The concept of a “show within a show” exists even in anime and manga. It’s when anime actresses and actors perform in front of a camera to entertain an audience within the show itself. It’s not exactly common, so let’s take a look at the few anime actresses who entertain two audiences at once.
1. Akira Kogami (Lucky Star)
This one is a bit meta. Akira is one of the hosts of Lucky Channel, a show segment that airs after an episode of Lucky Star. Akira and her co-hosts go over the events of the episode with more mature and cynical humor. She’s a different sort of actress, but she’s fun.
Kagami Yoshimizu released the original Lucky Star manga series on December 10th, 2003. Kadokawa Shoten has since published ten volumes in numerous magazines. Kyoto Animation began airing the anime adaptation on April 8th, 2007.
2. Judy (Cowboy Bebop)
Judy is the lovely bouncy host of Big Shot, a show for bounty hunters to pick up leads. She plays a ditzy persona whose only well-rounded aspect is her body. Sex sells, even in the future. Her real persona appears when her show is canceled and she lashes out. Judy is truly a talented actress.
Shinichiro Watanabe directed this anime series, and Yoko Kanno provided the legendary music. Sunrise aired all 26 episodes between April 3rd, 1998, and June 26th, 1998.
3. Maou (Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero)
Is this genderswap? Does it matter? It’s still a lovely schoolgirl in a non-regulation seifuku. Maou temporarily became an actress and performed on a live stream to help Max make some money. The wildly popular stream ended when the fun police admins banned the account when Maou showed too much skin.
Joe has written extensive reviews of Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero.
Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero began as a manga series written and illustrated by toufu. Houbunsha began publishing toufu’s work in March 2019, and the series continues to this day with seven volumes available to read.
4. Rebecca Bluegarden (EDENS ZERO)
Rebecca is an overpowered anime actress. She started a career as a B-Cuber actress alongside Happy. Their Aoneko Channel didn’t see much success until Couchpo gave them some advice to make higher-quality content. Aoneko Channel now reigns as one of the more popular channels with 3.1 million followers.
Hiro Mashima wrote and illustrated the original EDENS ZERO manga series from June 27th, 2018 to June 26th, 2024. Kodansha published all 31 volumes in Weekly Shonen Magazine. J.C.Staff’s anime adaptation began airing on April 11th, 2021.
5. Awayuki Kokorone (VTuber Legend)
Yuki Tanaka / Awayuki Kokorone may not actually be that great of an actress. She quit her job to become a VTuber and chose a more prim and proper persona for her character. This did not garner the attention she wanted. Awayuki’s popularity only took off when her audience saw the drunk and rowdy person she truly was.
Nana Nanato released the original VTuber Legend novel on June 22nd, 2020, with publication by Hameln and Kakuyomu. Later, Fujimi Shobo hired the artist Siokazunoko to adapt the series to a light novel format starting on May 20th, 2021. Since then, the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint has published eight light novel volumes. Kadokawa Shoten hired the artist Roto Fujisaki to adapt the series to a manga format that began on August 25th, 2023, in Comp Ace.
6. Houshou Marine (Magical Girl holoWitches!)
We’re really crossing the streams here. Marine is a real-life VTuber. Fans can watch her right now. She is also a VTuber in the Magical Girl holoWitches! anime series. Marine and her fellow VTubers are empowered by their viewers’ joy and happiness, which allows them to fight the forces of darkness. The Hololive VTubers truly are great actresses, even in anime form.
Motoaki “Yagoo” Tanigo founded Cover Corp on June 13th, 2016. Their first VTuber — Tokino Sora — debuted on September 7th, 2017.
What do you think of our anime actresses that appear in shows within shows? Do you like this sort of trope? Who would you recommend for similar lists? Let us know in the comments below.
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Speaking of anime actresses who appear in other shows, Hatsune Miku has been in quite a few of them. She’s a multiversal anime girl. The Hatsune Miku Figure NT Style Casual Wear Ver. is available for purchase right now.
