Asuka Saitō Explained

Asuka Saitō
Birth Date:10 August 1998
Birth Place:Katsushika,Tokyo, Japan
Years Active:2007–present
Agent:Nogizaka46.LLC
Height:158 cm
Module:
Embed:yes
Genre:J-pop
Past Member Of:Nogizaka46
Years Active:2011–present
Signature:Asahi Breweries Nogizaka46 Adult Selection 20211206 170907.png

, is a Japanese actress, model, and television personality. She is a former first generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46 and a regular model for the fashion magazine sweet.

As an actress her lead roles have included Mana Hayase in the Japanese remake of You Are the Apple of My Eye, and Midori Asakusa in both the film and TV adaptations of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!.

Early life

Saitō was born on August 10, 1998, in Katsushika, Tokyo.[1] Her mother is from Myanmar and her father is from Japan.[2] She has two older brothers.[3]

When Saitō was in her latter years of elementary school, she was bullied by her classmates and, despite reaching out, received no help from her teachers, prompting her to stop attending school for a period of time. This resulted in a withdrawn personality as a consequence, which she eventually overcame after joining Nogizaka46.[4] [5]

Career

Early career: child actress

Saitō debuted as an actress in 2007 in the film Sakuran, playing the protagonist as a child.[6] She had also appeared in a number of commercials.

2011–2023: Nogizaka46

In 2011, encouraged by her mother she auditioned for [then] an upcoming j-pop idol girl group,[7] she successfully passed the audition for the first generation of idol group Nogizaka46, debuting as an idol on the group's first single "Guruguru Curtain" in February 2012.[8] Saitō became the center member on the 15th Nogizaka46 single, "Hadashi de Summer", in 2016.[9]

In 2015, Saitō became the exclusive model for the fashion magazine CUTiE published by Takarajimasha, which stopped publication in the same year.[10] [11] [12] Saitō then became a regular model for another fashion magazine from the same publisher, sweet, as the magazine's youngest model since its publication.[13]

In 2017, Gentosha published Saitō's first photobook.[14] Titled Shiosai, the photobook sold 58,215 copies in the first week.[15] As of December 2018, the photobook has sold over two-hundred thousand copies.[16]

Saitō announced her graduation from Nogizaka46 on November 4, 2022. She would stay in the group until the end of 2022 and plans a graduation concert in 2023.[17] [18] She is the penultimate first generation member to leave the group. Asuka officially graduated from the group on December 31, 2022, and her graduation concert took place on May 17–18, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome, attended by 100 thousand people.[19]

Acting

Saitō was active as an actress and model outside of Nogizaka46.[20] [21] She has played lead roles in the Japanese remake of the Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye and the NTV horror drama Zambi.[22] [23] After departing from Nogizaka46, Saitō returned to full-time acting. In March 2023, it was announced that she would portray Riko in the crime and suspense film Side by Side directed by Chihiro Ito.[24]

On January 9, 2023, it was revealed that Saitō was cast for both the film and television drama live-action adaptation of the manga My Home Hero as Reika Tosu, an 18-year-old college student trapped in an abusive relationship at the start of the story and who later becomes a police investigator after a timeskip. The movie is scheduled to air in March 2024.

In January 23, 2024, it was announced that she is also set to star as Ai Hoshino for the live-action film adaptation of the manga Oshi no Ko.

Discography

Singles with Nogizaka46

Yeardata-sort-type="number" No. TitleRole Notes
20121"Guruguru Curtain"A-sideDebuted as a 1st Generation member; Also sang on "Nogizaka no Uta", "Aitakatta Kamoshirenai", "Ushinaitakunai kara" and "Shiroi Kumo ni Notte"
2"Oide Shampoo"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Ōkami ni Kuchibue o" as Under Member
3"Hashire! Bicycle"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Kairyū no Shima yo" as Under Member
4"Seifuku no Mannequin"A-sideAlso sang on "Yubi Bōenkyō" and "Yasashisa Nara Ma ni Atteru"
20135"Kimi no Na wa Kibō"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Shakiism" and "13nichi no Kinyobi" as Under Member
6"Girl's Rule"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Senpūki" as Under Member and "Ningen to Iu Gakki"
7"Barrette"A-sideAlso sang on "Tsuki no Ōkisa" and "Sonna Baka na…"
20148"Kizuitara Kataomoi"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Toiki no Method" and "Umareta Mama de" as Under Member
9"Natsu no Free & Easy"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Koko ni Iru Riyū" as Under Member
10"Nandome no Aozora ka?"B-sideDoes not sing on title track. Sang on "Watashi, Okiru" and "Ano Hi Boku wa Tossa ni Uso o Tsuita" as Under Member
201511"Inochi wa Utsukushii"A-sideAlso sang on "Arakajime Katarareru Romance"
12"Taiyō Nokku"A-sideAlso sang on "Hane no Kioku" and "Seifuku o Nuide Sayonara o…"
13"Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru"A-sideAlso sang on "Popipappapā" and "Kanashimi no Wasurekata"
201614"Harujion ga Sakukoro"A-sideAlso sang on "Harukanaru Bhutan"
15"Hadashi de Summer"A-side, centerAlso sang on "Boku Dake no Hikari"
16"Sayonara no Imi"A-sideAlso sang on "Kodoku na Aozora" and "Ano Kyōshitsu"
201717"Influencer"A-sideAlso sang on "Another Ghost"
18"Nigemizu"A-sideAlso sang on "Onna wa Hitori ja Nemurenai", "Hito Natsu no Nagasa Yori…" and "Naitatte Iijanaika?"
19"Itsuka Dekiru kara Kyō Dekiru"A-side, centerShared center position with Nanase Nishino; Also sang on "Fuminshō"
201820"Synchronicity"A-sideAlso sang on "Against" as 1st Generation member
21"Jikochū de Ikō!"A-side, centerAlso sang on "Chikyū ga Maruinara " and "Anna ni Sukidatta no ni…"
22"Kaerimichi wa Tōmawari Shitaku Naru"A-sideAlso sang on "Caravan wa Nemuranai" and "Shiritai Koto "
201923"Sing Out!"A-side, centerAlso sang on "No Yō na Sonzai"
24"Yoake Made Tsuyogaranakutemoii"A-sideAlso sang on "Boku no Koto, Shitteru?", "Romendensha no Machi" and "Boku no Omoikomi"
202025"Shiawase no Hogoshoku"A-sideAlso sang on "Sayonara Stay With Me", "Romendensha no Machi" and "Fantastic Sanshoku Pan"
"Sekaijū no Rinjin yo"Charity song during the COVID-19 pandemic
"Route 246"Center
202126"Boku wa Boku o Suki ni Naru"A-sideAlso sang on "Ashita ga Aru Riyū" and "Wilderness World"
27"Gomen ne Fingers Crossed"A-sideAlso sang on "Zenbu Yume no Mama"
28"Kimi ni Shikarareta"A-sideAlso sang on "Dorodarake" and "Tanin no Sora ni"
"Saigo no Tight Hug"A-side
202229"Actually..."CenterShared center position with Mizuki Yamashita; Also sang on "Fukayomi" and "Suki ni Nattemita"
30"Suki to Iu no wa Rock da ze!"A-side
31"Koko ni wa Nai Mono"CenterLast single to participate

Albums with Nogizaka46

Yeardata-sort-type="number" No. TitleParticipated song
20151Tōmei na Iro
  • "Nazo no Rakugaki"
  • "Jiyū no Kanata "
20162Sorezore no Isu
  • "Kikkake"
  • "Taiyō ni Kudokarete"
  • "Threefold Choice"
20173Umarete Kara Hajimete Mita Yume
  • "Skydiving"
  • "Settei Ondo"
  • "Katai Kara no Yō ni Dakishimetai"
20194Ima ga Omoide ni Naru made
  • "Arigachi na Ren'ai"
  • "Mosugu ~Zambi Densetsu~"

Other featured songs

YearArtistTitleAlbums / Singles
2017AKB48"Dare no Koto o Ichiban Aishiteru""Shoot Sign"
Mondo Grosso"Wakusei Tantra"Nando Demo Atarashiku Umareru
2018AKB48"Kokkyo no Nai Jidai""Jabaja"
2019"Hitsuzensei""Jiwaru Days"
2021Nogizaka46"Hard to Say""Time Flies"
2022Mondo Grosso"Stranger"Big World

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007SakuranTomeki
2018You Are the Apple of My EyeMana HayaseLead role
2020Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! The MovieMidori AsakusaLead role[25]
2023Side by SideRiko[26]
2024My Home Hero: The MovieReika Tosu[27]
Oshi no KoAi HoshinoLead role[28]

Television

YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes
2019ZambiKanade YamamuroHuluLead role[29]
2020Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!Midori AsakusaMBSLead role
2023My Home HeroReika TosuMBS
Ichiban Sukina HanaKonomi UshioFuji TV[30]

Bibliography

Photobooks

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 乃木坂斎藤飛鳥がCUTiE専属モデルに. ja. Nikkan Sports. 2015-02-18. 2019-12-10.
  2. Book: LARME. 023. 2016-07-16. 徳間書店. B01G7I3UDM. 2016-09. 92–93. 全国津々浦々美少女ヒストリー AWES♡ME CITY girls.
  3. 1 February 2019 . 大阪のバカアニキ . YouTube . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027193712/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8E1jdJTfGBg . 27 October 2023 . live. 2023-06-19 . Video . Nogizakatte, Doko? .
  4. Web site: 齋藤飛鳥ドキュメントをフジで放送、後ろ向きな彼女が乃木坂46を続ける理由に迫る . Asuka Saito documentary will be broadcast on Fuji, and we will explore the reason why our backward-looking girlfriend continues to be a member of Nogizaka46 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409043047/https://natalie.mu/music/news/263413 . 9 April 2023 . 2024-02-01 . . ja.
  5. Web site: 2019-06-20 . 乃木坂46・齋藤飛鳥が明かす高校時代の葛藤、学校に馴染めない人も「意外となんとかなる」 2ページ目 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183002/https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/53252/2/ . 2022-12-13 . 2024-08-14 . ORICON NEWS.
  6. Book: 蜷川実花. 2007-08-03. さくらん. 角川エンタテインメント. B000FPEMYU.
  7. Web site: オードリー若林正恭 学生時代のいじめ体験に言及「裸で歌を歌わされたり」. ライブドアニュース. 2019-07-30. ja.
  8. News: 初披露! 乃木坂46デビュー曲タイトルは「ぐるぐるカーテン」. 東京ウォーカー. 角川マガジンズ. 2012-01-12. 2019-07-30. 2018-12-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20181230131547/https://news.walkerplus.com/article/27248/. dead.
  9. News: 乃木坂46新センターは齋藤飛鳥! 涙、涙…選抜メンバー16人発表. モデルプレス. ネットネイティブ. 2016-06-06. 2019-07-30.
  10. News: 乃木坂46随一の小顔・齋藤飛鳥「CUTiE」単独表紙に抜擢「きらめきを強く感じた」. モデルプレス. 2015-01-10. 2019-07-30. ネットネイティブ. https://web.archive.org/web/20161026003416/http://mdpr.jp/review/detail/1459445. 2016-10-26.
  11. News: 乃木坂46随一の小顔・齋藤飛鳥「CUTiE」専属モデルに抜てき 「大物になってくれる」と期待. モデルプレス. 2015-02-18. 2019-07-30. ネットネイティブ.
  12. News: ファッション誌「CUTiE」休刊を正式発表 宝島社コメント. モデルプレス. 2015-07-29. 2019-07-30. ネットネイティブ.
  13. News: 乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥、史上最年少で「sweet」レギュラーモデルに抜てき. モデルプレス. 2015-07-31. 2019-07-30. ネットネイティブ.
  14. News: 乃木坂の新エース斎藤飛鳥、日本縦断の初ソロ写真集. ORICON STYLE. 2016-11-23. 2019-07-30. oricon ME. https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201209/http://www.oricon.co.jp/article/54588/. 2016-11-23.
  15. Web site: オリコン週間 写真集ランキング 2017年01月23日〜2017年01月29日. 2019-07-30. 2017-02-06. ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. https://web.archive.org/web/20170206191331/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obp/w/2017-02-06/. 2017-02-06.
  16. News: ja:齋藤飛鳥『1st写真集』が発行20万部突破「不思議な気持ち」【未公開カット公開】. 2018-12-13. oricon ME. 2019-12-28. ja.
  17. Web site: 恥ずかしいという感情がまだ残ってた . 2022-11-04 . 乃木坂46公式サイト . ja . 2022-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104080139/https://www.nogizaka46.com/s/n46/diary/detail/100829 . dead .
  18. News: 2022-11-04 . 乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥が卒業発表「活動は年内いっぱい」 卒コンは来年「楽しく最後を迎えたくて」 . ja . ORICON NEWS . . 2022-11-13.
  19. Web site: 横山慧 . 齋藤飛鳥が卒コンで涙 ファンに声援呼びかけ後輩にエール「乃木坂46をよろしくね」 - 坂道 : 日刊スポーツ . 2023-05-19 . nikkansports.com . ja.
  20. News: 乃木坂46・齋藤飛鳥&星野みなみ、ダブル初主演に「台本もらって号泣した」. ORICON STYLE . oricon ME. 2016-06-09. 2019-07-30.
  21. News: 乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥が誘う"夢空間"ステージにファン大歓声&拍手喝采<GirlsAward 2016 A/W>. 2016-10-08. モデルプレス. ネットネイティブ.
  22. News: 乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥の出演映画「あの頃、君を追いかけた」公開日決定、新場面写真も. ja. Natalie. 2018-07-02. 2019-12-10.
  23. News: 「ザンビプロジェクト」第2弾でドラマ化決定、主演は乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥. ja. Natalie. 2018-11-25. 2019-12-10.
  24. Web site: Hadfield . James . 2023-04-13 . 'Side by Side': A dreamy vision wrapped in an enigma . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512104205/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/04/13/films/film-reviews/side-by-side-2/ . 12 May 2023 . 2024-02-01 . . en.
  25. Web site: 「映像研」齋藤飛鳥、山下美月&梅澤美波と仲良くなれたのは「浅草のおかげ」. March 1, 2021. Natalie.
  26. Web site: サイド バイ サイド 隣にいる人. January 20, 2023. eiga.com.
  27. Web site: August 22, 2023 . 「マイホームヒーロー」ドラマ化&実写映画化!主人公・鳥栖哲雄役は佐々木蔵之介 . August 22, 2023 . Comic Natalie (in Japanese) . Natalie.
  28. Web site: ja:【推しの子】実写映像化キャスト発表【櫻井海音・齋藤飛鳥・齊藤なぎさ・原菜乃華・茅島みずき・あの】. [Oshinoko] Live-action film cast announcement [Kaion Sakurai, Asuka Saito, Nagisa Saito, [[Nanoka Hara]], Mizuki Kayashima, and Ano]. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2311686/full/. Oricon News. January 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240123225556/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2311686/full/. January 23, 2024. ja. January 24, 2024. live.
  29. Web site: 日本テレビ放送網株式会社 . 日本テレビ2019年1月期水曜深夜ドラマ『ザンビ』登場人物 . 2024-07-30 . Nippon Television . ja.
  30. Web site: INC . SANKEI DIGITAL . 2023-09-26 . 齋藤飛鳥が乃木坂46卒業後初の連ドラ出演 10月スタート「いちばんすきな花」で多部未華子の妹役 . 2023-09-29 . 産経ニュース . ja.
  31. Web site: http://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I025749055-00. ja:季刊乃木坂 vol.3. 2019-12-22. National Diet Library. Japanese.
  32. Web site: https://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I027840318-00. ja:潮騒. 2019-12-22. National Diet Library. Japanese.
  33. Web site: 2023-05-29 . 乃木坂46齋藤飛鳥、NYで撮影した『卒業記念写真集』発売 「成長感じて」6年ぶりの一冊で"恩返し" . 2023-07-12 . ORICON NEWS.