Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Okay, I'll just say it: Yui Aragaki is one of those rare performers whose nickname, "Gakky," basically became its own brand. She started as a teen magazine model out of Okinawa, then quietly built one of the most beloved careers in Japan. What gets me is the range hiding behind that famous luminous smile—she can play the steady ER doctor in Code Blue, then turn around and nail the deadpan comic timing of Legal High and Nigehaji, whose "Koi Dance" genuinely hijacked the whole country in 2016. I respect that she went freelance in 2021 and bet on herself, and her marriage news that same year practically shifted Japan's tectonic plates. Sweet but spirited, soft but with real backbone—you don't meet many like her.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
Story
The Quiet Phenomenon: How Yui Aragaki Moves a Nation With a Smile
Overview
Yui Aragaki is a Japanese actress, model, and singer born on June 11, 1988, in Naha, Okinawa. She made her debut in 2001 as an exclusive model for the magazine Nicola, later transitioning to screen acting with her film lead in Koizora (2007), which earned her multiple newcomer awards. She rose to nationwide fame with the 2016 TBS drama Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu, whose ending dance became a cultural phenomenon, and went on to win the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress for the film Mix. (2017). In 2021 she went freelance and announced her marriage to musician Gen Hoshino.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Yui Aragaki
- Name (Japanese)
- 新垣結衣
- Reading
- あらがきゆい
- Born
- June 11, 1988 (age 38)
- Origin
- Naha, Okinawa, Japan
- Height
- 169 cm
- Occupation
- Actress / Model / Singer
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Dragon
- Blood type
- A
- Agency
- Freelance (partial commission contract)
- Agency history
- Repro Entertainment (–2021)
- Active years
- 2001–present
2. Background
- Junior high
- Village-run junior high school in Ozato, Shimajiri District (now Nanjo), Okinawa
- High school
- Hinode High School (graduated March 2007)
- Debut
- Debuted in 2001 as an exclusive model for Nicola magazine; screen debut in 2003
Awards & achievements
- 2008 31st Japan Academy Film Prize Newcomer of the Year / Topic Award (Koizora)
- 2008 50th Blue Ribbon Award Newcomer Award
- 2016 91st Television Drama Academy Award Best Actress (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu)
- 2018 41st Japan Academy Film Prize Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Mix.)
- 2018 60th Blue Ribbon Award Best Actress (Mix.)
Timeline
- 2001Made entertainment debut as an exclusive model for Nicola magazine
- 2006Drew widespread attention with the drama My Boss My Hero
- 2007Led the film Koizora; won multiple newcomer awards at major film ceremonies
- 2008Played Megumi Shiraishi in the drama Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Rescue
- 2012Played Machiko Mayuzumi in the drama Legal High
- 2016Led the drama Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu; the ending dance became a nationwide social phenomenon
- 2018Won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress for the film Mix.
- 2021Went freelance and announced her marriage to Gen Hoshino
- 2024Led the film Ikkoku Nikki (A Stranger's Diary)
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Gen Hoshino (married May 2021)
- Siblings
- Older sister
4. Personality
Hobbies
- Photography
- Illustration
- Manga
Specialties
- Cooking (Okinawan cuisine)
- Illustration
5. Works & records
Works summary
- Appearances
- 222 (2001–2025)
- By year (titles with a known year)
- 2001: 1, 2002: 7, 2003: 2, 2004: 7, 2005: 8, 2006: 13, 2007: 14, 2008: 9, 2009: 9, 2010: 9, 2011: 9, 2012: 10, 2013: 8, 2014: 6, 2015: 7, 2016: 5, 2017: 10, 2018: 8, 2019: 5, 2020: 7, 2021: 14, 2022: 13, 2023: 7, 2024: 5, 2025: 3, year unknown: 26
- Debut work
- 小田急新宿店 ニコモトークショー・握手＆写真撮影会
Filmography / notable works
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drama | Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Rescue | Megumi Shiraishi | 2008 |
| Drama | Legal High | Machiko Mayuzumi | 2012 |
| Drama | Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu | Mikuri Moriyama (lead) | 2016 |
| Film | Koizora | Mika (lead) | 2007 |
| Film | Mix. | Lead (Tamako Tomita) | 2017 |
| Film | Ikkoku Nikki | Makio Takashiro (lead) | 2024 |
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/新垣結衣
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1137510
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Only publicly available facts are listed; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Base data was compiled from Wikidata from June 2026 onward; ages are recalculated daily and deaths are checked against Wikidata on an ongoing basis. Works and profile fields sourced from Wikipedia reflect content as of 2026-08-26. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Yui Aragaki born?
Yui Aragaki was born on June 11, 1988 and is 38 years old.
Where is Yui Aragaki from?
Yui Aragaki is from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
What does Yui Aragaki do?
Yui Aragaki works as Actress, Model, Singer.
How tall is Yui Aragaki?
Yui Aragaki is 169 cm tall.
What is Yui Aragaki's blood type?
Yui Aragaki's blood type is A.
Which high school did Yui Aragaki attend?
Yui Aragaki attended Hinode High School.
What agency is Yui Aragaki with?
Yui Aragaki is with Freelance (partial commission contract).
How long has Yui Aragaki been active?
Yui Aragaki's recorded active years are 2001–present.
What is Yui Aragaki known for?
Yui Aragaki's notable works include Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Rescue, Legal High, Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu.
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