Aoi Yu, born Natsui Yu in Kasuga, Fukuoka, which is a de facto suburb of Fukuoka City, is a Japanese actress, voice actress, model and TV personality who has become a beloved tour de force in Japan and beyond. In 1999, at the age of 14, she made her stage debut as Polly in the musical production of Annie where she was picked from among hundreds of candidates at an 1999 audition while being only fourteen years old. Aoi began her silver screen career with the controversial All About Lily Chou-Chou before going on to leading roles in films like Letters From Kanai Nirai and One Million Yen Girl. She has participated in the live action series Mushishi, short film collection Tokyo! and been the voice of the imaginary companion Ikechan in Ikechan and Me. In this period she has been awarded numerous prizes including Best Supporting Actress for Hula Girls at the Japanese Academy Award where she was competing against herself in 2007. Elsewhere she has reprised the role of Noriko in Tokyo Family, a remake of the classic of cinema Tokyo Story, had yet another memorable role in the TV series Penance, released photo books, did modelling and commercial work and returned to the stage for the play, Gakuya. Aoi Yu's trademarks include her kind and innocent eyes, light make-up and slim build. Being an Art major Aoi Yu plays piano, listens to Chatmonchy and loves the ballet, the latter of which comprised a pivotal scene in her memorable performance in Hana And Alice.