---
name: "Junko Iwao"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/junko-iwao"
fi1m_id: "junko-iwao"
imdb_id: "nm0412585"
tmdb_id: 65437
wikidata_id: "Q242743"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "18 February 1970"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 84
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-23T22:48:27.921415+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Junko Iwao

## Identity

Junko Iwao

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/junko-iwao
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** junko-iwao
- **IMDb ID:** nm0412585
- **TMDB ID:** 65437
- **Wikidata ID:** Q242743
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junko_Iwao, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242743, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412585/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/65437

Actor. Born 18 February 1970 in Beppu, Oita, Japan.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 18 February 1970, Beppu, Oita, Japan
- **Active:** 1995–1998
- **Also known as:** 岩男 潤子, Iwao Junko, 岩男润子, جونکو ایواو
- **Average Fi1m score:** 84, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junko_Iwao, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242743, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412585/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/65437

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Neon Genesis Evangelion*](https://film.one/tv/neon-genesis-evangelion.md) (86)
- **HBO Max:** [*Perfect Blue*](https://film.one/film/perfect-blue.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Junko Iwao

> Junko Iwao keeps *Perfect Blue* close to a frightened person, even when its images make that difficult. We rate her for making Mima's wish to change her life matter as much as the thriller around her.

In *Perfect Blue* (1998), Mima Kirigoe wants to start a different working life, and Junko Iwao makes that wish easy to understand. As Satoshi Kon makes the images harder to trust, her voice keeps Mima's distress from becoming just another puzzle to solve. We were worried for Mima because Iwao makes her vulnerability painful, even when the film leaves us unsure what to believe. It is a strong leading performance in a thriller whose cleverness might otherwise have left us watching from a distance.

Iwao had been a member of the idol group Saint Four in the mid-1980s before moving into voice acting, a useful connection for a role in which she supplies both Mima's speaking and singing. Her anime debut was Melissa Thorn in *Montana Jones* (1994). Hikari Horaki in *Neon Genesis Evangelion* (1995) and Tomoyo Daidouji in *Cardcaptor Sakura* (1998–2000) established another part of her working life, in recurring supporting roles. *Perfect Blue* puts her at the centre, with much more depending on our willingness to follow one person's distress.

Her history as a singer might tempt us to call the casting self-explanatory, which would undersell the acting. A matching credit on a CV cannot supply the vulnerability that makes this performance work. Kon needs us to stay with Mima when we cannot confidently follow every change in perception, and Iwao makes that possible. We have reservations about the film's final explanation, but the acting gives us something to care about well before explanations arrive.

The later credits include Kikyo in *Hunter x Hunter* (2011) and Kazuko Saotome in *Puella Magi Madoka Magica* (2011), with work in anime, films and games continuing into the 2020s. Her work spans psychological thrillers, magical-girl stories and mecha series. For a first encounter, though, we would choose the feature that asks her to carry so much of our concern. Start with *Perfect Blue*, provided a frightening evening is the plan.

## Biography

Junko Iwao is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She was born on 18 February 1970 in Beppu, Ōita Prefecture, and has been active since 1994.

She is known for voicing Mima Kirigoe in the 1997 film *Perfect Blue*, Tomoyo Daidouji in the series *Cardcaptor Sakura* (1998), Hikari Horaki in *Neon Genesis Evangelion* (1995) and its films, and Kikyo in *Hunter x Hunter* (2011). She has also provided voices for numerous other anime series and video games.

Iwao is affiliated with the agency J. Island.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Perfect Blue* (1998), Fi1m 82, as Mima Kirigoe (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/perfect-blue.md)
- *Neon Genesis Evangelion* (1995), Fi1m 86, as Hikari Horaki (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/neon-genesis-evangelion.md)

## Complete filmography (73)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Victoria of Many Faces* (2026), series, as Susan (voice)
- *Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time* (2021), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion The Movie: The Marvelous Fast ALFA-X That Comes From the Future* (2019), as Horaki Sisters (voice)
- *Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card* (2018), as Tomoyo Daidoji
- *Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Take On Me* (2018), as Rikka's Mother (voice)
- *カードキャプターさくら　クリアカード編　プロローグ　さくらとふたつのくま* (2017), as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *Onihei* (2017), series, as Hisae (voice)
- *Working!!! Lord of the Takanashi* (2016), as Haruna Otoo (voice)
- *Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part III: Rebellion* (2013), as Kazuko Satome (voice)
- *Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Rikka Version* (2013), as Rikka's Mother (voice)
- *Attack on Titan* (2013), series, as Sasha's Mother (voice), Lisa Braus (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/attack-on-titan.md)
- *Tamako Market* (2013), series, as Sayuri Yumoto (voice)
- *Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part II: Eternal* (2012), as Kazuko Saotome (voice)
- *Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part I: Beginnings* (2012), as Kazuko Saotome (voice)
- *Place to Place* (2012), series, as Kikue Sakuragawa (voice)
- *Hunter x Hunter* (2011), series, as Kikyo (voice)
- *Puella Magi Madoka Magica* (2011), series, as Kazuko Saotome (voice)
- *Wagnaria!!* (2010), series, as Haruna Otoo (voice)
- *Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance* (2009), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone* (2007), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Lucky Star* (2007), series, as Honoka Iwasaki (voice)
- *よしむね* (2006), series, as (voice)
- *Mushi-Shi* (2005), series, Actor
- *My-Otome* (2005), series, as Akane Soir (voice)
- *Hell Girl* (2005), series, Actor
- *My-Hime* (2004), series, as Akane Higurashi (voice)
- *Idol Fighter Su-Chi-Pai II* (2003), as Monster (voice)
- *Go! Anpanman: Yakisobapanman and Black Sabotenman* (2000), as Yakisaki-san
- *Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card* (2000), as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *Leave it to Kero!* (2000), as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *Ceres: Celestial Legend* (2000), series, as (voice)
- *Oni Tensei* (2000), series, Actor
- *Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal* (1999), as Tomoe Yukishiro (voice)
- *Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie* (1999), as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *Magic User's Club!* (1999), series, as Akane Aikawa (voice)
- *To Heart* (1999), series, as Serika Kurusugawa / Ayaka Kurusugawa (voice)
- *Betterman* (1999), series, as Sakura (voice)
- *Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal* (1999), series, as Tomoe Yukishiro (voice)
- *Tomoyo's Cardcaptor Sakura Video Diary!* (1998), as Tomoyo Daidouji (Voice)
- *Devil Lady* (1998), series, as Jun Fudo / Devil Lady (voice)
- *Cardcaptor Sakura* (1998), series, as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *Cardcaptor Sakura* (1998), as Tomoyo Daidouji (voice)
- *EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)²* (1998), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Revival of Evangelion* (1998), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Perfect Blue* (1998), as Mima Kirigoe (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/perfect-blue.md)
- *Hyper Speed GranDoll* (1997), Actor
- *Hyper Speed GranDoll* (1997), series, Actor
- *Tenchi the Movie 2: The Daughter of Darkness* (1997), as Mayuka
- *Psycho Diver: Soul Siren* (1997), as Yuki Kanou (voice)
- *City Hunter Special: Goodbye My Sweetheart* (1997), as Emi Makaze (voice)
- *Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth* (1997), as Hikari Horaki (voice)
- *Variable Geo* (1997), series, as Chiho Masuda
- *Tales of Byston Well: Garzey's Wing* (1996), series, Actor
- *Harimogu Harry* (1996), series, Actor
- *X* (1996), as Kotori Monou
- *Super Atragon - Part II* (1996), as Annette (voice)
- *Blue Seed Beyond* (1996), series, as Valencia Tachibana (voice)
- *Magic User's Club OVA* (1996), series, Actor
- *Super Atragon - Part I* (1995), as Annette (voice)
- *Super Atragon* (1995), as Annette (voice)
- *Golden Boy* (1995), series, as Employee B (voice)
- *School Ghosts* (1995), series, Actor
- *Saint Tail* (1995), series, as Kyoko
- *Neon Genesis Evangelion* (1995), series, as Hikari Horaki (voice) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/neon-genesis-evangelion.md)
- *Princess Minerva* (1995), as Tua (voice)
- *Key the Metal Idol* (1994), series, as Tokiko "Key" Mima (voice) · Thanks
- *Macross 7* (1994), series, as Sally (voice)
- *GATCHAMAN* (1994), as Jupiter Ninja (ep 2)
- *Montana Jones* (1994), series, as Melissa (voice)
- *New Cutey Honey* (1994), series, as Natsuko (voice)
- *Get Going! Godzilland: Counting 1-2-3!* (1994), as Anguirus (voice)
- *Get Going! Godzilland: Hiragana* (1994), as Anguirus (voice)
- *Chibi Maruko-chan* (1990), series, as Kenta Hasegawa (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Junko Iwao](https://film.one/media/person/87423/gallery-15d39a0e914e.jpg) Junko Iwao — ファイルマーチ, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/JunkoIwao.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil](https://film.one/media/person/87423/gallery-2a70578acfaa.jpg) Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil — Macacaosapao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Anime_Summit_2024_Junko_Iwao_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil](https://film.one/media/person/87423/gallery-09b068c9f77d.jpg) Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil — Macacaosapao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Anime_Summit_2024_Junko_Iwao_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil](https://film.one/media/person/87423/gallery-939150847aca.jpg) Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil — Macacaosapao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Anime_Summit_2024_Junko_Iwao_%283%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil](https://film.one/media/person/87423/gallery-117960f5437d.jpg) Junko Iwao at Anime Summit 2024 in Brasília, Brazil — Macacaosapao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Anime_Summit_2024_Junko_Iwao_%284%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Kazue Takahashi Award 2022: Kazue Takahashi Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/junko-iwao