Yui Asaka
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese actress, a J-Pop
singer, and an idol
who came to fame in the 1980s.
, Miyazaki Prefecture
, Japan
, and later attended Nakano High School. In 1984, she was the Grand Prix Winner for a Young Girls Comics Magazine. Yui was featured as the main character of the comic "Shooting Star". A year later, she debuted as a singer with the single Natsu Shoujo. Up until the end of 1986, Asaka enjoyed a moderately successful career as a singer and an idol.
Her fame grew when she starred in the third series of cult TV Show Sukeban Deka
in 1987. In 1989, she starred as the heroine of popular manga Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
in its 1989 live movie adaptation. Capitalising on this exposure, Asaka started to write her own songs, starting with the single "Self Control".
In 1993, problems arose when her management began limiting her rights concerning her stage name (Yui Asaka). During this time, there was also a published story that reported that her real name was Aki Kawasaki. Asaka decided to temporarily withdraw from the limelight and took a break from show business. She returned to the music scene in 1997 as Yui (not to be confused with another Japanese singer called Yui
). Soon after, Asaka reconciled with her agency and was allowed to perform under the name "Yui Asaka" once more. Asaka decided to focus on her acting career, frequently appearing in Japanese TV dramas and variety shows (see full discography below).
In 2001, her official fan club closed down. Then in 2002, she married drummer Takahiro Nishikawa. She gave birth to their first daughter on September 12, 2007.
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
singer, and an idol
Japanese idol
In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...
who came to fame in the 1980s.
Biography
Yui was born in MiyazakiMiyazaki, Miyazaki
is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Located on the coast and perforated by several rivers, Miyazaki City enjoys scenic views of both ocean and nearby, verdant mountains...
, Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and later attended Nakano High School. In 1984, she was the Grand Prix Winner for a Young Girls Comics Magazine. Yui was featured as the main character of the comic "Shooting Star". A year later, she debuted as a singer with the single Natsu Shoujo. Up until the end of 1986, Asaka enjoyed a moderately successful career as a singer and an idol.
Her fame grew when she starred in the third series of cult TV Show Sukeban Deka
Sukeban Deka
is a Japanese detective action shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Shinji Wada and serialized on Hana to Yume. Sukeban Deka has been adapted into three live-action television series, an original video animation series and three feature films, the latest of which was released in 2006 as...
in 1987. In 1989, she starred as the heroine of popular manga Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
YAWARA!, also known as Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, is a Japanese manga series by Naoki Urasawa which ran in Big Comic Spirits from 1986 to 1993...
in its 1989 live movie adaptation. Capitalising on this exposure, Asaka started to write her own songs, starting with the single "Self Control".
In 1993, problems arose when her management began limiting her rights concerning her stage name (Yui Asaka). During this time, there was also a published story that reported that her real name was Aki Kawasaki. Asaka decided to temporarily withdraw from the limelight and took a break from show business. She returned to the music scene in 1997 as Yui (not to be confused with another Japanese singer called Yui
Yui (singer)
, stylized as YUI, is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer, actress, and radio personality. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she played live at various locations in her home town before being noticed by Sony Music Japan when she was 17 and released her debut single months later...
). Soon after, Asaka reconciled with her agency and was allowed to perform under the name "Yui Asaka" once more. Asaka decided to focus on her acting career, frequently appearing in Japanese TV dramas and variety shows (see full discography below).
In 2001, her official fan club closed down. Then in 2002, she married drummer Takahiro Nishikawa. She gave birth to their first daughter on September 12, 2007.
Albums
- 1986.02.21 : Crystal Eyes
- 1987.02.28 : Star Lights
- 1987.09.23 : Rainbow
- 1988.06.01 : Candid Girl
- 1988.12.01 : Herstory
- 1989.03.01 : Melody Fair
- 1989.11.21 : Pride
- 1990.02.28 : Nude Songs
- 1990.07.04 : Open your Eyes - Nude Songs vol.2
- 1990.12.05 : No Lookin' Back
- 1991.08.21 : Stay
- 1992.08.21 : Joker
- 1993.02.24 : Contrast
Best-of albums
- 1987.12.01 : Present
- 1989.05.18 : Yawara! Original Soundtrack
- 1991.02.27 : Thanks a lot
- 1992.11.25 : Single Collection
- 1993.05.01 : Annversary2824
- 1993.07.21 : Asaka Yui Daizenshou (浅香唯大全集)
- 2005.06.22 : Kyoukyoku no Best! Asaka Yui (究極のベスト! 浅香唯)
- 2010.06.09 : Crystals - 25th Anniversary Best
- 2010.07.07 : Kami Jacket CD Box (Album+DVD)
Singles
- 1985.06.21 : 夏少女 (Natsu Shoujo)
- 1985.09.25 : ふたりのMoon River (Futari no Moon River)
- 1986.01.21 : ヤッパシ…H! (Yappatsu...H!)
- 1986.05.21 : コンプレックスBanzai!! (Complex Banzai!!)
- 1986.09.21 : 10月のクリスマ (10gatsu no Christmas) #88
- 1987.01.21 : STAR #9
- 1987.05.27 : 瞳にStorm (Hitomi ni Storm) #4
- 1987.09.09 : 虹のDreamer (Niji no Dreamer) #1
- 1987.10.14 : Remember (with Onishi Yuka and Nakamura Yuma) #1
- 1988.01.27 : Believe Again #2
- 1988.04.20 : C-Girl #1
- 1988.08.18 : セシル (Cecile) #1
- 1988.11.02 : Melody #2
- 1989.01.25 : True Love #1
- 1989.03.22 : Neverland～Yawara!メインテーマ～ (Neverland ~ Yawara! Main Theme) #2
- 1989.07.05 : 恋のロックンロール・サーカス (Koi no Rock n' Roll Circus) #4
- 1989.09.17 : Dream Power #3
- 1990.02.07 : Chance! #7
- 1990.05.31 : 7days Girl
- 1990.06.06 : ボーイフレンドをつくろう (Boyfriend wo Tsukurou) #10
- 1990.10.31 : Self Control #13
- 1991.06.06 : 恋のUpside-Down (Koi no Upside-Down) #32
- 1992.01.29 : 愛しい人と眠りたい (Itoshii Hito to Nemuritai) #42
- 1993.02.24 : ひとり (Hitori)
- 1997.09.26 : Ring Ring Ring (YUI)
- 1997.10.22 : ? (Aishiibito to Nemuretai) (YUI)
- 1998.08.26 : 不器用な天使 (Bukiyou na Tenshi) (YUI)
- 2000.12.26 : 白の扉 (Shiroi no Tobira)
- 2005.12.26 : 笑顔の私 (Egao no Watashi)
- 2009.05.20 : マジ？マジ！マジカル☆ジュエル (Maji? Maji! Magical Jewel)
Dramas
- 1985 : Ikkyuusan
- 1987 : Sukeban DekaSukeban Dekais a Japanese detective action shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Shinji Wada and serialized on Hana to Yume. Sukeban Deka has been adapted into three live-action television series, an original video animation series and three feature films, the latest of which was released in 2006 as...
III: Shoujo Ninpou Chou Denki - 1988 : Kanou Juuban Shoubu!
- 1990 : AD Boogie
- 1991 : Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari
- 1992 : Saimon Selection
- 1992 : Nani mo Ienakute
- 1999 : Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari '99 Aki no Tokubetsuhen "Wafuku no Shoujo"
- 2000 : Tadaima Manshitsu
- 2000 : Quiz
- 2000 : Kyoko Gion Irimuko Keijijiken 6
- 2001 : Handoc!!!
- 2002 : Kamaitachi no Yoru
- 2003 : Satsujin Roke
- 2004 : Rikonyou Deibi
- 2005 : Mama! I Love You
- 2006 : Virus Panic 2006 Natsu -Machi wa Kansenshita-
Movies
- 1987: Sukeban Deka: The Movie
- 1988: Sukeban Deka: Azama San Shimai no Gyoukushuu
- 1989: YAWARA!
- 2001: Thud Ken Maajan Jigoku