Skip to content
MovieCove
Aya Ueto

Aya Ueto

Actor · Born September 14, 1985 (41) · Tokyo, Japan

Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1985, Aya Ueto received her first break in August 1997 when, at the age of 11, she won the Special Jury Prize at the 7th All-Japan Bishoujo Contest. After this initial success, she tried her hand at both acting and singing, appearing in various minor TV drama roles, as well as a low budget action movie, and formed a short-lived pop quartet, "Z-1", with other winners of the Bishoujo Contest. After her passionate portrayal of a high school student with Gender Identity Disorder in the 6th series of the long-running classroom drama Kinpachi sensei, Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B (1979), endeared her to the Japanese nation, she was able to pursue a solo music career with her first single, "Pureness", released in August 2002. It was this performance that also convinced cult movie director Ryūhei Kitamura to cast her in the title role of Azumi (2003). With the film's release date coinciding with the sale of her debut album "AYAUETO" in the spring of 2003, Aya was set for super-stardom. Her famous smile has since earned her increasing numbers of commercial contracts and magazine covers - all important exposure for any idol - combined with starring roles in a number of popular television dramas have meant she is rarely out of the limelight and has cemented her position as one of Japan's top entertainers.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
September 14, 1985 (41)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 13% in 30 days

What are Aya Ueto's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
34%
Bonds
34%
Self
20%
Society
7%
Survival
4%
Identity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 0 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 2 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Easy watch: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their easy watch movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 7
Hero
3 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Thrilling
4
Warm
4
Melancholic
3
Joyful
2
Other
3

How their films linger

Bittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Aya Ueto's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 2 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Subscription and free streaming for Aya Ueto's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Sakamoto Days(2026)

    as Aoi Sakamoto

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • かまいたちの瞬間回答!〜60秒でお悩み解決〜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Silent Service: The Battle of Arctic Ocean (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Hiromi Ichitani

  • Let's Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and Lulun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Lulun (voice)

  • The Silent Service Season One - The Battle of Tokyo Bay(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ichiya Hiromi

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Silent Service(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Hitoribocchi - Hito to Hito wo Tsunagu Ai no Monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Chiaaki Uchida

  • Shylock's Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Airi Kitagawa

  • Neighbor Chikara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 9 episodes · as Akari Nakagoshi（中越 灯）

  • 僕が笑うと (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer(2018)

    as Kyoko Tachibana (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • ミッドナイト・ジャーナル 消えた誘拐犯を追え (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Hirugao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Sawa Sasamoto

  • I'm Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as Ieji Megumi

  • Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon(2014)

    Show 11 episodes · as Sawa Sasamoto

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Thermae Romae II(2014)

    as Manami Yamakoshi

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • A Tale of Samurai Cooking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Oharu Funaki

  • Oshin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Fuji Tanimura

  • Hanzawa Naoki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 20 episodes · as Hana Hanzawa

  • Someday at a Place in the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · as Hako Komoriya

  • I Will Fly to the Sky on a Wheelchair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Kato Kumi

  • Kaneko Misuzu monogatari: Minna chigatte, minna ii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Teru Kaneko

  • Roman Bath(2012)

    as Mami

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Shooting Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 10 episodes · as Risa Makihara

  • Ai wa mieru: Zenmô fûfu ni yadotta chiisana inochi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Juri Tatematsu

  • I'll Still Love You in 10 Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · as Rika Onozawa

  • Surely Someday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Aya Ueto

  • Absolute Zero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 26 episodes · as Izumi Sakuragi

  • Baton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Mikaru (voice)

  • Baton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mikaru (voice)

  • Konkatsu! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 11 episodes · as Haruno Tobita

  • The Cherry Orchard: Blossoming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Rimi

  • Celeb & Poor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 11 episodes · as Alice Mitazono

  • Hokaben (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 10 episodes · as Domoto Akari

  • UETO AYA BEST LIVE TOUR 2007 Never Ever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Abarenbo Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · as Ayu Kawano

  • The Piano Forest(2007)

    as Kai Ichinose (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Hotelier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 9 episodes · as Kyoko Odagiri

  • Ri Kôran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Yoshiko Yamaguchi

  • 李香兰 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Li Xianglan (Yoshiko Yamaguchi)

  • Shimokita Sundays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 9 episodes · as Yuika Satonaka

  • Attention Please (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 11 episodes · as Yoko Misaki

  • Angels with Broken Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Komine Nanako

  • Tomorrow Will Be Better! Half a Sweet Potato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Attack No.1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 11 episodes · as Kozue Ayuhara

  • Azumi 2: Death or Love(2005)

    as Azumi

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Koto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Chieko Sada / Naeko

  • Yoshitsune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 49 episodes · as Utsubo

  • Install (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Asako Nozawa

  • Midnight Ghost Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Misaki Aoyama

  • Aim for the Ace! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 9 episodes · as Oka Hiromi

  • Song of the Canefields (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Papa for One Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 10 episodes · as Marimo Mochizuki

  • UETO AYA FIRST LIVE TOUR Pureness 2003 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Singer

  • Azumi(2003)

    as Azumi

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Kou Kou Kyoushi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · as Machida Hina

  • My Little Chef (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nazuna Kamosawa

  • M-1 Grand Prix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Wife is 3 Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 11 episodes · as Mayumi

  • As Tears Go By (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 11 episodes · as Momo Fuchigami

  • The Killers from Paraiso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Hikari

  • Making It Through (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 51 episodes · as Kana Kojima

  • Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 23 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles from 1979 to 2026; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (2018)

$102M worldwide

Highest rated

The Piano Forest (2007)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

Sakamoto Days (2026)

Film career

19792026

Peak 2004 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting63 of 63: 63 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1990s2 · acting2000s32 · acting2010s19 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 50% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Aya Ueto's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 8; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th2

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 10 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

The Silent Service (2023)

77th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Piano Forest (2007)

Midcredits 86th · 72% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Aya Ueto work with?

People who share at least 2 of Aya Ueto's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kazuki Kitamura shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers