Minami Hamabe
Minami Hamabe (born August 29, 2000) is a Japanese actress who has risen to prominence in film and television since her debut as a child actress in 2011.[1][2] Discovered through the Toho Cinderella Audition, where she won the New Generation Award at age 11, Hamabe signed with Toho Entertainment and began appearing in commercials and minor roles before transitioning to lead parts in her teens.[3][2] Her breakthrough came with the 2015 live-action adaptation of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, portraying the character Meiko "Menma" Honma, which garnered critical attention and established her as a versatile young talent.[1] Hamabe's filmography includes acclaimed performances in romantic dramas like Let Me Eat Your Pancreas (2017), where she played the terminally ill Sakura Yamauchi, earning her the Newcomer of the Year award at the 41st Japan Academy Film Prize in 2018.[1][4] She has since starred in major blockbusters, notably as Noriko Oishi in Godzilla Minus One (2023), which achieved both commercial success and international recognition, and as Ruriko Midorikawa in Shin Kamen Rider (2023).[1][5] On television, Hamabe has led series such as Date My Daughter! (2021) and Ranman (2023), showcasing her range across genres from romance to historical drama.[4] Her accolades include Best New Actress at the 72nd Mainichi Film Awards (2018) and the Audi Special Award at the Forbes JAPAN 30 UNDER 30 in 2025, highlighting her influence in Japan's entertainment industry at age 25.[6][7] Standing at 156 cm, Hamabe continues to be managed by Toho Entertainment and maintains an active presence in both cinema and modeling.[8][2]Early life and education
Family background and childhood
Minami Hamabe was born on August 29, 2000, in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.[9] She was raised in a modest household in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture's capital, where her family resided in a residential area near the city center, surrounded by natural surroundings.[10] Limited public details are available about her parents' professions, as Hamabe has maintained privacy regarding her family's personal lives to protect their well-being. She has a younger brother.[11][12] During her childhood, Hamabe harbored a dream of becoming a school teacher, inspired by an elementary school teacher who made lessons enjoyable.[11] This aspiration reflected her formative years in a supportive environment that emphasized education and personal growth, though she later pursued acting instead.Schooling and early aspirations
Minami Hamabe attended local elementary and junior high schools in her hometown of Ishikawa Prefecture, where she initially balanced academic life with emerging interests in performance. During her early years, she aspired to become a teacher, a goal supported by her family as she navigated the transition to a career in entertainment.[13] At around age 15, following the completion of junior high school, Hamabe relocated to Tokyo to pursue greater acting opportunities, enrolling in Horikoshi High School—a private institution renowned for its performing arts program that accommodates students in the entertainment industry. She graduated from Horikoshi in March 2019, having managed a demanding schedule that included classes alongside professional commitments.[14] During her high school years, Hamabe participated in early modeling gigs and auditions, which helped hone her skills while she was signed to Toho Entertainment since winning the New Generation Award at the 7th Toho Cinderella Audition in 2011 at age 10. Upon graduation, she chose not to pursue university education, opting instead for full immersion in her acting career to dedicate herself entirely to the demands of the industry.[15][2]Career
Beginnings and breakthrough (2011–2017)
Minami Hamabe entered the entertainment industry in 2011 at the age of 10 after winning the New Generation Award at the 7th Toho Cinderella Audition, which led to her signing with Toho Entertainment.[16][3] This victory marked her transition from a local life in Ishikawa Prefecture to professional opportunities in Tokyo, where she began training as an actress and model under the agency's guidance.[17] Her film debut came later that year in the anthology short Sky Blue Story, where she portrayed Fumika Saito in the segment "The Ant and Love Letter," a minor supporting role that showcased her early presence on screen.[18] In 2012, Hamabe expanded into television with a guest appearance as Nana Asakura in the TBS drama Naniwa Shōnen Tanteidan and took on a small role as young Chihiro Ayasato in the feature film Ace Attorney, marking her initial steps in both mediums amid a busy schedule of auditions and minor parts.[8] These early appearances were limited in scope, often as child characters in ensemble casts, allowing her to build experience while navigating the demands of a burgeoning career.[1] Throughout her pre-teen and early teen years, Hamabe faced significant challenges in balancing rigorous filming schedules with her education, frequently commuting between Tokyo and Ishikawa before relocating to the capital.[19] She briefly attended Horikoshi High School, known for its support of performing arts students, which facilitated correspondence learning during shoots. Her first lead role arrived in 2015 with the TV special adaptation of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, where she played the central character Meiko "Menma" Honma, earning praise for her emotional depth. She also received the 2nd Confidence Award Drama Prize New Face Award for her work in the 2015 drama Mutsu: Mieru Me.[20][1] Hamabe's breakthrough came in 2017 with the lead role of Sakura Yamauchi in the live-action film Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, a poignant romance-drama that highlighted her ability to convey vulnerability and resilience, grossing ¥3.52 billion at the Japanese box office and foreshadowing her rising stardom through critical acclaim and audience resonance.[21] This performance, built on years of incremental roles and honing her craft, positioned her for major recognition, including the Japan Academy Prize for Newcomer of the Year the following year.[17]Rise to prominence (2018–2022)
Building on the success of her 2017 starring role as the terminally ill high school student Sakura Yamauchi in the live-action adaptation of Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, directed by Shinichiro Ushiro, Hamabe earned the Newcomer of the Year award at the 41st Japan Academy Prize, shared with co-star Takumi Kitamura.[22] The film, which explored themes of love, friendship, and mortality, became a major commercial hit, grossing approximately ¥3.52 billion at the Japanese box office.[21] Building on this success, Hamabe transitioned to a series of leading roles in both romantic and dramatic genres, demonstrating her versatility. In 2018, she starred opposite Masahiro Higashide in the romantic drama After the Rain, based on the manga by Koiwa Shinkai, where she played the optimistic office worker Akira Tachibana opposite a much older colleague. The following year, she took on a supporting yet pivotal role in the historical war film The Great War of Archimedes, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, which grossed over ¥1.9 billion in Japan and highlighted her ability to handle complex ensemble casts. By 2020, Hamabe led the Netflix adaptation of The Promised Neverland as Emma, the resourceful orphan leader in a dystopian thriller, further solidifying her presence in high-profile genre projects.[4] On television, Hamabe's work during this period expanded her range across mystery, comedy, and family dramas. She gained attention for portraying the gambling prodigy Yumeko Jabami in the 2018 live-action series Kakegurui, an adaptation of the popular manga that emphasized her commanding screen presence in intense psychological scenarios. In 2021, she starred as Sora Minase in the family-oriented drama Date My Daughter!, playing a young woman navigating relationships and societal expectations, which contributed to her reputation as a relatable leading actress in everyday narratives. These roles, extending the impact of her earlier supporting appearances like in the 2017 film Saki, marked her evolution from newcomer to established talent. Hamabe's growing popularity translated to increased media exposure, including frequent magazine covers for publications like Non-no and Seventeen, where she featured in fashion and lifestyle editorials. She also secured prominent endorsements, such as campaigns for Lotte's Ghana chocolate starting in 2018 and NTT Docomo's telecommunications services from the same year, reflecting her appeal to younger audiences. By 2022, these achievements positioned her as one of Japan's leading young actresses, with consistent demand in both film and television.[23]Recent projects and international recognition (2023–present)
In 2023, Minami Hamabe gained significant international exposure through her role as Noriko Oishi in Godzilla Minus One, a post-World War II drama where she portrayed a resilient survivor supporting the protagonist amid the kaiju's devastation. The film achieved global commercial success, grossing over $116 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in North America with $56 million.[24] It also earned the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Oscars, marking the first such win for a Japanese production and elevating Hamabe's profile abroad as part of its critically acclaimed ensemble.[25] That same year, Hamabe starred as Ruriko Midorikawa in Shin Kamen Rider, a superhero film blending intense action sequences with emotional drama, where her character serves as a key ally to the titular hero, navigating themes of humanity and augmentation.[26] Her performance, noted for balancing vulnerability and strength in high-stakes confrontations, contributed to the film's positive reception among fans of the franchise and earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 66th Blue Ribbon Awards for her roles in both Godzilla Minus One and Shin Kamen Rider.[27] Hamabe continued her momentum in 2024 with leading roles in two thrillers: as Iori Shima in 6 Lying University Students, a recruitment exam mystery where her character uncovers deceptions among job candidates in a high-pressure corporate setting.[28] She also played rookie reporter Risa Nishimura in Moshimo Tokugawa Ieyasu Ga Souridaijin Ni Nattara, a speculative drama depicting a virus outbreak in the prime minister's office led by a historical figure reimagined in modern politics.[29] Looking ahead, Hamabe has several projects slated for 2025, including her role as Ayaka Noguchi in the action-comedy Under Ninja, where she portrays a key figure in a story of undercover ninjas tackling contemporary threats.[30] On television, she appears as Juri Egashira in the Fuji TV series Pray Speak What Has Happened, a 1980s-set drama exploring a young theater director's revival in Tokyo's underground scene, which premiered on October 1, 2025.[31] In 2026, she stars as the unemployed protagonist Misora Shimizu in Hodonaku, Owakare desu., a dramedy about personal growth through an internship at a funeral home.[32] Beyond her film and TV work, Hamabe's rising stature was recognized in 2025 when she received the Audi Special Award at the Forbes JAPAN 30 UNDER 30 ceremony, honoring her as one of Japan's influential young talents under 30 for her contributions to entertainment.[7] This accolade, alongside her participation as a cheerleader at the Kanazawa Marathon 2025—highlighting her ties to her Ishikawa Prefecture hometown—underscores her growing cultural impact both domestically and internationally.[33]Filmography
Feature films
Minami Hamabe has appeared in numerous feature films since her debut in 2011, encompassing live-action and voice roles in both dramatic and animated productions.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Saki | Mako Someya | Yuya Ishii |
| 2012 | Ace Attorney | Young Sahoko | Takashi Miike |
| 2015 | Mare | Asami Okesaku | Shunichi Nagasaki |
| 2015 | Orange | Meiko Honma | Mika Ninagawa |
| 2016 | Saki Zenkoku-hen | Mako Someya | Yuya Ishii |
| 2017 | Let Me Eat Your Pancreas | Sakura Yamauchi | Yūhei Sakuragi |
| 2017 | Ajin: Demi-Human | Eriko Nagai | Hiroshi Yamazaki |
| 2018 | My Little Monster | Shizuku Mizutani | Takashi Ōkura |
| 2018 | My Teacher | Ayuha Samaru | Takehiko Shinjō |
| 2019 | The Great War of Archimedes | Kyōko Ozaki | Takashi Yamazaki |
| 2019 | Kakegurui | Yumeko Jabami | Tsutomu Hanabusa |
| 2019 | Hello World (voice) | Naomi Katagiri | Tomohiko Itō |
| 2019 | Murder at Shijinsō | Yuzuki Horikawa | Toshiya Maruyama |
| 2020 | Talio: Avenger Buddies | Izumi | Yūichi Fukuda |
| 2020 | The Promised Neverland | Emma | Yūichirō Hirakawa |
| 2020 | Omoi, Omoware, Fure, Furare | Ruri Ichinose | Takehiko Shinjō |
| 2021 | Kakegurui Part 2: Desperate Russian Roulette | Yumeko Jabami | Tsutomu Hanabusa |
| 2023 | Shin Kamen Rider | Ruriko Midorikawa | Hideaki Anno |
| 2023 | Godzilla Minus One | Noriko Ōishi | Takashi Yamazaki |
| 2024 | Silent Love | Yūna | Yūichi Fukuda |
| 2024 | 6 Lying University Students | Yūki | Yūichirō Hirayama |
| 2025 | Under Ninja | Ayaka Noguchi | Shigeyuki Koreshiki |
| 2026 | Hodonaku, Owakare desu | Misora Shimizu | Yūichi Fukuda |