(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Sayaka Akimoto - Wikipedia

Sayaka Akimoto (秋元あきもと ざい, Akimoto Sayaka, born July 26, 1988) is a Japanese actress and singer. She was a member of Japanese idol girl group AKB48 and its spin-off unit Diva.

Sayaka Akimoto
秋元あきもと ざい
Akimoto in July 2021
Born (1988-07-26) 26 July 1988 (age 36)[1]
NationalityJapanese
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2006–present
AgentFlave Entertainment (formerly)
Spouse
(m. 2020)
Children1
Musical career
GenresJ-pop
Years active2006–2014
Labels
Formerly of
Websitesayaka-akimoto.com

As an actress, Akimoto has appeared in both Japanese and American productions, and made her Hollywood debut in Sniper: Assassin's End (2020). She also provides the Japanese dub for Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Career

edit

Family and early career

edit

Akimoto was born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother. In 2012, she ran the Tokyo Marathon for the second year in a row and donated the money to the Philippines.[4] Her solo book of photographs is entitled Ari no Mama.[5] On June 26, 2014, Akimoto was appointed as the Goodwill Philippine Tourism Ambassador to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination in Japan.[6] She was also assigned as a narrator in the collaboration drama of PTV-4 and Nippon TV entitled "Halo Halo House-Jose's Nippon Diary"[7]

2006–2013: AKB48 member

edit
 
Sayaka Akimoto at the Japan Expo 2009 in Paris, France

Akimoto began her career in AKB48 as one of the members of the second generation, the Original Team K. On the last day of the Budokan concert on August 23, 2009, during the first team shuffle, Akimoto was officially made captain of Team K. She resigned after a scandal in 2010[8] but after completing the Tokyo Marathon in 2011, she was reappointed the position.[citation needed] On August 24, 2012, in the Tokyo Dome~1830m no Yume~ concert, Yuko Oshima replaced her as the captain of Team K via team shuffle.[citation needed]

She has since been involved with sub-unit group Diva under Avex. She became a regular on the popular noon TV show Waratte Iitomo from 2010 to 2012. She was also featured as one of the members in AKB48's own anime television show alongside other members Minami Takahashi, Yuko Oshima, Tomomi Itano, Atsuko Maeda and others.

On April 7, 2013, Akimoto announced on her official blog that she would not be participating in AKB48's 2013 general election, and would be graduating from AKB48 to focus on her acting. Her graduation ceremony was held on August 22 at the Tokyo Dome,[9][10] and her final stage performance was held on August 28 at the AKB48 Theater,[11][12] and has been streamed live by Nico Nico Namahousou.[13]

2014–present: Solo career

edit

In 2014, she reunited with her sub-unit group DIVA to release their final single "Discovery", an album, and a tour before disbandment.

She composed and sang "Little Witch" which was the NHK 2014 Spring Campaign Theme Song.[14]

Since leaving AKB48 she has starred in four films. She has a recurring role as Bikuu in Garo which led to a solo film spin off in 2015. She sang the theme song of the film entitled "Sengetsu ~Hikari to Yami no Soba de~".[15]

 
Akimoto at the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival

Akimoto was a co-host for Team Japan in the reality competition show Ultimate Beastmaster which was released on Netflix on February 24, 2017.[16][17]

Personal life

edit

On July 27, 2020, Akimoto married music producer and singer PUNPEE [ja].[18] She gave birth to their first child on October 4, 2023.[19]

Discography

edit

With AKB48

edit

Singles

edit
Year No. Title Role[20] Notes
2006 1 "Aitakatta" A-side Debut with Team K. Also sang on "Dakedo..."
2007 2 "Seifuku ga Jama o Suru" A-side Also sang on "Virgin Love"
3 "Keibetsu Shiteita Aijō" A-side
4 "Bingo!" A-side Also sang on "Only Today"
5 "Boku no Taiyō" A-side Also sang on "Mirai no Kajitsu".
2008 7 "Romance, Irane" A-side Also sang on "Ai no moufu".
8 "Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008" A-side
9 "Baby! Baby! Baby!" A-side
10 "Ōgoe Diamond" A-side Also sang on "109".
2009 11 "10nen Sakura" A-side
13 "Iiwake Maybe" A-side Ranked 12th in 2009 General Election.
14 "River" A-side
2010 15 "Sakura no Shiori" A-side[citation needed] Also sang on "Majisuka Rock 'n' Roll".
16 "Ponytail to Shushu" Under Girls Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Nusumareta Kuchibiru" as Under Girls; and "Majijo Teppen Blues"
17 "Heavy Rotation" A-side, Yasai Sisters Ranked 17th in 2010 General Election. Also sang on "Yasai Sisters".
18 "Beginner" Diva Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Nakeru Basho" as Diva.
19 "Chance no Junban" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament.[21] Sang on "Alive" with Team K.
2011 20 "Sakura no Ki ni Narō" Diva Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Area K" as Diva.
-- "Dareka no Tame ni - What can I do for someone?" -- Charity single
21 "Everyday, Katyusha" B-side Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Yankee Soul".
22 "Flying Get" A-side Ranked 17th in 2011 General Election. Also sang on "Seishun to Kizukanai mama"; and "Yasai Uranai" as Yasai Sisters 2011.
23 "Kaze wa Fuiteiru" Under Girls Yurigumi Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Gondola Lift" as Under Girls Yurigumi.
24 "Ue kara Mariko" A-side Lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament;[22][23] She sang on "Zero-sum Taiyō" as Team K.[citation needed]
2012 25 "Give Me Five!" Special Girls B Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Hitsujikai no Tabi" as Special Girls B.
26 "Manatsu no Sounds Good!" Special Girls Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Mitsu no Namida" as Special Girls.
27 "Gingham Check" Under Girls Did not sing on title track. Ranked 20th in 2012 General Election.[24][25] She sang on "Nante Bohemian" as Under Girls.[citation needed]
28 "Uza" New Team K Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Scrap & Build" as New Team K.
29 "Eien Pressure" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Watashitachi no Reason".
2013 30 "So Long!" B-side Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Yuuhi Marie" as Team K.
31 "Sayonara Crawl" B-side Did not sing on title track. Sang on "How Come?" as Team K.[citation needed]
2014 36 "Labrador Retriever" B-side Did not participate in title song. Participated in "Kyō made no Melody" as graduated member.

Singles with SKE48

edit
Year No. Title Role Notes
2016 19 "Chicken Line" B-side Sang on "Tabi no Tochū". Participated as graduated member.

Stage units

edit
Team K 1st Stage "Party ga Hajimaru yo" (PARTYがはじまるよ)
  • Skirt, Hirari (スカート、ひらり)
  • Hoshi no Ondo (ほし温度おんど)
Team K 2nd Stage "Seishun Girls" (青春せいしゅんガールズ)
  • Blue Rose
  • Fushidara na Natsu (ふしだらななつ)
Team K 3rd Stage "Nōnai Paradise" (のうないパラダイス)
  • Kimi wa Pegasus (きみはペガサス)
Himawari Gumi 1st Stage "Boku no Taiyō" (ぼく太陽たいよう)
  • Himawari (向日葵ひまわり)
Himawari Gumi 2nd Stage "Yume o Shinaseru Wakeni Ikanai" (ゆめなせるわけにいかない)
  • Confession
Team K 4th Stage "Saishū Bell ga Naru" (最終さいしゅうベルが)
  • Return Match (リターンマッチ)
Team K 5th Stage "Sakaagari" (ぎゃくがり)
  • Mushi no Ballad (むしのバラード) (Solo Unit)
Team K 6th Stage "Reset"
  • Ashita no Tame ni Kiss o (明日あしたのためにキスを)
Team K Waiting Stage
  • Anata to Christmas Eve (あなたとクリスマスイブ)
  • Yuuwaku no Garter (誘惑ゆうわくのガーター)

With Diva

edit
  • "Tsuki no Ura gawa"
    • "Fade out"
    • "Information"
    • "Blue rose -Diva ver.-"
  • "Cry"
    • "No way out"
    • "Chika Suidō"
    • "Maria -Diva ver.-"
  • "Lost the Way"
    • "Kanashimi no Mirage"
    • "Kimi wa Pegasus -Diva ver.-"

Filmography

edit

Films

edit
Year Title Role Directed by Notes Ref.
2007 Densen Uta Shuri Matsuda Masato Harada [26]
2009 Super Gore Girl Yukie Takashi Hisao Tabuchi Lead role [27]
High Kick Girl! Rika Fuyuhiko Nishi [28]
2012 Ultraman Saga Anna Ozaki Hideki Oka [29]
2014 Tokyo Slaves Eia Arakawa Sakichi Sato Lead role [30]
2015 Bikuu the Movie Bikuu Akira Ohashi Lead role [30]
Mango and the Red Wheelchair Ayaka Miyasono Shigeo Nakakura Lead role [30]
Galaxy Turnpike Manmo Kōki Mitani [30]
2020 Sniper: Assassin's End Yuki "Lady Death" Mifune Kaare Andrews American film [30]
Beautiful Dreamer Sayaka Katsuyuki Motohiro [31]
2023 Sniper: Rogue Mission Yuki "Lady Death" Mifune Oliver Thompson American film [32]

Television dramas

edit
Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2016 Good Morning Call Yukari Netflix and FOD [33]
Sumika Sumire Chiaki Yoshinogo TV Asahi [34]
2021 Aikatsu Planet! Izumi Watanuki TV Tokyo [35]
2022 The 13 Lords of the Shogun Tomoe Gozen NHK Taiga drama [36]

Stage plays

edit
Year English title Japanese title Role Ref.
2008 Oishii Timing おいしいタイミング Un­known [citation needed]
2010 Space Wars スペース・ウォーズ Un­known [citation needed]
2010 Act Izumi Kyoka 音楽おんがくげき 「ACTいずみ鏡花きょうか Tomohime (とみひめ) [citation needed]
2012 Roman Holiday ローマの休日きゅうじつ Ann Princess (アン王女おうじょ) [citation needed]
2014 Kokumin no Eiga 国民こくみん映画えいが Elsa Veesenmayer (エルザ・フェーゼンマイヤー) [citation needed]
2018 Japan's History 日本にっぽん歴史れきし Un­known [citation needed]

Musicals

edit
Year English title Japanese title Role
2009 AKB Kagekidan Infinity AKB歌劇かげきだん 「∞・Infinity」 Muraama Ruka (村雨むらさめルカ)
2010 Minky Momo: Kagami no Kuni no Princess ミンキーモモ〜かがみくにのプリンセス〜 Nightmare (ナイトメアー)
2011 Super Live Show "Double Heroine" スーパーLIVEショー「ダブルヒロイン」 Kinoshita Rachel (木下きのしたレイチェル)
2013 Mozart l'Opéra Rock ロックオペラ モーツァルト Constanze (コンスタンツェ)
2015 Shelock Holmes 2: Bloody Game シャーロック ホームズ2 ~ブラッディ・ゲーム~ Maria Clara (マリア・クララ)
2018 Ghost the Musical ゴースト Molly Jensen (モリー・イェンセン)

Other television

edit
Year Title Role
2008 Mujack Self
2008 AKB 0ji 59fun Self
2008–2013 AKBingo! Self
2008–2010 AKB48 Nemosu TV (AKB48ネさるテレビ) Self
2009–2010 Shukan AKB48 (週刊しゅうかんAKB) Self
2009 Music Fighter Self
2010 G.I. Goro Self
2010–2012 Waratte Iitomo! Self
2014 Couple Kitchen Self
2017 Ultimate Beastmaster Host for Team Japan[16][17]

Japanese dub

edit
Year Title Role Voice dub for Ref.
2013 Spring Breakers Faith Selena Gomez
2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Mantis Pom Klementieff [37]
2018 Avengers: Infinity War [38]
2019 Avengers: Endgame [39]
2022 Thor: Love and Thunder [40]
2023 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 [41]

References

edit
  1. ^ "秋元あきもとざい". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "秋元あきもとざい / SAYAKA AKIMOTO" [Akimoto Sayaka / SAYAKA AKIMOTO] (in Japanese). GQ Japan.
  3. ^ "秋元あきもとざいかたる、フィリピンの魅力みりょく。「ゆたかさとはなにか」とえる場所ばしょ" [Sayaka Akimoto talks about the charm of the Philippines. A place where you can face the question “What is abundance?”] (in Japanese). J-Wave. June 22, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "AKB48's Akimoto Sayaka to take on the 'Tokyo Marathon once again". TokyoHive.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  5. ^ 秋元あきもとざい、「アメリカのハーフとはちがう」 コンプレックスを告白こくはく - ライブドアニュース (in Japanese). LiveDoor.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  6. ^ Lorenz, Jan (June 26, 2014). "Fil-Japanese AKB48 Alumna Sayaka Akimoto Appointed as Philippine Tourism Ambassador". AnimePilipinas.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "Nippon TV's drama "Halo Halo House-Jose's Nippon Diary" aims to revitalize Ichinomiya and is set to broadcast in the Philippines beginning January 2016". Nippon TV. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  8. ^ "AKB48's Akimoto Sayaka to resign as captain of team K". TokyoHive.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  9. ^ "AKB48's Akimoto Sayaka holds her graduation ceremony". TokyoHive.com. August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  10. ^ "秋元あきもとざい卒業そつぎょうセレモニーになみだ「AKB48を本当ほんとうあいしてる」". MANTANWEB(まんたんウェブ) (in Japanese). August 22, 2013. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  11. ^ "Graduation dates for Shinoda Mariko, Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka revealed". TokyoHive.com. June 24, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  12. ^ "篠田しのだ板野いたの秋元あきもと卒業そつぎょう決定けってい AKB劇場げきじょうでの卒業そつぎょう公演こうえんでそれぞれまく (篠田しのだ麻里子まりこ) ニュース-ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Oricon.co.jp. June 24, 2013. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  13. ^ "Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka's graduation concerts to stream live via Nico Nico Namahousou". TokyoHive.com. August 17, 2013. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  14. ^ "秋元あきもとざい「Little Witch」配信はいしん決定けってい! | News | 秋元あきもと ざい OFFICIAL FANCLUB [AreaS]". AreaS. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Sayaka Akimoto Slays Horrors With Her Solo Song "Sengetsu~Hikari to Yami no Soba de" in latest 'Garo' Movie". October 2015. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Prudon, Laura (May 9, 2016). "Netflix Orders Global Competition Series 'Ultimate Beastmaster' from Sylvester Stallone, Dave Broome". Variety. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 9, 2016). "Netflix Orders 'Ultimate Beastmaster' Competition Reality Series With Sylvester Stallone". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  18. ^ "秋元あきもとざい、ラッパー・PUNPEEとの結婚けっこん発表はっぴょう今後こんごわらず、精進しょうじんしてまいります」". Oricon News. June 23, 2020. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "Akimoto Sayaka Announces Birth of First Child". nantejapan.com. October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Center". Center. 2013. doi:10.5040/9781350977075. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "AKB48、じゃんけん選抜せんばつシングルは「チャンスの順番じゅんばん」". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  22. ^ "AKB48 :AKB48 :じゃんけん大会たいかいふたた開催かいさい 9がつ武道館ぶどうかんで SKE48、NMB48ら総勢そうぜい71にん参加さんか" (in Japanese). Mantan-Web.jp (Mainichi Shimbun Digital). July 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  23. ^ "AKB48's second "Rock, Paper, Scissors" Tournament confirmed". Tokyohive.com. July 3, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  24. ^ Ozawa, Harumi (June 7, 2012). "Oshima's win in AKB48 election big news in Japan". Japan Today. Archived from the original on November 23, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  25. ^ "AKB48 27thシングル 選抜せんばつそう選挙せんきょを2012ねん6がつ6にち(水)すい日本武道館にほんぶどうかんにて開催かいさい" (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Site. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  26. ^ "伝染でんせん". eiga.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "せいしろひゃくごう騎士きしだん". eiga.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "ハイキック・ガール!". Movie Walker. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "ウルトラマンサーガ". eiga.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d e "『山猫やまねこねむらない8 暗殺あんさつしゃ終幕しゅうまく秋元あきもとざいさんインタビュー". Tokyo Joshi Eiga-bu. October 30, 2020. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  31. ^ "ビューティフルドリーマー". eiga.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  32. ^ "山猫やまねこねむらない9 ローグ・ミッション". eiga.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "グッドモーニング・コール". TV Drama Database. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  34. ^ "秋元あきもとざい、わが人生じんせいいなし げきちゅうでキャンパスライフを満喫まんきつちゅう". Oricon. July 31, 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  35. ^ "アイカツ!:実写じっしゃ×アニメの最新さいしんさく「アイカツプラネット!」音羽おとわまいさくらやく伊達だてはないろどり一人ひとりいちにん個性こせいみなさんに」秋元あきもとざいがマネジャーに". Mantan-web. August 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "【鎌倉かまくら殿どのの13にん秋元あきもとざいともえ御前ごぜんやく大河たいがドラマはつ出演しゅつえん". Oricon. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  37. ^ "ガーディアンズ・オブ・ギャラクシー リミックス". Fukikaeru. Archived from the original on May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  38. ^ "アベンジャーズ/インフィニティ・ウォー". Fukikaeru. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  39. ^ "アベンジャーズ/エンドゲーム". Fukikaeru. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  40. ^ "「ソー:ラブ&サンダー」日本にっぽんばん声優せいゆう発表はっぴょう、"しんころし"ゴアやく子安こやす武人たけひと(コメントあり)" (in Japanese). 映画えいがナタリー. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  41. ^ "『ガーディアンズ・オブ・ギャラクシー:VOLUME 3』吹替キャスト続投ぞくとう決定けってい山寺やまでら宏一こういち自分じぶん代表だいひょうさくにしたい」". Cinema Today. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
edit