Emi Takei

Biography

Takei was born in Nagoya. Aspiring to become a model, she declared to her parents on her entry to junior high school that she would become a model within three years. In 2006, she entered the 11th Japan Bishōjo Contest and won in not only one, but two categories: she received the Model Division Award and the Multi-Media Award.

She subsequently made her model debut in the November 2006 issue of Seventeen, which became her first job in the entertainment industry. In February 2007, she became a model exclusive to the magazine, and earned her first solo cover on the 15 February issue.

Starting in September 2010, she became the image character for "Beamie", an SNS website used by approximately 5,500 celebrities. In November the same year, she was the youngest ever in history to receive the "Best Dresser Award", an award from The Men's Fashion Unity since 1972.

In January 2011, she had her first appearance in the Fuji TV drama serial Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta. She was picked by winning an audition in which eight hundred people attended to play a key person in a quasi-leading role in the drama. Soon after, she had her first starring role in TV Asahi drama serial Asuko March! in April.

She won the "Best Smile of the Year" award in November, and in December became the first Japanese person to be contracted with Italian luxury goods brand Gucci.

On 12 December 2011, she made her debut as a singer under Universal Japan, releasing the single "Koisuru Kimochi". The ballad was written for her by Glay's Takuro who declared himself as a big fan of Takei.

In August 2012, she graduated from being a Seventeen model after 5 years and 9 months.

Appearances

TV dramas

Otomen ~Summer~ (2009), Kuriko Tachibana

Otomen ~Autumn~ (2009), Kuriko Tachibana

Liar Game 2 (2010), Hiroka Saeki

Gold (2010), Akira Saotome

Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta (2011), Hikari Saeki

Asukō March! ~Kenritsu Asuka Kōgyō Kōkō Kōshinkyoku~ (2011), Nao Yoshino

Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi Summer Special 2011 (2011), Kyoka Koyama

Taira no Kiyomori Episode 14 - 43 (2012), Tokiwa Gozen

W no Higeki (2012), Mako Watsuji/Satsuki Kurasawa

Iki mo Dekinai Natsu (2012), Rei Tanizaki

Flat Out Tokyo Girl (2012), Urara Saeki

Otenki Oneesan (2013), Haruko Abe

Kindaichi Kōsuke VS Akechi Kogorō (2013), Hatsue Yoshiike

The Partner (2013), Akane Oiwa

Umi no Ue no Shinryōjo (2013), Mako Togami

Senryokugai Sōsakan (2014), Chinami Umidzuki

Zero no Shinjitsu ~Kansatsui Matsumoto Mao~ (2014), Mao Matsumoto

The Perfect Insider (2014), Moe Nishinosono

Age Harassment (2015), Emiri Yoshii

Movies

The Cherry Orchard: Blossoming (2008), Maki Mizuta

For Love's Sake (2012), Ai Saotome

Rurouni Kenshin (2012), Kamiya Kaoru

Love for Beginners (2012), Tsubaki Hibino

Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014), Kamiya Kaoru

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014), Kamiya Kaoru

Clover (2014), Saya Suzuki

Terra Formars (2016), Nanao Akita

Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021), Kamiya Kaoru

TV programs

Unbelievable (April 2010-February 2011)

K-Pop & Korean Dramas...Star ga Umareru Bashō ~Takei Emi and Youn-a Hanryū Roots e no Tabi~ (2011)

Takei Emi 19sai no Kyūjitsu - Kankoku Hitori Tabi ~Micchaku! Sugao ni Modotta Mikakan~ (2013)

Radio

Emi Takei and Rikao Yanagida's Radio Kūsō Kagaku Kenkyūsho (2010–present)

Daiichi Seimei Takei Emi "Kyō no Ikku" (2012–present)

Voice acting

Fast Five (2011), Elena Neves (Japanese dubbing)

Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights (2011), Sophie Coubertin (Japanese release)

Binary Domain (2012) - Yuki (Japanese release)

Crayon Shin-chan: Serious Battle! Robot Dad Strikes Back (2014)

Dragon Quest Heroes II (2016), Teresia

Nioh (2017), Okatsu

Commercials

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Petting Lagoon (2007)

Takara Tomy Hi-kara (2008)

Shiseido

Tsubaki Water (2010)

Maquillage (2011–present)

Lotte

Ghana Milk Chocolate (2011–present)

Ghana Chocolate & Cookie Sandwich (2011–2012)

Fruitio (2012–present)

Fit's Link & Fruitio x Movie Rurouni Kenshin Tie-up Campaign (2012)

SoftBank Mobile (2011)

Coca-Cola Japan Sokenbicha (2011)

ÆON (2011–present)

MaxValu (2012–present)

Nintendo "Rhythm Heaven Fever" (2011)

Nissin Spa King (2011–present)

Fast Five Movie (2011)

NEC Personal Computer (2011–present)

Sekisui Chemical Company Sekisui Heim (2011–present)

Aoyama Trading Yōfuku no Aoyama (2011–present)

Daiichi Seimei (2011–present)

J Sports (2011–present)

Tokyo Metro (2012–present)

Magazines

Seventeen (February 2007-October 2012)- Exclusive model

Photobooks

Kaze no Naka no Shōjo (Wani Books, 28 October 2010) ISBN 9784847043208

Plumeria (Spirits Special Edition) (Shogakukan, 20 June 2011) ISBN 9784093637305

Emi Takei Photobook Bloom (Kadokawa Shoten, 6 June 2015) ISBN 9784047319431

Discography

Awards and recognitions

2006

11th Japan Bishōjo Contest Model Division Award and Multi-Media Award

2011

68th Television Academy Awards - Best Supporting Actress for "Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta"

Vogue Japan Women of the Year 2011 Award

2012

2012 E-Line Beautiful Grand Prix (Japan Association of Adult Orthodontics)

24th Yamaji Fumiko Film Awards - Best New Actress Award

25th Nikkan Sports Film Award - Best Newcomer Award

54th FECJ Awards - Celebrity of the Year Award

2013

37th Elan d'or Awards - Best Newcomer Award

36th Japan Academy Film Prize - Best New Actor Award for "Rurouni Kenshin", "Ai to Makoto", "Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu"

22nd Japanese Film Critics Awards - Best New Actress Award for "Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu"

18th Vietnam Film Festival - Best Actress for "The Partner"

2015

Japan Action Award 2015 - Best Action Actress for Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno