Anna Sawai — Biography
Anna Sawai, born on June 11, 1992, is a multifaceted Japanese actress, singer, and dancer. She started her acting journey at the young age of 11, debuting in the lead role of Annie in a 2004 Nippon TV production shortly after relocating to Japan. Her film debut came in 2009, where she portrayed Kiriko in James McTeigue's neo-noir martial arts film Ninja Assassin. Sawai gained prominence in Japan as one of the primary vocalists for the girl group Faky from 2013 until 2018. She later returned to her acting roots with notable performances in the Japanese mystery series Colors (2018) and the British crime thriller series Giri/Haji (2019). Her international breakout occurred when she took on the roles of Elle in F9 (2021), the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, and Naomi in the Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko (2022–present). Recently, she has received acclaim for her portrayal of Cate Randa in the monster series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023–present).
In 2004, Anna made her acting debut in a Tokyo stage production of Annie, broadcast live on Nippon TV. By 2006, she had successfully auditioned for the entertainment company Avex Inc., leading to a management contract and intensive training in music and dance. She continued her acting career with a minor role in the 2007 TV drama Our Love Song and later appeared in Ninja Assassin, where she played a rebellious young ninja. Throughout high school, she received ongoing vocal and dance instruction while also studying at Sophia University. During her university years, Sawai transitioned to the Avex Trax record label and made headlines in March 2012 when she performed the Star-Spangled Banner at the Tokyo Dome for the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season. Shortly after, she became a member of the girl group ARA, which released their only single "Make My Dreams Come True" before disbanding in early 2013. In July 2013, she re-debuted as one of the lead singers of Faky, launching their career with the single "Better Without You." During her time with Faky, she also engaged in several solo projects. Notably, in October 2015, she was the lead actress in Elliott Yamin's music video for "Katy." She featured on Yamato's debut single “Shining” with bandmate Akina in 2017 and voiced Angélique Noir in the video game Style Savvy: Styling Star, contributing to its main theme song, "Girls Be Ambitious." In 2018, Sawai returned to acting with a role in Colors and performed as a dancer in a limited run stage production of The Book. On November 16, 2018, Faky announced Sawai's exit from the group to concentrate on her acting career,
In 2004, Anna made her acting debut in a Tokyo stage production of Annie, broadcast live on Nippon TV. By 2006, she had successfully auditioned for the entertainment company Avex Inc., leading to a management contract and intensive training in music and dance. She continued her acting career with a minor role in the 2007 TV drama Our Love Song and later appeared in Ninja Assassin, where she played a rebellious young ninja. Throughout high school, she received ongoing vocal and dance instruction while also studying at Sophia University. During her university years, Sawai transitioned to the Avex Trax record label and made headlines in March 2012 when she performed the Star-Spangled Banner at the Tokyo Dome for the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season. Shortly after, she became a member of the girl group ARA, which released their only single "Make My Dreams Come True" before disbanding in early 2013. In July 2013, she re-debuted as one of the lead singers of Faky, launching their career with the single "Better Without You." During her time with Faky, she also engaged in several solo projects. Notably, in October 2015, she was the lead actress in Elliott Yamin's music video for "Katy." She featured on Yamato's debut single “Shining” with bandmate Akina in 2017 and voiced Angélique Noir in the video game Style Savvy: Styling Star, contributing to its main theme song, "Girls Be Ambitious." In 2018, Sawai returned to acting with a role in Colors and performed as a dancer in a limited run stage production of The Book. On November 16, 2018, Faky announced Sawai's exit from the group to concentrate on her acting career,
