Maaya Sakamoto
Born:March 31, 1980
Place of Birth:Tokyo, Japan
Known For:Acting
Biography
Maaya Sakamoto, a prominent figure in the world of Japanese voice acting and singing, has captivated audiences with her versatile talents since her debut in 1992. While she initially gained recognition as the voice of Chifuru in "Little Twins," it was her portrayal of Hitomi Kanzaki in "The Vision of Escaflowne" that truly solidified her place in the industry.
Throughout her career, Sakamoto has lent her voice to a myriad of iconic characters in anime, showcasing her range and skill. From the determined Haruhi Fujioka in "Ouran High School Host Club" to the enigmatic Ciel Phantomhive in "Black Butler," she has breathed life into diverse roles with depth and nuance.
Beyond her contributions to the world of voice acting, Sakamoto has also made a name for herself as a talented singer, enchanting listeners with her melodious vocals in both English and Japanese. Her singles, including "Tune the Rainbow" and "Triangler," have soared to the top of the Oricon charts, cementing her status as a musical powerhouse.
With a discography that boasts chart-topping albums like "Shōnen Alice" and "You Can't Catch Me," Sakamoto has proven her ability to captivate audiences not only with her voice acting prowess but also with her musical artistry. Her concert at the prestigious Nippon Budokan on her thirtieth birthday stands as a testament to her enduring popularity and talent.
In addition to her accomplishments in the realm of anime and music, Sakamoto has also made a mark in the world of video games, lending her voice to beloved characters such as Aigis in "Persona 3" and Lightning in the "Final Fantasy XIII" series. Her ability to bring characters to life across various mediums has garnered her a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.
Notably, Sakamoto's talent extends beyond the borders of Japan, as she has contributed her voice to the Japanese localization of overseas dubs, embodying characters like Padme Amidala in the "Star Wars" franchise and serving as the dub voice for acclaimed actress Natalie Portman in various films.
With her multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication to her craft, Maaya Sakamoto continues to enchant audiences worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of voice acting, music, and beyond. Her ability to breathe life into characters and evoke emotion through her music cements her as a true luminary in the entertainment industry.
Images
Filmography
Acting
Ghost in the Shell
Kusanagi Girl (voice)
1995
In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man
Little Motoko (voice)
2005
The year is 2030 and six years have passed since a criminal known only as "The Laughing Man" swept through top medical nanotechnology firms committing acts of cyber-terrorism, kidnapping, and espionage leaving no known suspects. New information is revealed, as Section 9 enters the hunt for a suspect capable of unfathomable actions in this compilation of Stand Alone Complex content.
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Mari Illustrious Makinami (voice)
2021
In the aftermath of the Fourth Impact, stranded without their Evangelions, Shinji, Asuka and Rei find refuge in one of the rare pockets of humanity that still exist on the ruined planet Earth. There, each lives a life far different from their days as an Evangelion pilot. However, the danger to the world is far from over. A new impact is looming on the horizon—one that will prove to be the true end of Evangelion.
The First Slam Dunk
Haruko Akagi (voice)
2022
Shohoku's “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
Mari Illustrious Makinami (voice)
2012
Fourteen years after Third Impact, Shinji Ikari awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, NERV has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him. Befriending the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies. The characters' struggles continue amidst the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul
Lyza / Narration (voice)
2020
A continuation of the epic adventure of plucky Riko and Reg who are joined by their new friend Nanachi. Together they descend into the Abyss' treacherous fifth layer, the Sea of Corpses, and encounter the mysterious Bondrewd, a legendary White Whistle whose shadow looms over Nanachi's troubled past. Bondrewd is ingratiatingly hospitable, but the brave adventurers know things are not always as they seem in the enigmatic Abyss.
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Mari Illustrious Makinami (voice)
2009
Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Aerith Gainsborough (voice)
2005
Two years have passed since the final battle with Sephiroth. Though Midgar, city of mako, city of prosperity, has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction. However, a mysterious illness called Geostigma torments them. With no cure in sight, it brings death to the afflicted, one after another, robbing the people of their fledgling hope.
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
Motoko Kusanagi (voice)
2015
When a ghost-infecting virus known as Fire-Starter begins spreading through the system resulting in the assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister, Major Motoko Kusanagi and her elite team of special operatives are called in to track down its source.
Sword of the Stranger
Hagihime (voice)
2007
Pursued by formidable Chinese assassins, young Kotaro and his dog run into No Name, a mysterious stranger who gets pulled into the chase. The unlikely companions form a bond over saving the dog from a poison attack, but chaos erupts when the assassins find Kotaro, and No Name must face his past before a horrible fate is met again.
Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu
Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (voice)
2016
One day, Koyomi Araragi encounters the horrifying vampire, Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade A.K.A. the "King of Apparitions." He saves the fatally wounded Kiss-shot by offering his blood at the expense of his own life as a human. Now Koyomi has to face the vampire hunters to retrieve Kiss-shot’s limbs which were taken by these hunters...
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Sacred Star of Milos
Julia Crichton (voice)
2011
After a mysterious prisoner with only a few weeks left on his sentence breaks out of prison in Central City, the Elric brothers attempt to track him down. The search leads them to Table City in the southwestern country of Creta, where Alphonse rescues a young alchemist named Julia from the very man they are trying to capture. In the thick of the fight, they literally tumble into Julia's home turf, the slums of Milos Valley, and are embroiled in the grassroots rebellion of her people.
Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn
Lyza (voice)
2019
First compilation movie of the TV series which covers episodes 1-8 with new scenes added for the introduction. It covers the period from when Riko descends into the Abyss with her robot companion Reg, reaching the second layer where they meet the White Whistle Ozen who reveals information about Riko's mother.
Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu
Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (voice)
2016
Koyomi Araragi was turned into a vampire by the legendary vampire, Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, and he needs to revive the weakened vampire back to her complete form to return to being human again. The only way for Koyomi to achieve his goal is to fight the three vampire hunters – Dramaturgy, Episode and Guillotinecutter.
Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu
Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (voice)
2017
With help from Meme Oshino, the apparition specialist, Koyomi defeats the three powerful vampire hunters: Dramaturgy, Episode and Guillotinecutter. Koyomi takes back all the limbs of Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade in order to become a human again.
Ghost in the Shell 2.0
Motoko Kusanagi (young) (voice)
2008
In the year 2029, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster'. Ghost in the Shell 2.0 is a reproduced version of its original 1995 counterpart. Among a numerous enhancements, for the film's 2.0 release, were a number of scenes were overhauled with 3D animation, visual improvements, and soundtrack rerecorded in 6.1 surround sound.
The Garden of Sinners: Oblivion Recording
Shiki Ryougi (voice)
2008
January 1999: Apprentice mage Azaka Kokutou, Mikiya's younger sister, has been ordered by her mentor, Touko Aozaki, to investigate a certain incident in which fairies steal the memories of students at Azaka's school, Reien Academy. Azaka launches an investigation with the help of Shiki.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears
Motoko Kusanagi (voice)
2014
Posing as lovers on vacation, Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scrasath. Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea: Star Sage
Amelothée (voice)
2023
Kaina returns to the icy Canopy, unsure of what he should do next. He and Ririha have brought peace to Atland and Valghia through an alliance. Now supplies run low, and the people need answers. Kaina, Ririha, and their small party set out to cross the snow in search of the great orbital spire tree. This is the first step to saving their people. Join Kaina on an expedition to save mankind!
The Garden of Sinners: Overlooking View
Shiki Ryougi (voice)
2007
The story starts following an incident: a young girl jumps from the top of a building. The image provokes a certain dread, as the girl appears to have been a corpse even before she jumped. The case is dismissed, yet more and more of these suicides occur, and all from the same building. Thus began the rumour, that a ghost inhabited the rooftop of the building.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone
Motoko Kusanagi (voice)
2014
The upcoming installment's story takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels. This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist "Fire Starter." An independent offensive unit led by Makoto Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice. Below the surface of the incident, lies the "tin girl" Emma and the "scarecrow man" Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking.
The Garden of Sinners: The Hollow Shrine
Shiki Ryougi (voice)
2008
June 1998: After spending two years in a coma caused by a traffic accident, Shiki Ryougi awakens with amnesia. She is visited by Touko Aozaki, a wizard and proprietor of a studio called Garan no Dou. Shiki has lost not only the memory of her accident, but also any real sense that she's even alive. Strangely, enigmatic beings begin to attack her...
The Garden of Sinners: A Study in Murder (Part 1)
Shiki Ryougi (voice)
2007
August 1995: Mikiya first meets Shiki in a white kimono during a snowing day. Later on, at the high school freshmen ceremony, Mikiya sees Shiki in the crowd and chases after her, introducing himself to her. But Shiki hides a big secret: A wave of bizarre murders occur around many loose ends, and no suspects. there are still many questions: Who to believe? Who is the murderer? What is the secret of Shiki? and especially: Who is SHIKI?
PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #2 Midsummer Knight's Dream
Aigis (voice)
2014
After realizing the value of life and the importance of his own allies, Makoto finally got his smile back. He finds himself learning more about those comrades and getting closer to them. Makoto wishes that everything will continue just as they are. However, little by little, the pieces and people in Makoto's new, happy life begin to fall apart.
Production
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
Theme Song Performance
2015
When a ghost-infecting virus known as Fire-Starter begins spreading through the system resulting in the assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister, Major Motoko Kusanagi and her elite team of special operatives are called in to track down its source.