Even today's most popular stars and artists have their own "firsts," such as their first appearance, first event, or first live performance. "My Firsts" asks them to look back on those thrilling moments that only the inexperienced can experience. In this episode, Nana Seino , who voices Olga, the aunt of protagonist Elio, in the Japanese version of Disney & Pixar's new animation " Elio ," talks about her memories of auditioning as a model for the magazine "Pichi Lemon" (Gakken) when she was in sixth grade, and the work that marked a turning point for her.
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What got me into this world was when I auditioned for Pichi Lemon, a junior fashion magazine, at the end of my sixth year of elementary school. A friend invited me, so I auditioned with her.
The audition was like an interview, and I remember introducing myself and saying that my special skill was being able to make my tongue into a strange shape, which was a very mundane thing. The interviewer's reaction was a little strange (laughs).
After that, we did a camera test in another room. I was so nervous, I had no idea how to pose, and even though I tried to do as I was told, I just couldn't do it, and I remember having a stomach ache the whole time.
However, I passed the exam with flying colors and started my career in the entertainment industry in my first year of junior high school.
Up until then, I had been a normal elementary school kid growing up in the countryside, playing and running around in the schoolyard, but I remember being deeply moved when I saw everyone posing so coolly in a completely different, glamorous world.
I thought that since I was in that position, I had to be able to do a lot of different things. I practiced my facial expressions in front of the mirror, trained myself to wink, and tried to increase my repertoire of poses. Even though I was only in the first year of junior high school, I was studying because I wanted to take on all kinds of challenges.
After graduating from "PichiMo," I decided to aim to become an actor who could do action scenes.
A big turning point for me was appearing in the drama "From Today, It's My Turn!!" (2018), where my fans and viewers became aware that I was good at action scenes.
At the time, the number of views on social media was steadily increasing, reaching 400,000 and 500,000, and I felt that television has a huge influence. I think that this is also what led to the film "Kingdom 2: To the Faraway Land" (2022).
My morning routine is to wake up, drink a cup of hot water, and water the 20 to 30 houseplants I have. When it comes to health and beauty, I'm very interested in intestinal health, and although I'm not doing it seriously, I try to do things that are good for my intestines, such as eating natto every day and consciously eating yogurt, which helps to improve the intestinal environment.
This time, I was given the opportunity to work as a voice actor, and it was all my first experience, so I felt it was a very valuable experience to be able to take on new challenges even at the age of 30. I hope to take this opportunity to continue working as a voice actor, which has always been my dream.
In 10 years, I will be 40 years old. I think I will still be working. I want to continue to work hard at the jobs I am given and at the things in front of me.
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Seino Nana was born on October 14, 1994, in Aichi Prefecture. In 2007, she won the grand prize at the audition for the teen magazine "Pichi Lemon" and became an exclusive model. After graduating in 2011, she appeared in the film "TOKYO TRIBE" (2014). She has since appeared in numerous popular works, including the drama "From Today, It's My Turn!!" (2018), the NHK Asadora drama "Hanbun, Aoi" (first half of 2018), the drama "In a World Where It's Neither Black nor White, a Panda Smiles" (2020), the drama "Sunday Nights..." (2023), and "119 Emergency Call" (2025). She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 65th Blue Ribbon Awards for her role in the film "Kingdom 2: To the Faraway Land" (2022). After auditioning in the United States, he landed the role of voice actor in Disney and Pixar's new film, "Elio."
The story of "Elio" centers around Elio, a boy who yearns for a "true home" somewhere in the vast world. Elio is invited to the "Communiverse," where representatives of the stars gather, and meets Grodon, a lonely alien boy. The two share a bond, but a threat that threatens to shake the "world of the stars" approaches...
