Asuka Saitō

In this Japanese name, the surname is Saitō.
Asuka Saitō
齋藤 飛鳥
Saito performing with Nogizaka46 in Taipei, Taiwan in 2019
Born (1998-08-10) August 10, 1998 (age 26)
Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Occupations
Years active2007–present
AgentNogizaka46.LLC
Height158 cm (5 ft 2 in)
Musical career
GenresJ-pop
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Drums
Years active2011–present
Labels
Formerly ofNogizaka46
Websiteasukasaito.jp
Signature

Asuka Saitō (齋藤 飛鳥, Saitō Asuka, born August 10, 1998), 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

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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 This resulted in a withdrawn personality as a consequence, which she eventually overcame after joining Nogizaka46.[4][5]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

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Early career: child actress

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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

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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]

Saito at a press conference in Taiwan in 2018

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

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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.[25]

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.[26]

Discography

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Singles with Nogizaka46

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Year No. Title Role Notes
2012 1 "Guruguru Curtain" A-side Debuted as a 1st Generation member; Also sang on "Nogizaka no Uta", "Aitakatta Kamoshirenai", "Ushinaitakunai kara" and "Shiroi Kumo ni Notte"
2 "Oide Shampoo" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Ōkami ni Kuchibue o" as Under Member
3 "Hashire! Bicycle" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Kairyū no Shima yo" as Under Member
4 "Seifuku no Mannequin" A-side Also sang on "Yubi Bōenkyō" and "Yasashisa Nara Ma ni Atteru"
2013 5 "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Shakiism" and "13nichi no Kinyobi" as Under Member
6 "Girl's Rule" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Senpūki" as Under Member and "Ningen to Iu Gakki"
7 "Barrette" A-side Also sang on "Tsuki no Ōkisa" and "Sonna Baka na…"
2014 8 "Kizuitara Kataomoi" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Toiki no Method" and "Umareta Mama de" as Under Member
9 "Natsu no Free & Easy" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Koko ni Iru Riyū" as Under Member
10 "Nandome no Aozora ka?" B-side Does not sing on title track. Sang on "Watashi, Okiru" and "Ano Hi Boku wa Tossa ni Uso o Tsuita" as Under Member
2015 11 "Inochi wa Utsukushii" A-side Also sang on "Arakajime Katarareru Romance"
12 "Taiyō Nokku" A-side Also sang on "Hane no Kioku" and "Seifuku o Nuide Sayonara o…"
13 "Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru" A-side Also sang on "Popipappapā" and "Kanashimi no Wasurekata"
2016 14 "Harujion ga Sakukoro" A-side Also sang on "Harukanaru Bhutan"
15 "Hadashi de Summer" A-side, center Also sang on "Boku Dake no Hikari"
16 "Sayonara no Imi" A-side Also sang on "Kodoku na Aozora" and "Ano Kyōshitsu"
2017 17 "Influencer" A-side Also sang on "Another Ghost"
18 "Nigemizu" A-side Also sang on "Onna wa Hitori ja Nemurenai", "Hito Natsu no Nagasa Yori…" and "Naitatte Iijanaika?"
19 "Itsuka Dekiru kara Kyō Dekiru" A-side, center Shared center position with Nanase Nishino; Also sang on "Fuminshō"
2018 20 "Synchronicity" A-side Also sang on "Against" as 1st Generation member
21 "Jikochū de Ikō!" A-side, center Also sang on "Chikyū ga Maruinara " and "Anna ni Sukidatta no ni…"
22 "Kaerimichi wa Tōmawari Shitaku Naru" A-side Also sang on "Caravan wa Nemuranai" and "Shiritai Koto "
2019 23 "Sing Out!" A-side, center Also sang on "No Yō na Sonzai"
24 "Yoake Made Tsuyogaranakutemoii" A-side Also sang on "Boku no Koto, Shitteru?", "Romendensha no Machi" and "Boku no Omoikomi"
2020 25 "Shiawase no Hogoshoku" A-side Also 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
2021 26 "Boku wa Boku o Suki ni Naru" A-side Also sang on "Ashita ga Aru Riyū" and "Wilderness World"
27 "Gomen ne Fingers Crossed" A-side Also sang on "Zenbu Yume no Mama"
28 "Kimi ni Shikarareta" A-side Also sang on "Dorodarake" and "Tanin no Sora ni"
— "Saigo no Tight Hug" A-side
2022 29 "Actually..." Center Shared 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" Center Last single to participate

Albums with Nogizaka46

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Year No. Title Participated song
2015 1 Tōmei na Iro
  • "Nazo no Rakugaki"
  • "Jiyū no Kanata "
2016 2 Sorezore no Isu
  • "Kikkake"
  • "Taiyō ni Kudokarete"
  • "Threefold Choice"
2017 3 Umarete Kara Hajimete Mita Yume
  • "Skydiving"
  • "Settei Ondo"
  • "Katai Kara no Yō ni Dakishimetai" (Solo)
2019 4 Ima ga Omoide ni Naru made
  • "Arigachi na Ren'ai"
  • "Mosugu ~Zambi Densetsu~"
[edit]
Year Artist Title Albums / Singles
2017 AKB48 "Dare no Koto o Ichiban Aishiteru" "Shoot Sign"
Mondo Grosso "Wakusei Tantra" Nando Demo Atarashiku Umareru
2018 AKB48 "Kokkyo no Nai Jidai" "Jabaja"
2019 "Hitsuzensei" "Jiwaru Days"
2021 Nogizaka46 "Hard to Say" "Time Flies"
2022 Mondo Grosso "Stranger" Big World

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2007 Sakuran Tomeki [6]
2018 You Are the Apple of My Eye Mana Hayase Lead role [22]
2020 Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! The Movie Midori Asakusa Lead role [27]
2023 Side by Side Riko [28]
2024 My Home Hero: The Movie Reika Tosu [25]
Oshi no Ko Ai Hoshino Lead role, Sequel Film [26]

Television

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Year Title Role Network Notes Ref(s)
2019 Zambi Kanade Yamamuro Hulu Lead role [29]
2020 Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Midori Asakusa MBS Lead role [27]
2023 My Home Hero Reika Tosu MBS [25]
Ichiban Sukina Hana Konomi Ushio Fuji TV [30]
2024 Oshi no Ko Ai Hoshino Amazon Prime Video Lead Role [31]

Bibliography

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Photobooks

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  • Kikan Nogizaka vol.3 Ryōshū (4 September 2014, Tokyo News Service) ISBN 9784863364264[32]
  • Shiosai (25 January 2017, Gentosha) ISBN 9784344030534[33]
  • Museum (23 May 2023, Kodansha)[34]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "乃木坂斎藤飛鳥がＣＵＴｉＥ専属モデルに". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2015-02-18. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  2. ^ "全国津々浦々美少女ヒストリー AWES♡ME CITY girls". LARME. Vol. 2016–09 (023 ed.). 徳間書店. 2016-07-16. pp. 92–93. ASIN B01G7I3UDM.
  3. ^ 大阪のバカアニキ (Video) (YouTube). Nogizakatte, Doko?. 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  4. ^ "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]. Natalie (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  5. ^ "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". ORICON NEWS. 2019-06-20. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  6. ^ a b 蜷川実花 (2007-08-03). さくらん. 角川エンタテインメント. ASIN B000FPEMYU.
  7. ^ "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 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  8. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 2018-12-30. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  9. ^ "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. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  10. ^ "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. ネットネイティブ. 2015-01-10. Archived from the original on 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  11. ^ "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. ネットネイティブ. 2015-02-18. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  12. ^ "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. ネットネイティブ. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  13. ^ "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. ネットネイティブ. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  14. ^ "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. oricon ME. 2016-11-23. Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  15. ^ "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". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2017-02-06. Archived from the original on 2017-02-06. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  16. ^ "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】" (in Japanese). oricon ME. 2018-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  17. ^ "恥ずかしいという感情がまだ残ってた". 乃木坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  18. ^ "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」". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). Oricon. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  19. ^ 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". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  20. ^ "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. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  21. ^ "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＞". モデルプレス. ネットネイティブ. 2016-10-08.
  22. ^ a b "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". Natalie (in Japanese). 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  23. ^ "「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". Natalie (in Japanese). 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  24. ^ Hadfield, James (2023-04-13). "'Side by Side': A dreamy vision wrapped in an enigma". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  25. ^ a b c "「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". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natalie. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  26. ^ a b 【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]]. Oricon News (in Japanese). January 24, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "「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」". Natalie. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  28. ^ "サイド バイ サイド 隣にいる人". eiga.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  29. ^ 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". Nippon Television (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  30. ^ 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". 産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  31. ^ "Live-Action Oshi no Ko Series, Film Reveal 28 Cast Members". Anime News Network. 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  32. ^ 季刊乃木坂 vol.3 (in Japanese). National Diet Library. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  33. ^ 潮騒 (in Japanese). National Diet Library. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  34. ^ "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"". ORICON NEWS. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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Media related to Asuka Saitō at Wikimedia Commons


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