Shoko Nakagawa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shoko Nakagawa
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| 中川 翔子 | |
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Nakagawa in 2021
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| Born |
Shiyōko Nakagawa
May 5, 1985 Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
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| Other names | Shokotan (しょこたん) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
| Agent | Watanabe Entertainment |
| Spouse(s) |
unknown
(m. 2023) |
| Parent(s) |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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Shoko Nakagawa (中川 翔子, Nakagawa Shōko, born May 5, 1985) is a Japanese media personality, singer, actress, voice actress, illustrator, YouTuber, and cosplayer. A "tarento" is a celebrity who appears on many TV shows and in commercials. She is also known by her nickname Shokotan (しょこたん). Shokotan is famous for hosting Pokémon Sunday and for singing the opening song for the anime Gurren Lagann.
Contents
About Shoko Nakagawa's Early Life
Shoko Nakagawa was born and grew up in Tokyo. Her father, Katsuhiko Nakagawa, was an actor and musician. Her mother, Keiko Nakagawa, comes from a family known for helping the salmon and trout fishing business in Japan.
Childhood and Family History
Shoko's father passed away from leukemia when she was nine years old. This happened on September 17, 1994. When she was in fifth grade, Shoko found comfort in Pokémon. She said that Pokémon became her friend when she felt lonely.
How Shoko Got Her Name
In her 2006 book, Shokotan Manual, Shoko explained a fun fact about her legal name. It was actually Shiyōko (しようこ), not Shōko (しょうこ), which she used most of her life. When she was born, her aunt helped register her name. Her mother wanted to name her "Shōko" (薔子), but the special character for "Shōko" was not allowed for names back then. So, her aunt quickly wrote the name in a different Japanese writing style called hiragana. Because she wrote so fast, the small "yo" looked big, and her name was officially recorded as Shiyōko.
Shoko's Career Journey
Shoko Nakagawa started her career in entertainment in 2001. She won a big award at the Popolo Girl Audition. This helped her join Jackie Chan's talent agency. She even got a photobook from Jackie Chan on a TV show!
Becoming a Star: TV and Blog Success
In 2002, she was chosen as Miss Shōnen Magazine. Her official blog, Shokotan * Blog, started in 2004. It became super popular very quickly. By April 2006, it had been viewed over 100 million times. By February 2008, her blog had reached an amazing 1 billion views!
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Shoko also appeared on TV shows. In 2004, she was a guest on Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger. She had also appeared as a child in Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman. She regularly showed her drawing skills on the Fuji TV show Kangaeru Hitokoma.
Music and Anime Connections
From May 2005, Shoko was a regular on the TBS show "Ōsama no Brunch". In July 2006, she released her first song, "Brilliant Dream". It quickly became popular, reaching number 29 on the Oricon music chart. Shoko has performed at big events like Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
In 2009, Shoko opened her own store called "mmts" in Nakano Broadway. The store was inspired by her hobbies. She also appeared in commercials for Norton AntiVirus between 2009 and 2010.
Recent Activities and Milestones
In March 2014, Shoko released a book of essays called Neko no Ashiato, which means "Cats' Pawprints". This book was later turned into an anime series in 2015 called Omakase Mamitasu. The anime featured characters based on her cat and her family.
Shoko returned to Anime Expo in 2018 to perform. In 2019, she sang "Kaze to Issho ni" with Sachiko Kobayashi. This song was used for the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution. It was a new version of a song from the 1998 Pokémon: The First Movie.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Shoko started making videos for YouTube. Her swimsuit video in 2021 became very popular, getting over 10 million views in just two months! On April 28, 2023, Shoko announced that she got married. In October 2023, she released a new song called "65535". This song was the opening theme for the anime 16bit Sensation: Another Layer. The next day, she shared that she had legally changed her name to match her stage name, Shoko.
Shoko Nakagawa's Filmography
Shoko Nakagawa has appeared in many TV shows, movies, and anime. She is also a talented voice actress.
TV Shows
- AX MUSIC-TV 00 (2003–2004)
- Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (2004) as Falupian Yaako (guest role)
- Pokémon Sunday (2006–2010)
- Isshukan no Koi (2006)
- Hou no Niwa (2007)
- Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi (2007)
- Shūmatsu no Cinderella Sekai! Dangan Traveler (2007–2012)
- Waraiga Ichiban (2007–2010)
- Anmitsu Hime (2008)
- Anmitsu Hime 2 (2009)
- Pokémon Smash! (2010–2013)
- Pokémon Get TV (2013–2015)
- Gunshi Kanbei (2014) as Okita
- Mare (2015)
- Meet Up at the Pokémon House? (2015–present)
- Yuusha Yoshihiko to Michibikareshi 7-nin (2016)
- Anata no Koto wa sore hodo (2017)
- Tokyo Vampire Hotel (2017)
Movies
- Kabuto-O Beetle (2005)
- Umezu Kazuo: Kyofu Gekijo – Zesshoku (2005)
- Koala Kacho / Executive Koala (2005)
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
- X-Cross (2007)
- Gothic Lolita Battle Bear (2013)
Stage Plays
- Maybe Happy Ending (2020)
Anime Voice Roles
Shoko Nakagawa has lent her voice to many anime characters.
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Eyeshield 21 | Suzuna Taki | |
| 2012 | Saint Seiya Omega | Saori Kido / Athena | |
| 2013 | Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods | Oracle Fish | Film |
| Majocco Shimai no Yoyo to Nene | Bahiku | ||
| 2015 | Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' | Oracle Fish | Film |
| Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Season II | Diana | ONA Black Moon arc |
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| Dragon Ball Super | Oracle Fish | ||
| 2016 | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Season III | Diana | TV Anime Death Busters arc |
| 2017 | Akiba's Trip: The Animation | Risa Deiba | |
| 2021 | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie | Diana | 2-Part film Season 4 of Sailor Moon Crystal (Dead Moon arc) |
| 2023 | Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre | Mayumi Santo | ONA |
| Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie | Diana | 2-Part film Season 5 of Sailor Moon Crystal (Shadow Galactica arc) |
Voice Roles in Pokémon Films
Shoko Nakagawa has voiced characters in almost every Pokémon movie since 2007.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai | Maki |
| 2008 | Pokémon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior | Infy |
| 2009 | Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life | Notched-Ear Pichu |
| 2010 | Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions | Proof |
| 2011 | Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom | Aude |
| 2012 | Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice | Keldeo |
| 2014 | Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction | Millis Steele |
| 2015 | Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages | Mary |
| 2016 | Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel | Racel |
| 2017 | Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! | Nurse Joy |
| 2018 | Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us | Riku |
| 2020 | Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle | Karen |
Video Game Voice Roles
- Dragon Quest Heroes (2015) – Alena
- Dragon Quest Heroes II (2016) – Alena
- Toukiden 2 (2016) – Gwen
- Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary (2017) – Alena
- Kingdom Hearts III (2019) – Rapunzel
Japanese Dubbing Roles
Shoko Nakagawa also voices characters for Japanese versions of foreign movies and animated shows.
Live-action Films
- Moon Geun-young
- Innocent Steps – Jang Chae-min
- My Little Bride – Bo-eun
- Silent Hill (2006) – Alessa Gillespie (for Jodelle Ferland)
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) – Tessa Yeager (for Nicola Peltz)
- Ra.One (2015) – Desi/Dawsal (for Priyanka Chopra)
- Venom (2018) – Anne Weying (for Michelle Williams)
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) – Anne Weying (for Michelle Williams)
Animated Films and Series
- Tangled (2010) – Rapunzel
- Tangled The Series (2017–2020) – Rapunzel
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) – Rapunzel
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2023) – Goldilocks
Shoko Nakagawa's Music
Shoko Nakagawa is signed with Sony Japan. She has released many songs, albums, and cover albums.
Singles
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Brilliant Dream" | July 5, 2006 | 6,313 | 10,459 | Opening theme for Yoshimune |
| "Strawberry Melody" (ストロベリmelody, Sutoroberi Merodi) |
February 14, 2007 | 10,023 | 15,784 | Theme for TBS's program Pokémon Sunday and Wanagona |
| "Sorairo Days" (空色デイズ, Sorairo Deizu, "Sky Blue Days") |
June 27, 2007 | 30,517 | 67,453 | Opening theme for Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann |
| "Snow Tears" | January 30, 2008 | 26,068 | 43,450 | Ending theme for Hakaba Kitaro |
| "Shiny Gate" | August 6, 2008 | 13,564 | 20,316 | Theme song for Tokyo OnlyPic 2008 |
| "Tsuzuku Sekai" (続く世界, "The World Continues") |
September 10, 2008 | 32,906 | 49,368 | Ending Song of the anime film Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Guren-hen |
| "Kirei à la Mode" (綺麗ア・ラ・モード, Kirei A Ra Mōdo, "Beautiful à la Mode") |
October 22, 2008 | 13,758 | 20,236 | Commercial song for Fujiya Look Royal Mode |
| "Namida no Tane, Egao no Hana" (涙の種、笑顔の花, "Seed of Tears, Flower of Smile") |
April 29, 2009 | 23,383 | 38,932 | Ending Song of Gekijoban Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Lagann Hen |
| "Kokoro no Antenna" (心のアンテナ, Kokoro no Antena, "Antenna of the Heart") |
July 15, 2009 | 13,533 | 21,954 | Ending Song of Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
A special edition of the single features "Moe yo, Gizamimi Pichu!" (もえよ ギザみみピチュー!, Moeyo Gizamimi Pichū!, "Get Fired Up, Spiky-Eared Pichu!"), an ending song for Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl |
| "Arigatō no Egao" (「ありがとうの笑顔」, "Thank you Smile") |
October 14, 2009 | 12,407 | 15,027 | Contains the Ending Song of the Japanese Version of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs ("Rainbow Forecast") and Shokotan's version of Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl second opening song ("Ame ni Kiss no Hanataba o"). |
| "RAY OF LIGHT" | April 28, 2010 | 12,977 | 22,637 | Fifth ending theme for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
| "Flying Humanoid" (フライングヒューマノイド, Furaingu Hyūmanoido) |
August 18, 2010 | 13,217 | 17,729 | Opening theme for Occult Academy |
| "Sakurairo" (桜色, "Cherry Blossom Pink") |
April 6, 2011 | 6,506 | 9,006 | Original song |
| "Tsuyogari" (つよがり, "Show of Courage") |
June 8, 2011 | 12,729 | 15,212 | Second ending theme for Beelzebub |
| "Horoscope" (ホロスコープ, Horosukōpu) |
January 11, 2012 | 8,156 | Theme song for TV show Uchikuru!? | |
| "Zoku Konton" (続混沌, "Continued Chaos") |
June 5, 2013 | – | Theme song for game Sennen Yusha: Tokiwatari no Tomoshibito | |
| "Sakasama Sekai/Once Upon a Time (Kibō no Uta)" (さかさま世界/Once Upon a Time -キボウノウタ-, "Upsidedown World/Once Upon a Time (Song of Hope)") |
December 11, 2013 | – | "Sakasama Sekai" as theme song for game Puzzle & Dragons Z and "Once Upon a Time (Kibō no Uta)" as the opening for the Japanese broadcast of Once Upon a Time | |
| "DoriDori" (ドリドリ, "Dream Dream") |
February 18, 2015 | 16,180 | Ending theme for Pokémon XY anime | |
| "Blue Moon" | November 28, 2018 | 19,183 | Second ending theme for Zoids Wild | |
| "Furefure" | September 9, 2020 | 3,275 | Second ending theme for Genie Family 2020 | |
| "I like you just the way you are."
(君のまんまがいいんだよ) |
March 9, 2022 | Movie Shimajiro "Shimajiro and Kirakira Oukoku no Oujisama" theme song |
Collaboration Singles
Shoko Nakagawa has also worked with other artists on songs.
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Love Letter From Canada" (カナダからの手紙, Kanada Kara no tegami) |
March 10, 2013 | Theme song of Uchikuru!? Featured artist with Hideyuki Nakayama |
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| "Nuigulumar Z" (ヌイグルマーZ, Nuigurumā Zetto) |
January 22, 2014 | – | For the movie Gothic Lolita Battle Bear Featured artist with Tokusatsu |
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| "Kira-kira Go Around" (キラキラ-go-round) |
July 23, 2014 | – | For the movie Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace Featured artist with angela |
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| "PUNCH LINE!" | April 29, 2015 | 15,838 | 22,754 | Collaboration with Dempagumi.inc. Opening theme for Punch Line |
| "Mugen Blanc/Noir" (無限∞ブランノワール, Mugen ∞ Buran Nowāru) |
October 28, 2015 | 11,958 | Collaboration with Sachiko Kobayashi. Theme song for game Mugen Knights | |
| "Magical Circle" | November 17, 2017 | – | – | Collaboration with Technoboys Pulcraft Green-Fund. Second Ending Song for the third series of Magical Circle Guru Guru. |
| "Mister Darlin'" (ミスター・ダーリン) |
November 7, 2018 | – | – | Featuring artist CHiCO with HoneyWorks |
| "Kaze to Issho ni" (風といっしょに) |
July 10, 2019 | – | – | Collaboration with Sachiko Kobayashi. A theme song for the anime movie Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back EVOLUTION |
Cover Albums
Shoko Nakagawa has released albums where she sings covers of popular anime songs.
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shokotan Cover: Anison ni Koi o Shite. (しょこたん☆かばー ～アニソンに恋をして。～, Shokotan Kabā ~Anison ni Koi o Shite.~, "In Love with Anime Songs.") |
May 2, 2007 | 12,579 | 31,501 |
| Shokotan Cover Cover: Anison ni Ai o Komete!! (しょこたん☆かばー×2 ～アニソンに愛を込めて!!～, Shokotan Kabā Kabā ~Anison ni Ai o Komete~, "Full of Love for Anime Songs!!") |
September 19, 2007 | 17,836 | 23,964 |
| Shokotan Cover 3: Anison wa Jinrui o Tsunagu (しょこたん☆かばー 3 ～アニソンは人類をつなぐ～, Shokotan Kabā 3 ~Anison wa Jinrui o Tsunagu~, "Anime Songs Connect Mankind") |
March 10, 2010 | 15,343 | – |
| Shokotan Cover 4-1: Shoko Idol Hen (しょこたん☆かばー4-1 ～しょこ☆ドル篇～, Shokotan Kabā 4-1 ~Shoko Doru Hen~, "Shoko Idol Part") |
October 12, 2011 | ||
| Shokotan Cover 4-2: Shoko Rock Hen (しょこたん☆かばー4-2 ～しょこ☆ロック篇～, Shokotan Kabā 4-2 ~Shoko Rokku Hen~, "Shoko Rock Part") |
October 12, 2011 | ||
| "Tokyo Shoko Land 2014: RPG-teki Michi no Kioku" Shokotan Cover Bangaihen Produced by Kohei Tanaka (「TOKYO SHOKO☆LAND 2014 ～RPG的 未知の記憶～」しょこたん☆かばー番外編 Produced by Kohei Tanaka, "Tokyo Shoko Land 2014: RPG with Unknown Memories" Shokotan Cover Extra Version Produced by Kohei Tanaka) |
September 24, 2014 |
Mini Albums
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| nsum: Shoko Nakagawa has Been Tried in Singing! (nsum～中川翔子がうたってみた！～, nsum ~Nakagawa Shoko ga Utatte Mita!~) |
August 15, 2012 | 7,775 | |
| UCHI-SHIGOTO, SOTO-SHIGOTO!! | January 9, 2013 |
Best Albums
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shokotan Best ((しょこたん☆べすと——(°∀°) ——!!), Shokotan☆Besuto) |
May 2, 2012 | 14,203 | |
| Super Shokotan Best(超！しょこたん☆べすと――(°∀°)――!!) | February 22,
2023 |
Studio Albums
| Title | Release date | First week sales | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bang!!! | March 19, 2008 | 32,612 | 45,793 |
| Magic Time | January 1, 2009 | 26,197 | 40,015 |
| Cosmic Inflation | October 6, 2010 | 14,453 | 21,459 |
| 9lives | April 2, 2014 | – | – |
| RGB ~True Color~ | December 4, 2019 | – | – |
Other Songs
- "Moeyo Giza Mimi Pichū!" (Ending for Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl)
- "Dori Dori" (Ending for Pokémon the Series: XY)
- "Kaze to isshu ni" (Ending for Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution)
- "Taipu: Wairudo" (Ending for Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon)
Printed Media by Shoko Nakagawa
Shoko Nakagawa has also released books, including photobooks and collections of her illustrations.
Photobooks
| Title | Issue date | Publisher | ISBN | Photobook information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewel Box | April 1, 2004 | Ascom | ISBN: 978-4-7762-0147-2 | First photobook |
| In a mysterious daze (不思議に夢中, Fushigi ni Muchū) | July 25, 2005 | Wani Magazine | ISBN: 978-4-89829-798-8 | Second photobook |
| Shoko et Mikanne (中川翔子x蜷川実花（しょこれみかんぬ）, Shokoremikanu) | April 15, 2007 | Wani Books | ISBN: 978-4-8470-3000-0 | Third photobook |
| Shoko a la mode (しょこア・ラ・モード—, Shokoa ra mōdō) | November 25, 2008 | Shufu-to-Seikatsu-sha | ISBN: 978-4-391-13707-1 | Guide on how to use cosmetics/dress up doll |
| Miracle Sketch – Nakagawa Shoko Illust Sakuhinshu (ミラクルスケッチ 中川翔子イラスト作品集, Miracle Sketch – Nakagawa Shoko Illust Sakuhinshu) | January 23, 2010 | Yosensha | ISBN: 978-4862485137 | A collection of illustrations by Shoko Nakagawa |
| Nakagawa Shoko Monogatari – Sorairo Days (中川翔子物語~空色デイズ~) | July 16, 2010 | Kodansha | ISBN: 978-4063642742 | A manga about the life of Shoko Nakagawa from her childhood. The limited edition contains an extra book with pictures and a pencil box. |
| Shoko Nakagawa x Mika Ninagawa Photobook "Shoko et Mikanne2 " (中川翔子×蜷川実花写真集 『 しょこれみかんぬ 2 』) | January 28, 2011 | Wani Books | ISBN: 978-4847043390 | Second collaboration with Mika Ninagawa. |
| Saipan hatsu, Nakano keiyu Mirai iki-Nakagawa Shoko Giza 10- (サイパン発、中野経由、未来行き 中川翔子 ギザ10) | May 30, 2012 | Kodansha | ISBN: 978-4-06-364889-8 | |
| Shoko-Pedia Nakagawa Shoko Ongakukatsudo Dai Ikki Kiroku Shu (中川翔子音楽活動第一期記録集10) | January 25, 2013 | Enterbrain | ISBN: 978-4047287440 | Contains Interviews from the beginning of her career until 2013 and many pictures. |
| Nakagawa Shoko Pokemon ga Ikiru Imi o Oshietekureta Shogakkan Visual Mook (ポケモンが生きる意味を教えてくれた) | July 10, 2013 | Shogakukan | ISBN: 978-4091032287 |
Blogs as Books
| Title | Issue date | Publisher | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokotan Official Blog (しょこたんぶろぐ・中川翔子＊オフィシャル BLOG＊) | October 10, 2005 | Goma Books | ISBN: 4-7771-0210-6 | Entries from November 2004 to August 2005 |
| Shokotan Official Blog 2 (しょこたんぶろぐ・中川翔子＊オフィシャル BLOG 2 ＊) | November 10, 2006 | Goma Books | ISBN: 4-7771-0487-7 | Entries from September 2005 to August 2006 |
| Shokotan Blog Days of Desire (しょこたんぶろぐ貪欲デイズ) | January 25, 2008 | Kadokawa Group Publishing | ISBN: 978-4-04-895012-1 | Entries from October 2006 to December 2007 |
| Shokotan Blog Cho Donyoku Days (しょこたんぶろぐ 超貪欲デイズ) | January 16, 2010 | Kadokawa Group Publishing | ISBN: 978-4-04-895069-5 | Entries from March 2008 to October 2009 |
See also
In Spanish: Shōko Nakagawa para niños
