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Anna Sawai

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Anna Sawai

Anna Sawai (アンナ・サワイ; born June 11, 1992) is a Japanese actress and singer. Born in New Zealand, she moved to Japan with her family at age 10. She landed her first acting role at age 11 as the title character in the 2004 Nippon Television production of Annie. Sawai later made her film debut in James McTeigue's 2009 martial arts film Ninja Assassin. Sawai rose to fame in Japan as one of the lead vocalists of the girl group Faky. She made a return to acting with a supporting role in the British crime thriller series Giri/Haji. Her international breakthrough came with her role in the Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko. She gained further recognition for starring in the MonsterVerse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and in the historical drama series Shōgun. For the latter, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, becoming the first Japanese actress to win a Primetime Emmy Award, as well as a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2024, Time magazine included her on its 100 Next list.

Infobox

Born
(1992-06-11) June 11, 1992 (age 33)Wellington, New Zealand
Alma mater
Sophia University
Occupations
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Years active
2004–present

Tables

Key · Filmography
†
Denotes productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Film
2009
Ninja Assassin
Role(s)
Kiriko
2021
F9
Role(s)
Elle Lue
2026
How to Rob a Bank †
Notes
Post-production
2028
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event †
Role(s)
Yoko Ono
Notes
Filming
TBA
Role(s)
Enemies †
(Saint) Peter †
Role(s)
Sister Theresa
Notes
Post-production
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
2009
Ninja Assassin
Kiriko
2021
F9
Elle Lue
2026
How to Rob a Bank †
Post-production
2028
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event †
Yoko Ono
Filming
TBA
Enemies †
Post-production
(Saint) Peter †
Sister Theresa
Post-production
· Filmography › Television
2007
Our Love Song [ja]
Role(s)
Natsu
Notes
1 episode
2018
Colors [ja]
Role(s)
Train station accuser
Notes
2 episodes
2019
Giri/Haji
Role(s)
Eiko Fukuhara
Notes
Main role, 6 episodes
2022–present
Role(s)
Pachinko
Notes
Naomi
2023–present
Role(s)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Notes
Cate Randa
2024
Shōgun
Role(s)
Toda Mariko
Notes
Main role, 10 episodes
2025
Star Wars: Visions
Role(s)
Bounty hunter Sevn (voice)
Notes
Season 3, Episode 4
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
2007
Our Love Song [ja]
Natsu
1 episode
2018
Colors [ja]
Train station accuser
2 episodes
2019
Giri/Haji
Eiko Fukuhara
Main role, 6 episodes
2022–present
Pachinko
Naomi
Main role, 11 episodes
2023–present
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Cate Randa
Main role, 10 episodes
2024
Shōgun
Toda Mariko
Main role, 10 episodes
2025
Star Wars: Visions
Bounty hunter Sevn (voice)
Season 3, Episode 4
· Filmography › Music videos
2015
"Katy"
Role(s)
Elliot Yamin
Notes
Lead role
Year
Title
Artist
Role
Ref.
2015
"Katy"
Elliot Yamin
Lead role
· Filmography › Video games
2017
Style Savvy: Styling Star
Role(s)
Angélique Noir
Notes
North American and PAL versions
Year
Title
Voice role
Notes
Ref.
2017
Style Savvy: Styling Star
Angélique Noir
North American and PAL versions
· Stage credits
2004
2004
Year
2004
Production
Annie
Role
Annie
Venue
Aoyama Theatre
2018
2018
Year
2018
Production
The Book
Role
Dancer
Venue
Owlspot Theatre
Year
Production
Role
Venue
Ref.
2004
Annie
Annie
Aoyama Theatre
2018
The Book
Dancer
Owlspot Theatre
· Modeling and magazine features
2024
2024
Year
2024
Publication/Campaign
Emmy
Featured as:
Cover/Shogun
Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Reporter
Year
Hollywood Reporter
Publication/Campaign
Cover/THR Roundtable
W
W
Year
W
Publication/Campaign
Cover/interview
2025
2025
Year
2025
Publication/Campaign
Perfect
Featured as:
Cover/interview
Year
Publication/Campaign
Featured as:
Ref
2024
Emmy
Cover/Shogun
Hollywood Reporter
Cover/THR Roundtable
W
Cover/interview
2025
Perfect
Cover/interview
· Awards and nominations
2025
Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
Role(s)
Shōgun
Notes
Nominated
Pena de Prata
Role(s)
2022
Notes
Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
Primetime Emmy Awards
Role(s)
2024
Notes
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Satellite Awards
Role(s)
2025
Notes
Best Actress – Television Series Drama
Saturn Awards
Role(s)
2025
Notes
Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Role(s)
2025
Notes
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Role(s)
Won
Television Critics Association Awards
Role(s)
2024
Notes
Individual Achievement in Drama
Award
Year
Category
Nominated work
Result
Ref.
Astra TV Awards
2024
Best Actress in a Streaming Drama Series
Shōgun
Won
AACTA International Awards
2025
Best Actress in a Series
Nominated
Cooler Awards
2024
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Won
Critics' Choice Awards
2025
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Pachinko
Nominated
Dorian Awards
2024
Best Television Performance – Drama
Shōgun
Nominated
Gold Derby Awards
2024
Best Drama Actress – Television
Won
Ensemble of the Year
Nominated
Performer of the Year
Herself
Nominated
Breakthrough Performer of the Year
Won
Golden Globe Awards
2025
Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Shōgun
Won
Gotham TV Awards
2024
Outstanding Performance in a Limited Series
Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards
2023
Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Pachinko
Won
2025
Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
Shōgun
Nominated
Pena de Prata
2022
Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
Pachinko
Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards
2024
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Shōgun
Won
Satellite Awards
2025
Best Actress – Television Series Drama
Nominated
Saturn Awards
2025
Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2025
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Shōgun
Won
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Won
Television Critics Association Awards
2024
Individual Achievement in Drama
Won

References

  1. Sawai is credited in katakana for her music career, but her Japanese acting roles are credited in kanji (澤井 杏奈, Sawai An
  2. Including Untitled Paul McCartney film, Untitled John Lennon film, Untitled George Harrison film and Untitled Ringo Star
  3. donutstv.site
    https://donutstv.site/fuji_tv/post-1274/
  4. donutstv.site
    https://donutstv.site/fuji_tv/post-1629/
  5. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-02-25/shogun-anna-sawai-toda-mariko
  6. Town & Country
    https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a46870213/anna-sawai-shogun-mariko-interview/
  7. Time
    https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2024/
  8. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/style/anna-sawai-goes-from-j-pop-star-to-hollywood-starlet.html
  9. Tokyo Weekender
    https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2022/10/reina-sawai-ballet/
  10. Elle
    https://www.elle.com/culture/a36790987/anna-sawai-fast-and-furious-9/
  11. J-Generation
    https://j-generation.com/2013/09/faky-interview-2013/
  12. 音楽ナタリー
    https://natalie.mu/music/pp/faky
  13. Cinema Daily US
    https://cinemadailyus.com/interviews/pachinko-an-exclusive-interview-with-actress-anna-sawai-and-actor-jin-ha/
  14. Byrdie
    https://www.byrdie.com/anna-sawai-interview-5235428
  15. www.ntv.co.jp
    https://www.ntv.co.jp/annie/
  16. BBRK
    http://www.unknown24.net/bbrk/20070202/avexaudition
  17. エイベックス・ポータル – avex portal
    https://avexnet.jp/contents/music_j/FAKYJ/news/1008050
  18. REI's days
    http://rei-saito.jugem.jp/?eid=103
  19. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2019/07/fast-and-furious-9-cast-finn-cole-anna-sawai-vinnie-bennett-vin-diesel-1202641358/
  20. The Cinemaholic
    https://thecinemaholic.com/ninja-assassin-ending-explained/
  21. うたまっぷNEWS
    https://news.utamap.com/music/117296/
  22. www.event-navi.ne.jp
    http://www.event-navi.ne.jp/d_top.php?eventID=0000017849
  23. Culture Collide
    https://culturecollide.com/watch-ayako-debuts-new-music-video-for-you-are-the-damned/
  24. 音楽ナタリー
    https://natalie.mu/music/news/96066
  25. FAKY / Better Without You
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYU1guQvuU
  26. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1034051
  27. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1048783
  28. Siliconera
    https://www.siliconera.com/nintendo-releases-style-savvy-styling-star-vocal-collection-japan/
  29. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1053578
  30. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1060020
  31. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1060774
  32. faky.jp
    http://faky.jp/news/detail.php?id=1067314
  33. Real Sound (リアルサウンド)
    https://realsound.jp/2018/12/post-298396.html
  34. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2019/12/05/girihaji-episode-8-review-bewitching-thriller-would-mix-bloody/
  35. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/giri-haji-review/
  36. CBR
    https://www.cbr.com/f9-elle-fast-saga-origin-story/
  37. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2019/11/anna-sawai-hollywood-agency-fast-and-furious-9-giri-jaji-wme-1202783108/
  38. The New York Times
    https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/02/movies/f9-series-franchise.html
  39. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2021/07/f9-500-million-worldwide-godzilla-vs-kong-cruella-quiet-place-conjuring-china-japan-global-international-box-office-1234786046/
  40. F9 (2021)
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5433138/
  41. The Numbers
    https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/F9-The-Fast-Saga-(2021)
  42. Who What Wear UK
    https://www.whowhatwear.com/anna-sawai-interview
  43. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2020/10/pachinko-apple-drama-series-sets-cast-production-start-date-1234602192/
  44. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a39547137/fast-and-furious-anna-sawai-apple-pachinko/
  45. Apple TV+ Press
    https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/01/apples-highly-anticipated-drama-pachinko-set-to-premiere-globally-march-25-2022/
  46. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/afi-best-movies-tv-shows-2022-1235278829/
  47. The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/pachinko-season-2-renewed-apple-tv-plus/
  48. Film Independent Spirit Awards
    https://www.filmindependent.org/nominee/pachinko-best-ensemble-cast/
  49. Variety
    https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-2023-pachinko-1235459306/
  50. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/apples-godzilla-series-cast-1235174408/
  51. The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/godzilla-spinoff-series-set-apple-tv/
  52. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/monarch_legacy_of_monsters/s01
  53. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2021/09/shogun-anna-sawai-hiroyuki-sanada-cosmo-jarvis-fx-limited-series-1234847448/
  54. Variety
    https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/shogun-trailer-hiroyuki-sanada-fx-hulu-1235776974/
  55. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/arts/television/shogun-review.html
  56. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/shogun-review-hulu-miniseries-1234974289/
  57. Roger Ebert
    https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/shogun-tv-review-2024
  58. EW.com
    https://ew.com/shogun-review-fx-hulu-2024-8600119
  59. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/shogun-review-fx-hulu-1235819752/
  60. Town & Country
    https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a62177171/anna-sawai-makes-history-emmy-2024-win/
  61. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/shogun-record-18-emmy-wins-1236003391/
  62. Variety
    https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/2024-emmy-nominations-list-1236074176/
  63. "'Shogun' actress Anna Sawai wins Golden Globe 44 years after Yoko Shimada won for same role"
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/shogun-anna-sawai-golden-globe-yoko-shimada-mariko-rcna186446
  64. Variety
    https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-performances/
  65. Harper's BAZAAR
    https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a62224462/the-week-in-fashion-anna-sawai-cartier-ambassador/
  66. WWD
    https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/wwd-2025-style-awards-winners-golden-globes-1236774290/
  67. WWD
    https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/dior-anna-sawai-brand-ambassador-shogun-series-1236902655/
  68. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2025/04/shogun-anna-sawai-david-leitch-how-to-rob-a-bank-1236378231/
  69. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/05/nicholas-hoult-pete-davidson-how-to-rob-a-bank-release-date-1236387717/
  70. Drive My Car
    https://deadline.com/2025/05/shogun-anna-sawai-hidetoshi-nishijima-enemies-1236398020/
  71. Christian Convery To Topline Indie ‘(Saint) Peter’; Anna Sawai, Pete Holmes, Harvey Guillén, Judy Greer & Douglas Hodge
    https://deadline.com/2025/04/christian-convery-anna-sawai-harvey-guille-more-to-star-saint-peter-1236367834/
  72. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2025/10/the-beatles-movies-cast-anna-sawai-aimee-lou-wood-more-1236603433/
  73. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/10/the-beatles-movies-cast-anna-sawai-aimee-lou-wood-more-1236603433/
  74. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2025/05/shogun-anna-sawai-hidetoshi-nishijima-enemies-1236398020/
  75. TBS Contents
    https://www.tbscontents.com/en/program/ourlovesong
  76. Collider
    https://collider.com/star-wars-visions-volume-3-anime-trailer-release-date-full-english-voice-cast/
  77. Television Academy
    https://www.televisionacademy.com/emmy-magazine/back-issues/issue-2-2024
  78. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/jennifer-aniston-sofia-vergara-drama-actress-roundtable-1235909949/
  79. W Magazine
    https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/anna-sawai-shogun-cover-interview
  80. CelebMafia
    https://celebmafia.com/anna-sawai-covers-perfect-magazine-issue-8-march-2025-4410369/
  81. "2024 Astra TV Awards Nominees Announced"
    https://awardsradar.com/2024/07/09/astra-tv-awards-2/
  82. Variety
    https://variety.com/2024/film/news/robbie-williams-better-man-aacta-international-awards-nominations-2025-1236251379/
  83. The Contending
    https://thecontending.com/shogun-hacks-lead-2024-cooler-awards/
  84. "TELEVISION NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 30TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS – Critics Choice Awards"
    https://www.criticschoice.com/2024/12/05/television-nominations-announced-for-the-30th-annual-critics-choice-awards/
  85. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2024/08/dorian-tv-awards-2024-winners-list-hacks-1236037961/
  86. GoldDerby
    https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2024-gold-derby-tv-awards-nominations-the-bear-shogun-1205882986/
  87. GoldDerby
    https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2024-gold-derby-tv-awards-nominations-the-bear-shogun-1205882986/
  88. Emilia Pérez
    https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/golden-globes-nominations-2025-full-list-1236236911/
  89. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/baby-reindeer-shogun-gotham-tv-awards-nominees-1235898291/
  90. TheWrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/indie-spirit-awards-2025-full-nominees-list/
  91. Mac Magazine
    https://macmagazine.com.br/post/2022/12/29/apple-tv-vence-4-categorias-do-pena-de-prata-2022/
  92. Television Academy
    https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/76thnominations-list-v1.pdf?q=2024&q1=
  93. AwardsWatch
    https://awardswatch.com/2024-international-press-academy-satellite-awards-nominations-the-brutalist-shogun-lead/
  94. www.saturnawards.org
    https://www.saturnawards.org/
  95. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/01/sag-awards-in-person-nominations-announcement-cancelled-1236250972/
  96. Variety
    https://variety.com/2024/tv/awards/2024-tca-award-nominations-full-list-1236030322/
  97. cleveland
    https://www.cleveland.com/nation/2025/02/time-magazine-unveils-2025-women-of-the-year-see-who-made-the-list.html
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