Megumi Nakajima
{{Short description|Japanese voice actress and singer (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Megumi Nakajima
| image = Megumi_Nakajima_performing_at_Nokia_Theater_LA_Live.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Nakajima in 2010
| native_name = 中島 愛
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|06|05}}
| birth_place = Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Voice actress
- singer}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| agent = Stay Luck
| height = 157 cm
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flatlist|
- J-pop
- anime song{{cite web | url=https://ure.pia.co.jp/articles/-/212208 | title=人気"アニソンレーベル"6社の個性を徹底比較! 今後の注目アーティストは? | language=ja | work={{ill|Pia (company)|lt=Pia|ja|ぴあ}} | date=April 27, 2018 | accessdate=March 21, 2022}}}}
| years_active = 2007–2014, 2016–present
| label = Flying Dog
| website = {{url|nakajima-megumi.jp}}
}}
}}
{{Nihongo|Megumi Nakajima|中島 愛|Nakajima Megumi|born June 5, 1989|lead=yes}} is a Japanese voice actress and singer, who is affiliated with Stay Luck.{{cite web |title=Official website |date=April 2022 |url=https://stay-luck.com/talent/nakajima-megumi/ |publisher=Stay Luck |access-date=July 18, 2022 |language=ja}} In 2003, she joined the talent agency Stardust Promotion after passing their audition. Later, in 2007, she debuted as a voice actress and singer after passing an audition held by the music company Victor Entertainment; she was then cast as the character Ranka Lee in the 2008 anime series Macross Frontier. Her first solo single "Tenshi ni Naritai" was released in 2009, which was followed by her first solo album I Love You in 2010.
Apart from Ranka, Nakajima is also known for her roles as Kaede Sakura in Kämpfer, Lyra in Fairy Tail, Lyra and Meloetta in Pokémon, Yuzuki Eba in A Town Where You Live, Megumi Aino/Cure Lovely in HappinessCharge PreCure!, and Tuuli in Ascendance of a Bookworm. Her songs have been featured in series such as Kämpfer, Tamayura, Kotoura-san, Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne, and Ascendance of a Bookworm. She is also the voice provider of the Vocaloid software Megpoid. In 2013, she announced an indefinite hiatus from singing to focus on her acting career; she returned to singing in 2017 with the single "Watashi no Sekai", the title song being used as the ending theme to the anime series Fuuka.
Early life and childhood
Nakajima was born in Ibaraki Prefecture on June 5, 1989, to a Filipina mother and a Japanese father.{{cite news |last1=Farris |first1=Christopher |title=These Filipinos Are the Voices of Modern Cartoon and Anime Characters |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |website=Esquire |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708091145/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=中島 愛 オフィシャル・ウェブサイト -Megumi Nakajima Official Web Site - Profile |url=http://www.nakajimamegumi.com/profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201124129/http://www.nakajimamegumi.com/profile |archive-date=December 1, 2012 |language=ja}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nakajimamegumi.com/profile/mamep.html|title=Official website profile|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821113932/http://www.nakajimamegumi.com/profile/mamep.html|archive-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=January 24, 2018}} She grew up in a family fond of music; her father had been a drummer in a band.{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/anime/news/1219298_1558.html|script-title=ja:中島愛：運命を感じた、ランカ・リーとの出会い エンジェル・ボイス アゲイン|date=October 29, 2008|publisher=Famitsu|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} These family influences would later be cited as among the reasons she would decide to pursue a career as a singer.{{cite web |title=マクロスFでブレイク！中島愛さんがCDデビューの心境を語る |url=https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/144/144460/ |publisher=Kadokawa Corporation |access-date=April 25, 2019 |language=ja |date=June 25, 2008}}
In 2003, Nakajima participated in an audition held by the talent agency Stardust Promotion. She passed it and subsequently signed with the agency. Despite this, she did not make a music debut, instead training while waiting for her opportunity. As she had yet to make her debut, she was starting to "become desperate" to do anything in entertainment, and she even considered ceasing her pursuit of a singing career.{{cite web |title=「いま『マクロスF』の話ができて嬉しい」中島愛、デビュー10年を振り返る |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20180808-mamegu/ |publisher=Mynavi Corporation |access-date=April 25, 2019 |language=ja |date=August 8, 2018}}{{cite web |title=中島愛「Thank You」発売記念 活動休止前ラストインタビュー - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/nakajimamegumi02 |publisher=Natalie |access-date=April 25, 2019 |language=ja}} While in her third year of high school, she learned of an audition held by the music company Victor Entertainment. The winner would then be cast in the upcoming anime series Macross Frontier. At the time she had not yet decided what type of artist she wanted to be, but because she believed that it was her chance, she went ahead and auditioned.{{cite web |title=Megumi Nakajima Interview 1: "A Personal Path Carved by Change and Motivation" |url=https://aniuta.co.jp/contents/219708 |publisher=ANiUTa |access-date=April 25, 2019 |date=January 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425042022/https://aniuta.co.jp/contents/219708 |url-status=dead }} She ended up being the audition's winner,{{cite web |title=Victor Vocal & Voice Audition |url=https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/audition/v3/result.html |access-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021021815/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/audition/v3/result.html |archive-date=October 21, 2007 |language=ja |url-status=live }} which would lead to her being cast as the speaking and singing voice of the character Ranka Lee.
Music career
File:Mamegu Live at LA (2).jpg
Nakajima made her debut performance as a professional artist at the "Macross 25th Anniversary Concert" on April 18, 2007, as she had been cast as the character Ranka Lee.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080228131242/http://destroytokyo.com/index.php/2007/08/20/macross_f_frontier_unveiled_at_macross_2?blog=2 Macross F (Frontier) Unveiled at Macross 25th Anniversary Concert]{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-18/yoko-kanno-heroine's-voice-announced-for-new-macross|title=Yoko Kanno, Heroine's Voice Announced for New Macross (Updated)|date=August 18, 2007|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}} Her first vocal recordings appeared in the compilation album Macross Frontier O.S.T.1 Nyan FRO. on June 4, 2008.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/224846/products/762945/1/|title=MBS・TBS系テレビ・アニメーション マクロスF(フロンティア)O.S.T.I 娘フロ。|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She made her music debut on June 25, 2008, with the single {{Nihongo|"Seikan Hikō"|星間飛行}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/768076/1/|script-title=ja:星間飛行|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} Her first major live performance was the {{Nihongo|"Super Dimension Super Live"|超時空スーパーライブ|Chō Jikū Sūpā Raibu}} concert held on July 27, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://gabrielarobin.com/289/superdimensional-super-live-concert-by-ranka-lee-and-sheryl-nome-report|title=A Gabriela Robin Site » Superdimensional Super Live Concert by Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome Report (update)|date=July 31, 2008|publisher=Gabrielarobin.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110202918/http://gabrielarobin.com/289/superdimensional-super-live-concert-by-ranka-lee-and-sheryl-nome-report|archive-date=November 10, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=November 18, 2012}} For her performance of "Seikan Hikō", she won the award for Best Musical Performance in the third Seiyu Awards held on March 7, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://gabrielarobin.com/1514/megumi-nakajima-wins-best-singing-award-in-the-3rd-seiyu-awards|title=A Gabriela Robin Site » Megumi Nakajima Wins Best Singing Award in the 3rd Seiyu Awards|date=March 5, 2009|publisher=Gabrielarobin.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217121640/http://gabrielarobin.com/1514/megumi-nakajima-wins-best-singing-award-in-the-3rd-seiyu-awards|archive-date=February 17, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=November 18, 2012}}
Nakajima's first non-Macross single, {{Nihongo|"Tenshi ni Naritai"|天使になりたい}} was released on January 28, 2009; the single peaked at number 13 on Oricon's weekly charts and charted for five weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/799454/1/|script-title=ja:天使になりたい|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} This was followed by the release of her second single "Nostalgia" on March 11, 2009; the title song was used as the theme song to the drama series Daisuki! Itsuitsugo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/807342/1/|script-title=ja:ノスタルジア|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She then became the vocal provider of the Vocaloid program Megpoid, which went on sale on June 6, 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ssw.co.jp/products/vocal/megpoid/index.html|title=Megpoid（メグッポイド）{{pipe}}株式会社インターネット|website=www.ssw.co.jp|access-date=June 7, 2016}} Her next single {{Nihongo|"Jellyfish no Kokuhaku"|ジェリーフィッシュの告白|Jerīfisshu no Kokuhaku}} was released on December 9, 2009; the title song was used as the first ending theme to the anime series Kobato.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/844019/1/|script-title=ja:ジェリーフィッシュの告白|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She released her first album I Love You on June 9, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/866577/1/|title=I love you|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 9, 2019}} She then appeared at Anime Expo in Los Angeles in July of that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-19/macross-f-megumi-nakajima-mayn-to-perform-at-anime-expo|title=Macross F's Megumi Nakajima, May'n to Perform at Anime Expo|date=May 20, 2010|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
Nakajima's next single "Melody" was released on November 24, 2010; the songs included in the single were used in the original video animation Tamayura.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/888011/1/|script-title=ja:メロディ|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She then performed the song "If", which was used as an insert song in the anime series Moshidora.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/913371/1/|title=If|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} This was followed by the release of the single {{Nihongo|"Kamisama no Itazura"|神様のいたずら}} on October 26, 2011; the title song is used as the ending theme to the anime series Tamayura: Hitotose.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/933685/1/|script-title=ja:神様のいたずら|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} Her next single, "Try Unite!/Hello!" was released on February 2, 2012; "Try Unite" was used as the opening theme to the anime series Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/947103/1/|title=TRY UNITE!/Hello!|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} Her second album Be With You went on sale on March 3, 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/951033/1/|title=Be With You|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
On August 1, 2012, Nakajima released the single {{Nihongo|"Marble/Wasurenai yo."|マーブル/忘れないよ。}}; "Marble" was used as the opening theme to the second season of Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/975033/1/|script-title=ja:マーブル/忘れないよ。|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} In 2013, she released two singles: {{Nihongo|"Sonna Koto Ura no Mata Urabanashi Desho?"|そんなこと裏のまた裏話でしょ?}} on January 23, and {{Nihongo|"Arigatō"|ありがとう}} on August 7. "Sonna Koto Ura no Mata Urabanashi Desho?" was used as the opening theme to the anime series Kotoura-san,{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1001916/1/|script-title=ja:そんなこと裏のまた裏話でしょ?|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} and "Arigatō" was used as the ending theme to the anime series Tamayura: More Aggressive.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1027564/1/|script-title=ja:ありがとう|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
On December 2, 2013, Stardust Promotion announced that Nakajima would go on an indefinite hiatus from her music career after the release of her third album Thank You on February 26, 2014{{cite web | url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/22/cd-jacket-photo-for-megumi-nakajimas-last-album-revealed | title=CD Jacket Photo for Megumi Nakajima's Last Album Revealed | publisher=Crunchyroll | date=January 22, 2014 | access-date=January 22, 2020}} and a final concert on March 20, 2014, although she would continue to be active in the voice-acting industry.{{cite web|title=Macross Frontier's Megumi Nakajima Goes on Hiatus From Music|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-01/macross-frontier-megumi-nakajima-goes-on-hiatus-from-music|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=December 2, 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/12/01/megumi-nakajima-announces-hiatus-from-musical-activities | title=Megumi Nakajima Announces Hiatus from Musical Activities | publisher=Crunchyroll | date=December 2, 2013 | access-date=December 2, 2019}} In a 2019 interview, she was asked the reasons for her decision to go on hiatus. She responded that she felt that had few expectations about herself, and she was worried that she had become so associated with the role of Ranka that she would be unable to establish an identity as "Megumi Nakajima". She initially thought that her involvement in the Macross franchise would not last long and that she could move on after Macross Frontier ended, only to learn later that there would be more upcoming releases and activities for the series. Once the films had finished release, she realized that she had already been a voice actor for three years, and yet felt that her roles did not suit her, even feeling that her confidence was low despite being treated kindly by her peers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-01-12/voice-actress-megumi-nakajima-explains-why-she-went-on-hiatus-after-macross-frontier/.141841|title=Voice Actress Megumi Nakajima Explains Why She Went on Hiatus After Macross Frontier|date=January 13, 2019|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
On December 1, 2016, Nakajima's management announced that she would return from her hiatus to perform the song "Watashi no Sekai", which is used as the ending theme to the 2017 anime television series Fuuka.{{cite web|title=Macross Frontier's Megumi Nakajima Returns From Musical Hiatus, Performs Ending for Fūka Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-01/macross-frontier-megumi-nakajima-returns-from-musical-hiatus-performs-ending-for-fuka-anime/.109371|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=December 2, 2016|date=December 1, 2016}} Her second post-comeback single "Saturday Night Question" was released on November 6, 2017; the title song is used as the opening theme to the anime series Recovery of an MMO Junkie.{{cite web|script-title=ja:サタデー・ナイト・クエスチョン|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1249257/1/|publisher=Oricon|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=ja}}
Nakajima released her fourth album Curiosity on February 26, 2018.{{cite web |title=Curiosity |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1261030/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 5, 2018 |language=ja}} She then released the single "Bitter Sweet Harmony/Shiranai Kimochi" on August 1, 2018; the song "Bitter Sweet Harmony" was used as the opening theme to the anime series Miss Caretaker of Sunohara-sou.{{cite web |title=Bitter Sweet Harmony/知らない気持ち(すのはら盤) |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1283459/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=August 1, 2018 |language=ja}} A planned solo concert in Shanghai, China in June 2018 was cancelled due to "various circumstances".{{cite web |script-title=ja:公演中止のお知らせとお詫び |url=http://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/news/2567 |publisher=E-stone music |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja |date=June 15, 2018 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508023927/http://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/news/2567 |url-status=dead }} In August 2018, she performed at C3 AFA Indonesia in Jakarta,{{cite web |title=出演決定（「I LOVE ANISONG」） |url=https://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/live_event/2451 |publisher=E-stone music |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja |date=May 12, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025024113/http://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/live_event/2451 |url-status=dead }} the last to be held in the country prior to the event's discontinuation.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-29/this-year-c3-afa-jakarta-may-be-last-in-indonesia/.136052|title=This Year's C3 AFA Jakarta 'May Be Last' in Indonesia|date=August 29, 2018|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}} The following month, she performed at Cosplay Mania in the Philippines, the first time she held a performance in the country.{{Cite web|url=https://pop.inquirer.net/62723/cosplay-manias-10th-year-anniversary-poised-become-ultimate-j-culture-experience|title=Cosplay Mania's 10th Year Anniversary Poised to Become the Ultimate J-Culture Experience|date=September 20, 2018|website=InqPOP!|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=May 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-25/cosplay-mania-hosts-megumi-nakajima-chiharu-sawashiro-shunsuke-takeuchi/.133365|title=Cosplay Mania Hosts Megumi Nakajima, Chiharu Sawashiro, Shunsuke Takeuchi|date=June 25, 2018|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her career, Nakajima released a cover album titled {{nihongo|Lovely Time Travel|ラブリー・タイム・トラベル}} on January 28, 2019; the album consists of covers of various love songs from the 1970s to the 1990s.{{cite web |script-title=ja:ラブリー・タイム・トラベル |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1304652/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja}} She released a compilation album titled 30 Pieces of Love on her 30th birthday, June 5, 2019;{{cite web |title=30 pieces of love |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/454581/products/1319278/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja}} the limited edition includes a Blu-ray disc featuring a video shot in the Philippines, and a cover of the Filipino song "Kailan".{{cite web |title=発売日：ベストアルバム「30 PIECES OF LOVE」6月5日に発売決定!! |url=http://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/news/2817 |publisher=E-stone music |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409211814/http://e-stonemusic.com/mamegu/archives/news/2817 |url-status=dead }}
Acting career
Nakajima's first non-Macross role was Miku in the anime series Akikan!. After that, she was cast as the character Citron in the series Basquash!; she along with Haruka Tomatsu and Saori Hayami performed the series' theme songs under the name Eclipse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lisani.jp/0000007482/|title=『バスカッシュ！』Blu-ray BOX2が11月5日に発売！Eclipseの完全録り下ろし新曲など豪華特典満載！|date=October 31, 2014|publisher=LisAni|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She then played the role of Kaede Sakura in Kämpfer, and the roles of Chiho and Chise Mihara in Kobato. At the end of 2009, she voiced Ranka in the first movie of the Macross Frontier series, Macross Frontier the Movie: The False Songstress. In 2010, she played Lyra, a celestial spirit that belongs to Lucy Heartfilia, in the Fairy Tail series, and the character Lyra in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. In February 2011, she voiced Ranka in the second Macross Frontier movie, Macross Frontier the Movie: The Wings of Goodbye. In 2012, she played the role of Meloetta in the anime theatrical short Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, later reprising the role in the Pokémon: Black & White television series. She then voiced Yuzuki Eba in the original video animation A Town Where You Live, reprising the role the following year for the anime television series. In 2013, she played the role of Yō Kasukabe in Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anime-spotlight/2013/winter/problem_children|title=Anime Spotlight - Problem children are coming from another world, aren't they?|date=January 9, 2013|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
During Nakajima's musical hiatus, she continued playing roles in anime series and other franchises, most notably Cure Lovely in HappinessCharge PreCure! and multiple characters in the multimedia franchise Kantai Collection.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-03/megumi-nakajima-megumi-han-star-in-happiness-precure|title=Megumi Nakajima, Megumi Han Star in HappinessCharge Precure|date=January 4, 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Following her return to music, she would then play the roles of Charlotte Abelfreyja Drossel in Violet Evergarden, Maiko Osonoi in Miss Caretaker of Sunohara-sou,{{cite web|title=Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou Anime's Video Reveals More of Cast, Opening Song, July 5 Debut|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-06/miss-caretaker-of-sunohara-sou-anime-video-reveals-more-of-cast-opening-song-july-5-debut/.132505|website=Anime News Network|access-date=November 5, 2018|date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721234728/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-06/miss-caretaker-of-sunohara-sou-anime-video-reveals-more-of-cast-opening-song-july-5-debut/.132505|archive-date=July 21, 2018|url-status=live}} and Dolphin Mii in Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō.{{Cite web|url=https://www.saintia-sho.com/pc/information/cast-staff/|title=CAST-STAFF|publisher=Toei Animation|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She was originally scheduled to portray the role of Rona Chevalier in the anime series New Life+: Young Again in Another World, but she resigned from the role in the wake of a controversy involving the original light novel's writer;{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-05/new-life-young-again-in-another-world-anime-cast-resigns-after-creator-apology-for-controversial-comments/.132504|title=[New Life+] Young Again in Another World Anime Cast Resigns After Creator's Apology for Controversial Comments|date=June 5, 2018|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}} the anime was canceled shortly after.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-06/new-life-young-again-in-another-world-anime-cancelled/.132516|title=[New Life+] Young Again in Another World Anime Cancelled|date=June 6, 2018|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
Musical style and influences
Nakajima cites growing up in a family that appreciated music as one of the factors that made her decide to pursue a singing career. In particular, she remembers being influenced by her father's listening of artists such as Toto, Airplay, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Chaka Khan, as well as her listening to Japanese idols such as Sayuri Iwai. In an interview with the music streaming service ANiUTa, she mentions that she mainly listens to both Japanese and Western music from the 1980s and 1990s.{{cite web |script-title=ja:中島 愛 インタビュー第3回「日常と音楽」 |url=https://aniuta.co.jp/contents/219392 |publisher=ANiUTa |access-date=May 8, 2019 |language=ja |date=January 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508023929/https://aniuta.co.jp/contents/219392 |url-status=dead }}
In a 2008 interview with Famitsu, Nakajima related the circumstances that led to her being cast as Ranka in the Macross franchise. She noted that she initially had a complex with her voice and felt that it was "lacking in personality", which made her reluctant to talk too much. She felt that because she only knew how to use her natural voice, she wondered how she would be able to make the most out of it. When she was informed of Ranka's character, she felt that she could relate to her as she thought that Ranka's personality overlapped with hers. She remembers that when she was informed of her getting the role, she didn't react as it coming out of nowhere, but rather that "she got through".
In interviews with Natalie and LisAni, Nakajima discussed the production of her first post-comeback album Curiosity. She noted that she wanted to do a pop album, and that in contrast to her previous albums, which had the word "You" in their titles, she wanted to go in a different direction because of a "curiosity to try new things".{{Cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/nakajimamegumi05|title=中島愛「Curiosity」インタビュー|publisher=Natalie|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} The title and theme of the album came from experiences during her hiatus, which would include watching musicals and desires to learn about other people and other kinds of music.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lisani.jp/0000100044/?show_more=1|title=4thアルバム『Curiosity』中島 愛インタビュー|date=February 14, 2018|publisher=LisAni|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2019}} She noted the collaborations she made with various writers for the song's albums: for example, for the song "Life's The Party Time!!", she co-wrote it with composer Kenichi Maeyamada, and compared the experience to "writing diary-like lyrics and answering to them". She also mentions how the song {{Nihongo|"Zanzō no Avalon"|残像のアヴァロン}} sounds like an anime song despite not being used in an anime series.
Filmography
= Anime =
= Film =
= Video games =
= Other dubs =
Discography
{{Main|Megumi Nakajima discography}}
- I Love You (2010)
- Be with You (2012)
- Thank You (2014)
- Curiosity (2018)
- Lovely Time Travel (2019)
- 30 Pieces of Love (2019)
- Green diary (2021)
DVDs and Blu-ray
- {{nihongo|Nakajima Megumi Spring Festival 2009 ~Mamegu Wasshoi! Haru Matsuri in Akasaka Blitz~|中島愛 スプリングイベント2009～まめぐだワッショイ! 春祭in赤坂ブリッツ～}} (July 15, 2009){{cite web |title=中島愛「まめぐだワッショイ！」DVD化&初ツアー決定 |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/15140 |publisher=Natalie |access-date=May 13, 2019 |language=ja |date=April 7, 2009}}
- {{nihongo|Macross Frontier Galaxy Tour FINAL in Budokan|マクロスF(フロンティア)ギャラクシーツアーFINAL in ブドーカン}} with Yoko Kanno and May'n (October 30, 2009 [DVD], November 27, 2009 [Blu-ray]){{cite web |title=マクロスF ギャラクシーツアーFINAL in ブドーカン [DVD] |date=October 30, 2009 |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/マクロスF-フロンティア-ギャラクシーツアー-FINALin-DVD-May’n/dp/B002L6C5T0 |publisher=Amazon Japan |access-date=May 13, 2019 |language=ja}}{{cite web |script-title=ja:マクロスF（フロンティア） ギャラクシーツアー FＩNAＬ ｉｎ ブドーカン |url=https://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/cont/item/BCXE-0216/ |publisher=Bandai Visual |access-date=May 13, 2019 |language=ja}}
References
{{reflist|30em|refs=
| url=http://gph.sakura.ne.jp/va_memo/system/vadb.cgi?action=view_ind&value=01604&namecode=4
| title=声優さん出演リスト 個別表示：中島愛(Megumi Nakajima)
| trans-title=Voice actor's appearance list individual display: Megumi Nakajima
| work=Voice Artist Database
| publisher=GamePlaza-HARUKA-
| access-date=June 6, 2016
| date=March 29, 2016
| language=ja
| archive-date=August 4, 2016
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804183618/http://gph.sakura.ne.jp/va_memo/system/vadb.cgi?action=view_ind&value=01604&namecode=4
| url-status=dead
}}
| url=http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/nakajima-megumi/roles.html
| title=Nakajima Megumi roles | work=Hitoshi Doi's Seiyuu Database
| access-date=June 6, 2016
| date=June 6, 2016
| last=Doi | first=Hitoshi | author-link=Hitoshi Doi}}
| url=http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/nakajima-megumi/
| title=Nakajima Megumi (中島愛) – Personal Information
| work=Hitoshi Doi's Seiyuu Database
| access-date=June 6, 2016
| date=June 6, 2016
| last=Doi | first=Hitoshi | author-link=Hitoshi Doi}}
}}
External links
- {{Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{anime News Network|people|67162}}
- {{YouTube|u=mameguch}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Vocaloid}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nakajima, Megumi}}
Category:People from Mito, Ibaraki
Category:Japanese women pop singers
Category:Japanese video game actresses
Category:Japanese people of Filipino descent
Category:Voice actresses from Ibaraki Prefecture
Category:Singers from Ibaraki Prefecture
Category:Victor Entertainment artists
Category:21st-century Japanese actresses
Category:21st-century Japanese singers