Aya Hirano

Aya Hirano (平野 綾) is a Japanese actress and singer. Beginning in the entertainment industry as a child actor in television commercials, she appeared in her first voice acting role in the anime television series Angel Tales (2001).

In 2006, she became known for her role as Haruhi Suzumiya in the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, winning the Voice Acting Award at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards, the Best Newcomer Award at the 1st Seiyu Awards in 2007, and the Best Lead Actress award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008. In addition, she also provided the voice of Misa Amane in Death Note, Konata Izumi in Lucky Star, and Lucy Heartfilia in Fairy Tail. In 2010, Hirano began transitioning her acting career to television and stage plays, starring in Konna no Idol Janain!? (2012) and Muse no Kagami (2012).

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Hirano was regarded as an idol voice actor and is notable for being a voice actor who was able to cross over to mainstream entertainment. Along with voice acting, Hirano currently releases music through Universal Sigma. She released her first single "Breakthrough" in 2006, and she released her first album Riot Girl in 2008.

Early life
Hirano was born in Nagoya on October 8, 1987. From age 2 to age 3, Hirano lived in New York, United States due to her father's job, and she became interested in acting after watching the 1990 Broadway production of Peter Pan.

Acting career
In 1998, Hirano joined the Tokyo Child Theatrical Group division of the Space Craft Group company. After starting her acting career, Hirano began to appear in commercials and received her first role as a voice actress at 14 years old in the 2001 anime series Angel Tales. In 2002, when she was 15, she voiced co-lead character Lumiere in Kiddy Grade.

After graduating from high school, Hirano began seriously pursuing her voice acting and solo singing career. Her big break came in 2006, when she was cast as the voice of Haruhi Suzumiya, the title character and heroine of the anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The series' public success boosted her popularity and career in Japan. Hirano soon became one of the first voice actors who crossed over into mainstream media, as well as one of the first well-known idol voice actors. This success was followed by her voicing Reira Serizawa in Nana and Misa Amane in Death Note. At the first Seiyu Awards, she won "Best Newcomer (female)", for her role as Haruhi Suzumiya; the same role also won her a nomination as "Best Main Character (female)". At the same awards, she was also nominated for "Best Supporting Character (female)", and earned two nominations for "Best Single" (one of which was for a solo, "Bōken Desho Desho?"; the other was a group nomination for the single "Hare Hare Yukai"). She also won in the Voice Acting category at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards for her role as the lead character in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Hirano performed at the Animelo Summer Live concerts between 2006 and 2008, as well as the Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisō concert on March 18, 2007. She was a guest at Anime Expo 2007, along with other cast members from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Minori Chihara and Yūko Gotō. In 2007, she continued to enjoy great success in her career, landing the role of Konata Izumi in the anime version of Lucky Star. In 2008, at the second Seiyu Awards, she won for Best Lead Actress, and also for Best Singing along with cast members of Lucky Star for the series' opening theme "Motteke! Sailor Fuku".

In April 2011, Hirano announced that she had been prohibited from taking on new voice acting roles since the previous year. She still continued voicing characters for anime that received additional seasons or extended runs. Citing a need for a new agency that was more ideal for her career wishes, she announced on August 12, 2011, that she had left Space Craft Entertainment. On August 21, Hirano moved to the voice acting agency Grick. Days later, on August 27, she posted a message on her Twitter account, confirming that she had resumed new voice acting roles in anime.

In 2016, after a stint in the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood in Tokyo, Hirano spent four months studying English and voice in New York.

Music career
Hirano's music career began as part of the band SpringS, which was active from 2002 to 2003. She then released two character image songs in 2005: "Kimi Kara Onegai My Saint" (キミからお願い★my saint), which was used as an ending theme to the original video animation Itsudatte My Santa!, and "Futari no Imi" (二人の意味), which was an image song for her character Mamori Anezaki in the anime series Eyeshield 21.

Hirano's first solo single under the record label Lantis was "Breakthrough", which was released on March 8, 2006; the title track was used as the opening theme of the visual novel Finalist. Her next single was "Bōken Desho Desho?" (冒険でしょでしょ?), which was released on April 26, 2006; the title track is used as the opening theme of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The CD sold out in Japan the very day it was released. This was followed by the release of an image song single for her character Haruhi Suzumiya on July 5, 2006, which contained the songs "Parallel Days" (パラレル Days) and "SOS nara Daijōbu" (SOS ならだいじょーぶ). Her third single "Ashita no Prism" (明日のプリズム) was released on September 6, 2006.

Hirano released her fourth single "Love Gun" on October 10, 2007. This was followed by her fifth single "Neophilia" which was released on November 7, 2007, and her sixth single "MonStAR" which was released on December 5, 2007.

Hirano released her seventh single "Unnamed World" on April 23, 2008; the title track was used as the ending theme to the anime series Nijū Mensō no Musume. This was followed by the release of her first solo album Riot Girl on July 16, 2008. She then released the song "Namida" (涙 NAMIDA ナミダ) on October 8, 2008, which was used as the ending theme to the anime series Hyakko.

Hirano released her eighth single "Set me free / Sing a song!" on April 29, 2009. She then released her ninth single "Super Driver" on July 22, 2009; the title track is used as the opening theme of the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Her second album Speed Star (スピード☆スター) was released on November 18, 2009. Her tenth single "Hysteric Barbie" was released on June 23, 2010. To promote the single, she created a Twitter account which was originally intended to be only used for one day; however, she would continue to use the account after the promotion had ended.

In May 2011, Hirano released a compilation album titled Aya Museum. Later that month, she announced via Twitter that she was no longer performing music for Lantis and had discontinued her music career until further notice. On August 2, 2011, Japanese magazine Bubka confirmed that she was dismissed by Lantis due to a sex scandal involving her sleeping with several band members. She then returned to music in 2012 and was signed to the record label Universal Sigma. Her first release on the label was the mini album Fragments on May 23, 2012. This was followed by the song "Zutto Kitto" (ずっと きっと) which was released on August 15, 2012; the title track is used as the ending theme to the anime film Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess.

In 2013, Hirano released two singles: "TOxxxIC" which was released on February 20, and "Promise" which was released on October 9; "Promise" was used as an insert song in the documentary film Kitakitsune Monogatari: Ashita e. She released her fourth album Vivid on February 19, 2014.

In 2018, Hirano performed the song "Pride", which was used as a character song to the mobile game Granblue Fantasy.

Personal life
In November 2010, Hirano posted a message on her Twitter account that she has had a pituitary gland tumor since junior high school. While not malignant, the tumor exerts pressure on certain motor functions, resulting in temporary memory loss, loss of vision and slurring of speech. She decided against elective surgery because the surgery would alter her nasal cavity and permanently modify her voice.

On January 3, 2024, she announced her marriage to actor Masashi Taniguchi.

Public image
Once The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya broadcast in 2006, Hirano received widespread media attention and popularity, which led her to be known as a "super idol" in the voice acting industry. In 2007, she was ranked No. 36 in Daitan Map's Top 50 Voice Actors. She also notably became a voice actor who was able to cross over to mainstream media, where she began appearing on variety shows since 2010. In 2011, Hirano was the 5th best-selling voice actress, making ¥120 million in total sales.

Beginning in 2010, Hirano drew criticism from her anime fanbase when she openly discussed her dating and sex life on the variety show Goût Temps Nouveau,  as well as the implication that she was abandoning voice acting in favor of a career in mainstream entertainment. In early 2011, an acquaintance of a Lantis employee leaked that Hirano had sexual relations with three of her band members, leading to the dismissal of all four of them; in August 2011, Japanese magazine Bubka published photos of their affair. The incidents caused several fans to destroy her merchandise, create petitions to remove her from her role in Kizumonogatari, and send death threats. Hirano stopped posting on Twitter beginning on May 18, 2013, allowing her team to use her account as an information channel. In December 2022, Hirano stated on Twitter that she still receives death threats whenever she does voice acting work for anime and cites it as a reason why she has largely stepped away from anime voice acting.

Dubbing roles
Hirano has had dubbing roles in localized versions of a number of foreign television series and films.

Video games
<!-- NEED NOTABILITY こくはく || Old 乃宮 Haruka / Kurasawa Hina / Kaede Hayami / Runa Kurasawa 古乃宮遥／倉沢陽菜／速水楓／倉沢瑠奈 || PC（一般） || 鉄道むすめDS～Terminal Memory～ || Minami Kurihashi 栗橋みなみ || DS Tobu Railway Kita-Senju Station station attendant || にょろーん☆ちゅるやさん || Haruhi Suzumiya || Other Quite tension is low unlike the original || 宮河家の空腹 || Konata Izumi 泉こなた || Other || ミウ || Slot machine game || 武装神姫バトルマスターズ || Beibirazu ベイビーラズ || PSP || – NEED SCRUB アクエリアンエイジ7周年記念ドラマCD付限定BOX後編 || Erzsebet – Batory エルジェベート・バートリ || Other || – NEED SOURCE AND NOTABILITY
 * 2003 || Angel Tales games || Saru no Momo || || resume -
 * 2006-10-07 || Taiko no Tatsujin: Doka! to Oomori Nanadaime || Singing on "Hare Hare Yukai" || || resume
 * 2007-12-13 || Spectral Gene || Nevuan, Kurohime || || resume
 * 2008-11 || ''ja || Minami Kurahashi || || resume
 * 2008 || Motto Moegaku || Goddess || ||  resume
 * 2009-05-14 || Bleach: Heat the Soul 6 || Dark Rukia || || resume
 * 2009-11-05 || Summon Night X: Tears Crown || Amelia Kirst || || resume
 * 2009 || Kokuhaku || Haruka Koosamumiya, Yosai Kurasawa, Kaede Hayami, Runa Kurasawa || || resume
 * 2009 || Hyakko Yorozuya Case Files! || Ayumi Nonomura || || resume
 * 2009 || Linebarrels of Iron || Kujo Miu || || resume
 * 2009–10 || Jewelpet games || Garnet || || resume
 * 2010 || Busou Shinki games || Electric guitar type MMS Baby Razz || Battle Masters and Battle Rondo || resume
 * 2010–14 || Fairy Tail games || Lucy Heartfilia || || resume
 * 2011-06-22 || Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match || Yuki Morikawa || || resume
 * 2011 || Final Fantasy Type-0 || Carla || || resume
 * 2011 || Yakuza: Dead Souls || Hana || || resume
 * 2011 || Sengoku Taisen 1570 || Hanahime, SS Cha, BSS Uesugi Kenshin || || resume
 * 2011 || Weiß Schwarz Portable || Haruhi || || resume
 * 2012 || Yakuza 5 || Hana || || resume
 * 2012 || Dragon Nest || Curly || || resume
 * 2013 || Super Robot Wars UX || Miu Kujou || || resume
 * 2013 || DoDonPachi DaiOuJou || Oya || Xbox 360 version || resume
 * 2014-03-10 || Granblue Fantasy || Beatrix || iOS/Android || not in vadb
 * 2014 || 3594e: Sangokushi Eika || ||  || resume
 * 2014 || Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! || Ikumatsu || || resume
 * 2009-09-14 || Confessions
 * 2009-09-14 || Confessions
 * 2008-10-09 || Railway daughter DS ~ Terminal Memory ~
 * 2009-02-14 || Nyoron ☆ Churuya's
 * 2013-04-29 || Hungry Miyagawa house
 * 2010-04 || Spy Girl || Miu
 * 2010-07-15 || Armed Shinki Battle Masters
 * 2006-11-10 || Aquarian Age 7 anniversary drama with CD limited BOX sequel
 * 2006-11-10 || Aquarian Age 7 anniversary drama with CD limited BOX sequel
 * Eyeshield 21 Playing American Football! Ya! Ha! (Mamori Anezaki)
 * Eyeshield 21 Portable Edition (Mamori Anezaki)
 * Himekishi Monogatari -Princess Blue- (Yuna Ekuberuto Ōjo)
 * Sunday VS Magazine: Shuuketsu! Choujou Daikessen! (Kaoru Akashi)

Live-action drama

 * Multiple Personality Detective Psycho – Kazuhiko Amamiya Returns (Lolita °C)

Television appearances
– Needs romaji translation of 健康こどもっち!.
 * AniGiga (NHK BS2) (2nd time guest)
 * Brave MAP Special: We will show you the faces behind the people who do popular Anime characters' voices!! Best 50
 * AniPara Music-place (Guest)
 * Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ – Rank-In Corner (Fuji Television | July 3, 2006)
 * Kaitai-Shin Show (NHK General | April 2007)
 * Mario School (TV Tokyo | October 2000 – March 2001)
 * Moegaku (Host)
 * Radical (Commentary)
 * Super Advancement Broadcast BONZO! (Tokyo MX | August 24, 2007)
 * Tenshi no Voice (SKY PerfecTV! ch.371 | 9th Broadcast)
 * Just Aya Hirano TV (平野綾だけTV) (Fuji TV 2 | April 2009) (Host)

Theatre

 * Les Misérables (Éponine)

Character albums and singles
<!-- NEED SCRUB

Collaborations
– SCRUB http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/452167/ The Children starring The Children starring Aya Hirano & Ryoko Shiraishi & Haruka Tomatsu, some top ten songs http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/504660/ Imaginary ENOZ featuring Haruhi #28 http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/517022/ One hand ☆ SIZE [patriarch Kana Snow Woman, Keikain Yura (CV: Aya Hirano, Yui Horie, Ai Maeda)] work of, some top 50s http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/424164/ Lucky Star hits http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/444336/ Lucky Star and Jam project – SCRUB – Not in Oricon as Aya Hirano, may be under collaborations -->
 * "Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsumeawase" (2006)
 * "Haruhi Suzumiya Character Song" (2006)
 * "Mei Etō Character Song" (2006)
 * "Sanae Nakajima Character Song" (2006)
 * "Motteke! Sailor Fuku" (2007)
 * "Konata Izumi Character Song" (2007)
 * "Mune Pettan Girls Character Song" (2007)
 * "Kosutte! Oh My Honey" (2007)
 * "Tomare!" (2009)
 * "Haruhi Suzumiya Character Song II" (2009)
 * "Seikon no Qwaser Character Song" (2010)
 * "Fairy Tail Character Song" (2010)
 * "Party! LoveBeat!" (along with Kanae Itō and Haruka Kudō) (2012)
 * 2006-10-10 || "Hare Hare Yukai" | #10?