Nana Mori, born on August 31, 2001, is a rising Japanese actress who has captivated audiences with her natural screen presence and versatility across film and television. She first garnered significant attention for her leading role in the 2019 romantic drama film Weathering with You, directed by Makoto Shinkai, where she voiced the character Hina Amano. The animated feature became a massive box office success in Japan and internationally, establishing Mori as a promising young talent in the entertainment industry. Her performance was widely praised for bringing warmth and emotional depth to the story of a girl with the power to control the weather, helping the film become one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time.
Following the breakthrough of Weathering with You, Mori expanded her career into live-action roles, demonstrating her range as an actress. She starred in the television drama The Supporting Actors in 2020, a meta-series that explores the lives of background performers, and took on a leading part in the 2021 film The Last 10 Years, a poignant romance drama that further showcased her ability to convey complex emotions. Her performance in the 2022 television series First Love on Netflix, a nostalgic drama inspired by the songs of Hikaru Utada, earned her critical acclaim and a wider international audience. In the series, she played a younger version of the protagonist, navigating themes of memory, love, and fate, which resonated deeply with viewers and solidified her status as one of Japan's most sought-after young actresses.
Beyond her acting work, Mori has also ventured into music, contributing vocals to the theme song for Weathering with You and releasing her own singles. She has been recognized with several awards, including the Newcomer of the Year award at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize for her work in Weathering with You and the Best New Actress award at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize for her role in The Last 10 Years. Her ability to transition seamlessly between voice acting, live-action film, and television has made her a versatile performer in the Japanese entertainment landscape. As of the mid-2020s, Mori continues to take on diverse projects, including starring in the 2024 film My Broken Mariko and the television drama Silent, further cementing her reputation as a compelling and relatable presence on screen. With her youthful charm and dedication to her craft, Nana Mori remains a talent to watch in the years ahead.