Takako Fuji
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese actress and seiyū
with strong ties to theatre.
who was born there in 1972, Fuji studied acting at the Aoyama Gakuin University, and subsequently joined the Ein Theatrical Company. Her work was usually on-stage or in voice-over studios, but occasionally she would also appear in films. Her most famous role to this date is that of Kayako Saeki
, the vengeful ghost in the Ju-on
series, which led to The Grudge. She first played Kayako in the 1998 short movie Katasumi
, part of the Gakkô no kaidan G collection. She then reprised her role in the direct-to-video film Ju-on
and its sequel, Ju-on 2
. When director Takashi Shimizu
decided to direct two additional installments for a broader theatrical release, which he called (Ju-on: The Grudge
and Ju-on: The Grudge 2
), Fuji played the character of Kayako twice more. When the films were subsequently remade for an American audience as The Grudge
and The Grudge 2
, Fuji played the role yet again. It has been confirmed that she did not play Kayako in The Grudge 3
, the final Grudge film for America.
Fuji later stated in interviews that she had grown a bit tired of the role and that sometimes it was hard for her to keep herself motivated, since she had played the role 7 distinct times by then. Fuji admitted, however, that she would continue playing the role of Kayako as long as director Takashi Shimizu
desired to hire her again for the role. Fuji also stated, in other interviews, that sometimes she pretended to be Kayako Saeki in front of her friends at parties. She also confessed that she fully understood from where Kayako's anger derived. (As of early April 2011, no reliable English translation of the explanation Fuji gave for the source of Kayako Saeki's anger was known to have been made public in the United States.)
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
with strong ties to theatre.
Biography
A native of Tokyo, Honshū Island, JapanTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
who was born there in 1972, Fuji studied acting at the Aoyama Gakuin University, and subsequently joined the Ein Theatrical Company. Her work was usually on-stage or in voice-over studios, but occasionally she would also appear in films. Her most famous role to this date is that of Kayako Saeki
Kayako Saeki
Kayako Saeki is a fictional character from the Ju-on series of Japanese-horror movies and The Grudge trilogy of American remakes. In all of the films, except for the third, she is played by actress Takako Fuji. In The Grudge 3, Kayako is played by Aiko Horiuchi, Fuji having turned down the role...
, the vengeful ghost in the Ju-on
Ju-on
is the title of a series of horror films by Japanese director Takashi Shimizu. Shimizu attended the Film School of Tokyo, where he studied under Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Kurosawa helped Shimizu shepherd the Ju-on projects to fruition.-History:...
series, which led to The Grudge. She first played Kayako in the 1998 short movie Katasumi
Katasumi and 4444444444
Katasumi and 4444444444 are two 1998 Japanese horror short films directed by Takashi Shimizu, related to the Ju-on series.-Creation of the Ju-on series:...
, part of the Gakkô no kaidan G collection. She then reprised her role in the direct-to-video film Ju-on
Ju-on
is the title of a series of horror films by Japanese director Takashi Shimizu. Shimizu attended the Film School of Tokyo, where he studied under Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Kurosawa helped Shimizu shepherd the Ju-on projects to fruition.-History:...
and its sequel, Ju-on 2
Ju-on 2
Ju-on 2 is the second film in the Japanese Ju-on series. The film was released in Japan on March 25, 2000 and was later released onto video on April 14, 2000....
. When director Takashi Shimizu
Takashi Shimizu
Takashi Shimizu is a Japanese film director, best known for the Ju-on series of horror films.-Filmography:...
decided to direct two additional installments for a broader theatrical release, which he called (Ju-on: The Grudge
Ju-on: The Grudge
is a 2003 Japanese horror film written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. The film is the third entry in the Ju-on series and is the first film theatrically released...
and Ju-on: The Grudge 2
Ju-on: The Grudge 2
Ju-on: The Grudge 2 is a 2003 Japanese horror film and the fourth in the Ju-on series written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. The film was released in Japan on August 23, 2003....
), Fuji played the character of Kayako twice more. When the films were subsequently remade for an American audience as The Grudge
The Grudge
The Grudge is the 2004 American remake of the Japanese film Ju-on: The Grudge, and the first horror film in the Ju-on series, Ju-on 1. The film is the first installment in the American horror film series The Grudge...
and The Grudge 2
The Grudge 2
The Grudge 2 is the 2006 sequel to the 2004 American horror film remake The Grudge. The Grudge 2 is the second film in Sony's The Grudge series and is directed by Takashi Shimizu and written by Stephen Susco. The film is produced by Sam Raimi and stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Tamblyn, Arielle...
, Fuji played the role yet again. It has been confirmed that she did not play Kayako in The Grudge 3
The Grudge 3
The Grudge 3 is the direct-to-DVD sequel to the American horror film The Grudge and its sequel, The Grudge 2. The film was directed by Toby Wilkins taking Takashi Shimizu's place. The film was released on May 12, 2009. It stars Johanna Braddy and Shawnee Smith-Plot:Jake is brutally murdered by...
, the final Grudge film for America.
Fuji later stated in interviews that she had grown a bit tired of the role and that sometimes it was hard for her to keep herself motivated, since she had played the role 7 distinct times by then. Fuji admitted, however, that she would continue playing the role of Kayako as long as director Takashi Shimizu
Takashi Shimizu
Takashi Shimizu is a Japanese film director, best known for the Ju-on series of horror films.-Filmography:...
desired to hire her again for the role. Fuji also stated, in other interviews, that sometimes she pretended to be Kayako Saeki in front of her friends at parties. She also confessed that she fully understood from where Kayako's anger derived. (As of early April 2011, no reliable English translation of the explanation Fuji gave for the source of Kayako Saeki's anger was known to have been made public in the United States.)
Personal life
Fuji's specialties are dancing, modern ballet, and speaking English. She is also a well-trained contortionist, which helped her to play Kayako. She has been married once, to co-member of the Ein Theatrical Group Watanabe Joji, from January 2000 until October 2005.Filmography
- Princess MononokePrincess Mononokeis a 1997 epic Japanese animated historical fantasy feature film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. is not a name, but a general term in the Japanese language for a spirit or monster...
(1997 in Japan): Iron Town Women - Katasumi (1998): 伽椰子 Kayako Saeki (née Kawamata)
- Ju-on The Curse 呪怨 (2000): Kayako 伽椰子 Kayako Saeki (née Kawamata)
- Ju-on 2Ju-on 2Ju-on 2 is the second film in the Japanese Ju-on series. The film was released in Japan on March 25, 2000 and was later released onto video on April 14, 2000....
呪怨2 (2000): Kayako 伽椰子 Kayako Saeki (née Kawamata) - Ju-on: The GrudgeJu-on: The Grudgeis a 2003 Japanese horror film written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. The film is the third entry in the Ju-on series and is the first film theatrically released...
呪怨 (2003): Kayako 伽椰子 Kayako Saeki (née Kawamata) - Ju-on: The Grudge 2Ju-on: The Grudge 2Ju-on: The Grudge 2 is a 2003 Japanese horror film and the fourth in the Ju-on series written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. The film was released in Japan on August 23, 2003....
呪怨2 (2003): 伽椰子 Kayako Saeki (née Kawamata) - The GrudgeThe GrudgeThe Grudge is the 2004 American remake of the Japanese film Ju-on: The Grudge, and the first horror film in the Ju-on series, Ju-on 1. The film is the first installment in the American horror film series The Grudge...
(2004): Kayako Saeki - Reincarnation (2005): one of the victims killed by the homicidal professor
- The Grudge 2The Grudge 2The Grudge 2 is the 2006 sequel to the 2004 American horror film remake The Grudge. The Grudge 2 is the second film in Sony's The Grudge series and is directed by Takashi Shimizu and written by Stephen Susco. The film is produced by Sam Raimi and stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Tamblyn, Arielle...
(2006): Kayako Saeki - The iDolThe IdolThe Idol is a 1966 British drama film directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Jennifer Jones, Michael Parks, Jennifer Hilary and Guy Doleman. A rebellious student embarks on an affair with the mother of his best friend, leading to disastrous consequences....
(2006): Rika