Nao Kosaka

Nao Kosaka
小坂 菜緒
Born (2002-09-07) September 7, 2002 (age 22)
Osaka, Japan
Occupations
  • Singer
  • model
  • actress
Years active2017–present
AgentSeed & Flower
Musical career
LabelsSony Music Entertainment Japan
Member of
WebsiteHinatazaka46 profile
Modeling information
Height161.5 cm (5 ft 4 in)[1]
Hair colorblack
Eye colorblack
WebsiteSeventeen profile

Nao Kosaka (Japanese: 小坂菜緒, Hepburn: Kosaka Nao, born September 7, 2002) is a Japanese singer, model, and actress. She is a member of the Japanese female idol group Hinatazaka46 and an exclusive model for the women's fashion magazine Seventeen.[2]

Career

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On August 13, 2017, Kosaka passed the auditions for new members of Keyakizaka46's subgroup Hiragana Keyakizaka46 and entered the group as a second generation member.[3] She made her debut in the song "No War in the Future", a B-side to "Kaze ni Fukarete mo".[4] On May 19, 2018, Kosaka made her runway debut at the GirlsAward 2018 SPRING/SUMMER show.[5] Seventeen announced two days later that she would be one of the magazine's exclusive models.[2]

After Hiragana Keyakizaka46 was renamed to Hinatazaka46 in February 2019,[6] Kosaka was selected to hold the center (lead performer) position in the title song of their debut single, "Kyun".[7] She continued to hold the position until the fourth single title song, "Sonna Koto Nai yo".[8]

Kosaka was cast as the main character in the 2019 mystery film The Japanese Doll [ja] (恐怖人形, Kyōfu Ningyō).[9] She also appeared in Jump!! The Heroes Behind the Gold, a 2021 film about ski jumping at the 1998 Winter Olympics,[10] in which her character is based on ski jumper Yoshiko Yoshiizumi [ja];[11] Hominis commented that despite performing alongside more experienced cast members, she maintained a unique presence by acting "from the heart".[12]

Kosaka's solo photobook, produced by the Seventeen magazine editorial staff, was released on June 29.[13] The book placed first on Oricon's 2021 photobook sales ranking with 166,876 copies sold.[14] As a dinosaur enthusiast, she was also appointed in the same month the ambassador for Sony's DinoScience exhibition, which would be held from July to September at the Pacifico Yokohama.[15] However, she went into hiatus on June 26 for health reasons[16] and did not participate in the rest of the event; she also did not participate in Hinatazaka46's sixth single, "Tteka". Kosaka announced her resumption of activities on March 4, 2022[17] and also returned to the center position for Hinatazaka46's seventh single title track "Boku Nanka", despite her "mixed feelings" about the appointment.[18]

In a late 2021 survey by Talent Power Ranking [ja], Kosaka was ranked the seventh most popular teen actress in Japan (under twenty years old as of February 2022) based on public recognition and interest.[19]

Personal life

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Kosaka played volleyball in middle school and occasionally demonstrates her skill in her appearances. She has an older brother who is a Keyakizaka46 fan.[20]

Kosaka's main interests include dinosaurs and reptiles.[21][22][23] She also enjoys comedy shows and named Kazuya Kojima of Unjash and Audrey as her favorite comedians.[24]

Discography

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Kosaka has participated in all title tracks of Hinatazaka46's singles and album except "Tteka" (2021), and has been the center (lead performer) for the first four singles and "Boku Nanka" (2022).[25] Other prominent appearances include:

  • "Kirei ni Naritai" (Hashiridasu Shunkan, 2018), as a trio with Akari Nibu and Miho Watanabe[26]
  • "Footsteps" ("Kyun" B-side, 2019), performed by all of the group's exclusive magazine models at the time[27]
  • "See Through" (Hinatazaka, 2020), duet with Miku Kanemura[28][29]
  • "Sekai ni wa Thank You! ga Afureteiru" ("Kimi Shika Katan" B-side, 2021), center, second generation members song
  • "Mou Konna ni Suki ni Narenai" ("Boku Nanka" B-side, 2022), performed by all members born in 2002 at the time (Kosaka, Miku Kanemura, and Hiyori Hamagishi)[30][31]

Videography

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Video albums

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Year Video album Notes Ref(s)
2022 Hinatazaka46 3rd Anniversary Memorial Live in Tokyo Dome (日向坂46 3周年記念MEMORIAL LIVE ~3回目のひな誕祭~ in 東京ドーム) [32]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2019 The Japanese Doll Yuri Hirai Lead role [33][34]
2021 Jump!! The Heroes Behind the Gold Yoshiko Kobayashi [35][36]
2024 All of Tokyo! Rin Arikawa [37]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2017 Re:Mind Nao Kosaka Episode 13; lead role [38]
2020 Dasada Yuria Sada Lead role [39]
2024 Dear Radiance Saiin no Chūjō Taiga drama [40]

Music video

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Year Artist Title Notes Ref(s)
2019 Thinking Dogs [ja] "Spiral [ja]" The Japanese Doll theme song [41]

Bibliography

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Title Release Date Publisher ISBN
Kimi wa Dare? (君は誰?, Who Are You?, photobook) June 29, 2021 Shueisha ISBN 978-4087900415

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "小坂 菜緒". 日向坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "けやき坂46小坂菜緒「Seventeen」専属モデル抜てき<コメント到着>". モデルプレス (in Japanese). May 22, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  3. ^ "けやき坂46、新メンバー9名決定<プロフィール>". モデルプレス (in Japanese). August 15, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  4. ^ "欅坂46 5th single: 風に吹かれても". 欅坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. ^ "けやき坂46小坂菜緒、ステージでも輝く圧倒的美貌 初ランウェイに歓声飛ぶ<GirlsAward 2018 S/S >". モデルプレス (in Japanese). May 19, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Hiragana Keyaki Changes Name to Hinatazaka46, Debut Single Due in March". Billboard. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  7. ^ "日向坂デビューシングルセンターは2期生の小坂菜緒" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 4 March 219. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  8. ^ "日向坂46新曲センターは4作連続で小坂菜緒 東村芽依&金村美玖が初の1列目" (in Japanese). Oricon. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  9. ^ "日向坂小坂菜緒「恐怖人形」サプライズ舞台あいさつ" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  10. ^ "眞栄田郷敦:日向坂46小坂菜緒とテストジャンパーに 田中圭主演映画「ヒノマルソウル」出演" (in Japanese). Mantan Web. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  11. ^ "日向坂46小坂菜緒、ジャンプ競技を間近で初観戦「今から興奮しています」 - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  12. ^ "日向坂46のセンター、小坂菜緒の「女優としての才能が光る瞬間」". Hominis (in Japanese). SKY Perfect JSAT. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  13. ^ "日向坂小坂菜緒が初ソロ写真集「子供から大人へ成長していく姿」初の水着も - 坂道 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  14. ^ "【年間本ランキング】『鬼滅の刃』最終巻が500万部越えで史上初の快挙 総合1位は『スマホ脳』、現代人への課題を提示 11ページ目". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  15. ^ "ソニー損保の自動車保険と「DinoScience 恐竜科学博」コラボCMに日向坂46 小坂菜緒さんを起用". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  16. ^ "Hinatazaka46's Kosaka Nao to go on temporary hiatus due to poor health". tokyohive. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  17. ^ "日向坂46小坂菜緒が活動再開へ「少しずつのスタートとなりますが」9カ月ぶりブログ更新 - 坂道 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  18. ^ "日向坂46 小坂菜緒、復帰後に改めて感じるセンターとしての魅力 自身も輝きながら周囲の魅力を引き立てる存在感" [Hinatazaka46 Nao Kosaka's renewed appeal as the center after her comeback, a shining presence who enhances the charm of those around her]. Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  19. ^ "今話題の若手女優は誰?10代の人気女優ランキング" [Who is the hottest young actress now? Ranking of popular teenage actresses]. Talent Power Ranking (in Japanese). April 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "Introducing the 2nd Generation Hiragana Members!". Keyakitte, Kakenai?. Episode 100. October 12, 2017. Event occurs at 12:45. TV Tokyo.
  21. ^ "日向坂46、初収録から涙…全力バラエティに挑む!<HINABINGO!> - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). 12 April 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  22. ^ Saito, Kyoko (14 August 2018). "小坂菜緒の実態" [The Truth About Nao Kosaka]. 日向坂46公式サイト. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  23. ^ "Interview: Kosaka Nao". DinoScience.
  24. ^ "日向坂46小坂菜緒、好きな男性芸能人告白「嘘じゃないです」 - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). 15 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  25. ^ "FORMATION". 日向坂46公式サイト. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  26. ^ "<けやき坂46(ひらがなけやき)インタビュー>当人同士だけが知るお互いの素顔、セクシーな一面…女子トークをたっぷり【小坂菜緒・丹生明里・渡邉美穂「キレイになりたい」】 - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). 20 June 2018. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  27. ^ "日向坂46、専属モデル5人が桜吹雪の中でキュートに舞う". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  28. ^ "日向坂46 小坂菜緒&金村美玖、運命のように多い二人の共通点 "なおみく"は最強コンビとなるか". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 4 February 2021. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  29. ^ "日向坂46の18歳コンビ・小坂菜緒&金村美玖"なおみく"が、ギュッとハグ&ハート". マイナビニュース (in Japanese). 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  30. ^ "日向坂46宮田愛萌が4ヶ月ぶり復帰「ただいま」 新ユニット3組初披露にもファン歓喜". ORICON NEWS. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  31. ^ "日向坂46宮田愛萌が4ヶ月ぶり復帰「ただいま」 新ユニット3組初披露にもファン歓喜". ORICON NEWS. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  32. ^ "日向坂46「日向坂46 3周年記念MEMORIAL LIVE ~3回目のひな誕祭~ in 東京ドーム」". Hinatazaka46 Official Website (in Japanese). Seed & Flower. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  33. ^ "恐怖人形". eiga.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "人気映画、ドラマ、アニメが見放題 !". Hulu (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  35. ^ "ヒノマルソウル 舞台裏の英雄たち". eiga.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  36. ^ "JUMP!!: The Heroes Behind the Gold". TBS. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  37. ^ "ゼンブ・オブ・トーキョー". eiga.com. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  38. ^ "クランクイン! - エンタメの「今」がわかる 映画&エンタメニュース". クランクイン!- エンタメの「今」がわかる 映画&エンタメニュースサイト (in Japanese). 4 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  39. ^ "日向坂46『DASADA』 小坂菜緒の"ぶりっ子"キャラにファン「圧倒的にかわいい」". Crank-in!. 18 January 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  40. ^ "日向坂46小坂菜緒:「光る君へ」で大河ドラマ初出演 次回第35回で斎院の中将役 予告で「惟規様!」". Mantan-web. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  41. ^ Inc, Natasha. "日向坂46小坂菜緒、Thinking Dogsが歌う「恐怖人形」主題歌MV出演(コメントあり / 動画あり / 写真14枚)". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-03-26. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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