Masami Nagasawa

Japanese actress (born 1987) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Masami Nagasawa

Masami Nagasawa (長澤 まさみ, Nagasawa Masami, born June 3, 1987) is a Japanese actress. She has had a prolific film career since her teenage years and has starred in various blockbusters, receiving multiple accolades, including five Japan Academy Film Prizes and four Blue Ribbon Awards.

Quick Facts Born, Occupation ...
Masami Nagasawa
Thumb
Nagasawa at the 90th Tōkyō Yūshun Award Ceremony in May 2023
Born (1987-06-03) June 3, 1987 (age 37)
Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active2000present
Height169 cm (5 ft 6+12 in)[1]
FatherKazuaki Nagasawa
Awards
Signature
Thumb
Close

Nagasawa began her acting career at age twelve, when she starred as a young psychic orphan in the science fiction film Pyrokinesis (2000). While in high school, she starred as one of the Shobijin in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) and would gain recognition for her leading role in Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (2004), for which she won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actress and two Japan Academy Film Prize awards.

In 2007, Nagasawa was nominated for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Leading Actress and attained a Bunshun Raspberry Award for playing the title character in Tears for You (2006). Nagasawa's career progressed with her starring roles as Princess Yuki in Shinji Higuchi's Hidden Fortress: The Last Princess (2008), Umi Matsuzaki in Gorō Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), and Miyuki Matsuo in the romantic comedy Love Strikes! (2011), for which she earned a second Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actress.

After playing a supporting character in Makoto Shinkai's Your Name (2016), she portrayed the protagonist in the critically acclaimed science fiction drama Before We Vanish (2017), for which she won the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actress. In 2019, she starred in the crime mystery Masquerade Hotel and portrayed Yang Duan He in the action-adventure Kingdom, for which she was nominated for a Nikkan Sports Film Award; she later reprised the role of Yang Duan He in the 2023 film Kingdom: Flame of Destiny. Nagasawa has also played Dako in The Confidence Man JP film trilogy (2019-2022), Anna Kobayashi in Chen Sicheng's buddy-comedy Detective Chinatown 3 (2021), Hiroko Asami in Higuchi's critically acclaimed superhero film Shin Ultraman (2022), and Scorpion-Aug in Hideaki Anno's Shin Kamen Rider (2023).

Early life and background

Nagasawa was born on June 3, 1987,[2] in Iwata, Shizuoka.[3] She stated that during her childhood, her father, the former Júbilo Iwata manager Kazuaki Nagasawa,[4] "wasn't at home much because of work". She has an older brother who actress Yoshino Kimura described as "handsome" and Nagasawa described as "cool".[5]

Career

Summarize
Perspective

Film

In 2000, Nagasawa won the Grand Prix at the 5th Toho Cinderella Audition,[1] prevailing 35,153 female competitors.[6] After winning the competition, Toho instructed director Shusuke Kaneko to give her a role in his science fiction action film Pyrokinesis.[6] She played Kurata, an orphan child who has psychic powers such as pyrokinesis and psychometry. At the wrap party for the film, Kaneko said she had "no experience and directing her was a pain in the ass".[6] Two years later she played minor roles in Nobuhiko Obayashi's Nagori Yuki[7] and Akihiko Shiota's Yomigaeri.[8]:426 She also starring as one of the Shobijin in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). Her first lead role in a film was in 2003's Robot Contest.

Nagasawa's performance in Crying Out Love in the Center of the World received both a Blue Ribbon Award[9] and a Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress.[10]

Thumb
Nagasawa at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival.

In 2007, she received a Japan Academy Prize nomination in the Best Actress category for her performance in the 2006 film Nada Sōsō (Tears for You).[11] After a string of less notable films, including Gunjo[12] and Magare Spoon!,[13] she starred in the 2011 film adaptation of Mitsurō Kubo's manga Moteki. Her performance in Moteki won Nagasawa a Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actress,[14] and she was nominated for a Japan Academy Award in the Best Actress category.[15] That same year Nagasawa expanded into voice acting by providing the voice of character "Umi Matsuzaki" in the Studio Ghibli film From Up on Poppy Hill.[16] In 2016 she provided the voice for the character "Miki Okudera" in the international hit Your Name.[17]

Thumb
Nagasawa (second from right) at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

Her live action films have also received international attention. Kiyoku Yawaku (Beyond the Memories), a live action adaptation of Ryo Ikuemi's manga series, was screened at the 17th annual Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne, Australia in 2013.[18] Umimachi Diary (Our Little Sister), a live action adaptation of Akimi Yoshida's manga, competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.[19] In 2017 Nagasawa starred in the Kiyoshi Kurosawa film Before We Vanish, which competed in the Un Certain Regard category at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.[20] Her performance in Before We Vanish also received recognition in Japan, winning a Mainichi Film Award for Best Lead Actress,[21] and earning a nomination for a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.[22]

In 2018, she starred in 50 First Kisses, a Japanese remake of the 2004 American film 50 First Dates.[23][24]

Television

Nagasawa starred in many Japanese television drama series. Early supporting roles in the 2002 NHK asadora Sakura and the 2005 Tokyo Broadcasting System Television live action manga adaptation Dragon Zakura led to more TV work, including a leading role in the 2007 Fuji TV series Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love). Her performance in Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love) received the most votes in the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Best Actress category.[25]

After her initial success in television, Nagasawa continued to perform in both supporting and leading television drama roles. In 2009 she played a supporting role in the NHK taiga drama Tenchijin, and in 2010 she joined several other leading Japanese actors in the Fuji TV 50th anniversary mini-series Wagaya no Rekishi.[26] In 2012 her performance in the TV Asahi drama Toshi densetsu no onna won the 73rd Television Drama Academy Best Actress Award.[27] In 2013 she learned Chinese to play a leading role in the Taiwan Television adaptation of the manga series Chocolat.[28] Nagasawa returned to NHK in the 2016 taiga drama Sanada Maru.[29]

Stage

Nagasawa is to appear with Jun Matsumoto and Eita Nagayama in Hideki Noda's Sei sankaku kankei (正三角関係, Trilateral connection). Performances are expected at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, in Kitakyushu and Osaka, as well as Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, under the name of "Love in action", running from July 11 until November 2, 2024.[30]

Personal life

Nagasawa lives in Meguro, Tokyo.[31]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000PyrokinesisKaori KurataActing debut[8]:415
2002Nagori YukiMaho Mizuta[7]
2003YomigaeriNaomi Morishita[8]:426
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.Mana, one of the Shobijin[32]
Robot ContestSatomi HazawaLead role[33]
Like AsuraYōko Satomi[34]
2004Crying Out Love in the Center of the WorldAki HiroseLead role[35]
Breathe In, Breathe OutKanako Doi[36]
Godzilla: Final WarsOne of the Shobijin[37]
2005TouchMinami AsakuraLead role[38]
2006RoughAmi NinomiyaLead role[35]
Tears for YouKaoruLead role[35]
2007Say Hello for MeKarin Takigawa/Suzune MorikawaLead role[39]
2008Hidden Fortress: The Last PrincessPrincess Yuki[40]
La Maison en Petits CubesNarrator[41]
2009Cobalt BlueRyoko NakamuraLead role[42]
Go Find a Psychic!Yone SakuraiLead role[43]
2010 Sunshine Ahead Churashima Okinawa Ambassador [44]
2011Gaku: Minna no YamaKumi Shiina[45]
From Up on Poppy HillUmi Matsuzaki (voice)Lead role[46]
Love Strikes!Miyuki Matsuo[35][47]
I WishKōchi Mimura[48]
2012 Japan's Wildlife: The Untold Story Narrator [49]
2013Beyond the MemoriesKanna SetoLead role[35]
The Last Chance: Diary of ComediansKumi[50]
2014Wood Job!Naoki Ishii[51]
The Crossing Part 1Masako ShimuraChinese-Hong Kong film[52]
2015Our Little SisterYoshino KōdaLead role[35]
The Crossing Part 2Masako ShimuraChinese-Hong Kong film[53]
I Am a HeroYabu / Tsugumi Oda[54]
2016Good Morning ShowKeiko Ogawa[55]
Gold Medal ManMs. Sano, teacher[56]
Your NameMiki Okudera (voice)[57]
2017 ReminiscenceMinako Shikata[58]
GintamaTae Shimura[35]
Before We VanishNarumi KaseLead role[59]
2018Doraemon: Nobita's Treasure IslandFiona (voice)Guest appearance[60]
The Lies She LovedYukari KawaharaLead role[35]
50 First KissesRui FujishimaLead role[35]
Gintama 2Tae Shimura[35]
BleachMasaki Kurosaki[61]
2019Masquerade HotelNaomi Yamagishi[35]
KingdomYang Duan He[35]
The Confidence Man JP: The MovieDakoLead role[35]
2020The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the PrincessDarkoLead role[35]
MotherAkiko MisumiLead role[35]
2021Detective Chinatown 3Anna KobayashiChinese film[62]
Under the Open SkyYoshizawa[63]
Masquerade NightNaomi Yamagishi[64]
2022 The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the HeroDarkoLead role[65]
Shin UltramanHiroko Asami[66]
A Hundred FlowersKaori Kasai[67]
2023 Shin Kamen RiderScorpion Augment-01[68]
Do Unto OthersHidemi Ōtomo[69]
Kingdom 3: The Flame of DestinyYang Duan He[70]
2024 The ParadesMinakoLead role[71]
April Come She WillYayoi Sakamoto[72]
Kingdom 4: Return of the Great GeneralYang Duan He[73]
All About SuomiSuomiLead role[74]
2025DollhouseLead role[75]
Close

Dubbing

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2016 Sing Ash 2017 Japanese dub [76]
2021 Sing 2 Ash 2022 Japanese dub [77]
Close

Television

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2001Pure SoulMaru Seta
2002SakuraKanako NumataAsadora
2004True Horror StoryMayu Morimoto
RunawayOnizuka Sari
Mystery Theater: Satsujin StuntHitomi TakamizawaGuest
2005Affectionate TimeAzusa Minagawa
Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu MuikaMaki YajimaTV movie
2005–2021Dragon SakuraNaomi Mizuno2 seasons[78]
2006Kōmyō ga TsujiKorinTaiga drama[79]
Sailor Suit and Machine GunHoshi IzumiLead role
2007Akechi MitsuhideTsumaki HirokoTV movie
Romeo and JulietJuliet Kihira
The Reason Mama CooksMiyuki KoudaSpecial appearance
Proposal DaisakusenRei YoshidaLead role[35]
Butterfly Stroke in Ganges RiverTeruko TakanoLead role
20 Year Old LoverSawada YuriLead role
2008Proposal Daikusen SPRei YoshidaLead role
Last FriendsMichiru AidaLead role[35]
Galileo: Episode ZeroAkari Shionoya
Fujiko F. Fujio no Parallel Space Nebumi CameraTakekoLead role
2009TenchijinHatsuneTaiga drama[79]
Soka, Mo Kimi wa Inai no Ka YōkoTV movie
My SisterSayaLead role
2010Sotsu UtaHitomi TachibanaLead role
Wagaya no RekishiYukari IchinoseMini-series
GoldRika[80]
2012BunshinMariko/Futaba/AkikoLead role; miniseries[81]
High School Entrance ExamKyōko HaruyamaLead role[82]
2012–2013I Love Tokyo Legend - Kawaii DetectiveTsukiko OtonashiLead role; 2 seasons[35]
2013ChocolatChie TatsumiLead role[35]
Summer NudeKasumi Ichikura[35]
2014All About My SiblingsTakako Yashiro[83]
2016Sanada MaruKiriTaiga drama[79]
2018The Confidence Man JPDakoLead role[84]
2022The 13 Lords of the ShogunNarratorTaiga drama[85]
ElpisEna AsakawaLead role[86]
Close

Stage

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
2024 Sei sankaku kankei (Love in Action) [30]
Close

Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award ...
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2004 25th Yokohama Film Festival Best New Talent Like Asura, Robot Contest Won [87]
27th Japan Academy Film Prize Newcomer of the Year Robot Contest Won [1]
2005 29th Elan d'or Awards Newcomer of the Year Won [88]
47th Blue Ribbon Awards Best Supporting Actress Crying Out Love in the Center of the World Won [9]
28th Japan Academy Film Prize Best Supporting Actress Won [10]
Popularity Award Winner Won
2007 4th Bunshun Raspberry Awards Worst Actress Tears for You Won [89]
30th Japan Academy Film Prize Best Actress Nominated [11]
11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Best Actress Proposal Daisakusen Nominated [25]
2012 54th Blue Ribbon Awards Best Supporting Actress Love Strikes! Won [14]
35th Japan Academy Film Prize Best Actress Nominated [15]
11th New York Asian Film Festival Star Asia Rising Star Award Won [90]
VoCE Beauty Awards The Best Beauty of The Year Won [91]
2018 72nd Mainichi Film Awards Best Actress Before We Vanish Won [21]
41st Japan Academy Film Prize Best Actress Nominated [22]
2019 44th Hochi Film Awards Best Actress Masquerade Hotel, The Confidence Man JP: The Movie Won [92]
32nd Nikkan Sports Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Masquerade Hotel, Kingdom Nominated
2020 62nd Blue Ribbon Awards Best Actress The Confidence Man JP: The Movie Won [93]
Best Supporting Actress Masquerade Hotel, Kingdom Nominated
43rd Japan Academy Film Prize Best Supporting Actress Kingdom Won [94]
45th Hochi Film Awards Best Actress Mother, The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Princess Nominated [95]
33rd Nikkan Sports Film Awards Best Actress Won [96]
2021 63rd Blue Ribbon Awards Best Actress Won [97]
75th Mainichi Film Awards Best Actress Mother Nominated [98]
44th Japan Academy Film Prize Best Actress Won [99]
[100]
The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Princess Nominated
46th Hochi Film Awards Best Actress Masquerade Night Nominated [101]
2025 67th Blue Ribbon Awards Best Actress All About Suomi Nominated [102]
Close

References

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.