Since her debut in 2019, actor Ai Mikami has appeared in numerous films and dramas. In 2024, she was cast in a string of popular productions, including the NHK historical drama "To Dear Radiance (Hikaru Kimi e)," the serial drama "My Diary" (ABC TV/TV Asahi) that aired in October, and the lead role in the film "Fushimi Lovers" (directed by Daigo Matsui). This year, she has appeared in five serial dramas, as well as in films and Netflix productions. Let's take a look back at Mikami's success, which has been nothing short of phenomenal.
◇Since her debut in 2019, she has appeared in many popular productions
Mikami was born on October 26, 2000, and is 24 years old and from Tokyo. He made his acting debut in 2019, and in 2020, he made his first regular appearance in a TV drama in "Love Lasts Forever" (TBS). In 2021, he co-starred with Yuki Kura in the movie "Impulse," which was his first lead role in a movie.
In 2022, he co-starred with Taiki Sato of the dance and vocal group EXILE/FANTASTICS in the serial drama "Liar" (MBS/TBS), marking his first TV drama lead role. He also appeared in a commercial for JRA, quickly becoming well-known among viewers. In 2023, he appeared in many popular works, including the movie "Legend & Butterfly" (directed by Keishi Otomo) and the Netflix series "Yu Yu Hakusho," attracting attention.
◇Looking back on the achievements in 2024
In 2024, he made an impressive appearance in the drama series "Haru Ni Ni Natara" (Kantele/Fuji TV), which aired in January, as a friend of the protagonist from college, and in "Re: Revenge - At the End of Desire" (Fuji TV), which aired in March, as a junior weekly magazine reporter of the protagonist, carving his name into the hearts of viewers.
In the film "Immortal Lovers" (directed by Matsui Daigo), released in May, she played the heroine who is straightforward in love, marking her first lead role in a film. She also played the heroine in the WOWOW drama "The Game is Kidnapping," broadcast in June, and starred in the Netflix series "Love Battle Royale," showing her outstanding presence not only in television dramas, but also in films and streaming dramas.
In the historical drama "To Dear Radiance (Hikaru Kimi e)," she played Fujiwara no Shoko, one of the key characters. At first, Shoko was a quiet, unsociable girl who would only reply "As you command" to any question she was asked, but the scene where she opened up and tearfully confessed her feelings for Emperor Ichijo (played by Akihisa Shiono) became a hot topic. She delicately portrayed Shoko's changing feelings, riveting the viewers' attention.
In "My Diary" (ABC TV/TV Asahi), which she appeared in at the same time as "Dear Radiance (Hikaru Kimi e) Kimi e", she realistically embodied a Reiwa-era college student. She coolly played a "straightforward girl" and showed off her wide acting range.
◇The momentum will continue into 2025
In 2025, he is set to appear in two dramas, all of which are very different roles: in the January Fuji TV Monday 9pm drama "119 Emergency Call" (Mondays at 9pm), in which he will play a calm and collected fire dispatcher, and in the February NHK drama "Honest Real Estate Minerva Special", in which he will play a real estate company employee.
In June, it was announced that she would be playing the role of a Kyoto geisha in the film "National Treasure" (directed by Lee Sang-il, scheduled for release on June 6th), raising hopes that her success will continue in 2025.
In a previous interview, Mikami said, "I want to try a variety of roles, and I want to be someone who can express various things outside of acting." With his strong acting skills and outstanding presence as his weapons, what kind of actor will he become? We'd like to continue to keep an eye on his future activities.
