Ashida Mana's Profile
- Real Name: Mana Ashida
- Native Name: 芦田 愛菜
- Nicknames: Tensai Kodomo Joyū, Kokumin-teki Kodomo Joyū
- Birthday: Jun 23, 2004 (21 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Debut: 2009
- Birthplace: Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
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Nationality:
Japanese
- Profession: Actress, Singer
- Languages: Japanese, English
- Current Agency: Jobbykids
- Active Years: 2009 – present (16 years)
Ashida Mana (芦田 愛菜) is a Japanese actress, singer, model, and television presenter, born on June 23, 2004, in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. She began her career in 2009 and rose to prominence through the television drama Mother (2010). At present, Ashida continues to be active across various fields in the Japanese entertainment and media industry.
Early life
Ashida Mana was born and raised in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, as the only child in her family. From an early age, she demonstrated a strong aptitude for the arts and an exceptional ability to express emotions. Beyond acting, Mana developed a passion for reading—at one point reportedly reading more than 60 books a month. She also enjoys riding a unicycle and has a keen interest in music, particularly the K-pop group KARA.
Mana has pursued her education within the Keio school system. In 2017, she enrolled at Keio Junior High School, later advancing to Keio Girls Senior High School. In March 2023, she graduated from high school and, in the same year, was admitted to the Faculty of Law at Keio University.
Career
Ashida Mana began her artistic career in 2007 at the age of three. In 2009, she made her first screen appearance in the short film ABC Kazoku Lesson Short Movie 2: Daibōken Mama produced by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, officially debuting as a child actress.
In 2010, she appeared in several film projects, including Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (Looking Up at the Half-Moon), Confessions, and Ghost: In Your Arms Again. Her performance in Ghost earned her the Newcomer of the Year Award at the 34th Japan Academy Film Prize. That same year, Ashida drew wide attention for her lead role in the television drama Mother, for which she received multiple newcomer awards.
In 2011, Ashida starred in Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien and Marumo no Okite, becoming the youngest actress ever to headline a prime-time television drama. That same year, she and Fuku Suzuki released the single Maru Maru Mori Mori!, which ranked in the top 10 of the Oricon Singles Chart. She also released her solo single Sutekina Nichiyōbi ~Gyu Gyu Good Day! and the mini-album Happy Smile!, both of which also entered the Oricon top 10.
In 2012, Ashida continued to pursue both acting and singing. Her performances in the films Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) and Hankyu Densha (Hankyu Railway: A 15-Minute Miracle) won her the Best Newcomer Award at the Blue Ribbon Awards, making her the youngest recipient in history. The song Maru Maru Mori Mori! won two awards at the Japan Gold Disc Awards. Later that year, she held her first solo concert, Winter Wonderland, at the Curian theater.
In 2013, Ashida expanded her activities internationally by appearing in the Hollywood film Pacific Rim, portraying the younger version of Mako Mori. This marked her first role in an overseas production.
In 2014, she starred in the television drama Ashita, Mama ga Inai and appeared in the film Entaku: Kokko, Hitonatsu no Imagine. She also released the single Fight!! / Yūki.
From 2017, after enrolling at Keio Junior High School, Ashida adjusted her work schedule to prioritize her studies. In 2018, she served as the narrator for NHK’s morning drama Manpuku, becoming the youngest person to hold this position. That same year, she was appointed the official ambassador for the Fantastic Beasts film series in Japan.
Between 2020 and 2022, Ashida took part in various film and animation projects, including Hoshi no Ko (Child of the Stars) and Metamorphose no Engawa. She also provided voice acting for works such as Cells at Work! and Lonely Castle in the Mirror (Kagami no Kojō).
After graduating from high school in 2023, Ashida entered Keio University to study Law and Politics while continuing her artistic career.
In 2024, she returned to television as the lead character, Natsume Hibiki, in the TBS drama Sayōnara Maestro: Chichi to Watashi no Appassionato. Beyond acting, Ashida was appointed as the official ambassador of the international exposition GREEN×EXPO 2027 and unveiled the event’s official mascot on June 22, 2024.
In 2025, she continued to develop a more mature image by portraying Tetsuko Kuroyanagi in the TBS drama Totto no Ketsuraku Seishun-ki. In March of the same year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) appointed Ashida as a Goodwill Ambassador in Japan—the first individual ever to hold this role—where she has been actively engaged in raising public awareness of environmental and climate change issues. At the same time, she has maintained her familiar presence as the face of numerous major commercial advertising campaigns in Japan.
Fun Facts
- Mana loves udon noodles and once ate three bowls in one sitting while filming.
- She starred in the music video Yasashisa de Afureru You ni by JUJU, acting only through her eyes.
- She enjoys collecting fairy tale books and often reads them before going to bed.
- A huge fan of Spirited Away, she once imitated Chihiro’s voice during an interview.
- She has said that if she weren’t an actress, she would love to try being a chef.
- She collaborated with young designers in a children’s fashion project in Tokyo.
- Even as a child actress, she appeared on more than 40 talk shows in Japan.
- She is very close to fellow child actor Fuku Suzuki; the two are often called Japan’s “golden duo.”
- Mana has a Shiba Inu dog named Koma.
- She went viral at age six for singing and dancing Maru Maru Mori Mori! with Fuku Suzuki.
- She once read over 60 books in a single month.
- She can ride a unicycle—an unusual skill for a child star.
- She is a fan of the K-pop group KARA and once danced to their songs effortlessly.
- In Pacific Rim, she appeared for only a few minutes but left a lasting impression worldwide.
- She has an incredible memory for long and difficult scripts, surprising many senior actors.
- While filming Mother, she delivered powerful crying scenes at just six years old.
- At her Winter Wonderland concert, she amazed fans by singing and dancing nonstop with full energy.
Photo Gallery
