Rila Fukushima is a well-known visage in Hollywood as a Japanese actor and model. Her roles as ‘Yukio’ in ‘The Wolverine (2013) and ‘Tatsu Yamshiro/Katana’ in the renowned television series ‘Arrow’ have made her a recognizable face in the entertainment industry. She began her career as a model before transitioning into the film industry. She has appeared in campaigns for major brands as a model. She made her acting debut in the 2010 short film Karma: A Very Twisted Love Story, in which she portrayed ‘Rei.’ Rila got her major break in ‘The Wolverine (2013), starring Hugh Jackman as the popular ‘Marvel’ superhero, after a three-year break. Rila portrayed Yukio, Wolverine’s companion. Other notable films she has appeared in include ‘Twilight: Saya in Sasara’ (2014), ‘Gonin Saga’ (2015), ‘Warrior’ (2015), and ‘Terra Formars (2015). (2016). In 2014, she made her television debut with the “Taiga” drama Gunshi Kanbei. The series contained fifty episodes. She has also appeared on television programs including ‘The Long Goodbye’ (2014), ‘Arrow’ (2014–present), ‘Game of Thrones (2015), and ‘Million Yen Women’ (2017). Her most recent appearance was in the film “Ghost in the Shell,” in which her performance as a “geisha” in a crimson kimono was praised by all.
Youth and Early Life
On January 16, 1989, Rila Fukushima was born on the island of Kyushu in Japan. She grew up in Tokyo, Japan
Rila had always desired to become a fashion model, so she relocated to New York to pursue her ambitions. However, she returned to Tokyo in 2010 to care for her ailing mother.
Rila initially worked as an assistant for a modeling agency but was subsequently hired as a model by the same agency. She began her career as a model at age 21, after working for numerous fashion magazines and labels.
She admired Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, and Helena Christensen, among other models. After graduating from high school, she spent two years at a music school.
Rila Fukushima’s Career
Rila’s first acting role was as ‘Rei’ in the low-budget television film Karma: A Very Twisted Love Story. In 2010, the film was released, marking the commencement of Rila’s career. Her breakthrough performance was in the 2013 American superhero film The Wolverine. The film became the sixth highest-grossing installment in the ‘X-Men series. Rila portrayed Yukio, Wolverine’s companion.
Her character was based on a Marvel comic book character with the same name. Yukio made his first appearance in September 1982 in Wolverine #1. She was a Japanese ninja warrior who assisted ‘Wolverine’ in his mission to save the planet. Rila’s first commercially successful film was “The Wolverine.” To audition for the role, Rila had to travel from New York to Tokyo and Los Angeles.
She next appeared as ‘Erica’ in the Tomoko Kanô-inspired drama ‘Twilight: Saya in Sasara’ as Erica. The film depicted a widow coping with her deceased husband’s return to the living world in order to assist their child.
She portrayed ‘Omichi’ in the NHK Taiga drama ‘Gunshi Kanbei’.
The series depicted the life of ‘Kuroda Kanbei,’ son of ‘Kuroda Mototaka,’ the senior retainer of ‘Kodera Masamoto,’ who ruled ‘Harima Province.’ In the series, Junichi Okada portrayed the lead role. The Japanese drama consisted of fifty episodes.
In 2014, she also appeared in the miniseries The Long Goodbye. She portrayed ‘Lily’ on the show. She joined the cast of the American superhero television series ‘Arrow’ in the same year. In October 2012, ‘The CW’ premiered the series based on the DC Comics character ‘Green Arrow’ Rila portrayed ‘Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana’ in fifteen episodes of the television program.
In July 1983, ‘The Brave and the Bold’ #200 (published by ‘DC Comics’) marked the debut of the samurai warrior ‘Katana’. With her exceptional swordsmanship, ‘Katana’ protects the world and is a member of the ‘Outsiders,’ a superhero group assembled by ‘Batman.’
She portrayed the role of ‘Yoichi’ in the 2015 Japanese film ‘Gonin Saga’ Masahiro Higashide and Kenta Kiritani played the main roles in the film. In the same year, she also portrayed the character ‘Tasu’ in the television film ‘Warrior.’
Her role as “Red Priestess” in the episode “High Sparrow” of the fantasy drama ‘Game of Thrones’ was the highlight of 2015. She portrayed Sakakibara in the 2016 film Terra Formars. In 2017, her portrayal of a red-robed “geisha” in the American science fiction film “Ghost in the Shell” garnered widespread praise.
The film, based on the same-titled Japanese manga series, was set in a futuristic world where the distinction between humans and machines is nearly nonexistent. Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, and Michael Pitt were featured prominently in the film. However, the film performed poorly at the box office.
Her most recent appearance was in the Japanese “seinen” mystery/romantic comedy manga 100 Manen no Onna-tachi, also known as Million Yen Women. Netflix adapted the series into a live-action television drama in 2017. The program centered on the life of a struggling novelist, Shin Michima, who spent more than a year with five mysterious women.
Yojiro Noda portrayed Shin Michima in ‘Shin Michima.’ Rila portrayed ‘Minami Shirakawa,’ a naturist and one of Shin’s five housemates. The character ‘Minami’ was portrayed as the president of the ultra-luxurious ‘Call Girl Club’ and a 30-year-old woman with violent tendencies and odd behavior.
Awards & Achievements
In 2013, ‘Vogue Japan’ selected Rila Fukushima as one of the ‘Women of the Year.’
Rila’s Personal Life
Rila Fukushima was previously in a relationship with Naoto Takenaka. Currently, she is reportedly unmarried.
Estimated Net Worth
Rila Fukushima is one of the wealthiest and most renowned actresses in the film industry. Based on our analysis of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Rila Fukushima has a net worth of $5 million.