AYAKA MIYOSHI CHARMS US AS ANN – THE WISE, INTUITIVE AND PUZZLE-SAVVY CHARACTER SHE PLAYS IN ALICE IN BORDERLAND ON NETFLIX. WHILE SHE FIRST BURST ONTO THE SCENE SINGING IN THE JAPANESE IDOL GROUP SAKURA GAKUIN, MIYOSHI ROSE TO FAME AS A MODEL FOR JAPAN’S FASHION MAGAZINE SEVENTEEN, A PRACTICE SHE CONTINUES TO NURTURE TO THIS DAY. WHEN SHE ISN’T TRAINING FOR HER TIME-CONSUMING AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING LEAD ROLES, OR MODELLING FOR BIG NAMES, SHE IS MOST LIKELY OUT FOR DINNER ENJOYING HER FAVOURITE ASIAN CUISINE, WHICH SHE AVIDLY SHARES ON HER INSTA STORIES!

Left Full look **Zadig&Voltaire**
Right Full look **Fendi**

Hi Ayaka, how are you doing?

Hello!! It’s been very hot but I'm managing it well. I've been horseback riding and enjoying spending time with animals. I don't think I'll be able to travel this summer but I'm looking forward to going to Europe for the next season.

Left Top and skirt **Chloé**, socks stylist’s own
Right Coat **Msgm**, dress, tights, earrings and shoes **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

You started modelling at a young age. What was it like being a child in an industry that is dictated by and for adults?

It was very difficult, but I believe that the experience was something that resonates with a lot of people, not just in this particular job. As an only child, I was very good at spending time alone which encouraged me to develop a wide range of interests to engage in by myself. I think this contributed to the personality I have today.

Left Top and skirt **Msgm**, jewellery **Zadig&Voltaire**
Right Coat **Msgm**, dress, tights and earrings **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

We first discovered you in Alice in Borderland, a fantastic show that currently has two seasons on Netflix and gained a huge international reach. What was it like working on that show?

It’s the most important and meaningful project of my career. I am truly grateful to everyone involved in its production and for the opportunity to be a part of the show. From the action scenes to the story of Shibuya being transformed and the drama that unfolds there, I hope people enjoyed it as much as I did.

How did you physically and mentally prepare for your Alice in Borderland role?

Ann is a very intelligent character, so I focused on her thought processes and her situational judgement and what she would prioritise doing in various spaces. I also took a look at anatomy books to better understand how she functioned.

Left Full look **Ann Demeulemeester**
Right Full look **Zadig&Voltaire**

The series has been renewed for a third season, is that already in preparation? What can we expect from your character in the upcoming storylines?

It’s in preparation…Things still remain a mystery...What does the Joker mean? Stay tuned.

Left Top and skirt **Chloé**, socks stylist’s own
Right Jacket and skirt **N°21**, shoes **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

You often play strong female lead roles, whether that be as Ran in Knuckle Girl or Ann in Alice in Borderland. Why is it important for you to pick roles that showcase your strength and empower you as a woman? What would you like people to take away from the characters you play?

Since childhood, I have always wanted to be just that: a strong woman. It was both an aspiration and a way to protect myself from what was around me. I am drawn to roles in movies and dramas where women face challenges with strong will, which leads me to want to embody a unique kind of strength.

I hope that from the characters I portray, people can sense the various thoughts and feelings my characters hold. But that they also understand that what is shown is just a small part and that inside each person, there are vulnerabilities, fragilities, and sometimes even apathy—multiple facets that make up each character.

You’re also a big foodie!! What's a dish you would recommend to someone travelling to Japan for the first time? And do you prefer a home-cooked meal or a restaurant meal?

I would recommend Warabimochi and matcha. I just simply love Japanese sweets... For a casual and delicious lunch, I suggest soba. Generally, I prefer home-cooked meals, but I also enjoy travelling to discover delicious food.

What’s your favourite food outside of your local cuisine?

I love Asian cuisines like Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese, and I often cook them myself.

Left and right Full looks **Zadig&Voltaire**

What advice would you give to your past self? And to anybody else who wants to get into the industry?

Be more true to yourself – it's your life. Every industry has its glamorous sides, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. However, the honour of living someone else's life as an actor, or expressing something beyond yourself as a model or performer, is an irreplaceable privilege.