Biography
Yui Aragaki is a Japanese idol, model, actress, singer, voice actress (seiyū), and occasional radio show host. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the 2007 film "Koizora" ("Sky of Love"), which was a box office success.
Born on June 11, 1988, in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Yui Aragaki has two older sisters. She entered the entertainment world after winning the Grand Prix award in an audition for the junior fashion magazine Nicola (ニコラ Nikora). At 13, she began modeling for Nicola in 2001 and became very popular, setting a record with 15 cover appearances. Fellow Nicola model Ayako Enomoto gave her the nickname "Gakki."
At 15, Aragaki moved to Tokyo to attend Horikoshi High School, known for its celebrity students. In 2004, she paused her Nicola modeling to pursue gravure modeling and acting, also appearing in commercials and variety shows, with her Pocky commercials gaining particular popularity. She officially graduated from Nicola in 2005 but continued to appear in the magazine occasionally.
Her acting breakthrough came in 2005 with a role in the TBS drama Dragon Sakura, alongside idols like Tomohisa Yamashita and Masami Nagasawa. Since then, she has appeared in numerous dramas, including My Boss, My Hero and Gal Circle. She starred in the 2007 hit tragic romance film Koizora, earning her first accolade, the Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Newcomer. To date, she has received five newcomer awards.
In 2008, Aragaki won the Film Prize at the 45th Golden Arrow Awards. Her intense workload from numerous film projects and preparations for her debut album led to work-related stress in 2007.
Beyond acting, she released her debut album, Sora, and the single "Heavenly Days," a track from Koizora. The album also featured "Memories," the theme song for Tokyo Serendipity. She has performed live at Budokan.
From 2010 to 2012, she co-hosted the popular radio program Girls Locks.
