Anna Sawai

Born: 1992-06-11

Anna Sawai (born June 11, 1992) is a Japanese–New Zealand actress, dancer and singer. She began her film career in 2009 in a supporting role in the martial arts film Ninja Assassin, and debuted as a professional singer in 2013 as one of the lead vocalists in the J-pop girl group FAKY (2013-2018), singing in both Japanese and English. She co-stars in Justin Lin's Fast & Furious sequel, F9. In 2004, shortly after moving to Japan, Sawai was chosen out of 10,000 applicants to play the title role in the stage musical Annie. Sawai made her professional film debut in the 2009 Warner Bros. film Ninja Assassin, directed by James McTeigue, playing the rebellious teenage female ninja Kiriko who is executed for attempting to escape the Ozunu ninja clan. In 2013, Sawai's work as a professional singer began with the dance/R&B group FAKY. She performed as one of the group's lead vocalists until her final show with the group on December 20, 2018. Her departure from the group was announced via FAKY's social media, citing her dream of pursuing her acting career. In 2019, Sawai co-starred in the BBC crime drama Giri/Haji. In 2021, she co-starred in the action film F9, directed by Justin Lin. Sawai chose the role of Elle in F9 because she grew up watching the Fast & Furious films and appreciated the diversity of the film's cast. In November 2019, it was announced that Sawai was signed by major U.S. talent agency WME. In October 2020, Sawai was announced to play savvy career woman Naomi in Apple's adaptation of Pachinko, based on the novel by Min Jin Lee, in a role created for the series. Sawai grew up in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, before moving to Japan at the age of 10 due to her father's electronics job. During her childhood, she was influenced by her father to listen to The Beatles and The Carpenters. Her mother, who studied opera, gave her singing lessons.


Don't See
Placeholder

Ninja Assassin

as Teenage Kiriko
Released: 2009-09-29

Ninja Assassin follows Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the...

Movie page
as Elle
Released: 2021-05-19

Dominic Toretto and his crew battle the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver...

Movie page
Don't See

The Kelly Clarkson Show

as Self
First aired: 2019-09-09

Kelly Clarkson presents the biggest newsmakers and names in film, television and music; as well...

TV Show page

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

as Self
First aired: 2015-09-08

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,...

TV Show page

Shōgun

as Toda Mariko
First aired: 2024-02-27

In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is...

TV Show page

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

as Self
First aired: 2003-01-26

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and...

TV Show page

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

as Cate Randa
First aired: 2023-11-16

After surviving Godzilla's attack on San Francisco, Cate is shaken yet again by a shocking...

TV Show page

Giri/Haji

as Eiko
First aired: 2019-10-17

Soulful thriller set in Tokyo and London, exploring the butterfly effect of a single murder...

TV Show page

Pachinko

as Naomi
First aired: 2022-03-24

Follow the hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family beginning with a...

TV Show page