Kou Shibasaki

Kou Shibasaki (born August 5, 1981) is a Japanese actress and singer. Born Yukie Yamamura in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, she adopted her stage name from a character in the manga Golden Delicious Apple Sherbet by Junko Kawakami.

Acting Career

Shibasaki began her career in the entertainment industry at age 14. She gained international recognition for her performance as the antagonist Mitsuko Souma in the 2000 film Battle Royale. Her subsequent role in the 2001 film Go earned her significant critical acclaim, including the Best Supporting Actress award at the Japanese Academy Film Prize, the Houchi Film Award, and the Kinema Junpo Award.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, she appeared in numerous high-profile Japanese films and television dramas. Notable film credits include One Missed Call (2003), Maison de Himiko (2005), The Sinking of Japan (2006), and Suspect X (2008). She also appeared in the 2013 international production 47 Ronin.

Music Career

Shibasaki launched her music career in 2002 with the single "Trust My Feelings." She achieved significant commercial success with her second single, "Tsuki no Shizuku," which served as a theme song for the film Yomigaeri. Her discography includes several studio albums, with her third album, Kiki, reaching the top of the Oricon charts upon its release in 2007.