INTRODUCTION
Manami Marutaka (丸高愛実) is a Japanese actress, television personality, DJ, and former gravure model who gained widespread recognition through Japanese variety television and magazine modeling during the 2010s. Known for her bright personality, athletic energy, and approachable beauty, she quickly became a popular entertainment figure after winning a major gravure audition early in her career.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Marutaka first attracted public attention after winning the prestigious “TOP OF GRAVURE” Grand Prix in 2009, a collaboration project between Weekly Playboy magazine and the entertainment company avex. The victory launched her career in the Japanese entertainment industry, leading to modeling appearances, television roles, and media exposure across magazines and variety shows.
Her popularity expanded significantly through frequent appearances on Japanese television programs including comedy shows and variety entertainment. During this period she appeared on well-known shows such as those associated with comedian Ken Shimura, and became a recognizable television personality thanks to her cheerful personality and natural sense of humor.
Beyond television work, Marutaka has also been active as a DJ, actress, gravure model, and media personality. She has appeared in television dramas, films, stage productions, and advertising campaigns while also releasing gravure DVDs and appearing on the covers of major Japanese magazines. Her versatility allowed her to move across multiple entertainment fields including acting, music-related performances, and lifestyle media.
In later years, her public image evolved as she focused more on family life while maintaining selective media appearances. After marrying professional football player Yoichiro Kakitani, she gradually shifted her priorities toward motherhood while continuing to participate in television programs and local media projects.
Today, Manami Marutaka represents a generation of Japanese talents who successfully transitioned from gravure modeling to mainstream television and acting careers. Her combination of entertainment versatility, long-term media presence, and family-oriented public image continues to attract attention from fans across Japan.
PROFILE / BASIC INFORMATION
Full Name : Manami Marutaka (丸高愛実)
Native Name : 丸高愛実 (まるたかまなみ)
Also Known As : Manamin (まなみん), Marutaka-chan (丸高ちゃん)
Nationality : Japanese
Profession : Actress, TV Personality, DJ, Gravure Model, Singer
Industry Category : Japanese Entertainment, Television, Gravure, Acting
Years Active : 2009–Present
Agency / Management : Avex Management, Avex Management Agency
Basic Information : Japanese actress and media personality who rose to prominence after winning a national gravure audition and becoming a popular television variety performer
Date of Birth : June 12, 1990
Age : 35 (as of 2026)
Birthplace : Tokyo, Japan
Current Residence : Tokushima, Japan
Height : 164 cm
Measurements : 83-60-86 cm
Hair & Eye Color : Dark Brown Hair, Brown Eyes
Zodiac Sign : Gemini
Blood Type : O
Ethnicity : Japanese
LATEST NEWS
Latest News : Appearing as a regular Thursday commentator on regional Japanese television program “Gojical!”, received the 18th Parenting Award in 2025, actively sharing family life updates on social media while continuing selective television appearances
CAREER
Career Overview : Began career after reaching the final stage of avex WORLD AUDITION 2008, gained national attention after winning the “TOP OF GRAVURE” Grand Prix in 2009 and subsequently expanded into acting, television, and media activities
Debut : 2009 entertainment debut following the TOP OF GRAVURE Grand Prix win
Career & Achievements : Established as a popular gravure model and television personality in early 2010s, appeared on numerous variety shows, acted in television dramas and films, released gravure DVDs and music collaborations, later transitioned toward family-focused media presence
Awards & Recognition : TOP OF GRAVURE Grand Prix Winner, Parenting Award (18th Parenting Awards – People Category)
Career Highlights : Winning TOP OF GRAVURE in 2009, appearing on major Japanese variety programs including London Hearts and Ken Shimura comedy shows, magazine cover appearances, acting roles in television dramas and films
Early Life : Raised in Koganei City, Tokyo, Japan, grew up in a family operating a coffee shop
Education : Koganei Municipal Midori Elementary School, Koganei Municipal Midori Junior High School
Languages : Japanese
FILMOGRAPHY / WORKS / PUBLICATIONS
Filmography : Custard Pudding (2010), Monster (2013), Juhou 2405 The Movie (2013), Shinjuku Swan (2015), Summer Song (2016)
TV Shows : London Hearts, Shimura-za, Shimura no Jikan, Shimura no Yoru, Barairo Dandy, Nippon Dandy, Gojical!
TV Dramas : Jōō 3 Special Edition, Misaki Number One!!, Anonymous Detective, Hero (2014 episode appearance), Keiji 7 Nin, Hanazaki Mai Speaks Out Season 2, Detective Haruya, Sakura Case Listening Woman
Music Videos : Performance appearance with “TV Tokyo 7 Channel Girls” project song “Don’t Shoot Me Mr.!!”
Publications : Multiple gravure DVDs and magazine photobooks
DVD Releases : Manami-iro (2010), Manami-iro 2 (2011), Idol One Manami-iro 3 (2011), Manami-iro 4 (2012), Manami-iro 5 (2012)
Magazine Features : Weekly Young Magazine, Weekly Playboy, Young King, Young Animal Arashi, BOMB Magazine
Runway Appearances : Promotional fashion events and brand collaboration showcases
BRAND COLLABORATIONS / ENDORSEMENTS
Brand Collaborations : VANQUISH VENUS fashion campaign model, Dororich promotional campaign
Endorsements : Takara Leben advertising campaign, Dororich drink campaign, Aiful advertising campaign
PUBLIC IMAGE / CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Public Image : Cheerful, energetic television personality known for humor and friendly personality
Cultural Influence : Example of a gravure model successfully transitioning into mainstream entertainment and television
Fashion Style : Casual Japanese street fashion, sporty lifestyle fashion, television variety styling
Visual Signature : Athletic figure, bright smile, lively facial expressions
PERSONAL LIFE / HOBBIES / INTERESTS
Personal Life : Married professional football player Yoichiro Kakitani in 2016, mother of three children
Hobbies : DJ performance, dance, sports, outdoor activities
Special Skills : Jump rope, hula hoop tricks, kendama, tennis
Personal Interests : Fitness, family activities, travel, entertainment media
Languages : Japanese
Family : Husband Yoichiro Kakitani, one younger brother, one younger sister
TRIVIA / FUN FACTS / BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Fun Facts : Originally could not drink coffee even though her family ran a coffee shop
Behind-the-scenes notes : Became able to drink coffee after becoming a mother
Lesser-known details : During school years she belonged to the tennis club in elementary and middle school and later joined the dance club in high school
SNS / SOCIAL MEDIA / ONLINE PRESENCE
SNS : Maintains an active online presence sharing lifestyle, motherhood, television activities, and daily updates
Official Website : https://avex-management.jp/artists/talent/MRTKM
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/marutakamanami
X (Twitter) : Private
TikTok : Private
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@MARUTAKACHANNEL
Other Platforms : https://www.threads.net/@marutakamanami