Chiaki Kuriyama

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Chiaki Kuriyama
Chiaki Kuriyama.jpg
Chiaki Kuriyama in September 2010
Born 栗山 千明 (Kuriyama Chiaki)
(1984-10-10) October 10, 1984 (age 28)
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan
Occupation Actress, singer, model
Website
http://www.spacecraft.co.jp/chiaki_kuriyama/

Chiaki Kuriyama (栗山 千明 Kuriyama Chiaki?, born October 10, 1984) is a Japanese actress, singer and model. She is best known in the West for her roles as Takako Chigusa in Kinji Fukasaku's Japanese film Battle Royale (2000) and as Gogo Yubari in Quentin Tarantino's Hollywood film Kill Bill, Volume 1 (2003).

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Biography [edit]

She was born in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki. Chiaki was a popular model during Japan's child model boom in the mid-1990s. In 1997, she appeared in the photobooks Shinwa-Shōjo (Girl of Myth) and Shōjokan (Girl's Residence), photographed by Kishin Shinoyama. Shinwa-Shōjo became a best-seller but, as it contained some nudity, was discontinued by the publisher in 1999 after the institution of new anti–child pornography laws. She also posed as a model for the child fashion magazines Nicola (1997–2001) and Pichi Lemon (1996–2001).

She first achieved widespread recognition as an actress in Japan for her starring roles in the horror films Shikoku (1999) and Ju-on (2000). Chiaki also appeared in the action film Battle Royale (2000) as Takako Chigusa.

Following feature appearances on several notable Japanese television programs (including Rokubanme no Sayoko), Chiaki made her Hollywood debut in director Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill, Volume I as Gogo Yubari, the schoolgirl bodyguard of yakuza boss O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu). She has stated that she is in the process of learning English and hopes to play more English-language roles in the future.[1]

Chiaki's other film appearances include major roles in the samurai drama Azumi 2: Death or Love and Takashi Miike's Yōkai Daisensō.

In 2010, she released the CD single "Ryūsei no Namida" on DefStar Records as "CHiAKi KURiYAMA". The song was used as the first ending theme for Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. This single was followed by three others under her name as traditionally written in Japanese: "Kanōsei Girl", "Cold Finger Girl", and "Oisihi Kisetsu/Ketteiteki Sanpunkan"; "Cold Finger Girl" was used as the opening for the anime adaptation of Level E. She followed the singles with an album, Circus, in 2011.[2]

Discography [edit]

Singles [edit]

  • "Ryūsei no Namida" (流星のナミダ?, "Meteor's Tears") (February 24, 2010) - Gundam Unicorn episode one theme song (as CHiAKi KURiYAMA)
  • "Kanōsei Girl" (可能性ガール Kanōsei Gāru?, "Probable Girl") (November 17, 2010) - Yorinuki Gin Tama-san third opening theme, produced by Tomoyasu Hotei
  • "Cold Finger Girl" (コールドフィンガーガール Kōrudo Fingā Gāru?) (January 26, 2011) - Level E opening theme, produced by Kenichi Asai
  • "Oishii Kisetsu/Ketteiteki Sanpunkan" (おいしい季節/決定的三分間?, "Tasty Season/Between One-Third of the Decision") (March 2, 2011) - produced by Ringo Sheena
  • "Tsuki no Shouzou" (月夜の肖像?, "Portrait of the Moon") (November 23, 2011) - Himitsu Chouhouin Erika Starring Chiaki Kuriyama as Takahashi Erika (Ending Theme)

Albums [edit]

  • Circus (March 16, 2011)

Filmography [edit]

TV Series [edit]

Films [edit]

Voice roles [edit]

Video games [edit]

TV commercials/advertisements [edit]

Photobooks [edit]

Awards [edit]

References [edit]

External links [edit]