How a viral Twitter moment transformed a voice actress into a global icon
In short: In 2016, Sally Amaki moved from Los Angeles to Japan alone to pursue voice acting. Despite early language barriers and failed auditions, a single viral video of her speaking English changed her career—and her character's very identity—forever.
Born in 2000, Sally Amaki is a second-generation Japanese American who relocated from Los Angeles to Tokyo to follow a passion for anime. Her journey was not an immediate success; she faced numerous failed auditions, partly because her Japanese proficiency was limited at the time. However, her persistence led to a breakthrough in December 2016, when she successfully auditioned for a project by Yasushi Akimoto that would eventually become the idol group 22/7.
Amaki's rise to international prominence was driven by digital serendipity. A montage of her joking in English went viral on Twitter, revealing a massive overseas audience that the group had not originally targeted. This shift was so significant that her character, Sakura Fujima, was eventually rewritten to be an English speaker. This dual identity—appearing as both herself and a motion-captured character—has made her a unique figure in the industry.
Beyond her role in 22/7, Amaki has voiced characters in various media, including Kiriko in Overwatch 2 and Peni Parker in Marvel Rivals. Her career has also been marked by personal transparency; in June 2019, she shared that she was managing social anxiety disorder, leading her to step back from certain group activities like handshake events to focus on treatment. From performing at Anime Expo 2018 to hosting the 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in March 2023, she remains a prominent bridge between Japanese and international anime fandoms.
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