2007 DVD release of the film: "The acting proves that Sora Aoi is no Dame Judi Dench but she is winsome enough to make you believe and care for her."{{cite web|url=http://homecinema.thedigitalfix.co.uk/content/id/65324/stop-the-bitch.html|title=Stop the Bitch (2004)|work=Film @ The Digital Fix |access-date=2010-10-19|publisher=homecinema.thedigitalfix.co.uk (Home Cinema)}}

In November 2004, Aoi left Alice Japan and Max-A to move to the newly formed studio, S1 No. 1 Style, part of the large Hokuto Corporation.{{cite web|url=http://www.outvision.co.jp/maker/index.html|script-title=ja:メーカー一覧を見る|publisher=outvision.co.jp (Outvision)|language=ja|access-date=2008-12-07|archive-date=2015-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218152502/http://www.outvision.co.jp/maker/index.html|url-status=dead}} Her first video for S1, Sell Debut, was directed by Hideto Aki and released on November 11, 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.dmm.co.jp/mono/vhs/-/detail/=/cid=one003/|script-title=ja:セル初 蒼井そら ギリギリモザイク|access-date=2010-10-19|publisher=dmm.co.jp (DMM)|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917185054/http://www.dmm.co.jp/mono/vhs/-/detail/=/cid=one003/|archive-date=2010-09-17|url-status=dead}} Aoi continued making about one video a month for S1 until mid-2006. By this time, Aoi had become one of the most popular AV idols in Japan. Her name was the second most popular internet search on a female celebrity in Japan for 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-zone.com/news/archives/2006_12.shtml |title=Beauty and the Beast |access-date=2007-05-01 |website=japan-zone.com |postscript=; |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323001503/http://www.japan-zone.com/news/archives/2006_12.shtml |archive-date=2007-03-23 }} .

Aoi's popularity enabled her to enter further into mainstream entertainment, including film, television and radio. In early 2005, she starred as a high-school girl in director Keisuke Yoshida's film {{nihongo|Raw Summer|なま夏|Nama-natsu}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=324422|script-title=ja:なま夏|website=allcinema.net|access-date=2013-10-09|language=ja}} The romantic comedy, released theatrically in Japan in January 2005, won the Grand Prize in the Off Theater Competition at the 2006 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival where it was screened in February 2005.{{cite web|url=http://yubarifanta.com/index_pc.php?ct=archive.php&langue=21002 |title=Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival Archive |website=yubarifanta.com |access-date=2009-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718145700/http://yubarifanta.com/index_pc.php?ct=archive.php&langue=21002 |archive-date=2011-07-18 }} Along with another AV idol, Akiho Yoshizawa, Aoi appeared in the late-night TV Tokyo manga-based production {{nihongo|Jōō|嬢王}} which aired in 12 episodes from October to December 2005.{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=323393|script-title=ja:嬢王|website=allcinema.net|access-date=2009-06-15|language=ja}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614055042/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/jyouou/cast.html|archive-date=2008-06-14|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/jyouou/cast.html|title=Jyou Ou Cast|website=www.tv-tokyo.co.jp|access-date=2009-06-15|language=ja}} Aoi later returned in a special guest appearance for the 2009 sequel to the show {{nihongo|Jōō Virgin|嬢王　Virgin}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/jyouou/cast/index.html|title=Cast|access-date=2010-11-06|website=tv-tokyo.co.jp|language=ja}}

In another venue, Aoi was one of several AV actresses asked by a small Japanese publisher to take photographs of themselves as "if the [toy] cameras [were] their boyfriends or undetestable stalkers". The result, Polgasun Aoisora,Polgasun Aoisora. Tokyo: Powershovel, 2006. {{ISBN|4-434-07901-8}}. was warmly received by a reviewer for the journal European Photography, who wrote, "It would appear that in Polgasun she is trying to swap the wretchedness and banality of the pornography genre for intimacy and authenticity."Brueggemann, Ferdinand: [http://japan-photo.info/blog/2006/07/15/aoi-sora-polgasun/ "Aoi Sora Polgasun"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819082756/http://japan-photo.info/blog/2006/07/15/aoi-sora-polgasun/ |date=2010-08-19 }}. japan-photo.info. Retrieved 15 July 2006.

By 2006, Aoi was appearing regularly on television, often appearing on variety shows and acting in several dramas including the 2006 midnight-drama Shimokita GLORY DAYS (下北GLORY DAYS) along with fellow S1 actresses Yuma Asami and Honoka and singer-actress Aya Sugimoto. Aoi plays the character "Nozomi Ichimonji" in the manga-based series about a ronin student moving to Tokyo and sharing a house with several beautiful women.{{cite web |url=http://www.jdorama.com/drama.1150.htm|title=Shimokita GLORY DAYS [下北GLORY DAYS]|access-date=2008-01-23|website=jdorama.com}} She was also cast in the TV Asahi midnight drama {{nihongo|Kaikan shokunin|快感職人}} which aired from July to September 2006, and in late 2007 she was a guest star on the popular J-dorama detective show Galileo (ガリレオ).{{cite web |url=http://www.jdorama.com/drama.1207.htm|title=Galileo [ガリレオ]|access-date=2009-01-23|website=jdorama.com}}

Aoi remained at S1, but her work in adult videos became irregular after mid-2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.s1s1s1.com/actress/-/detail/=/id=3996/|title=蒼井そら (Aoi Sora)|access-date=2013-10-10|publisher=s1s1s1.com|language=ja|archive-date=2013-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017010047/http://www.s1s1s1.com/actress/-/detail/=/id=3996|url-status=dead}} One of her S1 videos, Hyper Risky Mosaic – Special Bath House Tsubaki, with 11 other S1 actresses won the First Place Award at the 2007 AV Open contest.{{cite web|url=http://www.dmm.co.jp/mono/dvd/avopen/avopen02_result.html|title=2nd AV Open Results|website=dmm.co.jp|access-date=2008-10-02|language=ja}}

{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208093850/http://www.superjav.com/blog/?p=95|archive-date=2008-12-08|url=http://www.superjav.com/blog/?p=95|title=JAV News – Are There Japanese Adult Video Awards Like AVN Awards in USA?|publisher=superjav.com (JAV News)|date=August 26, 2008|access-date=2008-10-01}} In July 2011, S1 released a new work, Mega Semem Bukkake Facial,{{cite web|url=http://www.s1s1s1.com/works/-/detail/=/cid=soe616/|script-title=ja:メガ盛り顔射祭|website=s1s1s1.com|access-date=2013-10-10|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917063624/http://www.s1s1s1.com/works/-/detail/=/cid=soe616/|url-status=dead}} but since then the studio has only published compilation videos for Aoi through late 2013. The major Japanese adult video distributor DMM held a poll of its customers in late 2012 to choose the 100 all-time best AV actresses to celebrate the 30th anniversary of adult videos in Japan. Aoi was voted into 53rd place in the balloting.{{cite web|url=http://www.dmm.co.jp/en/av30/-/vote/=/page=3/#ranking|title=Final Balloting Result|publisher=DMM|access-date=2014-05-16|language=ja|archive-date=2016-01-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160116030032/http://www.dmm.co.jp/av30/-/vote/=/page=3/#ranking|url-status=dead}}

As a singer, Aoi released one album in 2006 titled Hadaka no Kiss.{{cite web|url=http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/play/av-star-sola-aoi-launch-pop-career-china-819054|title=Sola Aoi goes from porn star to pop queen |website=travel.cnn.com|date=January 21, 2011|last=Poole|first=Robert Michael|access-date=2013-10-10}} She was a member of the first generation Ebisu Muscats between 2008 and 2013.{{cite web | url=https://www.ebisu-muscats.com/first-member/aoi_sola/ | title=蒼井そら（AOI Sola） }}

Aoi traveled to Thailand for a part in a mainstream Thai teen movie, Hormones (Pid Term Yai, Hua Jai Waa Wun), released in March 2008. She plays a Japanese tourist who brings one character to the brink of infidelity to his girlfriend. Hormones won the Jury's Special Prize at the fourth Asian Marine Film Festival in Japan which journalist Wise Kwai ascribed to Aoi's presence.{{cite web|url=http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/09/with-help-from-sora-aoi-hormones-wins.html|title=With help from Sora Aoi, Hormones wins jury prize at Japan's Asian Marine Film Festival|website=thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com|access-date=2009-01-13|date=September 12, 2008}}

Aoi made her debut in another Asian entertainment market when she appeared in a Korean TV drama Korean Classroom in May 2009. The four-part series follows three Japanese girls traveling to Korea and co-stars fellow AV Idols Mihiro and Rio. Aoi was subsequently scheduled to appear on several Korean variety shows while in Korea to promote the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/aoi_sora_and_mihiro_promote_korean_classroom/|title=Aoi Sora and Mihiro promote Korean Classroom|website=allkpop.com|access-date=2009-07-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712060210/http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/aoi_sora_and_mihiro_promote_korean_classroom|archive-date=2009-07-12}} Back in Japan, Aoi starred as a zombie-killing stripper in director Takao Nakano's May 2010 comedy horror film Big Tits Zombie, a film adaption of the cult manga Kyonyū Dragon.{{cite web|first=Todd|last=Brown|url=http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/an-exclusive-first-look-at-the-trailer-for-takao-nakanos-big-tits-zombie-3d-with-sora-aoi.php|title=An EXCLUSIVE First Look at the Trailer for Takao Nakano's BIG TITS ZOMBIE 3D with Sola Aoi!|access-date=2010-04-19|publisher=Twitch Film|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421011918/http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/an-exclusive-first-look-at-the-trailer-for-takao-nakanos-big-tits-zombie-3d-with-sora-aoi.php|archive-date=2010-04-21}}{{cite web|first=Todd|last=Brown|url=http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/rei-mikamotos-kyonyu-dragon-manga-becomes-big-tits-zombie-in-3d-with-sora-aoi.php|title=Rei Mikamoto's Kyonyū Dragon Manga Becomes BIG TITS ZOMBIE! In 3D! With Sola Aoi!|access-date=2010-04-14|publisher=Twitch Film|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417102613/http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/rei-mikamotos-kyonyu-dragon-manga-becomes-big-tits-zombie-in-3d-with-sora-aoi.php|archive-date=2010-04-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=336553|title=巨乳ドラゴン 温泉ゾンビ VS ストリッパー５|website=allcinema.net|access-date=2013-10-10|language=ja}} Later that year Aoi was in Hong Kong starring in the erotic thriller Revenge: A Love Story which reached theaters in December 2010.{{cite web|url=http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2011/09/revenge-a-love-story-ching-po-wong-review.php|title=REVENGE: A LOVE STORY (Ching-Po Wong) Review|author=Niels Matthijs|date=2011-09-12|access-date=2011-09-12|work=Twitch Film|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213160656/http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2011/09/revenge-a-love-story-ching-po-wong-review.php|archive-date=2011-12-13}}

In late April 2010, Aoi's Twitter account was discovered by many Chinese netizens, despite the social networking site's typically being inaccessible in China.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Fan|title=The Japanese porn star who taught China about sex|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-42640569|access-date=15 January 2018|work=BBC News|date=15 January 2018}} Fans of the AV model began distributing software allowing them to bypass the censorship of Twitter.{{cite web |first=Alice Xin |last=Liu |date=2010-04-13|url=http://www.danwei.org/newspapers/av_actress_entices_chinese_net.php|title=AV actress entices Chinese netizens to go on Twitter|access-date=2010-01-21|website=danwei.org}} Following the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China's Qinghai Province, Sola Aoi announced that she would raise funds to donate to the earthquake victims.[http://ent.ifeng.com/idolnews/jpkr/detail_2010_04/27/1460383_0.shtml 日本女优苍井空微博上宣布将为玉树灾民筹款]. Phoenix Television Retrieved 2010年04月27日 This was received by a mixed response by Chinese netizens, with some praising her help and others finding it unseemly.[http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/stories/japanese-adult-video-actress-sora-aoi-qinghai-earthquake-donations.html Japanese AV Star Sora Aoi & Qinghai Earthquake Donations]. ChinaSMACK. Retrieved Sunday, May 2, 2010. In November 2010, she opened a microblog on Sina Weibo, China's most popular domestic microblog service, posting in Japanese, English, and Chinese.{{cite news|title=Japanese Porn Star Sora Aoi Phenomenon in Chinese Weibo|url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1103&MainCatID=11&id=20110124000001|access-date=7 June 2011|newspaper=WantChinaTimes.com|date=2011-01-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612192832/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1103&MainCatID=11&id=20110124000001|archive-date=12 June 2011}} In her first six hours on Sina Webo, she attracted 130,000 followers and by September 2012 that figure had risen to more than 13 million.{{cite web|url=http://beijingcream.com/2012/09/what-does-former-porn-star-sola-aoi-think-of-this-sino-japanese-spat/|title=What Does Former Porn Star Sola Aoi Think Of This Sino-Japanese Spat?|website=beijingcream.com|access-date=2013-10-10|date=September 17, 2012|last=Tao|first=Anthony}} Her sizable following in China has also led to her debut as a singer in Mandarin Chinese with the song "mao yi" (毛衣 or Sweater) which was released digitally for mobile phone and computer download.

In April 2011, Aoi had a starring role in the Indonesian horror movie Suster Keramas 2 (Shampooing or Evil Nurse 2),{{cite web|url=http://www.asianbite.com/default.asp?Display=3870|title=Japanese Porn Star Sora Aoi Takes Lead in Indonesian Movie|website=asianbite.com|access-date=2011-10-18|date=March 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401212707/http://www.asianbite.com/default.asp?display=3870|archive-date=April 1, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1979354/|title=Suster keramas 2 (2011)|website=imdb.com|access-date=2011-10-18}} making her the third Japanese AV actress to appear in Indonesian films recently. (The others being Rin Sakuragi in the original Suster Keramas and Maria Ozawa, known in Indonesia as "Miyabi", in the 2009 film Kidnapping Miyabi.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/world/asia/29indonesia.html?pagewanted=all|title=Porn Stars, Clad? They Seem to Appeal to Indonesian Filmgoers|newspaper=nytimes.com|access-date=2011-10-18|date=March 28, 2011|last=Belford|first=Aubrey}}) The earlier films, although very successful, engendered protests from conservative Muslim groups in Indonesia, so Aoi's trip to Indonesia and participation in the film were kept secret. Aoi said that working in Indonesia gave her pause but she wanted to expand her mainstream career and that she was "really looking forward to coming into contact with foreigners and engaging in communication."

Aoi retired from the AV industry around 2011 with her last original AV being Sora Aoi Mega Cum Facials, directed by Hasumi Kuka and released on June 7, 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.javlibrary.com/en/?v=javliabirq|title=Sora Aoi Matsuri Prime Mega Facials|date=2019-03-15|website=Javlibrary}} S1 also released several omnibus compilations over the next few years including a 3-disk, 12 hour long compilation titled All 97 Production S1 12 Hours Sora Aoi Complete BEST which compiled scenes from every film she's done with the studio.{{Cite web|url=http://www.javlibrary.com/en/?v=javlijrw4i|title=All 97 Production Esuwan 12 Hours Sora Aoi Complete BEST|date=2019-03-15|website=Javlibrary}} In 2019, distribution of her AV work has been discontinued from the Japanese e-commerce retailer FANZA (formerly known as DMM.com) and her profile from S1's website has also been deleted. In a blog post Aoi revealed that she herself requested this action due to her pregnancy and new family life: "By halting sales, I do not want to erase the past," Aoi added in the blog post. "But I also do not want to do nothing. I can not erase the past even if wanted to erase it. I stopped selling the official titles. But illegal versions are scattered about the internet if one looks."{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/adult-video/sola-aois-past-av-films-removed-from-distribution-due-to-upcoming-birth-of-twins/|title=Sola Aoi's past AV films removed from distribution due to upcoming birth of twins|date=2019-04-25|website=TokyoReporter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-24}}

Aoi's high profile in China has also led to controversy, exemplified by the taunts and insults directed towards her because of her plea in September 2012 for a peaceful solution to the Senkaku Islands dispute between Japan and China.{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21563349|newspaper=The Economist|date=22 September 2012|title=Pornography and patriotism – Can't we all just get it on? – A Japanese actress reminds her Chinese fans how conflicted they are|access-date=24 September 2012}} In May 2013, a "culture war" ensued when a work of calligraphy created by Aoi as a guest promoting a theme park in Ningbo, China in April 2013 was reportedly auctioned for $95,000. A government-backed newspaper called the calligraphy "childish", her fans supported her, and many considered the auction simply a publicity stunt by the theme park.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/health-and-home/130522/porn-stars-calligraphy-sparks-art-debate-china|title=Porn star's calligraphy sparks art debate in China|website=globalpost.com|access-date=2013-10-10|date=May 22, 2013}}

On May 5, 2012, it was reported that Aoi would be debuting in South Korea as a singer and actress and would be cast in a future Korean movie, titled Vacance.[http://www.allkpop.com/2012/05/japanese-av-star-aoi-sora-to-debut-in-korea-as-singer-actress "Japanese AV Star Aoi Sora to Debut in Korea as Singer-Actress"]. allkpop.com. 2012-05-06. Retrieved 2012-05-07. She continued to work as an actress in small roles including a small cameo appearance in the Chinese sex comedy Naked Ambition 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3740242/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_7|title=Naked Ambition 2|date=2019-03-15|website=IMDB}} She also appeared in the 2014 Thai romantic comedy Ai Fai.. Thank You Love You.{{Citation|title=I Fine..Thank You Love You|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4222718/|access-date=2019-03-15}}

In 2022, Sola Aoi was named as the WE88 Global Brand Ambassador for 2022/23 to promote and boost the brand's presence across Asia.

In December 2022, Sola Aoi collaborated with a Malaysian rapper, singer, songwriter, filmmaker and actor Namewee as the main female lead in a music video, "Someone Else's Wife" (Chinese: 別人的老婆).{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1T2FVLP29M | title=黃明志 Ft. 蒼井空【別人的老婆】@高清無碼 2022 H.D. & Uncensored | website=YouTube | date=2 December 2022 }}

On January 3, 2018, Aoi announced her marriage to musician DJ Non,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/adult-video/ex-av-starlet-sola-aoi-to-marry-not-handsome-not-rich-dj/|title=Ex-AV starlet Sola Aoi married 'not handsome, not rich' DJ|date=2018-01-03|website=TokyoReporter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-15}} and on December 12, 2018 she announced her pregnancy with her first child.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/adult-video/ex-av-starlet-sola-aoi-is-pregnant/|title=Ex-AV starlet Sola Aoi is pregnant|date=2018-12-12|website=TokyoReporter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-15}} She gave birth to twin boys on May 1 of the following year.{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/01/national/former-japanese-adult-actress-sora-aoi-reports-giving-birth-online-streaming-event/ |title=Former Japanese adult film actress Sora Aoi reports birth of twins in online streaming event |date=May 1, 2019 |newspaper=The Japan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504103405/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/01/national/former-japanese-adult-actress-sora-aoi-reports-giving-birth-online-streaming-event/#.XMz-wpMzai4 |archive-date=May 4, 2019}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |script-title=ja:そら模様。 |title=Soramoyō |last=Sora|first=Aoi|year=2006|publisher=Kōdansha|location=Tokyo |isbn=4062134365|language=ja}}
• {{cite web|url=http://i-dic.dorachan.com/data?aoisr_00|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007230940/http://i-dic.dorachan.com/data?aoisr_00|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-10-07|title=蒼井 そら – Aoi Sora (Profile)|access-date=2007-05-01|publisher=i-dic.dorachan.com (Web I-dic)|language=ja}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|title=蒼井そらの部屋へようこそ – Video Idol Interview|access-date=2007-05-01|website=b-v.co.jp|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509051618/http://www.b-v.co.jp/back-number/195/aoisola.html|archive-date=2007-05-09}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/person/p1052360.htm|title=蒼井 そら (Aoi Sora)|access-date=2007-05-01|language=ja|website=jmdb.ne.jp}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.jsexnetwork.com/interviews/Sora_Aoi/|title=Sora Aoi Interview|access-date=2007-05-01|website=jsexnetwork.com}}
• {{cite web|url=http://xxx.xcity.jp/city_org/skylove/free/voice/index.html |title=Sora Aoi Interview |access-date=2007-05-01 |website=xxx.xcity.jp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228150210/http://xxx.xcity.jp/city_org/skylove/free/voice/index.html |archive-date=2007-02-28 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web|last=Nemoto|first=Yū|url=http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/report/report3380.html|title=ピンク映画初出演で、第17回・2004年度ピンク大賞新人賞受賞の蒼井そら直撃インタビュー (Interview with Sora Aoi on her pink film debut, at the 17th Pink Grand Prix Awards)|date=2005-05-16|access-date=January 22, 2009|website=walkerplus.com|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104021529/http://www.walkerplus.com/movie/report/report3380.html|archive-date=2009-01-04|url-status=dead}}

{{Portal|Japan|Biography|Erotica and pornography|Film}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Sora Aoi}}

• {{Official website|http://www.aoisola.net}}
• {{IMDb name|1855682|Sola Aoi}}
• Jacobs, Katrien: [http://www.berfrois.com/2012/01/katrien-jacobs-breast-lovers-china/ "Potency and Protest on the Chinese Internet"], [http://www.berfrois.com/ Berfrois], 26 January 2012

{{s-start}} {{s-ach}}

|-

! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;" | Pinky Ribbon Awards

|-

{{succession box

|title=Pinky Ribbon Award for Best New Actress
Sora Aoi |with = Mai Sakurazuki
Konatsu
Kyōko Natsume

|years=2004

|before=New Award

|after=Mari Yamaguchi
Sakurako Kaoru
Komari Awashima
Erina Aoyama}}

{{end}}

{{Portal bar|Erotica and pornography|Japan}}

{{Japanese erotic cinema}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aoi, Sora}}

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Actresses from Tokyo

Category:Ebisu Muscats

Category:Japanese gravure models

Category:Japanese pornographic film actresses

Category:Japanese women television personalities

Category:Pink film actors