Emi Wanibuchi was born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa,Japan. She is a descendant of a samurai warriors clan,the Wanibuchi-no-Kami. She studied for two years at NIDA -the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. She played the lead in the Japanese movie "An Unwanted Baby". The movie won a number of awards at film festivals like the Fukuoka Independent Film Festival, and the Japan Art Center Film Festival. She has also played supporting roles in two American movies. Her special skills are Japanese "Noh" theatre dance, and singing. Her previous professional name was Yuna Kawahara.