Akihiro Miwa
Biography
Akihiro Miwa, born Akihiro Maruyama on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki, Japan, was a Japanese singer, actor, author, and drag queen. Known professionally by his stage name, he was recognized as a legendary entertainer and a pioneer of gay activism. As a young singer, Miwa popularized androgyny as a fashion statement by fusing the masculine and the feminine into a signal of a new generation. In his acting career, he is known for voicing characters in Hayao Miyazaki films, including Princess Mononoke released in 1997 and Howl's Moving Castle released in 2004. Miwa passed away on June 20, 2026, at the age of 91.
Career overview
Akihiro Miwa, born Akihiro Maruyama on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki, Japan, was a Japanese singer, actor, author, and drag queen. Known professionally by his stage name, Miwa established himself as a legendary entertainer and a pioneer of gay activism. As a young singer, he popularized androgyny as a fashion statement, fusing the masculine and the feminine into a signal of a new generation.
Throughout his career, Miwa was recognized for his acting work, accumulating known credits in multiple films and television series. On the international stage, he is particularly known as an actor for voicing characters in Hayao Miyazaki films, specifically Princess Mononoke released in 1997 and Howl's Moving Castle released in 2004. His life and career were also documented in the 2013 film Miwa: A Japanese Icon, which highlighted his status as a legendary entertainer and early pioneer of gay activism who rose to prominence as a young singer.
Miwa passed away on June 20, 2026, at the age of ninety-one. His enduring legacy spans music, authorship, drag performance, and voice acting, leaving a distinct mark on Japanese entertainment and cultural history through his multifaceted career and pioneering public persona.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
35 titles- Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash (2025)
- Hanako & Anne (2014) as Narrator
- Miwa: A Japanese Icon (2013) as Himself
- Taro no Tō (2011) Theme Song Performance
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009) as Arceus (voice)
- Ariehen ∞ Sekai (2008)
- Yoshitsune (2005) as KI-ichi Hougen (Yoshitune's tutor)
- Takeshis' (2005) as Self
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) as Witch of the Waste (voice)
- Toy Reanimator (2002)
- Princess Mononoke (1997) as Mrs. Moro (voice)
- The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima (1985) as Self
- La Marie-vison (1983)
- Harmagedon (1983) as Froy (voice)
- The Hunchback of Aomori (1983)
- Maeterlinck's Blue Bird: Tyltyl and Mytyl's Adventurous Journey (1980) as Queen of the Night (voice)
- The Japanese Belly Button (1977) as Business man / Yakuza / Assistant professor
- The Three Ginza Rascals (1976)
- Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets (1971) as Maya at the Hell
- Woman Gambling Expert: Stakes of a Game of Chance (1970)
- Black Rose Mansion (1969) as Ryuko
- Black Lizard (1968) as Black Lizard (Mrs. Midorikawa)
- The Hunter's Diary (1964) as Singer
- Invitation to the Enchanted Town (1961)
- The Prickly Mouthed Geisha Part 2 (1960)
- Ginza Tomboy (1960) as Jirō Ōsawa (Chanson Singer)
- Unmarried (1959)
- Brutal Battle (1959)
- Ai no Noutan (1959)
- Maria of the Ant Village (1958)
- Woman Unveiled (1958) as Singer
- The Capital of Love (1958)
- City Boys, City Girls (1958)
- The Betrothed (1957)
- Warm Current (1957) as Singer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Akihiro Miwa best known for?
Akihiro Miwa is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Hanako & Anne (2014), Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Princess Mononoke (1997).
When and where was Akihiro Miwa born?
Akihiro Miwa was born on May 15, 1935 in Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan. They passed away on June 20, 2026.
How many credits does Akihiro Miwa have?
Akihiro Miwa has accumulated over 35 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1957 to 2025.
What is Akihiro Miwa's background in cinema and television?
Akihiro Miwa, born Akihiro Maruyama on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki, Japan, was a Japanese singer, actor, author, and drag queen. Known professionally by his stage name, he was recognized as a legendary entertainer and a pioneer of gay activism. As a young singer, Miwa popularized androgyny as a fashion statement by fusin...
Akihiro Miwa by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) as Witch of the Waste (voice) — aged about 69
- Princess Mononoke (1997) as Mrs. Moro (voice) — aged about 62
- Hanako & Anne (2014) as Narrator — aged about 79
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009) as Arceus (voice) — aged about 74
- Black Lizard (1968) as Black Lizard (Mrs. Midorikawa) — aged about 33
- Harmagedon (1983) as Froy (voice) — aged about 48
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