Masami Nagasawa

Masami Nagasawa, born on 3 June 1987, in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan, is a highly regarded Japanese actress known for her dynamic performances in film and television. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Nagasawa began her acting journey at the young age of twelve, making her debut in the science fiction film Pyrokinesis (2000). Her early work included notable roles in the Godzilla films: Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). She gained significant recognition for her performance in Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (2004), which earned her two prestigious awards: the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Japan Academy Film Prize.

In 2007, Nagasawa was nominated for the Japan Academy Film Prize for her performance in Tears for You (2006), and she won the Bunshun Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for the same film, showcasing the range of her acting ability. She continued building her career with roles in films such as Hidden Fortress: The Last Princess (2008) and From Up on Poppy Hill (2011). For her role in Love Strikes! (2011), she received a second Blue Ribbon Award.

Nagasawa's career took a significant turn with her role in Your Name (2016), a critically acclaimed animated film. She later starred in the science fiction drama Before We Vanish (2017), winning the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actress. In subsequent years, she appeared in a variety of genres, including the crime mystery Masquerade Hotel (2019) and the action-adventure film Kingdom (2019), for which she was nominated for a Nikkan Sports Film Award. She reprised her role in the sequel, Kingdom: Flame of Destiny (2023).

Born into a family with a sports background, her father, Kazuaki Nagasawa, was a former manager of the Júbilo Iwata football team. Masami has mentioned that her childhood was somewhat lonely due to her father's demanding career. She has an older brother whom she describes as "cool."

Nagasawa has also made her mark on television, starring in various popular Japanese drama series. Her breakthrough came with the 2007 series Proposal Daisakusen, for which she won the Best Actress award in the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix. She continued to impress audiences with performances in shows like Dragon Sakura (2005-2021) and I Love Tokyo Legend - Kawaii Detective (2012-2013).

As of 2024, Nagasawa is set to perform in the stage play Sei sankaku kankei (Trilateral Connection) alongside prominent actors Jun Matsumoto and Eita Nagayama. The performances will take place in Tokyo, Kitakyushu, Osaka, and London's Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Achievements: Over her illustrious career, Masami Nagasawa has received numerous accolades, highlighting her talent and dedication to her craft. She has won five Japan Academy Film Prizes, four Blue Ribbon Awards, and a Mainichi Film Award, among other honors.

Nagasawa currently resides in Meguro, Tokyo, and continues to be a beloved figure in the film and television landscape of Japan.