Meet MEGUMI MORINO

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful MEGUMI MORINO. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with MEGUMI below.

MEGUMI, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

What drew me in was the realization that in acting, there is no single “correct” answer. Every character, no matter how misunderstood, deserves to be fully seen and heard. When I take on a role, I become that character’s greatest ally. I become the one who listens without judgment and tries to understand their view of the world.
 For me, acting is one of the most powerful tools to connect with others and to understand humanity. It allows me to step into lives I’ve never lived, and yet find truth in them. Even after a play or film is over, there are always new layers to discover about the story, about the characters, and about myself.

Another reason I’m drawn to acting is that having lines to speak gives me a sense of permission to exist in the moment. In everyday life, where there is no script, I often feel anxious and unsure of my place. But when I’m given a role—even if I’m asked to become someone entirely different—I fill that character with my own soul. I feel grounded, accepted, and valued in that space. And that feeling of being seen, of being wanted for my expression, is something I treasure.

In MINIFIG, a short film directed by Tapio Tokunaga, I had the opportunity to explore this even further. The story was a heartfelt tribute to his mother, and being part of something so personal and intimate allowed me to connect with emotions and perspectives beyond my own experience. It was a powerful reminder that through someone else’s story, we can find deeper compassion and grow as both artists and human beings.

Acting has also been a journey for me, not a return to something I was always doing, but a rediscovery of something I had once loved.
 When I was a teenager, I spent about a year having a hard time and unable to leave my room. During that time, I would lie on my futon every day, staring at the ceiling and crying.
 One of the reasons I became unable to leave my room was because of a certain event that made me lose confidence in how to communicate with others. I didn’t know where I belonged or even if there was a place for me anywhere.

Even after I was able to go outside again, communicating with people remained very stressful and I was constantly anxious. People often say I’m cheerful and outgoing, so it’s hard for them to imagine that I once felt this way. 
But I believe that who I am now is the result of taking one small step at a time and slowly recovering. Acting has played a huge role in that process and has been incredibly helpful for me. Acting and my life are deeply intertwined—I cannot separate one from the other. Through acting, I’ve been able to cultivate a deeper understanding of others and of myself.

This all started when a colleague said to me, “I can’t believe you don’t have a single hobby,” that I was was motivated to find something that truly belonged to me. At that time, I was exhausted every day, going straight to bed after work and just repeating the cycle. 
But in my search for a hobby, I realized I wanted to express something. At first, I self-conscious about being seen by others, so I started with reading narration. I thought it would be nice to record tapes for someone else, and that was how it all began.
 I did well in narration classes, which led me to look into schools for narration and voice acting. I loved the idea of performing without people seeing my face. 
I started working as a voice actor, but I wanted to study acting more deeply, so I joined a theater institute. From there, I moved into stage and on-screen acting.
 By playing others, I expressed myself and gradually rediscovered the thrill of being seen by others—the nostalgic feeling I had as a child when I was praised for being noticed.

Recently, I’ve also started doing stand-up comedy. By turning my personal experiences—even painful ones—into jokes has become a healing and empowering art for me. 
I want to inspire and empower as many people as possible. Looking back now, it’s almost unimaginable that the same girl who once couldn’t leave her room is living in the United States today. That contrast is not lost on me. It reminds me of how far a person can come—even from a place of deep isolation.

That’s why I want to succeed as an actor in America: not just for myself, but to bring energy and hope to other Japanese women.
 Japan is still, in many ways, a male-dominated society. Many women feel stuck—not only emotionally or creatively, but also constrained by the limited opportunities that society tends to offer them. Some are quietly “shut in,” whether physically like I once was, or just inside their own hearts.
 If I can live doing what I love and be seen for it, I hope that it can give someone else the courage to step outside—even just a little. 
To help them step out of their rooms, and out of the walls they’ve built inside themselves.
 By living my truth, I want to remind them that they’re not alone and that it’s never too late to begin again. 
I believe that when we live doing what we truly love, we don’t just fulfill ourselves, we become hope for someone else who’s still afraid to dream.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m excited to announce that I will be performing at the The 11th Annual Laugh Riot Grrrl Comedy Festival at Tao Comedy Studio! This event brings together comedians from all over the world to Koreatown in Los Angeles from June 2nd to 9th. All shows will also be live-streamed on Zoom.
My performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th at 7pm in the Tao Showroom. There is limited in-person seating available, or you can watch from anywhere in the world via Zoom. Tickets are $15 for live attendance or $10 per Zoom household.
There is free and easy street parking after 6pm and all day Sundays, with no drink minimums (drinks and snacks are by donation). It’s a fun, welcoming event and I’d love for you to join!
You can get tickets through Eventbrite (link in the @LaughRiotGrrrl Instagram bio).
Follow the comedians performing, including me, on Instagram:
@megumi_morino, @jamesfrancis1444, @lindseyloonofficial, @maira.padamata, @SongsThatEmbarrassOurFamilies, @katercanter, @Matagram78, @TaoComedyStudio, @LaughRiotGrrrl, @TheBobbieOliver.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Listening skills
Instead of focusing on talking about yourself, make an effort to really listen and try to understand others—especially those who find it hard to speak up. If the other person struggles to open up, try sharing some of your own mistakes or personal stories to break the ice and create a sense of closeness. This might come from Japanese cultural values, but developing this skill can deepen empathy and build stronger connections.

2. Language & Openness to Different Cultures
Learning languages beyond your native tongue can greatly expand your world by exposing you to diverse perspectives and values. To make language learning more fun and effective, try watching shows or reading books in their original language—especially on topics you enjoy. And don’t hesitate to start conversations with people outside of your usual circle or community—you never know what you might learn.

3. The skill of stepping outside your comfort zone / embracing new challenges
When you’re faced with two options, ask yourself: Which one excites me more? Which one could change my life? Which one feels like an adventure? Go with that one. And be mindful about who you seek advice from—don’t share your ideas with people who might hold you back or project their own fears onto you. Make your decision first, then share it with those who will support your growth.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

If I only had ten years left to live, the first thing I would do is visit my friends all around the world. I would treasure every moment with my family and my animals. I would turn the stories of my family, my friends, and myself into films and plays. I’d try to leave behind as much as I can, creating works that could inspire and encourage others even after I’m gone. I’d write as many jokes as possible, to bring laughter and smiles to people. And I would create a community space where animals with nowhere else to go—like those in shelters—can live together with people in peace. A place that isn’t just a shelter, but a true home, where humans and animals live together, share joy, and heal each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.megumimorino.com/
• Instagram: @megumi_morino

Image Credits

Tina Vonn
Tom Dang
Tapio Tokunaga
Maki Yoshida
Miyoshi Iwasawa