A Tribute to Takeuchi Yuko

All of these people were talented entertainers and prominent people in Japan’s entertainment industry. The hole left behind by their absence can never be filled. Those that chose to shorten their own lives remind us they are just humans, putting on a face to make us feel emotions in a scripted story. Life is not as neat nor as clean as perceived on either the big or small screen. Our thoughts go out to those they left behind.

After that, she appeared in numerous dramas and movies. At the end of the trendy drama era, the actress became one of the few talented people in the era of unfavorable actresses.

BrightestStar – The following are a number of dramas Takeuchi lead, and stood out one way or another, at least in my eyes. 

This drama was one of the first dramas I’ve seen her, co-starting with TOKIO’s vocalist Nagase Tomoya. The drama was about a cool star that hides his clumsy personality and his life after marrying into a family while keeping it secret from the media. At the time, Takeuchi was a rising star. Her character was so sweet, and a strong backbone when needed.

Lunch Queen (2002)

A popular drama that introduced us to many of today’s leading stars. Takeuchi was at the heart of it, and oh man does she constantly makes us hungry here. She had distinct chemistry and relationship with each of the cast/characters. Her look here was more tomboyish than other characters she played.

Pride (2004)

Another popular drama, with Johnny star Kimura Takuya. Whatever one may feel about this drama, and the opinions vastly diverse, one cannot deny the chemistry the main couple shared. It could be a long conversation and moments of silence, their scenes together were addictive. She is very elegant here, with a down to earth style.

Fukigen na Gene (2005)

A less known one, but in my opinion, she had even greater chemistry with leading man Uchino Seiyou. This drama is about the exploration of love and desire, told from the point of view of scientists. You can tell how great the chemistry is when I was told between wanting her to cut him completely from her life and being addicted to their scenes together. Her character here is clumsy, full of ideas and beliefs. 

Snowy Love Fall in Spring (2005)

Unlike what the title suggests, this movie is more about the destructive nature of love rather than the constructive. It wasn’t the first time Takeuchi shares the screen with Tsumabuki Satoshi, but their dynamic was definitely different. Her character here is more on the soft, yielding side.

Strawberry Night (2012)

A very popular drama from her career, it has been a long time since I watched it. This drama is distinguished due to having her a strong, driven, traumatized female leading character.  It takes on darker themes and uses interesting imagery to give you a sense of the horror experienced by victims.

Dandarin Rodo Kijun Kantokukan (2013)

A not much-talked-about drama, yet an important one. I learned a lot about Japanese work culture here. Though initially appearing cold and robotic, you understand her character more as the episodes go by, and totally understand why she is presented in this manner. Dandarin kept a space in my heart for it.

Those are just a few titles of her work to showcase her talent. She has offered much more, and I was looking forward to what more she had to offer. 

Personal Life

In June 2005, she married Nakamura Shido, who co-starred in the movie “Be with You “. She also announced that she was pregnant and gave birth to their first baby boy in November of the same year (divorced in February 2008. Custody to Takeuchi).

In 2020 (Reiwa 2) September 27, 2 o’clock, her husband found that she had hanged herself in her home in the bedroom (in the closet), at 40 years of age. No suicide note found

The following articles have more information

Awards

^{(Copied from Japanese Wiki)}

• 2001
• 2002
  • 26th Elan d’Or Award New Face Award
  • The 34th The Television Drama Academy Award for Best Actress (” Lunch no Joo “)
  • 6th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Leading Actress Award (Annual) (“Lunch Queen“)
• 2003
  • 27th Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Leading Actress (” Resurrection “)
  • The 13th Japanese Movie Critics Award for Best Actress (“Resurrection “)
• 2004
  • 28th Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Leading Actress (“Be with You “)
  • The 9th Japan Internet Film Awards for Best Actress (Be with You “)
  • Movie Walker Cinema Awards Best Actress Category 1st (“Be with You “, “Heaven’s Bookstore “)
  • The 22nd Wakayama Citizens’ Film Festival Best Actress Award (Be with You “, etc.)
  • 7th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Best Actress (Annual) (” Pride  “)
• 2005
• 2007
• 2014
  • 38th Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress (” Cape Nostalgia “)

BrightestStar – Dramaland in Japan will definitely look different from now on. But more than that, those were humans who lost their lives. They have loved ones who are mourning their loss. Maybe we, the fans, should do our part by remembering that, and not hold them up to unreachable standards and criticize their every move. I hope fans in Japan realize that and do their part as well.

Our hearts go out to her family that must be traumatized by this even, her little child that is in need of her the most right now, and to her and the suffering, she was going through. May she rest in peace.

 I hope I do not have to write any more of these this year.  Like on all the others I will reiterate. Please seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts.