Meet Akiko Matsuura, Charlie Heaton’s Ex-girlfriend

Akiko Matsuura (born 2nd of November 1980; Age: 43 year old) is a Japanese-born British rock drummer who has played for several bands such as PRE, Comanechi, and The Big Pink. She is also famous as the ex-girlfriend of Charlie Heaton, the fast-rising British actor who is a star in the hit TV series Stranger Things.

Matsuura first got to know Charlie Heaton around 2013 when he was pursuing a music career. They got to play together in the band, Comanechi and began a romantic relationship. They later welcomed a son together in 2014 before breaking up in 2015. Heaton’s newfound fame has, however, shed a light on their previous relationship. Many have frowned at the age difference between Matsuura and Heaton and accused the drummer of grooming Heaton.

Akiko Matsuura is Originally From Osaka, Japan

Despite the fame she has achieved with her music, Akiko Matsuura remains an enigma. There are, however, some known facts about her. Matsuura was born in the 80s in Osaka, Japan. Her parents are entrepreneurs who ran a restaurant in Osaka. She also has an elder brother who is a few years older than her.

Akiko Matsuura spent the first 18 years of her life living in Osaka, Japan. She attended school and was quite shy, weird, and unhinged. She was a typical emo personality, making her a target for bullying. She endured it until she left secondary school.

On the eve of our album release day, we wanted to share with you a more personal message from Keex, It has really been such a journey and it’s very surreal that we’re only 1 day away! presavehere https://t.co/KJ8XjSk9uH
@projectmelodymusic @charliexbarker @blackstaragency pic.twitter.com/kH8vZnzcbG

— The Big Pink (@thebigpink) September 29, 2022

She Moved to London in the Early 2000s to Study Arts But Delved into the Rock Music

Upon completing secondary school around the age of 18, Akiko Matsuura decided to pursue an art degree in college. She informed her parents of her plans, and they sponsored her education in the United Kingdom. Matsuura arrived in London for her studies around 2003/2004. She focused much of her effort on her studies. She also explored the London music scene.

Akiko Matsuura particularly fell in love with rock music and made friends with other students who favored rock. It was with these fellow rock lovers that she would form and play in several bands, starting with PRE, which she co-founded in 2005.

this is Akiko Matsuura.The big pink drummer. She was there from the beginning and never should of left. a big part of the big pink died that day. Ladies and gentlemen I give you Akiko Matsuura. New music https://t.co/ADsfyw3sme pic.twitter.com/0UlafxTvJO

— The Big Pink (@thebigpink) May 11, 2022

Akiko Matsuura Has Served as the Frontwoman for Bands such as PRE and Comanechi

Akiko Matsuura has sung vocals and played rock drums for several bands, including PRE and Comanechi. Her brand of music is known as noise rock. The music features sexually-explicit lyrics accompanied by loud levels of instrumentals from drums and electric guitars. Some of Akiko Matsuura’s best works are with Comanechi (which also features guitarist Simon Petrovitch and drummer Charlie Heaton).

She serves as their frontwoman and drummer, and they have dropped at least two full-length albums, namely Crime of Love (2009) and You Owe Me Nothing But Love (2013). Comanechi’s music is critically acclaimed, and they have performed in various places such as Scotland and even Canada.

She Now Plays Drums for the British Rock Band, The Big Pink

Akiko Matsuura’s work with Comanechi reached its highest peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s. She remains their frontwoman to date, but her most recent work is as the drummer of the British electronic rock band, The Big Pink. Matsuura is a founding member of The Big Pink and has been with them since the late 2000s.

The band has dropped about three full-length albums, namely A Brief History of Love (2009), Future This (2012), and The Love That’s Ours (2022). Their 2022 album featured tracks such as Love Spins on Its Axis, No Angels, etc. It generated a lot of buzz as this was the first time that the group was putting out new music in over ten years.

In episode #104 of The XS Noize Podcast, we talk to @thebigpink's Robbie Furze about their third studio album – 'The Love That's Ours'. Hear the full interview here👇https://t.co/Cj0WceCNA0

— XS Noize (@xsnoizemusic) October 6, 2022

Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton Began Dating Around 2013 and Welcomed a Child Together in 2014

Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton first got to know each other around 2012/2013. At that time, Matsuura was already a well-known rock artist while Heaton was pursuing a music career. He eventually joined the band that Matsuura was headlining, Comanechi, and they became great pals. They later started dating in 2013.

The couple’s relationship blossomed for several months, during which they discovered that Matsuura was pregnant with their child. They were quite happy with this and welcomed a son in 2014. It wasn’t easy combining parenthood with their budding music career and touring, but they were able to make it work.

They Split in 2015 and Now Amicably Co-Parent Their Son

The relationship between Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton lasted for about two years before broke up around 2015. The cause for the split has not been revealed, as the couple is taciturn about their past romance. It is, however, reasonable to assume that the breakup may be due to career demands.

Heaton had pursued music for some years, but by 2015, he decided to focus on acting and went on to land parts in various TV dramas. This change of direction would have impacted his romance with Matsuura. It would have also made it difficult to have quality time together.

Whatever the reason, the couple split without much drama and have moved on with their various lives. It is hard to tell who Akiko Matsuura is dating now as she shields her private life from the public. There is, however, no doubt that she must have dated and broken up with some people since she split from Charlie Heaton. Heaton, on his own part, is dating Natalia Dyer, an American actress and his Stranger Things co-star.

What is Akiko Matsuura’s Age Compared to Charlie Heaton’s?

It is hard to exactly tell Akiko Matsuura’s age compared to Charlie Heaton’s. This is because Matsuura’s age is not confirmed. While it is known that Charlie Heaton was born on the 6th of February 1994, one cannot say with certainty when Akiko Matsuura was born. Some sources say that she was born on the 2nd of November 1980. If this is true, it means that Akiko Matsuura is 14 years older than Charlie Heaton.

It is also possible that Akiko Matsuura was born around 1985, given the age that she came to London for college studies. If this is correct, it means that Akiko Matsuura is nine years older than Charlie Heaton. Whichever it is, the age difference between the two is significant, and this has led some to accuse Akiko Matsuura of grooming Charlie Heaton.

In the spirit of our upcoming single ‘love spins on its axis’ we speak to band member Keeks about what being in love means to her.
“True love is unconditional and everlasting. I’ve learnt true love from giving birth to my son Archie 8 years ago, also death of my father last year” pic.twitter.com/VhT456x8lE

— The Big Pink (@thebigpink) June 23, 2022

Who Are Akiko Matsuura’s Children?

Akiko Matsuura has only one child, and that is Archie Heaton, the son she shares with Charlie Heaton. He was born in 2014 and is presently 9 years. She has primary custody of him, and they both live in London. She has sparingly spoken about him publicly but has revealed that he has taught her lessons, such as that true love is unconditional and everlasting.

Akiko Matsuura protects her son from the spotlight. She has, however, shared some pictures of him with his dad on social media. This speaks to the fact that she and her ex-boyfriend maintain amicable co-parenting relations, which is definitely the best for their son.