Irie Maiko (入江 麻衣子) was born on February 6, 1993 in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. She is currently affiliated with WITH LINE talent agency. She is the current voice actress of Togetsu Rei, taking over the role for Shizaki Kanon.
Biography[]
Maiko began studying classical music and taking piano lessons at the age of three. In 2007, she won first place at the 11th PIARA National Piano Competition with her performance of "Consolation No.6" by Franz Lizst. Afterwards, she accepted a scholarship into Kwassui High School's piano department, where she graduated at the top of her class.[2] Two years later, she went on to earn first place in her division's High School Music Competition with her performance of "Jeux d'eau" by Maurice Ravel. She has gone on tour with other young musicians from Nagasaki and performed solo concerts in Nagasaki Brick Hall and Togitsu Canary Hall.
After graduating, Maiko studied at Tokyo College of Music. While there, she composed and uploaded original songs to J-Ken, a now defunct Japanese ringtone download website.[3] In 2014, she joined over 14,000 other aspiring actors in entering Oscar Promotion and Aoni Production's first All-Japanese Biseijo Contest. She was one of twelve finalists and the winner of the Blue Oscar NicoNico Award, the "viewer's choice" award for those watching at home.[4] She joined seven of the other finalists from the contest to form a temporary unit called the "Honeyce Girls". They put on several performances in the unit's three-month lifespan.[5]
After signing on with Oscar Promotion as a seiyuu, Maiko landed her first role on an internet radio show for S.S.D.S. (Super Stylish Doctors Story). One of her first major roles came along in 2017, where she was cast as the heroine Oyu in "Shinsengumi: The Life of Okita Souji". She was originally cast as Hijikata Toshizo's wife, Okiku, but she fractured one of her ribs in a sword fight during rehearsal and had to step down from the role. This was her first experience with swordfighting.[6] In August 2017, she left Oscar Promotion and joined WITH LINE.
Maiko's addition into the franchise was announced on September 28, 2022.[7] In addition to working as a seiyuu, she also provides modeling lessons.
Trivia[]
- Maiko's hobbies include cooking, viewing art, reading, playing piano, and aromatherapy.
- She can speak in the Hakata dialect.
- She has her 3rd Dan in Japanese Cosmetics as well as in Business Education, Etiquette and Culture.
- She has passed the Environmental Kaorista test, an exam that prepares employees for addressing key environmental issues.
- Mystery novelist Imamura Masahiro is her cousin.[8]
- She has met Furuya Tōru before, as he was one of the judges in the Biseijo Contest.
References[]
[]