Motokura Akari, previously known as Lana (Hangul: 라나) in South Korea and Rana (ラナ) in Japan, is a Japanese idol, tarento and singer under W&W Entertainment and Panipan Records. She was a member of the girl group THRICE.
Background[]
Early life, acting debut (1991-2002)[]
Akari was born in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan on February 13, 1991. Since when she was a child, her parents wanted her to be a successful and independent woman. She started taking acting classes when she was 6 years old, participating in many musicals as a side character since when she was 8 years old.
She was scouted for the first time at the age of 10, from a creative director that wanted her to make an appearance in the drama film he was working on. Her parents accepted, and the recordings of the film started in May of 2001 and ended in January 2002. The drama film "春の最後の日" (lit. Last Day of Spring) was released in December 2002, marking Akari's acting debut at the young age of 11.
Tarento, other acting (2003-2006)[]
In 2003 she often appeared on Japanese TV in many variety programs, becoming a tarento and signing a contract with Wonderful A Promotions. Later on, she was announced as part of the cast of the sci-fi TV series "1 AM/11 PM", which was premiered in 2004.
She auditioned for the live-action adaptation of the shoujo manga "CuteZone*Magical-Girls" in the same year, receiving the main role. The TV series aired in 2005. One year later, in 2006, she began touring around Japan for the musical adaptation of "CuteZone*Magical-Girls".
Training in South Korea (2006-2009)[]
After the tour ended, her agency announced that her contract with them ended and that she would've moved to South Korea to train with FLO Music, to hopefully debut in a K-Pop girl group.
Debut with THRICE (2009-2017)[]
Akari debuted under the stage name "Lana" as a member of the girl group THRICE on November 1, 2009 with the mini album "Hidd3n" and the title track "Hidden".
THRICE disbandment, activities in Japan (2017-present)[]
After THRICE's disbandment in 2017 she decided not to renew her contract with PUDDING Creative to go back to Japan to see her family and to pursue her acting career there.
On June 24, 2022 she announced that she would've made her debut in Japan as a solo artist after 5 years of musical inactivity, with the single "KRAZY AKARI", that would've been released on September 21 of the same year.
Discography[]
Albums[]
- SHAPES OF AKARI (2024)
Singles[]
- KRAZY AKARI (2022)
- STAND & STILL !! (2023)
- AKAKURA (2023)
Filmography[]
Actress[]
Cinema[]
- 春の最後の日 (Last Day of Spring) (2002)
TV[]
- 1AM/11PM (2004)
- CuteZone*Magical-Girls
Television Programs[]
- GOOD MORNING ランニン, 02x24 (2003)
- 日本デイリーしいジャーナル, 19x33 (2003)
- 両親のテレビ, 01x98 (2003)
- スローバックテレビ, 10x19 (2004)
Concerts[]
Japan tours[]
- AKARI『KRAZY』Tour (2023)
Theater tours[]
- CuteZone*Magical-Girls THE MUSICAL (2006)
Trivia[]
- She is the only member of THRICE that has never took an hiatus