Acting
Anna Sawai
Anna Sawai (アンナ・サワイ), born on June 11, 1992, in New Zealand, is a talented Japanese actress and singer. At the age of 10, she relocated to Japan with her family, where her artistic journey began. Sawai first showcased her acting prowess at just 11 years old, portraying the lead role in the 2004 Nippon Television adaptation of *Annie*. Her film career took off when she appeared in James McTeigue's 2009 martial arts feature, *Ninja Assassin*.
From 2013 to 2018, Sawai gained prominence as a member of the girl group Faky, where she served as one of the main vocalists. She made a notable return to acting in the British crime thriller series *Giri/Haji* in 2019. However, her significant international recognition came with her role in the Apple TV+ drama series *Pachinko*, which premiered in 2022 and has continued to captivate audiences.
In 2023, she starred in the highly anticipated *MonsterVerse* series, *Monarch: Legacy of Monsters*, and will be featured in the upcoming historical drama *Shōgun* in 2024, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Notably, Anna is the first Japanese actress to win a Primetime Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2024, she was honored by *Time* magazine as part of its 100 Next list, highlighting her rising influence in the entertainment industry.
