Miwa: A Japanese Icon
In the 1960s, Japan's most popular actress was… a man
A legendary entertainer and a pioneer of gay activism, Miwa was born Akihiro Maruyama. As a young singer, Miwa popularized androgyny as a fashion statement, fusing the masculine and the feminine into a signal of a new generation of aesthetics. This evolved into performing as a woman and living off-stage as a man. With glitter, wit, evening gowns, and enchanting storytelling, Miwa looks back over a 50-year career and a fascinating life in music, film, and television.
Top Cast

Akihiro Miwa
as Himself
Himself

Kinji Fukasaku
as Himself (archive footage)
Himself (archive footage)

Takeshi Kitano
as Himself
Himself
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