Anne Watanabe

Anne Watanabe (渡辺 杏) is a Japanese fashion model, actress, and singer. She is the daughter of film actor Ken Watanabe and his first wife Yumiko. In her modeling work, she is known by the mononym Anne.

Career
Watanabe's first high-profile modeling season was spring/summer 2007, in which she was featured in runway shows for Anna Sui, Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, and Vivienne Tam, among others. She also walked for Baby Phat, Imitation of Christ, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Thakoon in subsequent seasons.

Watanabe has been featured in print advertisements for Anna Sui and NARS Cosmetics. She was the main visual model for Sui's Secret Wish Magic Romance fragrance for both print and video.

Personal life
In Japan, Watanabe is also a well-known reki-jo (history girl) -- a female history otaku. She can speak English and French to some extent. On 21 September 2023, She participated in the annual World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship.

Marriage and family
She married actor Masahiro Higashide on 1 January 2015. On 16 May 2016, Watanabe gave birth to twin daughters. On 7 November 2017, she gave birth to a son.

On 23 January 2020, Shūkan Bunshun revealed that Watanabe's husband had been having an extramarital affair with actress Erika Karata since 2017, when Watanabe was pregnant with their third child, which was later confirmed by Higashide's agency. On 1 August 2020, Watanabe finalized her divorce with Higashide, promising that they would work together to take care of the children.

Watanabe and her children are currently residing in France as of August 2022.

TV drama

 * Tengoku to Jigoku (TV Asahi, 2007)
 * Tenchijin (NHK, 2009), Megohime
 * Karei Naru Spy (NTV, 2009)
 * Samurai High School (NTV, 2009)
 * Shinzanmono (TBS, 2010, ep1)
 * Naka nai to Kimeta Hi (Fuji TV, 2010)
 * Joker: Yurusarezaru Sōsakan (Fuji TV, 2010)
 * Namae o Nakushita Megami (Fuji TV, 2011)
 * Yokai Ningen Bem (NTV, 2011)
 * Taira no Kiyomori (NHK, 2012), Hōjō Masako
 * xxxHOLiC (Wowow, 2013)
 * Kasuka na Kanojo (Fuji TV, 2013)
 * Bon Appetit! (NHK, 2013)
 * Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out (NTV, 2014–15), Mai Hanasaki
 * Date - Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira (Fuji TV, 2015)
 * Japan Sinks: People of Hope (2021), Minori Shiina

Film

 * Sakura no Sono (2008)
 * Fashion Week (2009)
 * Bandage (2010)
 * Ninja Kids!!! (2011), Shina Yamamoto
 * Yōkai Ningen Bem The Movie (2012)
 * Platinum Data (2013)
 * Midsummer's Equation (2013)
 * Miss Hokusai (2015), Oei (voice)
 * Lost and Found (2016)
 * Golden Orchestra! (2016)
 * Birthday Wonderland (2019), Chii (voice)
 * Cube (2021)
 * The Deer King (2022), Sae (voice)
 * Tombi: Father and Son (2022), Yumi
 * Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room: The Movie (2023), Yū Kamoi
 * Kingdom 3: The Flame of Destiny (2023), Zhi Xia
 * Fly Me to the Saitama: From Biwa Lake with Love (2023), Kai Kikyo
 * Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window (2023), Totto-Chan's mother (voice)
 * Stay Mum (2024), Chisako

Radio

 * Book Bar (2008–present, J-Wave)

Documentary

 * Asia's Great Ruins (Also known as "Ring of Civilization", 2015, NHK, as navigator)

Mini-albums

 * Lights (2010, Epic/Sony)
 * Ai o Anata ni (2012, Epic/Sony)

Recognitions

 * 49th FECJ Awards: International Model of the Year
 * 64th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Naka nai to Kimeta Hi
 * 36th Elan d'or Awards: Newcomer of the Year
 * 5th Tokyo Drama Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Yōkai Ningen Bem
 * 23rd Hashida Award: Newcomer of the Year
 * 52nd Galaxy Award: Individual Award for Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out, Kuroha, and Date - Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira