What's After the Movie
Minako Kotobuki
Minako Kotobuki was born on September 17, 1991 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and survived the Great Hanshin earthquake at the age of three, an event that profoundly shaped her resolve to pursue performance arts. After watching the 1997 film Chikyuu ga Ugoita Hi (The Day the Earth Moved), she became fascinated with storytelling and decided to become a voice actress, a dream she nurtured throughout her elementary school years. She entered the entertainment industry in 2005, initially landing minor roles before her breakthrough came with the role of Tsumugi Kotobuki in the widely acclaimed anime K‑On! which aired in 2009. This role not only showcased her vocal talent but also launched her music career, as she performed both the opening and ending themes alongside her co‑stars. Kotobuki quickly became known for her versatile voice, portraying characters ranging from the heroic Karina Lyle/Blue Rose in Tiger & Bunny to the magical Rikka Hishikawa/Cure Diamond in DokiDoki! PreCure, and the earnest Touko Nanami in Bloom Into You.
Beyond voice acting, Minako has built an impressive musical résumé as a member of the J‑pop idol group Sphere, formed by her K‑On! castmates under Sony Music's Music Ray'n label. The group’s debut single “Future Stream” dropped in April 2009, and Kotobuki has since released three solo albums—My Stride (2012), Tick (2014), and Emotion (2018)—alongside a string of chart‑topping singles such as “Shiny+” and “Black Hole”. Renowned for her rapid learning ability, she is praised by peers for mastering choreography and harmonization with remarkable speed, often guiding her group’s dance routines. Kotobuki’s live performances, including her nationwide “Our Stride” tour, frequently feature her playing keyboard, echoing her character’s talents in K‑On!. In July 2023 she announced her marriage to a non‑entertainment partner, keeping details private, and remains a beloved figure in both the anime and J‑pop communities.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Minako Kotobuki, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Minako Kotobuki rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Minako
Born: Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Citizenship: Japan
Birthday: September 17, 1991
Occupations: Actress, voice actress, singer
Years Active: 2005-present
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Minako Kotobuki
Lu Over the Wall
Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
Flavors of Youth
The Concierge
The Colors Within
K-On!: Live House!
Demon King Daimao
Cat Planet Cuties
K-On!!: Keikaku!
TIGER & BUNNY
Manyu Scroll
Towa no Quon 2: Dancing Orchid in Chaos
Towa no Quon 3: The Complicity of Dreams
Towa no Quon 4: The Roaring Anxiety
Towa no Quon 5: The Return of the Invincible
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King
Natsuiro Kiseki
Say “I Love You.”
Glitter Force Doki Doki
Ryo
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 2: Friends from the Heart
Dokidoki! Pretty Cure the Movie: Memories for the Future
Coicent
Guilty Crown
K-On! The Movie
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey
Valvrave the Liberator
Schoolgirl Complex
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eternal Friends
Gundam Reconguista in G
Towa no Quon 1: The Ephemeral Petals
Towa no Quon 6: Eternal Quon
After School Midnighters
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Oh Brother, Oh Sister!
Aikatsu! The Movie
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 1 - Kizashi
Punch Line
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 3 - Akogare
Pretty Cure All Stars Movie: Everybody Sing! Miraculous Magic!
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 4 - Ashita
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger vs. Ninninger the Movie: Super Sentai’s Message from the Future
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger Returns: Life Theft! Champion of Earth Tournament
Sound! Euphonium the Movie – May the Melody Reach You!
Kase-san and Morning Glories
Bloom Into You
Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger the Movie: The Heart Pounding Circus Panic!
Aikatsu! ~Aiming For the Magic Aikatsu Card~
HUGtto! Pretty Cure♡Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories
Pretty Cure All Stars: Spring Carnival
The Sound of Tiger & Bunny
A-Channel +smile Extra OVA: Alexandrite In The Pot
Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie I: Go! Core Fighter
Hello World
Sound! Euphonium the Movie – Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie III: Legacy from Space
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie II: Bellri’s Fierce Charge
Hatsukoi Limited.
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie IV: Love That Cries Out in Battle
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie V: Beyond the Peril of Death
Love All Play
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Minako Kotobuki, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2022
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie IV: Love That Cries Out in Battle
Noredo Nug (voice)
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie V: Beyond the Peril of Death
Noredo Nug (voice)
2020
Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
Isabella York
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie II: Bellri’s Fierce Charge
Noredo Nug (voice)
2019
Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
Amy Bartlett / Isabella York (voice)
Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner
Alisa Cartwright (voice)
Gundam Reconguista in G Movie I: Go! Core Fighter
Noredo Nug (voice)
Hello World
Xu Yiyi (voice)
2018
Lu Over the Wall
Yuho
Flavors of Youth
Irin (segment: Chiisana Fashion Show)
Kase-san and Morning Glories
Inoue Akane (voice)
HUGtto! Pretty Cure♡Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
2017
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger vs. Ninninger the Movie: Super Sentai’s Message from the Future
Naria (voice)
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger Returns: Life Theft! Champion of Earth Tournament
Naria (voice)
Sound! Euphonium the Movie – May the Melody Reach You!
Asuka Tanaka (voice)
2016
Pretty Cure All Stars Movie: Everybody Sing! Miraculous Magic!
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 4 - Ashita
Chihiro Miyoshi (voice)
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger the Movie: The Heart Pounding Circus Panic!
Naria (voice)
Aikatsu! ~Aiming For the Magic Aikatsu Card~
Mizuki Kanzaki (voice)
Sound! Euphonium the Movie – Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band
Asuka Tanaka (voice)
2015
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 1 - Kizashi
Chihiro Miyoshi (voice)
Tamayura: Graduation Photo Part 3 - Akogare
Chihiro Miyoshi
Pretty Cure All Stars: Spring Carnival
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
The Sound of Tiger & Bunny
Karina Lyle
2014
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eternal Friends
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Jiji (voice)
Oh Brother, Oh Sister!
Asako
Aikatsu! The Movie
Mizuki Kanzaki (voice)
2013
Ryo
Kuro
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 2: Friends from the Heart
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
Dokidoki! Pretty Cure the Movie: Memories for the Future
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
Schoolgirl Complex
Ikumi Motonishi
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent
Rickert (voice)
2012
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King
Rickert (voice)
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey
Rickert (voice)
After School Midnighters
Mutsuko (voice)
Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress
Hamaji (voice)
2011
Towa no Quon 2: Dancing Orchid in Chaos
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
Towa no Quon 3: The Complicity of Dreams
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
Towa no Quon 4: The Roaring Anxiety
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
Towa no Quon 5: The Return of the Invincible
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
K-On! The Movie
Tsumugi Kotobuki (voice)
Towa no Quon 1: The Ephemeral Petals
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
Towa no Quon 6: Eternal Quon
Hizuru Asuka (voice)
1000
K-On!: Live House!
Tsumugi Kotobuki (voice)
Demon King Daimao
Arnoul
Cat Planet Cuties
Chaica (voice)
K-On!!: Keikaku!
Tsumugi Kotobuki (voice)
TIGER & BUNNY
Karina Lyle / Blue Rose (voice)
Manyu Scroll
Chifusa Manyu (voice)
Natsuiro Kiseki
Natsumi Aizawa (voice)
Say “I Love You.”
Megumi Kitagawa
Glitter Force Doki Doki
Rikka Hishikawa / Cure Diamond (voice)
Guilty Crown
Kanon Kusama (voice)
Valvrave the Liberator
Ninomiya Takahi (voice)
Gundam Reconguista in G
Noredo Nug (voice)
Punch Line
Ito Hikiotani (voice)
Bloom Into You
Touko Nanami (voice)
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger
Naria (voice)
A-Channel +smile Extra OVA: Alexandrite In The Pot
Yûko Nishi
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition
Rickert (voice)
Hatsukoi Limited.
Rika Dobashi (voice)
Love All Play
Rika Mizushima (voice)
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