
Umi Yamano
Biography
Umi Yamano (山野海) is a Japanese actress. She is also a screenwriter under the pen name Arata Takeda (竹田新).
Known For & Full Filmography33 Titles

Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Shiho Shimomura
A young man who showed little promise while a high school student becomes a master detective, just like his grandfather.

Drama Series - 1999, 16 episodes • as Akiko Horita(堀田 明子)
Dr. Shindo seems cold, but is a competent surgeon. He is also an ER doctor capable of accurate decisions and treatment, who always tries to see things from the patient’s side. Although once retired from his profession, he one day discovers someone in need of help, who he treats and rushes to the Kohoku Medical University Emergency Center. This incident encourages him to once again work as an ER doctor. Confrontation erupts between female doctor Tamaki, and Shindo, now a just-arrived ER doctor. While this human drama depicts the relationships among doctors and nurses, it appeals emotionally to viewers on the subject of life.

Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Shiho Shimomura
Kindaichi's best friend is involved with the school film club where members are found murdered. Can he protect her before she become the next victim?

Movie - 2008, 2h 15m • as Older Woman at Dry Goods Store
The story of a teenage boy called Yu, who falls for Yoko, a girl he runs into while operating for the sake of sin as an upskirt photographer in an offshoot of the porn industry. His attempts to woo her are complicated by a spot of cross-dressing - which convinces Yoko that she is lesbian - dalliances with kung-fu and crime, and a constant struggle with the guilt that's a legacy of his Catholic upbringing.

Drama Series - 2025, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
Tokyo Bay Water Police, formed to combat rising maritime crime in under-patrolled waters contrasting land's high-surveillance success, unites a fractured team of officers—a veteran leader, an ambitious transfer detective, and a skilled marine engineer—whose clashing backgrounds evolve into collaborative resilience as they solve coastal crimes and protect Tokyo’s waterways.

Drama Series - 2026, 16 episodes • as Kayo Nakano
An arrogant IT tycoon is reincarnated as a struggling dry cleaner in the past, using his future knowledge to find his killer while rediscovering his humanity.

Drama Series - 2026, 16 episodes • as Misato
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.

Drama Series - 2018, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
The adventures of the Yorozuya gang and their friends.

Drama Series - 2023, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
Depicts how Hana Sugisaki spends her days off during breaks in shooting dramas and movies.

Drama Series - 2017, 16 episodes • as Fujio
Hayakawa Yui is a young girl whose biggest quality is to be a fast runner. She accidentally travels through time up to the Sengoku Era and falls in love.

Drama Series - 2025, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
A frantic, one-cut ensemble drama showing the same final 30 minutes before a live music show—told each week from a different protagonist’s POV (AD, idol manager, announcer, etc.). Can the crew make it to air without disaster?

Drama Series - 2016, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
Located in the downtown area of Nagoya, this 60-year-old, bath and toilet co-op accommodation is a room with no room, "Makanai-sō".

Drama Series - 2021, 16 episodes • as Old woman
Rising Star Mahiro Takasugi Cooks Popular Japanses Foods for 12 Ideal Girls Masao works for a subsidiary of an electronics manufacturer, and on weekends he plays the bass guitar. He is serious and clumsy in his relationships. He is not popular with girls and has been without a girlfriend for 3000 days. Masao's daily routine is to cook delicious meals. He stands in the kitchen, preparing ingredients. As he cooks, he enjoys a conversation with his imaginary girlfriend. Twelve beautiful women and secret recipes will appear throughout the 12 episodes! This drama received one of the most prestigious awards in Japan.

Drama Series - 2022, 16 episodes • as Naoko Tamachi
Gonta, a good-looking man living a false life in Tokyo, and Katsuyo, whose grandma is a powerful and energetic woman who lives an honest life in the countryside, suddenly exchange bodies one day.

Drama Series - 2016, 16 episodes • as Katsue
30-year-old Kyoko has a "job". The story starts with her looking back 20 years to her boarding school of Yoko Gakuen in the mountains. Tomohiko, Miwa, and Kyoko are all in the same grade. Inspired by the educational philosophy of the principal - Emiko, teacher Tatsuko joins the boarding school staff, but soon finds the school rather strange...

Drama Series - 2018, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.

Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Misa, battling PMS and stigma, starts anew at Kurita Optics. Amidst work and sweets, she meets Takatoshi. Despite his quiet demeanor and struggle with panic attacks, a deep bond forms.

Drama Series - 2011, 16 episodes • as the head nurse
The basis for the drama is the novel “Kashikogi” by author Cho Chang-in, which has sold 2 million copies in Korea since its publication in 2000. It has already been adapted as a television drama and a stage play in that country. On February 4, Shogakukan is publishing the book in Japan under the title “Good Life.” Sorimachi plays the part of Daichi Sawamoto, a newspaper reporter who has always prioritized his work over his family. When his wife suddenly leaves him, he finally notices the love he has been receiving from his son. Just as he decides to answer back, it is discovered that his son has leukemia.

Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Maiko Kuwamoto
31-year-old Urara Iwasaki (Kyoko Fukada) makes an error during her first trial as an attorney which hurts her client. Urara Iwasaki thinks law isn't right for her and she quits her job. She now has a debt of 4 million yen and earns a living by doing part-time work. Meanwhile, Rinka Ebisawa (Shinobu Terajima) is a competent lawyer, but its revealed she used excessive ways in her cases and is dismissed from her law firm and disbarred. She can't work as a lawyer anymore. By chance, Rinka meets Urara.

Movie - 2008, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Machisu is a painter. He never had the success he thinks he is entitled to. Regardless of this, he always remains trying to be successful. His wife Sachiko keeps supporting him, despite all setbacks.

Drama Series - 2024, 16 episodes • as Yuri Mifune
Machi Onodera, a 27-year-old teacher, is focused on finding a perfect match for marriage. Her world is upended when Yuto, the younger brother of her high school first love Yuichi, transfers to her class, resembling Yuichi in his youth. Torn between the charming Yuto and a chance reunion with Yuichi, Machi navigates a thrilling love triangle, caught between passion and nostalgia.

Drama Series - 2023, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
Depicts the daily life of young truck driver Kurate Jun, who works in the male-dominated truck logistics industry. A heartfelt comedy, she lives out her days in positivity, and enjoys partaking in drinks after work to wash away her fatigue.

Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Tavern Clerk
Yoshika has had a crush on Ichimiya, whom she calls "the One" since she was in middle school. Now, a 24-year-old salarywoman, her all-consuming fixation has prevented her from even considering another candidate for boyfriend until an office colleague asks her out.

Drama Series - 2026, 16 episodes • as Hanae's Mother
A homemaker in a long-term sexless marriage begins exploring “approved” relationships outside her marriage with her husband’s consent, but discovers that what she truly longs for is emotional intimacy—not just physical fulfillment.

Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • as Japanese-style madam
"Tales of the Bizarre: 2024 Summer Special" (世にも奇妙な物語 '24夏の特別編) aired on Fuji TV on June 8, 2024, featuring four intriguing stories: 1. "The Mansion of Remembrance" A woman awakens in a mysterious mansion after an accident, encountering residents with fragmented memories. 2. "Tomobiki Village" A university student visits a secluded village for a friend's funeral, uncovering eerie traditions and hidden truths. 3. "Treasure of Humanity" An artist is recruited by a global organization to preserve cultural heritage, leading to unexpected revelations about his talent. 4. "Weekly Ex-Lover Creation" A woman assembles an android replica of her ex-boyfriend using a magazine kit, blurring the lines between reality and artificiality.

Movie - 2002, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
"Pika*nchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy" centers around five friends who are residents in a Tokyo apartment complex. Now senior high school students, the five friends live the wild life in Harajuku before encountering unforeseen surprises.

Movie - 2015, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Kiyoshi, a brilliant detective, inquiries on mysterious cases with his childhood friend, Ishioka, a novelist.

Movie - 2026, 2h 15m • as Kurebayashi Rie
Stage adaptation of the manga with the same name.

Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Landlady
What if Jesus and Buddha were living on Earth in modern times? What if they shared an apartment in Japan? Saint☆Oniisan is a humorous drama about daily lives of Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha who are living together as roommates in a Tokyo apartment while taking a vacation on Earth. The comedy often involves jokes about Christianity, Buddhism, and all things related, as well as the main characters' attempts to hide their identities and understand modern society in Japan.

Movie - 2022, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Sugai works as a driver at a chauffeur service company at night. On the night of a full moon weekend, he is told to pair up with a newcomer Kariya. Kariya is a mysterious young guy who gives a silly quiz to Sugai while they work. Sometime later, a drag queen comes to the office and asks for Sugai, saying that someone is trying to kill him. Sugai actually has a past that he could never forget. His colleague tells him that on the night of a full moon weekend something bad would happen...

Movie - 2015, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Sasaki Ryohei (Yamada Ryosuke), the second son of the Sasaki family, is a high school student who lives in Shimane. He has just been chosen to be the vice captain of the youth soccer club. Setting his sights on participating in the prefectural championship, Ryohei practices every day with his buddies. One day, Ryohei has a severe headache and is brought to the hospital. Ryohei is diagnosed with an acute brain tumor from the test results. The family is told by the doctor that Ryohei will not live long. However, Ryohei musters the strength to say, "I will win. I will beat the illness. " Given a push by his words, the Sasakis try to stay positive.

Movie - 2011, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Nozomi Takemoto, a reclusive first-year high school student, resides in Omuta with her father, a town that once thrived as a coal mining hub. As her summer break nears its end, Nozomi embarks on a bicycle ride to the town's outskirts and stumbles upon a captivating relic: the remnants of a coal mine turret that once symbolized prosperity. Intrigued by this discovery, she delves into the town's history, scouring the library for old records and materials. Along her journey, she crosses paths with a newspaper reporter assigned to cover the town's post-mining era. Through this summer adventure in an unfamiliar town, Nozomi gradually uncovers the hidden chapters of her family's past, connecting her with the experiences of her father and grandparents.

Movie - 2010, 2h 15m • as Mari
Asami Usuda stars as twin sisters, down-to-earth Midori and her uninhibited sibling Aoi. Midori is engaged to a successful man and has a promising outlook for a happy life. However, Midori soon finds her life change suddenly after an unexpected turn of events at a love hotel.