Yū Wakui

Yū Wakui (和久井 優, Wakui Yū, born 24 January 1995) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Mitt Management talent agency. She studied ballet from a young age, which helped create an interest in theatre and performance. During high school, she began the theatrical studies that led her to become a voice actor.

Yū Wakui
和久井 優
Born (1995-01-24) 24 January 1995
NationalityJapanese
OccupationVoice actor
Years active2014–present
AgentMitt Management
Notable work
Height166 cm (5 ft 5 in)
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Her debut role in voice acting was in 2014 as Sumire Hikami, one of the main characters in the Aikatsu!. In 2016, she voiced Yōko Nishikawa, one of the three protagonists in Three Leaves, Three Colors. She was cast in 2020 as Toru Asakura in The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series of singing video games, and has had over 15 musical album releases as that character. Many of these Idolmaster Shiny Colors albums charted highly on the Oricon music charts.

Wakui played the lead role of Shiori Goshiki (opposite Taku Yashiro as Ichiro Kuga) in the 2023 anime adaptation of A Galaxy Next Door.

Biography

Personal life

Yū Wakui was born on 24 January 1995 and grew up in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.[1] She enjoys Japanese calligraphy, playing the piano and flute, and performing classical ballet.[2] She took lessons in classical ballet from a young age, which helped create an interest in theatre and performance.[1][3]

Career

Wakui wanted to work in the performing arts, so she researched various theatrical companies and training schools while in high school before settling on Himawari Theatre Group because they offered full-time training courses. To balance her high school and theatre studies, she commuted between Tochigi and Tokyo until she graduated, at which point she switched to theatrical studies full time.[1]

She enjoyed anime and voice acting, so she started working as a voice actor to challenge herself.[3] Her debut voice role was in 2014 as Sumire Hikami, one of the main characters in seasons 3 and 4 of the Aikatsu! television series as well as the sequel series Aikatsu Stars! (2018) and the hybrid live-action and animated Aikatsu on Parade! (2019).[4] Aikatsu! The Movie was released in 2014, with three more animated Aikatsu! films in 2015, 2016, and 2022, as well as three Aikatsu! video games in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

In 2016, Wakui voiced Yōko Nishikawa, one of the protagonists in the anime television series Three Leaves, Three Colors.[5] As part of that series, a Clover Kakumation music album was released in April that year featuring singing by Wakui, Mai Kanazawa, and Ayaka Imamura. It debuted on the Oricon charts at #40 and remained on the chart for nine weeks.[6] A second music album, Gūchoki Parade, debuted the same month at #46 and remained on the chart for five weeks.[7] In a 2017 Nissin Cup Noodle commercial, she played a younger Sazae Fuguta as part of the "Hungry Days" advertising series.[8]

From her debut in 2014 until the end of October 2022, Wakui was represented by Himawari Theatre Group.[9] She was a free agent until 12 January 2023, when she signed with the Mitt Management talent agency.[10]

Wakui was announced in February 2022 for the lead role of Shiori Goshiki (opposite Taku Yashiro as Ichiro Kuga) in the anime adaptation of A Galaxy Next Door.[11] The series begain airing in April 2023.[12][13]

Idolmaster series

Beginning in 2020, she played the role of Toru Asakura in The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series of idol star video games.[14] Several tie-in music albums featuring characters from the games were released for the series, most of them charting high on the Oricon charts. The first three Idolmaster Shiny Colors albums all debuted at #4 on the Oricon charts: Gradate Wing 01 (April 2020, charting for 31 weeks),[15] and Gradate Wing 07 in September 2020) remained charted for 20 weeks,[16] and Colorful Feathers -Sol- (March 2021) remained charted for seven weeks.[17] Layered Wing 01 (April 2021) debuted at #6 and stayed on the charts for nine weeks.[18]

As of April 2023, the album that charted the highest was Voyager: Shiny Colors Edition (August 2021), which debuted at #2 and remained on the charts for 21 weeks.[19] Layered Wing 07 was released in October that year, debuting at #6 on the charts, and staying charted for eight weeks.[20]

April 2022 saw the release of two albums: Panorama Wing 01 (which debuted at #10 and remained charted for six weeks) and 3rd Live Tour Piece on Planet / Tokyo (debuted at #11 and was charted for four weeks).[21][22] The related 3rd Live Tour Piece on Planet / Fukuoka was released the following month, debuting at #6 and remaining charted for three weeks.[23] Synthe-Side 02 was released in July. It debuted at #25 and remained charted for four weeks.[24] The next album, Panorama Wing 07, remained charted for seven weeks after debuting at #9.[25]

The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Wing Collection was released across two albums in January and February 2023 (respectively). A Side debuted at #20 and stayed on the charts for five weeks.[26] B Side stayed on the charts for three weeks after debuting at #17.[27]

Filmography

Main character roles are indicated in bold in the "Role" column.

Anime series

List of voice performances in anime
Year Title Role Notes Sources
2014Aikatsu!Sumire Hikami-[4]
2016Mr. OsomatsuFlower Fairy-
Three Leaves, Three ColorsYōko Nishikawa-[5]
Aikatsu Stars!Sumire Hikami, Nico, Kaoru Kazama, Sakura Maruyama, others-
New Game!various characters-
2017Armed Girl's Machiavellismvarious characters-
Restaurant to Another WorldHannahseason 2 episode 2
2018Butlers: Chitose Momotose MonogatariAyama Kitazono, Takashi Mikuni (child)-
Aikatsu Friends!Ulala Utagawa, Charles Charlotte-
2019DoraemonTennin-
Senryu Girlvarious characters-
Cardfight!! Vanguardfemale customer-
Aikatsu on Parade!Sumire Hikami, Charles Charlotte-
2020Asteroid in Lovegirl-
A3!passerby-
By the Grace of the GodsMaylene-
2021Aikatsu Planet!Modern Eau de Parfum-
Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisanchild, college student-
2023Kaina of the Great Snow SeaSūro-
Tomo-chan Is a Girl!Hanao-sensei-
A Galaxy Next DoorShiori Goshiki-[11][12][13]

Anime films

List of voice performances in film
Year Title Role Notes Sources
2014Aikatsu! The MovieSumire Hikami-
2015Aikatsu! Music Awards - The Show Where Everyone Gets an Award!Sumire Hikami-
2016Aikatsu! The Targeted Magical Aikatsu CardSumire Hikami-
2022Aikatsu Planet! The MovieModern Eau de Parfum-

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Sources
2014Aikatsu! 365-Nichi no Idol DaysSumire Hikami-
2015Aikatsu! My No. 1 Stage!Sumire Hikami-
2016Aikatsu! Photo on Stage!!Sumire Hikami-
Puzzle of EmpiresMinamoto no Yoshitsune, Pericles-
Yome CollectionYōko Nishikawa-
2017Quiz RPG: The World of Mystic WizMaya Stilma-
2018The Idolmaster Shiny ColorsToru Asakuravoiced from 2020 to 2022[14]
Super Robot Wars X-OmegaSumire Hikami-
Tokimeki IdolFrancesca Tanaka-[28]
2019Kirara FantasiaYōko Nishikawa-[29]
Doraemon Story of SeasonsSerena, Kiiron (one of the korpokkur)-[30]
2022The Idolmaster Pop LinksToru Asakura-

Commercials

List of performances in commercial advertisements
Year Title Role Notes Sources
2017Nissin Cup Noodle Hungry Days Sazae-san versionSazae FugutaSet in Sazae-san's high school days.[8]

Discography

List of albums containing her work, listed by date of release
Title Album details Peak positions Notes Sources
JPN JPN Hot
クローバー♣かくめーしょん
(Clover Kakumation)
  • Released: 20 April 2016
  • Label: Toho
  • Catalog #: THCS-60092
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
40 85 Charted for 9 weeks on Oricon.
Three Leaves, Three Colors series
[6][31]
ぐーちょきパレード
(Gūchoki Parade)
  • Released: 20 April 2016
  • Label: Toho
  • Catalog #: THCS-60093
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
46 Charted for 5 weeks.
Three Leaves, Three Colors series
[7]
「三者三葉」キャラクターソング Vol.1
("Three Leaves, Three Colors" Character Song Vol. 1)
  • Released: 18 May 2016 (JPN)
  • Label: Toho
  • Catalog #: THCS-60095
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
Three Leaves, Three Colors series [32]
Dreaming-ing!! Tokimeki Idol series [33]
カン違いSummer Days
(Kanchigai Summer Days)
[34]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Gradate Wing 01
  • Released: 8 April 2020
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-14982
  • Formats: CD
4 Charted for 31 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[15]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Gradate Wing 07
  • Released: 16 September 2020
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24005
  • Formats: CD
4 Charted for 20 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[16]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Colorful Feathers -Sol-
  • Released: 10 March 2021
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACA-15863
  • Formats: CD
4 Charted for 7 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[17]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Layered Wing 01
  • Released: 14 April 2021
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24111
  • Formats: CD
6 Charted for 9 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[18]
Voyager【シャイニーカラーズ盤】
Voyager: Shiny Colors Edition
  • Released: 4 August 2021
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24165
  • Formats: CD
2 Charted for 21 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[19]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Layered Wing 07
  • Released: 13 October 2021
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24117
  • Formats: CD
6 Charted for 8 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[20]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors Solo Collection: Layered Wing part 1
  • Released: 14 February 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACZ-10090/1
  • Formats: CD
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series. [35]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors Solo Collection: Layered Wing part 2
  • Released: 14 February 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACZ-10092/3
  • Formats: CD
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series. [36]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Panorama Wing 01
  • Released: 13 April 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24251
  • Formats: CD
10 Charted for 6 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[21]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: 3rd Live Tour Piece on Planet / Tokyo
  • Released: 20 April 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LABX-8545/7
  • Formats: Blu-ray
11 Charted for 4 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[22]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: 3rd Live Tour Piece on Planet / Fukuoka
  • Released: 18 May 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LABX-8548/50
  • Formats: Blu-ray
6 Charted for 3 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[23]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Synthe-Side 02
  • Released: 13 July 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24245
  • Formats: CD
25 Charted for 4 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[24]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Panorama Wing 07
  • Released: 12 October 2022
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACM-24257
  • Formats: CD
9 Charted for 7 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[25]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Wing Collection - A Side
  • Released: 18 January 2023
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACA-9946/7
  • Formats: CD
20 Charted for 5 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[26]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors: Wing Collection - B Side
  • Released: 8 February 2023
  • Label: Lantis
  • Catalog #: LACA-9948/9
  • Formats: CD
17 Charted for 3 weeks.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[27]
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors Solo Collection - Masters of Idol World!!!!! 2023
  • Released: 11 February 2023
  • Label: Columbia Japan
  • Catalog #: SACX-1087
  • Formats: CD
Special release from a Tokyo Dome event.
The Idolmaster Shiny Colors series.
[37]

References

  1. 巻頭インタビュー 和久井優・神田朝香・寺下怜見・田上真里奈 [First Interview: Yū Wakui, Asaka Kōda, Remi Terashita, Marina Tanoue] (PDF). Here Comes the Sun (in Japanese). Vol. 11. Tokyo, Japan: 劇団ひまわり. 1 June 2016. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. 和久井 優 [Yū Wakui] (in Japanese). 劇団ひまわり. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  3. ここだけプロファイル 和久井優 [Profile Until Now: Yū Wakui] (in Japanese). アニメマシテ / TV Tokyo. February 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  4. Loveridge, Lynzee (27 July 2014). "Shino Shimoji, Yu Wakui, Yui Ishikawa Star in New Aikatsu TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  5. Loo, Egan (27 July 2014). "Sansha Sanyō Anime Casts Mai Kanazawa, Ayaka Imamura, Yū Wakui". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  6. クローバー■かくめーしょん [Clover Kakumation] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  7. ぐーちょきパレード [Gūchoki Parade] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. 窪之内英策×カップヌードル第3弾はサザエさん!高校生のマスオが公開告白 [Eiskau Kubonouchi x Cup Noodle part 3 is Sazae-san! A high school Masuo publicly confesses his feelings] (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. 22 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  9. 和久井優 [@wakuwakuwakuiyu] (1 November 2022). 【お知らせ】この度、長らくお世話になりました劇団ひまわり 砂岡事務所を退社し、本日よりフリーで活動する運びとなりました。 [(Announcement) Starting today, I will be leaving the Sunaoka office of Himawari Theatre Group and will be working as a freelancer.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023 via Twitter.
  10. 和久井優 [@wakuwakuwakuiyu] (11 January 2023). 【お知らせ】この度、本日1月12日よりmitt managementに所属することになりました。 [(Announcement) Beginning January 12, I will be represented by mitt management.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023 via Twitter.
  11. Loo, Egan (27 April 2022). "Sweetness & Lightning Creator Gido Amagakure's A Galaxy Next Door Manga Gets TV Anime in 2023". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  12. 雨隠ギド最新作『おとなりに銀河』ヒロインが語るアニメ版の魅力 (page 1) [The heroine of Gido Amagakure's most recent work "A Galaxy Next Door" discusses the appeal of the anime version (page 1)] (in Japanese). Yahoo! News Japan. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  13. 雨隠ギド最新作『おとなりに銀河』ヒロインが語るアニメ版の魅力 (page 2) [The heroine of Gido Amagakure's most recent work "A Galaxy Next Door" discusses the appeal of the anime version (page 2)] (in Japanese). Yahoo! News Japan. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
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  16. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS GR@DATE WING 07" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  17. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS COLORFUL FE@THERS -Sol-" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  18. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS L@YERED WING 01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  19. VOY@GER【シャイニーカラーズ盤】 [Voyager (Shiny Colors Edition)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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  24. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Synthe-Side 02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  25. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS PANOR@MA WING 07" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  26. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS WING COLLECTION -A side-" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  27. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS WING COLLECTION -B side-" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  28. 期待の新作アプリ「ときめきアイドル」を大特集!! [Anticipated new app "Tokimeki Idol" large collection!!]. Comptiq (in Japanese). Kadokawa. March 2018. pp. 4–20.
  29. 『きらファン』に『三者三葉』が参戦。西川葉子、小田切双葉、葉山照が登場 [In "Kirara Fantasia", "Three Leaves, Three Colors" is going to war. Introducing Yōko Nishikawa, Futaba Odagiri, and Teru Hayama.] (in Japanese). Dengeki Online. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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  31. Billboard Japan Hot 100 2016年04月27日 [Billboard Japan Hot 100 - 27 April 2016] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  32. 「三者三葉」キャラクターソング Vol.1 ["Three Leaves, Three Colors" Character Song Vol. 1] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  33. "Dreaming-ing!!" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  34. カン違い Summer Days [Kanchigai Summer Days] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  35. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS SOLO COLLECTION L@YERED WING part 1" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  36. "THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS SOLO COLLECTION L@YERED WING part 2" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  37. 【アイマスMOIW2023】「THE IDOLM@STER M@STERS OF IDOL WORLD!!!!! 2023」開催記念CDの発売記念CD/映像フェアの開催が決定! [(IMAS MOIW2023) "The Idolmaster Master of Idol World!!!!! 2023" souvenir keepsake album launch CD / image fair opening is set!] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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