Keiko Kitagawa (北川 景子, Kitagawa Keiko, born August 22, 1986) is a Japanese actress. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid-2006, and quit modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003–2004), and after her role in the film Mamiya Kyōdai, she left modeling to concentrate on acting. She has appeared in several films, including The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) and Handsome Suit (2008), and has played leading roles in the TV Dramas Mop Girl (2007), Homeroom on the Beachside (2008), Buzzer Beat (2009), Lady Saigo no Hanzai Profile (2011),[1] and Akumu-chan (2012).

Keiko Kitagawa
北川 景子
Kitagawa at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2015
Born (1986-08-22) August 22, 1986 (age 38)
Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan
Alma materMeiji University
OccupationActress
Years active2003–present
AgentStardust Promotion
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Spouse
(m. 2016)
Children2
Websiteofficial.stardust.co.jp

Biography

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Kitagawa was born on August 22, 1986, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.[2] She grew up in Kobe, and lost many friends in the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.[3] As a child, she wanted to be a doctor, but by the time she reached high school she was uncertain of what to do in the future.[4] Around this time, she was scouted by a talent agency, and decided to try the entertainment world. Her parents were initially opposed, but they gave their permission on two conditions: that she give up if she was making no progress within a year, and that she put her studies first and graduate from university.[5] She graduated from Meiji University in Tokyo in March 2009.[6]

Career

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Within a week of joining an agency, Kitagawa was selected as a model and an actress.[7] She was chosen as Miss Seventeen in 2003,[8] which led to her working as a model with the Japanese Seventeen until she graduated from the magazine in September 2006.[9] In the latter part of the run, she had her regular feature, "Keiko's Beauty Honey".[10]

As an actress, Kitagawa was given the role of Rei Hino in the live action television series of Sailor Moon, which began her acting career. Her first significant film role was in Mamiya Kyōdai, and as result of the influence of the director, Yoshimitsu Morita, she decided to concentrate on acting rather than modeling.[7] She initially concentrated on films, including the leading roles in Cherry Pie and Dear Friends.[10] In late 2007, she had her first leading role in a TV drama, in the late-night drama Mop Girl.[10] In 2008, she was given the role of the heroine in Homeroom on the Beachside, Fuji Television's Monday 9pm drama for the summer season.[7]

Kitagawa moved to Tokyo when she started working as an actress and model, and has lived there since. She traveled to California to film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and returned there to study English for a couple of months early in 2006.[11] From May to December 2007, she wrote a column entitled "Keytan Hakusho" for the Japanese weekly television listings magazine Weekly The Television.[10]

Kitagawa has described herself as a stay-at-home person who likes watching DVDs, listening to music, and reading books. When asked what she would do if the world were going to end tomorrow, she said "read books".[7] She is managed by Stardust Promotion.[10]

She has appeared in the films Mizu ni Sumu Hana (2006), Mamiya Kyōdai (2006), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), Cherry Pie (lead role) (2006), Dear Friends (lead role) (2007), Sono Toki ha Kare ni Yoroshiku (2007), Southbound (2007), Heat Island (2007), Handsome Suit (2008), Orion in Midsummer (2009), I'll Pay (2009), After the Flowers (lead role) (2010), and Matataki (lead role) (2010), and Elevator to the Scaffold (2010).[10]

She appeared in the TV dramas Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003–4), Mop Girl (lead role) (2007), Homeroom on the Beachside (2008), Buzzer Beat (2009),[12] and Moon Lovers (2010),[13] The After-Dinner Mysteries (2011), Hero (2014), and Detective versus Detectives (2015).

Personal life

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In 2016, Kitagawa married singer-songwriter Daigo.[14] The same year, Kitagawa won the Japanese Television Academy Award for Best Actress for Ie Uru Onna.[15]

On April 22, 2020, she announced her first pregnancy. On September 7, she gave birth to her daughter.[16][17] On September 25, 2023, Kitagawa and her husband jointly announced through their agency that they are expecting their second child.[18] On January 31, 2024, she gave birth to a son.[19][20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2006 The Mamiya Brothers Yumi Honma
Mizu ni Sumu Hana Rikka Mizuchi
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Reiko American film
Cherry Pie Kiyohara Lead role
2007 Dear Friends Rina Takahashi Lead role
Say Hello for Me Momoka Katsuragi
Southbound Youko Uehara
Heat Island Nao
2008 The Handsome Suit Hiroko Hoshino
2009 Last Operations Under the Orion Shitsuko Arisawa/Izumi Kuramoto
It's On Me reporter Cameo
2010 After the Flowers Ito Lead role
Elevator to the Gallows Mikayo Matsumoto
Piecing Me Back Together Izumi Sonoda Lead role
2011 Paradise Kiss Yukari Hayasaka Lead role
2012 Magic Tree House Jack (voice)
2013 The After-Dinner Mysteries Hosho Reiko Lead role
Roommate Harumi Hagiwara Lead role
2014 Judge! Hikari Ota
I Just Wanna Hug You Tsukasa Yamamoto Lead role
Akumu-chan The Movie Ayami Mutoi Lead role
2015 The Pearls of the Stone Man Satoko Kobayashi
Something Like, Something Like It Yumi
Hero Chika Asagi
2017 Hamon: Yakuza Boogie Yuki
Let Me Eat Your Pancreas Kyōko (present days)
The Last Shot in the Bar Mari Misaki
2018 Punk Samurai Slash Down Ron
Hibiki Fumi Hanai [21]
Stolen Identity Asami Inaba Lead role
My Teacher, My Love Cameo
2019 The Hikita's Are Expecting! Sachi Hikita
2020 Stolen Identity 2 Asami Inaba Special appearance
The Legacy of Dr. Death: Black File Asuka Takachiho [22]
The Promised Neverland Mom Isabella [23]
2021 First Love Yuki Makabe Lead role [24]
It's a Flickering Life Sonoko Katsura [25]
The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window Keiko [26]
2022 Dreaming of the Meridian Arc Eimi Kobayashi / Ei [27]
Anpanman: Dororin and the Transforming Carnival Dororin (voice) [28]
Fragments of the Last Will Mojimi Yamamoto [29]
2023 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie Sailor Cosmos (voice) [30]

Television drama

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2003-04 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Sailor Mars/Rei Hino Tokusatsu drama based on the manga/anime Sailor Moon [30]
2007 Mop Girl Momoko Hasegawa Lead role
2008 Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu Enokido Wakaba
2009 Buzzer Beat Riko Shirakawa Lead role
2010 Hostess with a Pen Rie Saito Lead role; television film; based on a true story of Rie Saito
Tsuki no Koibito Ōnuki Yuzuki
2011 Lady: Saigo no Hanzai Profile Kazuki Shōko Lead role
The After-Dinner Mysteries Reiko Hosho Lead role
Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni Suzu Lead role; television film
2012 The After-Dinner Mysteries SP Reiko Hosho Lead role
My Little Nightmare Mutoi Ayami Lead role
Mi o Tsukushi Ryoricho Mio Lead role; television film
2013 A Swinging Single Haruno Yuki
2014 Mi o Tsukushi Ryoricho 2 Mio Lead role; television film
Hero Chika Asagi
2015 Detective versus Detectives Rena Sasaki Lead role [31]
2016 Kuroi Jukai Shōko Kasahara Lead role; television film
Hippocratic Oath Makoto Tsugano Lead role; mini-series
2016-19 Your Home is My Business! Machi Sangen'ya Lead role; 2 seasons
2017 Happiness's Memory Nanami Tsushima Television film [32]
True Horror Stories: Summer 2017 Kyoka Fukagawa Lead role; short drama [33]
2018 Segodon Atsuhime Taiga drama [34]
Shitei Bengoshi Yui Hitotsugi Lead role; television film [35]
Fake News Itsuki Shinonome Lead role; mini-series [36]
2021 How to Get a Divorce for the Whole Family! Saki Mizuguchi Lead role [37]
2023 What Will You Do, Ieyasu? Oichi and Yodo-dono Taiga drama [38]
Themis's Law School Classroom Shizuku Hiiragi Lead role [39]
Sunset Kaori Hasebe Lead role; mini-series [40]
2025 Hana Noren Taka Kawashima Lead role; television film [41]

Documentary

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Year Title Network Notes
2012 Kagayaku On'na `Kitagawa Keiko' NHK BS Premium
2013 Kitagawa Keiko × Chichūkai Megami-tachi o Sagashite NHK BS Premium in 2 parts
2014 Kitagawa Keiko Yuukyuu No Miyako Turkey Istanbul -futari No Kougou Ai No Kiseki Wo Tadoru- BS Fuji
2015 The Premium Kitagawa Keiko Suichoku Time Travel in Rome NHK BS Premium in 2 parts
2018 Iyoiyo start! BS4K BS8K Kaikyoku Special NHK Broadcast in Rome
2019 Nihon ni koi shita Van Gogh ~ Kitagawa Keiko ga Aruku Tensai Gaka no Tabiji ~' BS Nippon Television
2020 NHK Special: `Ano Ni~Tsu kara 25-nen Daishinsai no Kodomo-tachi' NHK

Home Video

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  • 2013 : Kitagaawa Keiko Making Documentary "27+" - Documentary

Radio

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  • 2006 : Tanabata Nananenkai - As Naomi Setsuraku/Midori Fujikura

Books

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  • 2006: Stylish Street Book "I've been to Hollywood!"
  • 2007: Kitagawa Keiko Shashinshū Dear Friends
  • 2008: Actress Make Up
  • 2010: Actress Make Up II
  • 2011: Eiga "Paradise Kiss" official murasaki by Kitagawa Keiko Fashion Photo Book
  • 2013: Original 1st shashin-shū 27' (Ni Juna Na)
  • 2015: PARIGOT: Light in the Night in Marunouchi
  • 2016: Keiko Kitagawa 2nd shashin-shū 30 (Angel works)
  • 2023: Keiko Kitagawa Photobook: "37" 20th anniversary
  • 2004: Sakura Fubuki ("Cherry Blossom Storm")/Hoshi Furu Yoake ("Stars Fall at Dawn") (as Rei Hino)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work(s) Result Ref.
2015 39th Elan d'or Awards Newcomer of the Year Herself Won [42]
2018 41st Japan Academy Film Prize Best Supporting Actress The Last Shot in the Bar Nominated [43]

References

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  1. ^ "出演者". www.tbs.co.jp. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  2. ^ Kitagawa, Keiko (2006-02-26). "初メキシコ". 北川景子のBlog♪Blog♪Blog♪ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2006-03-20. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  3. ^ Kitagawa, Keiko (2007). 北川景子写真集 Dear Friends (in Japanese). Kadokawa Media House. ISBN 978-4-04-894906-4.
  4. ^ Kitagawa, Keiko (2006-02-28). "Ms. ティッシュー". 北川景子のBlog♪Blog♪Blog♪ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2006-03-03. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  5. ^ Wakayama, Aya. "Six Elements of Woman". J Nude. Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  6. ^ 北川景子、卒業は家族と事務所のおかげ. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). 2009-03-26. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  7. ^ a b c d Hidaka, Ikuko (2008-07-04). "Keiko Kitagawa". Nikkei Entertainment! (in Japanese). Nikkei BP Sha. pp. 20–23.
  8. ^ "Cast & Staff". Cherry Pie website. Cinemusica. Archived from the original on 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  9. ^ Kitagawa, Keiko (2006-09-15). "SEVENTEEN 卒業". 北川景子のBlog♪Blog♪Blog♪ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-06-18. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Keiko's Blog". Archived from the original on 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  11. ^ Kitagawa, Keiko (2006). Stylish Street Book ハリウッドへ行っちゃった! (in Japanese). SDP. ISBN 4-903620-01-8.
  12. ^ "山ピー&北川景子の明大卒コンビで月9". MSN産経ニュース (in Japanese). 2009-05-22. Archived from the original on 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  13. ^ "キムタク月9は「月の恋人」 篠原、リン・チーリン、北川景子". 中日スポーツ (in Japanese). 2010-03-24. Archived from the original on 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  14. ^ 北川, 景子 (2016-01-11). "ご報告" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  15. ^ "受賞履歴 - 2016年 | ザテレビジョンドラマアカデミー賞". ザテレビジョン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  16. ^ "ご報告". Keiko Kitagawa Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  17. ^ "Kitagawa Keiko & DAIGO welcome their baby girl". tokyohive.com. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  18. ^ "北川景子、第2子妊娠を報告 夫・DAIGOも喜び「家族を支えていきたいと思います」(オリコン)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  19. ^ "ご報告 – DIARY | KEIKO KITAGAWA". blog.stardust.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  20. ^ "DAIGO&北川景子、第2子男児誕生「NPP!」「新しい生活が始まりました」【双方コメント全文】" [DAIGO & Keiko Kitagawa give birth to their second child "NPP!" "A new life has begun"]. ORICON NEWS. 2024-01-31. Archived from the original on 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  21. ^ "Hibiki: Shōsetsuka ni Naru Hōhō Live-Action Film's Cast, September Opening Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  22. ^ "ドクター・デスの遺産 BLACK FILE". eiga.com. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  23. ^ "Live-Action The Promised Neverland Film Casts Keiko Kitagawa, Naomi Watanabe". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  24. ^ "ファーストラヴ". eiga.com. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  25. ^ "北川景子が昭和の大女優演じる、山田洋次の監督作「キネマの神様」に出演". natalie. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  26. ^ "北川景子×平手友梨奈、再共演に喜び 平手「終わって欲しくない…」とも". Oricon. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "中井貴一×松山ケンイチ×北川景子で立川志の輔の創作落語「伊能忠敬物語-大河への道-」を映画化!". eiga.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  28. ^ "それいけ!アンパンマン ドロリンとバケ~るカーニバル". eiga.com. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  29. ^ "北川景子、二宮和也と初共演 "最愛の妻"「役作りには苦労しませんでした」". Oricon. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  30. ^ a b "「セーラームーンCosmos」セーラーコスモス役は北川景子「本当に特別な作品です」". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  31. ^ "Kitagawa Keiko to star in upcoming Fuji TV drama as a detective". Tokyo Hive. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  32. ^ "渡辺謙、北川景子&二階堂ふみらと"現代家族"を熱演!「しあわせの記憶」今夜放送". Cinema Cafe (in Japanese). Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  33. ^ "ほんとにあった怖い話 夏の特別編2017". Fuji TV (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  34. ^ "西郷どん". Haiyaku Jiten (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  35. ^ "北川景子、「指定弁護士」で初の弁護士役 「等身大の女性を演じたい」 テレ朝で23日". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). 18 September 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  36. ^ "主演・北川景子×脚本・野木亜紀子、社会派ドラマ「フェイクニュース」で初タッグ". Natalie (in Japanese). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  37. ^ "北川景子×永山瑛太「リコカツ」で三石琴乃が美魔女の母役、佐野史郎や酒向芳も出演". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  38. ^ "どうする家康:"ラスボス"茶々役は北川景子 サプライズ再登場も「やっぱり」「予想通り」の声多数". Mantan-web (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  39. ^ "北川景子、月9初主演で新米教師役 ロースクールのリアルな日常&教師と生徒たちの成長を描く青春群像劇". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  40. ^ "北川景子と吉岡里帆が初共演、湊かなえの「落日」WOWOWでドラマ化 監督は内田英治". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  41. ^ "北川景子、激動の日本を駆け抜けた女性興行師に! 原作・山崎豊子さん『花のれん』2025年ドラマ化". Crank-in! (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  42. ^ エランドール賞歴代受賞者一覧 [List of Élan d'Or awardee] (in Japanese). All Nippon Producers Association. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  43. ^ "第41回 日本アカデミー賞 (2018年)". eiga.com. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
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