Anna Sawai

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Anna Sawai is a Japanese-New Zealand actress, singer, and dancer, born on June 11, 1992, in New Zealand. She grew up in both Japan and New Zealand and is fluent in English and Japanese. Sawai began her career in entertainment at a young age and gained her first significant role in the 2009 film Ninja Assassin, where she portrayed the character Kiriko. This role marked her debut in Hollywood, introducing her to international audiences.

In addition to her work in film, Sawai has also pursued a career in music. In 2013, she joined the Japanese pop group FAKY, a female dance and vocal group formed under Avex, one of Japan’s largest entertainment companies. She remained with the group until 2018, performing under the name Anna Sawai and contributing to the group's music releases. During her time with FAKY, Sawai was involved in multiple singles and music videos, which helped raise her profile in the Japanese entertainment industry.

After leaving FAKY, Sawai shifted her focus back to acting. In 2021, she starred as Naomi in the critically acclaimed HBO Max series Pachinko, an adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s best-selling novel. Her performance in Pachinko garnered attention for its depth and emotional range, and the series itself was well-received for its portrayal of Korean and Japanese historical relations.

Sawai also appeared in F9, the ninth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, which was released in 2021. In the film, she plays the character Elle, a skilled fighter who is drawn into the world of high-stakes heists. This role marked another major step in Sawai’s international career, as the Fast & Furious series is one of the most popular and commercially successful film franchises globally.

Throughout her career, Sawai has demonstrated versatility, balancing acting in major international productions with her musical and dance talents. She is recognized for her ability to bridge different cultural and entertainment spheres, having worked extensively in both Japan and Hollywood.