Ai Hongo was not originally with S1. She debuted in the industry under the name with the FALENO label. During her FALENO tenure, she grew a massive fanbase and won several industry awards. Her success on social media—gaining hundreds of thousands of followers through beautiful gravure photos and engaging personal posts—made her a modern "social media queen".
In fan circles, S1 is often referred to as the "Dark Empire" ("暗黑大帝國"). This nickname fits its strategy perfectly: sign the most popular actresses, produce them with the highest quality, and dominate the market. Owning an "S1 exclusive" contract is considered the pinnacle of success for many performers. Actresses like Miru (坂道みる) and the now-retired legend Yua Mikami (三上悠亜) have all called S1 their home. The "No. 1 Style" in their name is a brand promise, and acquiring Honjo Ai was a strategic move to ensure they remain at the top. She was brought in to fill the void left by the retirement of their "Empress," Yua Mikami, and the studio positioned her as a direct successor. ssis852 exclusive