Yū Aoi

In Tokyo Family (2013), Aoi plays Noriko with an attentive warmth that helps the visiting parents feel seen amid their children's busy lives. The first Rurouni Kenshin film (2012) places her inside a sword-fighting adventure as Megumi, a doctor entangled with the villain's operation. She gives that supporting role an uneasy edge. These are useful companion performances for watching how a generous screen presence can acquire secrecy and strain.