Ashida Mana

Ashida Mana promoting "Ame ni Negai wo" (2012)

Ashida Mana (芦田 愛菜) is a Japanese child actress, model, and singer under Universal Music. Mana rose to fame after her award winning performance in the drama Mother.

Profile

• Name: Ashida Mana (芦田 愛菜)
• Birth date: June 23, 2004 (2004-06-23)
• Birth place: Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
• Talent Agency: Jobby Kids
• Favorite Food: Cucumber, Fried Vegetables, Sukonbu and Kameni
• Dislikes: Eggplants, Pumpkin and Milk
• Interests: Unicycle and Reading
• Looks Up To: KARA

Information

Early Career

Ashida Mana made her debut appearance in Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's short movie Daibokenmama in 2009 and made her first film debut when she starred in the film adaptation of the manga "Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora" in 2010. For her role in the film Ghost Mou Ichido Dakishimetai, she became one of the winners of the "Rookie of the Year" Award at the 34th Japan Academy Awards. In addition to acting, Ashida Mana also did voice-over roles for foreign films released in Japan. She voiced Agnes in the Japanese version of the film Despicable Me, and was also the voice of the young Fang Deng in the Japanese release of the Chinese film Aftershock.

Rise of Popularity

Ashida Mana rose to popularity after she starred in the award-winning television drama Mother. She won awards such as the "Best Supporting Actress" at the 14th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix and the "Special Award" at the 4th Tokyo Drama Awards for her role in this television drama. She later became the youngest lead actress in a Japanese television drama at the age of 6 in the special television movie Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien in 2011. Ashida Mana made her singing debut with Suzuki Fuku, in the television drama Marumo no Okite. They sang the theme song of the drama and released the single "Maru Maru Mori Mori!" in the short time group Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mukku. The popularity of the song made them the duo the youngest group in history to achieve a top 10 position on the Oricon charts.

Solo Music Debut

On the 2nd of August 2011, Ashida Mana co-hosted the NTV variety and talk show Meringue no Kimochi which made her the youngest regular host of a talk or variety show. Ashida Mana made her solo debut with Universal Music with her first single "Sutekina Nichiyobi (Gyu Gyu Good Day)" in October 2011, and then her first mini album Happy Smile! in November. She is currently one of the highest paid child actors in Japan.

Discography

Note: See "Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mukku." for prior releases under Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mukku.

Mini-Albums

• [2011.11.23] Happy Smile!

Singles

• [2011.10.26] Sutekina Nichiyobi (Gyu Gyu Good Day) (ステキな日曜日～Gyu Gyu グッデイ！～; A Nice Sunday ~Gyu Gyu Good Day~)
• [2012.05.02] Zutto Zutto Tomodachi (ずっとずっとトモダチ; Friends Forever and Ever)
• [2012.08.01] Ame ni Negai wo (雨に願いを; A Wish in the Rain)

Filmography

Ashida Mana promoting Happy Smile! (2011)

Movies

• [2010] Kokuhaku
• [2010] Ghost Mou Ichido Dakishimetai
• [2011] Inu to Anata no Monogatari
• [2011] Hankyuu Densha Katamichi 15 fun no Kiseki
• [2011] Usagi Drop
• [2012] Liar Game: Saisei
• [2012] Nobo no Shiro

Dramas

• [2009] Daibokenmama
• [2009] Ketto! Rojinto
• [2010] Tokujo Kabachi!! (Episode 3)
• [2010] Mother
• [2011] Toilet no Kamisama
• [2011] Go
• [2011] Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien
• [2011] Marumo no Okite
• [2011] Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (Episode 1)
• [2011] Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni
• [2011] Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi (2011 Summer Season Special)
• [2011] Nankyoku Tairiku
• [2012] Alice in Liar Game
• [2012] Beautiful Rain

Voice Acting

• [2010] Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora
• [2010] Despicable Me
• [2011] Aftershock
• [2011] Ni no Kuni: Shiroki Seihai no Joou (video-game)
• [2012] Magic Tree House
• [2012] Eiga Jewelpet: Sweets Dance Princess

Television

• [2011.10.01 - 2012.03.31] Meringue no Kimochi (with Hisamoto Masami and Ito Asako)
• [2011.12.31] 62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen

Commercials

• [2009] Osaka Gas
• [2010] Ito Yokado
• [2010] Hanamaruki Okaasan no Mutenka Miso
• [2011] Kobeya Baking Mochi-Fuwa Bread
• [2011] Pony Canyon aiko "Matome I" and "Matome II"
• [2011] Shogakukan "Shogaku Ichinensei"
• [2011] Sanyo Homes
• [2011] Kagome
• [2011] Takara Tomy Fantasy Licca-chan series
• [2011] Nissin Chikin Ramen
• [2011] Canon Pixus Printer Autumn 2011 model
• [2011] Seven & I Holdings Co. "Odekake Autumn Fair" image character
• [2011] Aderans
• [2011] Thermos KK. Shuttle Chef
• [2011] Sogo & Seibu "Winter Bargain 2011"

Awards

• [2010.xx.xx] 14th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Supporting Actress for Mother
• [2010.08.04] 65th The Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Newcomer for Mother
• [2010.10.24] 4th Tokyo Drama Awards: Special Award for Mother
• [2010.12.17] Japan Academy Awards: Rookie Of The Year for Ghost Mou Ichido Dakishimetai
• [2011.10.24] 2011 Tokyo Drama Awards: Best Performance by an Actress for Marumo no Okite and Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien
• [2011.12.30] 53rd Japan Record Award: Special Award for "Maru Maru Mori Mori!"
• [2012.02.14] 54th Blue Ribbon Award: Best Newcomer for Hankyuu Densha Katamichi 15 fun no Kiseki and Usagi Drop

External Links

• Universal Music Website
• Jobby Kids Profile