Nakamori Akina

 (中森明菜) is a Japanese soloist and former idol.

History
Nakamori started in show business after auditioning for the talent scouting TV show Star Tanjou!. She did not clear the preliminary rounds in 1979 and 1980's contests, but won 1st place in 1981 with a record breaking score, guaranteeing her a recording contract.

She debuted as an idol in 1982 with the single slow motion, but it did not sell as planned. However, her subsequent single Shoujo A became a huge hit, and after that she became one of the best selling artists of the 1980s.

She went on hiatus in 1989 for mental health recovery, and returned to music in 1990. Throughout the 1990s her release schedule became more and more sporadic until 2009 when she went on extended hiatus. She returned to music in 2014, but after the release of Akina in 2017, she went on an extended hiatus once more.

In August 2022, she announced via her official Twitter account that she would begin slowly returning to show business.

Discography
Albums=

Albums

 * 1) [1982.07.01] prologue (Jomaku) (プロローグ〈序幕〉)
 * 2) [1982.10.27] Hensokyoku (変奏曲)
 * 3) [1983.03.23] Gensokyoku (幻想曲)
 * 4) [1983.08.10] NEW AKINA Etranze (NEW AKINA エトランゼ)
 * 5) [1984.05.01] ANNIVERSARY
 * 6) [1984.10.10] POSSIBILITY
 * 7) [1985.04.03] BITTER AND SWEET
 * 8) [1985.08.10] D404ME
 * 9) [1986.08.11] Fushigi (不思議; Mystery)
 * 10) [1986.12.24] CRIMSON
 * 11) [1987.08.25] Cross My Palm
 * 12) [1988.03.03] Stock
 * 13) [1988.08.03] Femme Fatale
 * 14) [1989.07.25] CRUISE
 * 15) [1993.09.22] UNBALANCE+BALANCE
 * 16) [1995.07.21] la alteración
 * 17) [1997.03.21] SHAKER
 * 18) [1998.06.17] SPOON
 * 19) [1999.12.01] will
 * 20) [2002.05.22] Resonancia
 * 21) [2003.05.14] I hope so
 * 22) [2006.06.21] DESTINATION
 * 23) [2009.08.26] DIVA
 * 24) [2017.11.08] Akina (明菜)

Mini Albums

 * 1) [1982.12.24] Seventeen
 * 2) [1984.12.21] SILENT LOVE
 * 3) [1985.12.21] MY BEST THANKS
 * 4) [1988.06.01] Wonder
 * 5) [1996.12.18] VAMP

Best Albums

 * 1) [1983.12.21] BEST AKINA Memoires (BEST AKINA メモワール)
 * 2) [1986.04.01] BEST
 * 3) [1987.05.01] CD'87
 * 4) [1988.12.24] BEST II
 * 5) [1992.11.10] BEST III
 * 6) [1993.04.25] YOUR SELECTION ~The Very Best of AKINA~
 * 7) [1993.07.10] Lyricism ~BALLAD COLLECTION~
 * 8) [1993.11.10] AKINA
 * 9) [1993.12.10] Mou Hitori no Akina (もう一人の明菜)
 * 10) [1994.03.25] Namida no Kawari ni... ~BALLAD COLLECTION II~ (涙のかわりに… ~BALLAD COLLECTION II~)
 * 11) [1994.03.25] PLAY WITH THE DANGER ~ROCK COLLECTION~
 * 12) [1994.05.18] Only Woman ~Best of Love Songs~
 * 13) [1994.11.30] SINGLES27 1982-1991
 * 14) [1995.12.06] true album akina 95 best
 * 15) [1996.05.01] Collection 1982-1991
 * 16) [1998.03.04] AKINA NAKAMORI SUPER BEST
 * 17) [1998.05.25] Recollection ~Nakamori Akina Super Best~ (Recollection 〜中森明菜スーパー・ベスト〜)
 * 18) [1998.06.25] Recollection ~NAKAMORI AKINA REMIX ~
 * 19) [1998.09.25] Recollection ~NAKAMORI AKINA REMIX II~
 * 20) [1998.10.21] AKINA NAKAMORI BEST COLLECTION
 * 21) [1999.10.20] Akina Nakamori Special Best
 * 22) [2001.11.14] AKINA NAKAMORI 20th ANNIVERSARY BEST
 * 23) [2001.12.19] NAKAMORI AKINA SUPER VALUE
 * 24) [2002.12.04] Akina Nakamori ~Utahime Double Decade (Akina Nakamori〜歌姫ダブル・ディケイド)
 * 25) [2006.01.11] BEST FINGER 25th anniversary selection
 * 26) [2007.01.17] Utahime Best ~25th Anniversary Selection~ (歌姫ベスト ~25th Anniversary Selection~)
 * 27) [2007.03.28] Ballad Best 25th Anniversary Selection(バラード・ベスト 25th Anniversary Selection)
 * 28) [2008.02.27] Diva legend ~ '90s BEST (歌姫伝説～’９０ｓ　ＢＥＳＴ)
 * 29) [2008.03.07] SUPER BEST COLLECTION "AKINA + EAST LIVE"
 * 30) [2009.06.10] Complete Single Collections ~ First Ten Years (コンプリート・シングル・コレクションズ〜ファースト・テン・イヤーズ)
 * 31) [2012.07.11] Best Collection ~Love Songs & Pop Songs~ (ベスト・コレクション 〜ラブ・ソングス&ポップ・ソングス〜)
 * 32) [2014.01.29] Dramatic Airport -AKINA TRAVEL SELECTION- (ドラマティック・エアポート －AKINA TRAVEL SELECTION－)
 * 33) [2014.06.18] Burning Love ~Jounetsu no natsu Best~ (Burning Love 〜情熱の夏ベスト〜)
 * 34) [2014.06.18] Akina Nakamori Mini Album Collection
 * 35) [2014.08.06] ALL TIME BEST -Original- (オールタイム・ベスト -オリジナル-)
 * 36) [2014.08.06] ALL TIME BEST COVER -Utahime- (オールタイム・ベスト・カヴァー -歌姫-)
 * 37) [2020.12.21] Utahime -Stereo Sound Selection- (歌姫 -Stereo Sound Selection-)
 * 38) [2021.09.30] Utahime -Stereo Sound Selection- Vol. 2
 * 39) [2021.12.10] Utahime -Stereo Sound Selection- Vol. 3
 * 40) [2022.03.24] Utahime -Stereo Sound Selection- Vol. 4
 * 41) [2022.05.01] "slow motion" & "Hajimemashite" BOX (「スローモーション」&「はじめまして」BOX)
 * 42) [2022.07.13] Time Best -Original- Stereo Sound Selection Vol. 5 (ールタイム・ベスト -オリジナル- Stereo Sound Selection Vol. 5)
 * 43) [2022.09.21] "NEW AKINA Étranger" & "NEW AKINA Étranger Akina Nakamori in Europe" BOX (「NEW AKINA エトランゼ」&「NEW AKINA エトランゼ 中森明菜 in ヨーロッパ」BOX)
 * 44) [2022.11.16] Utahime -Stereo Sound Selection- Vol. 6
 * 45) [2022.12.21] Singles ~ 1981-85 Nakamori Akina 11 Great Hit Singles + 6 by Yuzo Shimada

Live Albums

 * 1) [1989.11.17] AKINA EAST LIVE INDEX-XXIII
 * 2) [1991.11.28] Listen to Me

Cover Albums
Singles=
 * 1) [1994.03.24] Utahime (歌姫; Song Princess)
 * 2) [2002.03.20] -ZEROalbum- Utahime 2
 * 3) [2002.12.04] Utahime Special Edition
 * 4) [2003.12.03] Utahime 3 ~ Shuumaku (歌姫3 〜終幕; Song Princess ~ End)
 * 5) [2007.06.27] Enka (艶華)
 * 6) [2008.12.24] Folk Song ~ Utahime Jojouka (フォーク・ソング～歌姫抒情歌; Song Princess' Expression of Feelings)
 * 7) [2009.06.24] Mood Kayou ~Utahime Showa Meikyoku Shuu~ (ムード歌謡 ～歌姫昭和名曲集～; Mood Songs ~Collection of Famous Pieces of Music from the Showa Era~)
 * 8) [2009.07.29] Folk Song 2 ~ Utahime Aishouka (フォーク・ソング2　～歌姫哀翔歌)
 * 9) [2015.01.28] Utahime 4 -My Eggs Benedict- (歌姫4 -My Eggs Benedict-)
 * 10) [2016.11.20] Belie
 * 11) [2016.12.21] Vampire
 * 12) [2017.11.08] Cage

Singles

 * 1) [1982.05.01] slow motion (スローモーション)
 * 2) [1982.07.28] Shoujo A (少女A; Girl A)
 * 3) [1982.11.10] Second Love (セカンド・ラブ)
 * 4) [1983.02.23] 1/2 no Shinwa (1⁄2の神話; 1/2 of the Myth)
 * 5) [1983.06.01] Twilight - Yugure Dayori - (トワイライト -夕暮れ便り-)
 * 6) [1983.09.07] Kinku (禁区; Forbidden Zone)
 * 7) [1984.01.01] Kita Wing (北ウイング; North Wing)
 * 8) [1984.04.11] Southern Wind (サザン・ウインド)
 * 9) [1984.07.25] Jukkai (十戒; Ten Commandments)
 * 10) [1984.11.14] Kazari Janai no yo Namida wa (飾りじゃないのよ涙は; I'm not made of Tears)
 * 11) [1985.03.08] MI AMORE (ミ・アモーレ)
 * 12) [1985.05.01] Akai Tori Nigeta (赤い鳥逃げた; The Runaway Red Bird)
 * 13) [1985.06.19] SAND BEIGE -Sabaku e- (砂漠へ; SAND BEIGE -In the Desert-)
 * 14) [1985.10.09] SOLITUDE
 * 15) [1986.02.03] DESIRE -Jounetsu- (DESIRE -情熱-; DESIRE -Passion-)
 * 16) [1986.05.26] Gypsy Queen (ジプシー・クイーン)
 * 17) [1986.09.25] Fin
 * 18) [1987.02.03] TANGO NOIR
 * 19) [1987.06.03] BLONDE
 * 20) [1987.09.30] Nanpasen (難破船; Shipwreck)
 * 21) [1988.01.27] AL-MAUJ (アルマージ)
 * 22) [1988.05.18] TATTOO
 * 23) [1988.11.01] I MISSED "THE SHOCK"
 * 24) [1989.04.25] LIAR
 * 25) [1990.07.17] Dear Friend
 * 26) [1990.11.16] Mizu ni Sashita Hana (水に挿した花; Flower in Water)
 * 27) [1991.03.25] Futari Shizuka "Tenkawa Densetsu Satsujin Jiken" Yori (二人静 -「天河伝説殺人事件」より)
 * 28) [1993.05.21] Everlasting Love
 * 29) [1994.03.24] Kataomoi (片想い)
 * 30) [1994.09.02] Yoru no Dokoka de ~night shift~ (夜のどこかで 〜night shift〜)
 * 31) [1994.10.05] Gekka (月華)
 * 32) [1995.06.21] Genshi, Onna wa Taiyou Datta (原始、女は太陽だった)
 * 33) [1995.11.01] Tokyo Rose
 * 34) [1996.08.07] MOONLIGHT SHADOW - Tsuki ni Hoero~ (MOONLIGHT SHADOW-月に吠えろ)
 * 35) [1997.02.21] APPETITE
 * 36) [1998.02.11] Kisei ~Never Forget~ (帰省 〜Never Forget〜)
 * 37) [1998.05.21] Konya, Nagareboshi (今夜、流れ星)
 * 38) [1998.09.23] Tomadoi (とまどい)
 * 39) [1999.01.21] Ophelia (オフェリア)
 * 40) [1999.12.01] Trust Me
 * 41) [2001.06.06] It's brand new day
 * 42) [2002.05.02] The Heat ~musica fiesta~
 * 43) [2003.04.30] Days
 * 44) [2004.05.12] Akai Hana (赤い花; The Red Flower)
 * 45) [2004.07.07] Hajimete Deatta Hi no You ni (初めて出逢った日のように)
 * 46) [2005.12.07] Rakka Ryusui (落花流水)
 * 47) [2006.05.17] Hana yo Odore (花よ踊れ)
 * 48) [2009.09.23] DIVA
 * 49) [2015.01.21] Rojo -Tierra- (ロホ ティエラ)
 * 50) [2015.09.30] unfixable
 * 51) [2016.02.24] FIXER -WHILE THE WOMEN ARE SLEEPING-

Digital Single
Video Releases=
 * 1) [2010.07.13] Crazy Love

Video Releases
Box Sets=
 * 1) [1983.10.12] NEW AKINA Étranger Akina Nakamori in Europe (NEW AKINA エトランゼ 中森明菜 in ヨーロッパ)
 * 2) [1985.05.01] Hajimemashite Nakamori Akina (はじめまして 中森明菜)
 * 3) [1985.12.10] BITTER & SWEET 1985 SUMMER TOUR
 * 4) [1987.12.21] Cross My Palm
 * 5) [1989.11.28] AKINA EAST LIVE INDEX-XXIII
 * 6) [1992.07.25] Yume '91 Akina Nakamori Special Live (夢 '91 Akina Nakamori Special Live)
 * 7) [1993.08.25] Live in '87 A HUNDRED days
 * 8) [1993.08.25] Live in '88 Femme Fatale
 * 9) [1995.03.24] "UTAHIME" AKINA NAKAMORI PARCO THEATER LIVE
 * 10) [1997.09.22] felicidad AKINA NAKAMORI LIVE '97
 * 11) [2001.09.27] Akina Nakamori. 2001. 20th Anniversary Live ~It's brand new day~
 * 12) [2002.07.10] Apasionado
 * 13) [2002.12.04] AKINA NAKAMORI MUSICA FIESTA TOUR 2002
 * 14) [2003.12.17] Live tour 2003 ~I hope so~
 * 15) [2006.01.11] Akina Nakamori Special Live 2005 Empress at CLUB eX
 * 16) [2007.01.17] LIVE TOUR 2006 The Last Destination
 * 17) [2009.07.29] CLIP2002~2007&MORE
 * 18) [2010.08.18] AKINA NAKAMORI Special Live 2009 "Empress at Yokohama"
 * 19) [2010.10.22] Nakamori Akina IN Yoru no Hit Studio (中森明菜 IN 夜のヒットスタジオ)

Box Sets

 * 1) [2000.11.22] The Century of AKINA ~ Warner 30th Anniversary Box
 * 2) [2002.08.21] For Dear Friends - Akina Nakamori Single Collection Box
 * 3) [2004.12.01] Utahime Complete Box Empress Akina Nakamori 1994 ~ 2004
 * 4) [2006.06.21] AKINA BOX 1982-1989
 * 5) [2012.03.28] The Best Ten Nakamori Akina Premium BOX (ザ・ベストテン 中森明菜 プレミアムBOX)
 * 6) [2014.06.18] Singles Box 1982-1991
 * 7) [2015.09.30] Nakamori Akina Premium BOX Lucas ~ NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen & Let's Go Young etc. (中森明菜プレミアムBOX ルーカス〜NHK紅白歌合戦&レッツゴーヤング etc.)
 * 8) [2016.05.04] Nakamori Akina THE LIVE DVD COMPLETE BOX (中森明菜 THE LIVE DVD COMPLETE BOX)
 * 9) [2021.06.09] ANNIVERSARY COMPLETE ANALOG SINGLE COLLECTION 1982-1991

Trivia

 * She has two older brothers, two older sisters, and one younger sister. Her younger sister was model Nakamori Akiho who passed away in 2019
 * Her mother was a club singer in the 1950s and 1960s, and she encouraged Nakamori to become a professional singer since she was a young child. Her mother passed away from cancer in 1995
 * At one point she was engaged to Kondo Masahiko, but the engagement was broken off in 1989, as a result of Kondo's multiple affairs
 * She was supposed to debut under the stage name "Mori Asuna" (森アスナ) but Nakamori refused.
 * She shares the same birthday as Ishikawa Hidemi