Recently, FX‘s limited series Shogun has been the talk of the internet.

Shogun follows the story of a shipwrecked English sailor and Japanese feudal lord and is loosely based on the true story of William Adams, an Englishman who became a samurai under Japan’s first shogun.

| FX

The series completed airing in April 2024, ranked number one across all platforms for two weeks, and earned critical acclaim worldwide.

Many have also considered Shogon the big breakthrough for lead actress Anna Sawai, who plays a translator with ties to both leading men’s characters.

Anna Sawai in Shogon | FX

Anna Sawai was born in New Zealand and is Japanese, currently residing in Tokyo. She made her film debut in 2009 alongside K-Pop star Rain in Ninja Assassin.

However, Anna Sawai’s entertainment history is not limited to just acting!

Anna (right) in Ninja Assassin | @annasawai/Instagram

Many were shocked to realize that Sawai had actually been an idol at one point in a popular band!

She was a debut member of the Japanese group Faky, remaining a member until 2018 when she left the group to pursue her acting career.

FAKY at debut.

Sawai recently revisited this past in an interview, where she revealed how her company held her back.

While appearing on The Hollywood Reporter‘s “Awards Chatter,” Sawai revealed that she had to turn down an audition for the 2016 film Suicide Squad, despite implied assurances she coud pursue acting. 

I was like, ‘This is my chance!’ And then I go to my manager and he’s like, ‘You can’t audition.’ They basically told me that if I’m gone for over a month, the girls [the other members of FAKY] are not going to have anything to do.

— Anna Sawai

The role of Katana, a Japanese hero, was ultimately played by Karen Fukuhara. This was the actress’s first film role and she has since appeared in more works following the movie’s release. 

Karen Fukuhara as Katana | Warner Brothers

Sawai praised Fukuhara for her performance, but couldn’t help but regret that she was unable to audition. She said this was what inevitably led to her departure from the group.

It felt like they were really tying me down and because of my contract, I couldn’t leave until the time that I actually left.

— Anna Sawai

Luckily, Anna was able to pursue her goals, leading to her big break with Shogon!

 She has actually been active for more than a decade!