Nana Mizuki, Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress

Nana Mizuki (水樹 奈々, Mizuki Nana), born on January 21, 1980, as Nana Kondō, is a highly distinguished and pioneering Japanese artist known for her exceptional talents as a voice actress, acclaimed singer, and narrator. Hailing from Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, her multifaceted career has left an indelible mark on the Japanese entertainment industry. She is proudly represented by the prominent talent agency, StarCrew, which manages her diverse activities across music and voice acting.

Mizuki's artistic journey began with a foundation in traditional Japanese enka music, a genre known for its distinctive vocal style and lyrical themes. She honed her vocal skills from a young age, even releasing a single under her birth name, Nana Kondō, in 1993. This early training provided a unique depth to her singing prowess, which would later become a hallmark of her immensely successful music career. Her official debut as a voice actress followed in 1996, marking the beginning of a prolific acting portfolio that spans decades.

A Prolific Voice Acting Portfolio

Nana Mizuki has lent her distinctive voice to an extensive array of beloved characters, shaping many iconic roles across various popular anime series, video games, and even international live-action dubs. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from subtle vulnerability to powerful determination, has made her a sought-after talent in the industry. Her most prominent and memorable roles include:

• Hinata Hyūga in Naruto and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Mizuki voices the quiet, yet incredibly resilient kunoichi who eventually becomes the wife of the titular protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki. This long-running ninja series enjoys immense global popularity, making Hinata one of her most recognized characters worldwide.
• Colette Brunel in Tales of Symphonia: A central figure in the critically acclaimed action role-playing game from the popular Tales of series, a franchise celebrated for its compelling narratives and engaging gameplay.
• Fate Testarossa in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: A pivotal role in the influential magical girl anime franchise, where Mizuki brings to life a character known for her stoicism, strength, and profound emotional development.
• Tsubasa Kazanari in Symphogear: In this unique anime, Mizuki’s character is not only a powerful warrior but also a celebrated idol, allowing her to seamlessly blend her singing and voice acting talents within the role itself.
• Moka Akashiya in Rosario + Vampire: Mizuki masterfully portrays a character with a dual personality, showcasing her versatile range as the sweet and innocent outer Moka and the formidable inner Moka.
• Tsubomi Hanasaki (Cure Blossom) in Heartcatch Precure!: A leading role in the beloved Pretty Cure magical girl anime franchise, which resonates strongly with a younger audience and features themes of friendship and courage.
• Ann Takamaki in Persona 5: A key party member in the globally renowned and critically acclaimed role-playing video game. This role exposed her talent to a vast international gaming audience.

Beyond animation, Mizuki has also distinguished herself in official dubbing roles for live-action productions. She provided the voice for the protagonist Katniss Everdeen (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence) in the highly successful Hunger Games film series for the Japanese release. Additionally, she has dubbed characters in live-action adaptations of Itazura na Kiss from both Korea and Taiwan, and is particularly recognized as the dedicated Japanese voice for the prominent Taiwanese actress, Ariel Lin, further demonstrating her linguistic and interpretive range in foreign media localization.

Pioneering Achievements in Music

Nana Mizuki's music career is equally as groundbreaking as her voice acting. She officially launched her musical endeavors with King Records, releasing her debut single, "Omoi," on December 6, 2000. This was followed a year later by her first album, "Supersonic Girl," released on December 5, 2001. Her early musical releases garnered a steadily growing fanbase, culminating in a significant breakthrough with her single "Innocent Starter," released in 2004, which remarkably reached No. 9 on the highly competitive Oricon weekly singles chart, firmly establishing her presence in the J-Pop scene.

From that point forward, Mizuki’s releases consistently charted higher in Japan, cementing her status as a major recording artist. A historic moment arrived on June 3, 2009, when her seventh studio album, Ultimate Diamond, achieved the coveted #1 position on the Oricon weekly albums chart, marking her first-ever chart-topper. This unprecedented success was followed by another milestone on January 13, 2010, when her 21st single, "Phantom Minds," also soared to #1 on the Oricon weekly singles chart. These achievements were truly monumental: Nana Mizuki became the first voice actress in the history of Oricon – Japan's most comprehensive music sales charting service since its inception in 1968 – to top both the weekly albums chart and the weekly singles chart. This unparalleled feat not only solidified her place as a musical superstar but also significantly elevated the public perception of voice actors as legitimate and highly successful mainstream artists.

Her musical style often blends elements of pop, rock, and symphonic arrangements, characterized by her powerful vocal delivery and emotive performances, which are frequently showcased in massive live concerts at iconic venues like the Saitama Super Arena and Tokyo Dome.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nana Mizuki

What is Nana Mizuki primarily known for?

Nana Mizuki is renowned as a leading Japanese voice actress, singer, and narrator. She is celebrated for her iconic anime roles, such as Hinata Hyūga in Naruto, and for her groundbreaking musical achievements, notably being the first voice actress to top both the Oricon weekly albums and singles charts in Japan.

When did Nana Mizuki release her first musical single?

Her debut single, "Omoi," was released under the King Records label on December 6, 2000.

What significant Oricon chart milestones has Nana Mizuki achieved?

She made history by becoming the first voice actress to reach #1 on the Oricon weekly albums chart with Ultimate Diamond in 2009 and subsequently on the Oricon weekly singles chart with "Phantom Minds" in 2010.

Which talent agency represents Nana Mizuki?

Nana Mizuki is represented by the talent agency StarCrew.