Yu Aoi (蒼井優 / AOI Yu) is a Japanese actress, model, and voice talent. She was born on August 17, 1985 in Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture. She made her film debut in Shunji Iwai‘s 2001 film All About Lily Chou-Chou and won the Japan Academy Prize for best supporting actress in 2007 for her performance in Sang-il Lee’s Hula Girls. Today she is one of Japan’s top young actresses and enjoys success as a performer and spokesperson. She is close friends with fellow actress Aoi Miyazaki, and the two have had the chance to work with each other on several occasions.