Kou Shibasaki is a Japanese actress and singer who has also taken on select roles in anime voice acting. Born on August 5, 1981, in Tokyo, she began her entertainment career after being scouted by a talent agent in her teens. She made her acting debut in the late 1990s and rose to prominence in the early 2000s with acclaimed performances in live-action films such as Battle Royale and Go, the latter winning her several awards including the Japanese Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her stage name is derived from a character in a manga she admired.

While primarily known for her extensive work in live-action film and television, as well as a successful career as a pop singer, Shibasaki's involvement in anime has been sporadic but notable. Her voice acting credits are often tied to high-profile projects. One of her earlier voice roles was in the 2006 animated film Shin Kyūseishu Densetsu Hokuto no Ken: Raoh-den Junai no Shō, a part of the Fist of the North Star franchise. A significant later role came in the 2021 animated film Child of Kamiari Month, where she voiced Yayoi Hayama, the deceased mother of the protagonist, Kanna. More recently, she lent her voice to the character Kiriko in Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning animated film The Boy and the Heron in 2023. Shibasaki is managed by the talent agency Stardust Promotion and has also released music under the labels Universal Music Japan and Victor Entertainment.