When others were playing checkers, we were playing chess—by our own rules at that. We flipped the board successfully on its head with trailblazer Lil Nas X at the forefront. Through cotton candy-colored skies and with denim Tabby bags in hand, we fearlessly leaped into the unknown alongside actress Wu Jinyan. Boundaries and expectations were shattered with rapper Youngji Lee at the helm. And like many who have sought self-discovery before us, we dramatically traipsed through a greenhouse garden, guided by nature itself (and onscreen it-girl, Camila Mendes) in an embrace of evolving through the seasons of life.

So, now, we find ourselves at the final showdown between the pre-Coach imma (unevolved, anxious, insecure) and post-Coach imma (confident, badass, her best self). And that highly sought-after “courage,” you wonder? Consider it found. But things are a bit different on this level. There are no crazy sky-high obstacles to overcome or larger-than-life chess pieces flying at the AI ingenue. This time, her only challenger is her own reflection. Deep, right?

As the New York skyline majestically rises in the distance, imma stands in the portal we’ve gotten to know very well over the course of this journey, met by none other than Gen Z rising star, Kōki,. “Are these my only options?” imma asks her latest companion, confronted by three identical mirror portals. Kōki, gets philosophical in her response, “When your options seem limited, change your perspective.” Honestly, so true.

Kōki, is one to speak on changing perspective, given her laundry list of accomplishments in such a short career. At 21, she’s already mononymic. The daughter of Japanese actor Takuya Kimura and singer Shizuka Kudo, the Tokyo native boasts a CV spanning the realm of entertainment. 

First, her songwriting era: as a student at The British School in Tokyo, the raven-haired beauty, then known as Mitsuki Kimura, scored her first album credit when she penned three tracks for her mother’s record, Rin. She was that perfect fusion of beauty and brains which, needless to say, did not go unnoticed. From New York to Paris, her writing abilities and striking looks caught the eyes of modeling agents abroad. Agents around the globe dialed into her Tokyo-based manager, dying to know her name. It was full speed ahead, and she quickly secured a highly coveted spot in the Coach Family, appearing in global campaigns.  

Songwriter: check. Model: double check. Next up, actress: the type of triple threat often attempted, rarely achieved. In 2022, Kōki, made her film debut in Japanese horror film, Ox-Head Village, directed by The Grudge’s, Takashi Shimizu, and scream-queening her way to the top. Screams that were heard around the world—specifically, Iceland. Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur signed Kōki, on as the leading love interest in his latest drama, Touch, out later this year, introducing her to international film audiences. And just like that, Kōki, the multihyphenate, is born. 

Snap back to imma sussing out the mirrors. Kōki, encourages her forward, characteristically fearless in the pursuit of all forms of self-expression. As the neohuman approaches her reflection, reality glitches and flips 180 degrees. A new perspective snaps into focus, infinite mirror portals lying in the distance. imma can’t help but admire her reflection a few seconds longer as she turns and steps into a new world: self-actualization acquired.

Our time with the bot beauty has come to an end for now, but her time with us lives on. Dramatic, we know. But in all sincerity, those five levels have left their mark on us and we’ve been doing some soul-searching. Breaking boundaries. Finding confidence. Evolving. We can’t help but wonder: is a Tabby bag the missing piece for our truest best selves? Most likely. Hey, we’re only taking a page out of imma’s book.