Shoko Nakagawa

Shoko Nakagawa (中川 翔子, Nakagawa Shōko, born May 5, 1985) is a Japanese tarento (media personality), actress, voice actress, illustrator, and singer. Also known by her nickname Shokotan (しょこたん), she is best known as the presenter of Pokémon Sunday, and as the performer of the opening theme from the anime Gurren Lagann.

Shoko Nakagawa
中川 翔子
Shoko Nakagawa at Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Japan Premiere Red Carpet 2016
Born
Shiyōko Nakagawa

(1985-05-05) May 5, 1985
Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
Other namesShokotan (しょこたん)
Occupation
Years active1990–present
AgentWatanabe Entertainment
Height155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Parent(s)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2001–present
Labels
Associated acts
  • Katsuhiko Nakagawa
  • Deco*27
Websitewww.shokotan.jp

Biography

Born to actor and musician Katsuhiko Nakagawa, a celebrity in Japan in the 1980s, she was raised in Nakano by her mother after her father's death from leukemia in 1994.[1] Nakagawa found escape from bullies by connecting with Pokémon when she was in 5th grade. "When I was a kid, I didn't have friends, but I did have Pokémon."[2]

In the 2006 book Shokotan Manual (しょこ☆まにゅ, Shoko Manyu), she wrote that her legal name was Shiyōko (しようこ) rather than Shōko (しょうこ), which she had been using for most of her life. At the time of her birth, she and her mother had to remain in the hospital, and her maternal aunt was left with registering her in the koseki. When her mother's intended name of "Shōko" (薔子) was declined due to 薔 being forbidden due to Japanese law, the aunt wrote the name down in hiragana and recorded her name with a large yo rather than its smaller combining form.[3]

She made her entertainment debut in 2001, winning the Grand Prix award at the Popolo Girl Audition[4] and representing the Jackie Chan talent agency. Later, on the "Yume-Ga-Oka Residence" programme on SKY PerfecTV!, she was given a Jackie Chan photobook by Midorikawa Shobō, who were guests on the show. She commented "I thought he was an enemy of Bruce Lee's", apparently referring to Enter the Dragon.

Nakagawa in 2013

In 2002, she was chosen as Miss Shōnen Magazine.[4]

Her official blog, Shokotan * Blog, opened in 2004, and by April 2006 it had received a total of 100 million hits. On February 2, 2008, the daily Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun reported that her blog had been accessed 1 billion times.[4]

In 2004, she made a guest appearance in the 38th episode of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, after having previously appeared as a child in Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman. She later appeared with Katsumura on Men B.

She appeared in a brief section of "Kangaeru Hito" ("People who think") on the Fuji TV network in 2004 as an illustrator, after which she appeared regularly on the later version of the programme which started with minor changes in early 2005, "Kangaeru Hitokoma" ("Thinking about one frame [of a cartoon strip]"). On the Fuji TV show Kangaeru Hitokoma, on which she is an occasional guest, she drew in the style of Kazuo Umezu.

For one year starting in May 2005, she appeared as a regular on the TBS programme "Ōsama no Brunch".[4] In July 2006, she released her debut single "Brilliant Dream". It entered the Oricon chart at number 29, with initial sales of 6313 copies. Nakagawa performed at Anime Expo 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[4]

Some of her work was shown on the May 11, 2006, edition of Downtown Deluxe on the Nippon TV network, She was a member of the judging panel in the "Jump Damashii" section of the Shūeisha publication Weekly Shōnen Jump, starting from Jump number 13 of 2006.

On the May 30, 2006, airing of Kasupe!, in the section entitled Fuji Ginkō Geinōjin Satei-Gakari (フジ銀行 芸能人査定係), "Fuji Bank Celebrity Evaluator", it was discovered that she liked the manga Kachō Shima Kōsaku, eliciting a comment from the host, Sayaka Aoki, that she had pretty "grown-up tastes".

In 2009, she opened a store called "mmts" with the theme of her hobby in Nakano Broadway.

In 2009–2010, she appeared in a series of commercials for Norton AntiVirus.[5][6]

In March 2014, Nakagawa's book of autobiographical essays, Neko no Ashiato ("Cats' Pawprints"), was published by Magazine House. In March 2015, the book was adapted as an anime series titled Omakase Mamitasu ("Leave It to Mamitasu") on NHK,[7] which featured characters based on Nakagawa's cat and her late father and grandfather.[8]

In 2018, Nakagawa returned to Anime Expo to perform as part of Anisong World Matsuri.[9]

In 2019, Nakagawa performed with Sachiko Kobayashi the song "Kaze to Issho ni" (風といっしょに), which was used as the theme song to the theatrical film Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution; it is a cover of a song originally performed by Kobayashi, which was used as the theme song to the 1998 film Pokémon: The First Movie.[10]

Filmography

TV
  • AX MUSIC-TV 00 (2003–2004)
  • Pokémon Sunday (ポケモン☆サンデー, Pokemon☆Sandē) (2006–2010)
  • Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (特捜戦隊デカレンジャー, Tokusō Sentai Dekarenjā) (2004) as Falupian Yaako (guest appearance) Episode 38
  • Isshukan no Koi (一週間の恋) (2006)
  • Hou no Niwa (法の庭) (2007)
  • Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi (ほんとにあった怖い話) (2007)
  • Shūmatsu no Cinderella Sekai! Dangan Traveler (週末のシンデレラ 世界!弾丸トラベラー, Shūmatsu-no-shinderera Sekai! DanganToraberā) (2007–2012)
  • Waraiga Ichiban (笑いがいちばん, Waraiga Ichiban) (2007–2010)
  • Anmitsu Hime (あんみつ姫) (2008)
  • Anmitsu Hime 2 (あんみつ姫2) (2009)
  • Pokémon Smash! (ポケモンスマッシュ！, Pokemon Sumasshu!) (2010–2013)
  • Pokémon Get TV (ポケモンゲット☆TV, Pokemon Getto Terebi) (2013–2015)
  • Gunshi Kanbei (軍師官兵衛) (2014) as Okita
  • Mare (まれ) (2015)
  • Meet Up at the Pokémon House? (ポケモンの家あつまる?, Pokémon no Uchi Atsumaru?) (2015-present)
  • Yuusha Yoshihiko to Michibikareshi 7-nin (勇者ヨシヒコと導かれし七人) (2016)
  • Anata no Koto wa sore hodo (あなたのことはそれほど) (2017)
  • Tokyo Vampire Hotel (東京ヴァンパイアホテル) (2017)

Films

Stageplays
  • Maybe Happy Ending (2020)[11]

Anime
Year Title Role Note
2005 Eyeshield 21 Suzuna Taki
2012 Saint Seiya Omega Saori Kido/Athena
2013 Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Yogen-gyo Film
Majocco Shimai no Yoyo to Nene Bahiku
2015 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Yogen-gyo Film
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Diana ONA
Season 2[12]
Dragon Ball Super Yogen-gyo
2016 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Diana TV Anime
Season 3[13]
2017 Akiba's Trip: The Animation Risa Deiba
2021 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie -Part 1&2- Diana 2-Part film
Season 4 of Sailor Moon Crystal[14]

Pokémon films
  • Nakagawa also has voiced characters in every Pokémon movie since 2007:
Year Title Role
2007 Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Dialga vs. Palkia vs. Darkrai Maki
2008 Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Giratina and the Bouquet of the (Frozen) Sky: Shaymin Infy
2009 Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie – Arceus: To a Conquering Spacetime Notched-Ear Pichu
2010 Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Phantom Ruler: Zoroark Proof
2011 Pokémon Best Wishes! the Movie: Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram Aude
2011 Pokémon Best Wishes! the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo Keldeo
2014 Pokémon the Movie XY: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Millis Steele
2015 Pokémon the Movie XY: The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa Mary
2016 Pokémon the Movie XY&Z: Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna Racel
2017 Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Nurse Joy
2018 Pokémon the Movie: Everyone's Story Riku
2020 Pokémon the Movie: CoCo Karen

Video games

Live-action

Animation

Discography

Shoko Nakagawa is signed to Sony Japan.

Singles
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal salesInformation
"Brilliant Dream"July 5, 20066,31310,459Opening theme for Yoshimune
"Strawberry Melody"
(ストロベリmelody, Sutoroberi Merodi)		February 14, 200710,02315,784Theme for TBS's program Pokémon Sunday theme song and Wanagona theme song.
"Sorairo Days"
(空色デイズ, Sorairo Deizu, "Sky Blue Days")		June 27, 200730,51767,453Opening theme for Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
"Snow Tears"January 30, 200826,06843,450Ending theme for Hakaba Kitaro
"Shiny Gate"August 6, 200813,56420,316Theme song for Tokyo OnlyPic 2008
"Tsuzuku Sekai"
(続く世界, "The World Continues")		September 10, 200832,90649,368Ending Song of the anime film Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Guren-hen
"Kirei à la Mode"
(綺麗ア・ラ・モード, Kirei A Ra Mōdo, "Beautiful à la Mode")		October 22, 200813,75820,236Commercial song for Fujiya Look Royal Mode
"Namida no Tane, Egao no Hana"
(涙の種、笑顔の花, "Seed of Tears, Flower of Smile")		April 29, 200923,38338,932Ending Song of Gekijoban Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Lagann Hen
"Kokoro no Antenna"
(心のアンテナ, Kokoro no Antena, "Antenna of the Heart")		July 15, 200913,53321,954Ending Song of Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

A special edition of the single features "Moe yo, Gizamimi Pichu!" (もえよ ギザみみピチュー!, Moeyo Gizamimi Pichū!, "Get Fired Up, Spiky-Eared Pichu!"), an ending song for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

"Arigatō no Egao"
(「ありがとうの笑顔」, "Thank you Smile")		October 14, 200912,40715,027Contains the Ending Song of the Japanese Version of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs ("Rainbow Forecast") and Shokotan's version of Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl second opening song ("Ame ni Kiss no Hanataba o").
"RAY OF LIGHT"April 28, 201012,97722,637Fifth ending theme for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
"Flying Humanoid"
(フライングヒューマノイド, Furaingu Hyūmanoido)		August 18, 201013,21717,729Opening theme for Occult Academy
"Sakurairo"
(桜色, "Cherry Blossom Pink")		April 6, 20116,5069,006Original song
"Tsuyogari"
(つよがり, "Show of Courage")		June 8, 201112,72915,212Second ending theme for Beelzebub
"Horoscope"
(ホロスコープ, Horosukōpu)		January 11, 20128,156Theme song for TV show Uchikuru!?
"Zoku Konton"
(続混沌, "Continued Chaos")		June 5, 2013–Theme song for game Sennen Yusha: Tokiwatari no Tomoshibito
"Sakasama Sekai/Once Upon a Time (Kibō no Uta)"
(さかさま世界/Once Upon a Time -キボウノウタ-, "Upsidedown World/Once Upon a Time (Song of Hope)")		December 11, 2013–"Sakasama Sekai" as theme song for game Puzzle & Dragons Z and "Once Upon a Time (Kibō no Uta)" as the opening for the Japanese broadcast of Once Upon a Time
"DoriDori"
(ドリドリ, "Dream Dream")		February 18, 201516,180Ending theme for Pokémon XY anime
"Blue Moon"November 28, 201819,183Second ending theme for Zoids Wild
"Furefure"September 9, 20203,275Second ending theme for Genie Family 2020

Collaboration Singles
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal salesInformation
"Love Letter From Canada"
(カナダからの手紙, Kanada Kara no tegami)		March 10, 2013Theme song of Uchikuru!?
Featured artist with Hideyuki Nakayama
"Nuigulumar Z"
(ヌイグルマーＺ, Nuigurumā Zetto)		January 22, 2014–For the movie Gothic Lolita Battle Bear
Featured artist with Tokusatsu
"Kira-kira Go Around"
(キラキラ-go-round)		July 23, 2014–For the movie Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace
Featured artist with angela
"PUNCH LINE!"April 29, 201515,83822,754Collaboration with Dempagumi.inc. Opening theme for Punch Line[20]
"Mugen Blanc/Noir"
(無限∞ブランノワール, Mugen ∞ Buran Nowāru)		October 28, 201511,958Collaboration with Sachiko Kobayashi. Theme song for game Mugen Knights
"Magical Circle"November 17, 2017––Collaboration with Technoboys Pulcraft Green-Fund. Second Ending Song for the third series of Magical Circle Guru Guru.
"Mister Darlin'"
(ミスター・ダーリン)		November 7, 2018––Featuring artist CHiCO with HoneyWorks
"Kaze to Issho ni"
(風といっしょに)		July 10, 2019––Collaboration with Sachiko Kobayashi. A theme song for the anime movie Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back EVOLUTION

Cover albums
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal sales
Shokotan Cover: Anison ni Koi o Shite.
(しょこたん☆かばー ～アニソンに恋をして。～, Shokotan Kabā ~Anison ni Koi o Shite.~,
"In Love with Anime Songs.")		May 2, 200712,57931,501
Shokotan Cover Cover: Anison ni Ai o Komete!!
(しょこたん☆かばー×2 ～アニソンに愛を込めて!!～, Shokotan Kabā Kabā ~Anison ni Ai o Komete~,
"Full of Love for Anime Songs!!")		September 19, 200717,83623,964
Shokotan Cover 3: Anison wa Jinrui o Tsunagu
(しょこたん☆かばー 3 ～アニソンは人類をつなぐ～, Shokotan Kabā 3 ~Anison wa Jinrui o Tsunagu~,
"Anime Songs Connect Mankind")		March 10, 201015,343–
Shokotan Cover 4-1: Shoko Idol Hen
(しょこたん☆かばー4-1 ～しょこ☆ドル篇～, Shokotan Kabā 4-1 ~Shoko Doru Hen~,
"Shoko Idol Part")		October 12, 2011
Shokotan Cover 4-2: Shoko Rock Hen
(しょこたん☆かばー4-2 ～しょこ☆ロック篇～, Shokotan Kabā 4-2 ~Shoko Rokku Hen~,
"Shoko Rock Part")		October 12, 2011
"Tokyo Shoko Land 2014: RPG-teki Michi no Kioku" Shokotan Cover Bangaihen Produced by Kohei Tanaka
(「TOKYO SHOKO☆LAND 2014 ～RPG的 未知の記憶～」しょこたん☆かばー番外編 Produced by Kohei Tanaka,
"Tokyo Shoko Land 2014: RPG with Unknown Memories" Shokotan Cover Extra Version Produced by Kohei Tanaka)		September 24, 2014

Mini albums
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal sales
nsum: Shoko Nakagawa has Been Tried in Singing!
(nsum～中川翔子がうたってみた！～, nsum ~Nakagawa Shoko ga Utatte Mita!~)		August 15, 20127,775
UCHI-SHIGOTO,SOTO-SHIGOTO!!January 9, 2013

Best albums
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal sales
Shokotan Best
((しょこたん☆べすと――(°∀°) ――!!), Shokotan☆Besuto)		May 2, 201214,203

Albums
TitleRelease dateFirst week salesTotal sales
Big Bang!!!March 19, 200832,61245,793
Magic TimeJanuary 1, 200926,19740,015
Cosmic InflationOctober 6, 201014,45321,459
9livesApril 2, 2014––
RGB ~True Color~December 4, 2019––

Other songs

Printed media

Photobooks
TitleIssue datePublisherISBNPhotobook information
Jewel BoxApril 1, 2004AscomISBN 978-4-7762-0147-2First photobook
In a mysterious daze (不思議に夢中, Fushigi ni Muchū)July 25, 2005Wani MagazineISBN 978-4-89829-798-8Second photobook
Shoko et Mikanne (中川翔子ｘ蜷川実花（しょこれみかんぬ）, Shokoremikanu)April 15, 2007Wani BooksISBN 978-4-8470-3000-0Third photobook
Shoko a la mode (しょこア・ラ・モード―, Shokoa ra mōdō)November 25, 2008Shufu-to-Seikatsu-shaISBN 978-4-391-13707-1Guide on how to use cosmetics/dress up doll
Miracle Sketch – Nakagawa Shoko Illust Sakuhinshu (ミラクルスケッチ 中川翔子イラスト作品集, Miracle Sketch – Nakagawa Shoko Illust Sakuhinshu)January 23, 2010YosenshaISBN 978-4862485137A collection of illustrations by Shoko Nakagawa
Nakagawa Shoko Monogatari – Sorairo Days (中川翔子物語~空色デイズ~)July 16, 2010KodanshaISBN 978-4063642742A manga about the life of Shoko Nakagawa from her childhood. The limited edition contains an extra book with pictures and a pencil box.
Shoko Nakagawa x Mika Ninagawa Photobook "Shoko et Mikanne2 " (中川翔子×蜷川実花写真集 『 しょこれみかんぬ 2 』)January 28, 2011Wani BooksISBN 978-4847043390Second collaboration with Mika Ninagawa.
Saipan hatsu, Nakano keiyu Mirai iki-Nakagawa Shoko Giza 10- (サイパン発、中野経由、未来行き 中川翔子 ギザ10)May 30, 2012KodanshaISBN 978-4-06-364889-8
Shoko-Pedia Nakagawa Shoko Ongakukatsudo Dai Ikki Kiroku Shu (中川翔子音楽活動第一期記録集10)January 25, 2013EnterbrainISBN 978-4047287440Contains Interviews from the beginning of her career until 2013 and many pictures.
Nakagawa Shoko Pokemon ga Ikiru Imi o Oshietekureta Shogakkan Visual Mook (ポケモンが生きる意味を教えてくれた)July 10, 2013ShogakukanISBN 978-4091032287

Blogs
TitleIssue datePublisherISBNNotes
Shokotan Official Blog (しょこたんぶろぐ・中川翔子＊オフィシャル BLOG＊)October 10, 2005Goma BooksISBN 4-7771-0210-6Entries from November 2004 to August 2005
Shokotan Official Blog 2 (しょこたんぶろぐ・中川翔子＊オフィシャル BLOG 2 ＊)November 10, 2006Goma BooksISBN 4-7771-0487-7Entries from September 2005 to August 2006
Shokotan Blog Days of Desire (しょこたんぶろぐ貪欲デイズ)January 25, 2008Kadokawa Group PublishingISBN 978-4-04-895012-1Entries from October 2006 to December 2007
Shokotan Blog Cho Donyoku Days (しょこたんぶろぐ 超貪欲デイズ)January 16, 2010Kadokawa Group PublishingISBN 978-4-04-895069-5Entries from March 2008 to October 2009

References
  1. "Without Pokémon, We Wouldn't Have Japan's Nerd Heroine". Kotaku. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  2. "She Didn't Have Friends. She Had Pocket Monsters". Kotaku. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  3. Shoko Manyu しょこ☆まにゅ [Shokotan Manual] (in Japanese). Japan: Gakken. December 1, 2006. ISBN 978-4054031999.
  4. Galbraith, Patrick W. (2009). The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan. Kodansha International. p. 206. ISBN 978-4-7700-3101-3.
  5. "ノートン2009は「ギザ貪欲すなぁ」中川翔子が新製品をPR". internet.watch.impress.co.jp. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  6. "中川翔子、過酷な撮影に「ほんとに苦しかった…」 – 「ノートン 2010」新CM". マイナビニュース (in Japanese). September 1, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  7. "Shokotan's Autobiographical Cat & Family Essays Get TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  8. "Shoko Nakagawa – Interview (2019)". J-Generation. January 2, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  9. "Interview: Shoko Nakagawa". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  10. "Shokotan, Enka Singer Sachiko Kobayashi Sing Pokémon's Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution Film Theme". Anime News Network. April 6, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  11. "CAST｜ミュージカル『メイビー、ハッピーエンディング』". www.tohostage.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  12. Nelkin, Sarah (March 3, 2015). "Idol Shoko Nakagawa to Voice Diana in Sailor Moon Crystal". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  13. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 2, 2016). "Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Videos Preview Animation, Theme Songs". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  14. しぶとい中川翔子 [@shoko55mmts] (July 3, 2020). "Shoko Nakagawa confirms her return to voice Diana in Sailor Moon Eternal films!" (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
  15. "Shoko Nagakawa – 27 Character Images | Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
  16. "討鬼伝2 – コーエーテクモゲームス". gamecity.ne.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  17. "アリーナ | キャラクター | いただきストリート ドラゴンクエスト＆ファイナルファンタジー 30th ANNIVERSARY | SQUARE ENIX". jp.square-enix.com (in Japanese). Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  18. "サイレントヒル". Star Channel. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  19. "シュガー・ラッシュ：オンライン". Fukikaeru. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  20. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-18/shokotan-dempagumi.inc-to-perform-punch-line-anime-theme-song/.85123
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.