Lily Franky
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1963-11-04
    • Born Place: Kokura, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Also Known As:

    リリー・フランキー, Masaya Nakagawa, Lily Frankie, 릴리 프랭키, 中川雅也, Ririi Furankii, لیلی فرانکی

Lily Franky

Lily Franky (born Masaya Nakagawa on November 4, 1963, in Fukuoka, Japan) is a multifaceted Japanese creative—a celebrated illustrator, writer, musician, actor, photographer, designer, essayist, and lyricist, renowned for his unique blend of artistic disciplines . Graduating from the University of Yuri, he adopted the stage name “Lily Franky” (inspired by the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood and his university nickname). Franky began his literary career with the bestselling autobiographical novel Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad, which later inspired TV and film adaptations, earning him acclaim as both a novelist and screenwriter. Transitioning to film in the early 2000s, he has since appeared in over 40 movies, delivering powerful, nuanced performances in works like Like Father, Like Son (2013), The Devil’s Path (2013), and Shoplifters (2018)—the latter of which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes. His versatile talents also extend to voice acting in animated films and roles in major TV series such as The Naked Director and The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, while maintaining a prolific output in writing, illustration, and music . Franky has received numerous honors, including the Cut Above Award at Japan Cuts (2016), Blue Ribbon Awards, Nikkan Sports Film Awards, Kinema Junpo Awards, and several Japan Academy Prize nominations for his dynamic contributions to Japanese cinema and literature. At 174 cm tall and a Scorpio by birth, Lily Franky’s creative journey continues to inspire, from deeply personal memoirs to globally acclaimed films—most recently appearing as Ichirō Tenma in First Kiss (2025) and in the forthcoming debut of Renoir at Cannes 2025.

Person History