Marina Watanabe


Marina Watanabe is a Japanese actress, singer, and TV-personality. She was born in Ota, Tokyo, Japan, and is currently married to Jun Nagura of the comedy trio Neptune. She is a former Japanese idol singer who is now known as a television commentator and author who speaks about fashion, travel, personal health, and contemporary issues.
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History

Biography

Marina Watanabe was born and raised in Kamata, Tokyo. It is said that her father named his daughter "Marina", an unusual name in Japan which comes from Latin, because he enjoyed yachting. On the other hand, it is also said that her mother decided chose this name.
When she was 14 years old, she entered the Miss Seventeen Contest co-sponsored by CBS Sony and Shueisha at the encouragement of her mother and older sister, but was not selected. However, CBS Sony invited her to take singing lessons for a while.
In March 1986, she was discovered by star agents, and subsequently passed her audition tests to become an idol in the same year. Soon after, she joined the all-girl idol group Onyanko Club. It was during her time within the group that she made her debut. Her debut song "Shin Koukyuu Shite" became a number one song on Oricon charts, and later got her in the record books for setting the record for the youngest singer to have a number 1 Oricon hit. She was 15-years and 11-months old at the time.
After her idol club was disbanded, Watanabe continued to participate in various variety shows as a singer. Initially she used mainstream idol clothing in her performances. However, because she decided to purchase her own clothes and design her performance style while abandoning traditional idol styles, she became more popular. Later, she was found to have talent as a comedian, thus she decided to take on more diverse roles such as that of a variety show announcer with a comedic yet sophisticated touch. It was from this period on that others started to notice that she was trying to hide or down-play the fact that she once was a member of an idol group.
Throughout the 1990s she continued to build broad networks within the subculture genre of Japan as both an announcer and celebrity, which eventually led to her rising popularity.
Currently, she is famous in Japan for her essays and books concerning her hobbies of fashion, travel, and personal health. She is also known widely as a "Taiwan-know-all".

Personal life

After marriage to her husband in 2005, her official name was changed to Nagura Marina, as she adopted her husband's surname "Nagura". However, she continues to work with her old maiden name, Watanabe Marina. She gave birth to her first child, a son, in December 2008. She gave birth to a daughter on June 24, 2010.

Discography

Singles

  • "Shin Koukyuu Shite"
  • "Howaito Rabitto no Meseeji"
  • "Marina no Natsu"
  • "Natsuyasumi dake no Saidosheeto"
  • "Chiisana Breakin' my heart"
  • "Mitsumete agetai"
  • "Natsu no Tanpen"
  • "Mou Yume kara Samenaide"
  • "Calendar"
  • "Niji no Shounen"
  • "Mune ga Ippai"
  • "Atarashii Kimochi"
  • "Daisukina Shatsu"
  • "Shiawase no Rinkaku"
  • "Birthday Boy"
  • "Ureshii Yokan"
  • "Taiyou to Hanauta"

Albums

Television appearances

TV dramas

Kangofu Akademi-, Fuji TV 1987Osana Tsuma! Mama ha Abunai 17sai!, Fuji TV 1987Tokimekizakari, Fuji TV 1988Shinkon Monogatari, NTV 1988Yonimo Kimyouna Monogatari , Fuji TV 1990, 1991, 1992Waru, Yomiuri TV 1992O-cha no Ma, Yomiuri TV 1993Kachou-san no Kainen, TBS 1993Moshimo Negai ga Kanasu nara, TBS 1994Kami-san no Waruguchi 2, TBS 1995Dear U-man, TBS 1996Piichina Kankei, NTV 1999Face ~ Mishiranu Koibito, NTV 2001

Film

  • ''Out''

Variety shows

Yuuyake Nyan Nyan, Fuji TVTonneruzu no mina-san no Okage desu, Fuji TVGakkou e Ikkou!, TBSZenigata Kintarou, TV AsahiTakeshi no Daredemo Pikaso, TV TokyoDoubutsu Kisou Tengai, TBSOshare Kankei, NTVJanguru TV ~ Tamori no Kisoku ~, TBSPuromomania, Fuji TV

Radio appearances

  • Watanabe Marina Kaze no Marina
  • Across The View Tipness presents Watanabe Marina Boo-Star Rocket ~fit for life~

Books

  • Marina no Tamashii
  • Marina no Tabibukure – Tawawa Taiwan –
  • Amatsuyu na Gohoubi
  • Piratisu Michi