Ayaka Miyoshi is one to watch. After garnering attention with her appearance in the music video of renowned Taiwanese singer Jay Chou‘s hit ballad Won’t Cry, the Japanese actress rose to mainstream fame after starring in the Netflix thriller series Alice in Borderland: Season 2 as the enigmatic Ann Rizuna. As Vogue Hong Kong‘s April cover star, she shares all about filming Alice in Borderland and her future plans as an actress.

You attended Milan and Paris Fashion Week this year — what is your favourite memory from this season?

As I went to Paris Fashion Week right after Milan, I felt the joy of becoming one with the cities. I have wonderful memories of watching great shows during past fashion weeks, but this time I interacted a lot with my fans and the locals. It was a precious experience.

Alice in Borderland creates a fictional universe that parallels reality — how did you immerse yourself in this new world? What was the greatest challenge in doing so?

I always like to think about time, space, and the universe, so I had a lot of fun contemplating this fictional universe, one parallel to our world, while I was shooting Alice In Borderland. I think one of the highlights of the film is the sense of thrill and suspense it invokes. It also captures a level of realism, making it hard to distinguish reality from fiction. By experiencing this thrill first-hand on set, I was able to incorporate it into my interpretation of the fictional universe, making my portrayal of it more realistic.

There were many action scenes in Season 2, have you done any special training for them?

I did firearm training in the studio. Since there were a lot of movements that required precision, I studied Ann’s characteristics and habits under the guidance of a professional to help me put on a better performance.

What drew you to the character Ann in Alice in Borderland in the first place? Do you see part of yourself in her?

I think Ann is very cool because she can stay level-headed in any crisis. I am not that kind of person, so I am jealous! Although she is not a conventional leader, it is clear that her peers trust her. Sometimes, it may seem like we contemplate and make choices about life and death alone, but I think we subconsciously think about our loved ones when we do so — Ann and I are similar in this regard, and that is what draws me to her.

What is your interpretation of Alice in Borderland Season 2’s open ending? Will there be a Season 3?

New cast members joined the second season, which made it more exciting. I think with this season, we delved deep into the innermost emotions of humankind. I had a lot of time to think about my life while playing the role of Ann, and I am grateful for that. As for the third season, I think we need everyone’s support. I don’t know if we will be in the borderland, the real world, or another dimension, but we hope to see you there.

You started acting at a very young age. Was there a pivotal point in your career? Which of your roles impacted you the most and motivated you to continue pursuing a career in this industry?

Since I turned 20, I have made important discoveries and reached new milestones every year. The work I did and the people I encountered have greatly impacted me. While endless possibilities await me, I hope I will be able to influence others through my performances and find my place in the industry.