Mei Nagano is a Japanese model and award-winning actress. She was born on September 24, 1999, in Tokyo, Japan, and made her acting debut in 2009. Since then, she has appeared in a wide variety of films and television dramas, including “My Broken Mariko” (2022).

Mei Nagano

Fuji TV

High schooler Ame Aihara (Mei Nagano) struggles with self-confidence, but finds solace in her kind classmate Taiyo Asano (Yuki Yamada) and her secret dream of becoming a top pastry chef. But as she never told Taiyo about how she felt, they never explored their feelings for one another. Eight years later, they reunite as adults, but disaster strikes when Taiyo suffers a critical accident. A mysterious figure offers Ame a chance to save him, but she must surrender her five senses in return. Will she accept? Can her actions save Taiyo? And will love finally bloom between them? This 2024 Japanese drama series was directed by Hiroaki Matsuyama.

The Gift of Your Heart

ᯓᡣ𐭩Gifted Heart Team

Ame Aihara

When Tomoyo Shiino (Nagano Mei) learns of her best friend Mariko Ikagawa's (Nao) death, she is devastated by the news. Having supported Mariko through years of abuse and emotional turmoil, Tomoyo feels overwhelming guilt for not being able to help her friend more during her lifetime. In an act of profound love and desperation, Tomoyo decides to steal Mariko's remains and take her on a final journey, hoping to liberate her friend's tortured soul from the cruelty of her past. As she travels, Tomoyo reflects on their shared memories and seeks closure for both herself and her deceased friend. This deeply emotional journey becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, trauma, and the lengths one will go to honor a loved one's memory. Adapted from the manga series by Hirako Waka, "My Broken Mariko" is a 2022 Japanese psychological drama film directed by Tanada Yuki.

My Broken Mariko

High school student Mamizu Watarase (Mei Nagano) is afflicted with a peculiar, incurable terminal condition known as "luminescence disease," which causes the body's cells to glow, gradually brightening until death. As a result, Mamizu is confined to life in a hospital, unlikely to ever reach adulthood. When Takuya Okada (Takumi Kitamura), a fellow student, is tasked to visit Mamizu and deliver messages from the rest of the class, he's deeply affected by Mamizu's isolation. Mamizu mentions that she still has things she wants to do before she dies, and Takuya offers to do them for her and share his experiences with her. This brings Mamizu and Takuya closer together, as Mamizu gets to live our her dreams secondhand and Takuya's own empathy grows. But they both know that Mamizu's time is running out – and her final wish might break both of their hearts.

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