Aki Maeda

Aki Maeda (前田 亜季, born 11 July 1985 in Tokyo, Japan) is a multifaceted Japanese actress, singer, and model whose career has spanned more than three decades. She first entered the entertainment world as a child actress in 1992, appearing in the Gamera film series and quickly gaining recognition for her ability to convey both vulnerability and strength on screen. Her breakout role came in 2000 when she portrayed Noriko Nakagawa in Kinji Fukasaku’s controversial cult classic Battle Royale, a performance that earned her the Newcomer of the Year award at the Japanese Academy Awards and solidified her status as a prominent figure in contemporary Japanese cinema. Maeda reprised the same character in the sequel Battle Royale II: Requiem (2003), further demonstrating her commitment to the franchise and its thematic complexity. Beyond the Battle Royale phenomenon, Maeda’s filmography includes notable titles such as Linda Linda Linda (2005), where she played Kyoko, and the kaiju spectacle Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All‑Out Attack (2001). On television, she has delivered compelling performances in historical dramas like Aoi Tokugawa Sandai (2000) and Fūrin Kazan (2007), as well as contemporary series such as Shinya Shokudō (2014). Her voice‑acting work includes the charming role of Yuki in The Cat Returns (2002) and the titular character in the anime Cosmic Baton Girl Comet‑san (2001). In parallel with her acting career, Maeda launched a brief but memorable pop music venture from 1998 to 2000, releasing singles such as “Gomen Ne” and “Genki no SHOWER,” and contributing to soundtracks for films like Boys be…. She graduated from Hosei University in 2008, balancing academic pursuits with artistic endeavors. Although she keeps her private life out of the spotlight, her professional legacy continues to influence a new generation of Japanese performers, and she remains actively represented by Alpha Agency, with ongoing projects in film, television, and music.