Thursday, December 18, 2008

The long wait to become the lead actress is getting shorter?

Here are a series of analysis reports on some of the trends in the Japanese entertainment world based on data from magazines. The first topic here is a discussion on whether it is becoming easier for actresses to land their first big role as compared to the past.

According to the report in Nikkei Entertainment's Nov 08 issue, they have made a list of actresses who landed their first big role at least 6 years after their debut. Here is the list they provided, in descending order, beginning with the actress who had waited longest for the lead role:

1) Takahata Atsuko
She waited 30 years from 1976 to 2006 for her first big role in "Tamashii Moe!".

2) Shinohara Ryoko
15 years, from 1989 to 2004 in "Hikaru to Tomo ni".

3) Terashima Shinobu
14 years, from 1991 to 2005 in "Otona no Natsu Yasumi".

4) Iijima Naoko
13 years, from 1991 to 2004 in "Nebaru Onna"

5) Mizuno Miki and Mizukawa Asami both tied at 11 years
Mizuno: 1990 to 2001 in "Joushiana"
Mizukawa: 1997 to 2008 in "Yume wo kanaeru zou"

7) Konishi Manami and Aoi Yu both tied at 9 years
Konishi: 1998 to 2007 in "Kira Kira Kenshuui"
Aoi: 1999 to 2008 in "Osen"

9) Nagasaku Hiromi
8 years, from 1991 to 1999 in "Shuumatsu-kon"

10) Karina
7 years, from 2001 to 2008 in "Daisuki"

11) Natsukawa Yui and Nakatani Miki both tied at 6 years
Natsukawa: 1992 to 1998 in "Kekkon Zenya"
Nakatani: 1993 to 1999 in "Keizoku"

And when you look at the ages of these actresses at the time they got the lead role, 8 of them only got it when they were older than 25 years old i.e. Natsukawa (30), Nagasaku (29), Mizuno (27), Iijima (36), Shinohara (31), Terashima (32), Takahata (52)and Konishi (29).

However, when you look at the current wave of under-23 years old category of actresses who are attracting lots of attention, you will notice that many of them are getting their first lead roles in a shorter time as compared to their predecessors. Does this mean that the young actresses don't have to wait too long to make a breakthrough in their career?

Here's a list of 22 of those who made it to the front line of the cast list in less than 5 years and mostly at before 20 years old (not in order). By the way, those highlighted in red are those whom I like and feel that they can do better in time to come (comments in purple):

Ayase Haruka: took 4 years, "Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu" in 2004 at the age of 19 years old

Kato Rosa: took 2 years, "Simpsons" in 2006 at the age of 21 years old

Kato Natsuki: took 3 years, "Kamen Rider EPISODE FINAL" in 2002 at the age of 17 years old

Seki Megumi: took 1 year, "Koi wa Go Shichi Go" in 2005 at the age of 20 years old

Miyazaki Aoi: debut role in "EUREKA" at the age of 4 years old (now, this is a record which not many people can beat.)
Great acting and looks. However, if she does not get roles as prominent as what she did in NANA or Atsuhime, it may be a problem to sustain her growth since she's known to be very picky about the roles she takes. This restricts the types of roles she can take. And if anything goes wrong with her marriage which has not been viewed favourably, it may go against her.

Kanjiya Shihori: took 3 years, "Chiritotechin" in 2007 at the age of 22 years old

Sawajiri Erika: took 4 years, "Pacchigi" in 2005 at the age of 20 years old
She was good in Ichi Litoru no Namida BUT she killed her career prospects with the "betsu ni" furore. It will be difficult for her to regain the success she was riding on UNLESS someone actually dares to take the risk and use her in a movie or drama. The longer she takes to come back to the screen, the harder the climb upward will be.

Ueno Juri: took 3 years, "Swing Girls" in 2004 at the age of 18 years old
Versatile and looks which endear her to the viewers. She can do crazy roles like Nodame and yet be sensitive like Ruka in Last Friends. One of the best bets to do well barring unforseen circumstances.

Higa Manami: took 1 year, "Don Don Hare" in 2006 at the age of 20 years old

Motokariya Yuika: took 4 years, "Fight" in 2005 at the age of 18 years old

Murakawa Eri: took 2 years, "Road 88" in 2004 at the age of 17 years old

Tokunaga Eri: took 2 years, "Hougo Monogatari" in 2006 at the age of 18 years old

Toda Erika: took 3 years, "Death Note" in 2006 at the age of 18 years old
She's been very high-profile in recent years but I think she needs to work a bit harder on her acting or else she will be labelled as a mere pretty idol. I thought she made Misa more bearable in Death Note but she needs to work on her voice. It is too high-pitched at times. When she speaks during interviews, it doesn't sound that bad though.

Takabe Ai: took 2 years, "Mayonaka no Shoujo tachi" in 2006 at the age of 18 years old

Horikita Maki: took 1 year, "Keitai Keiji Zenigata Mai" in 2003 at the age of 15 years old
Her career is somewhat like a rollercoaster ride. Down when she acted in Teppan Shoujo Akane and up in Hanakimi. It depends on whether she can handle more mature roles now that she's already 20. I will probably come to a conclusion on that after I finish watching Innocent Love.

Tabe Mikako: debut movie "HINOKIO" in 2005 at the age of 16 years old

Kurokawa Tomoka: took 4 years, "Meitantei Conan" in 2006, at the age of 17 years old

Tanimura Mizuki: took 3 years, "Kanariya" in 2005, at the age of 15 years old
I started to like her more after Cat Street. She's got great acting skills but I fear that she may be stereotyped to play those dark roles all the time.

Kitano Kii: took 1 year, "LIFE" in 2007, at the age of 16 years old
She was good in LIFE but I've yet to watch her other recent works so I can't decide whether she will be one of my favourites.

Renbutsu Misako: took 2 years, "Battery" in 2007, at the age of 16 years old

Kaho: took 2 years, "Keitai Keiji Zenigata Rei" in 2004, at the age of 13 years old

Narumi Riko: took 5 years, "Ruri no Shima" in 2005, at the age of 13 years old
Good with lots of potential since she has youth on her side. However, the tendency for her to play more mature roles may restrict her chances of getting roles which focus on the vibrancy of teenagers.

Seeing all these instances, what do you think? Is it really easier to go to the top as a young actress now or is it because of the general trend in the industry where more productions are having the young actresses head the cast?

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