Miyuki Kanbe

Miyuki Kanbe (神戸 みゆき, Kanbe Miyuki) (May 7, 1984 – June 18, 2008) was a Japanese model and actress from Kanagawa Prefecture employed by the talent agency Rouge.

She is best remembered for her portrayal of Sailor Moon (in Japanese, Usagi Tsukino) in the Sailor Moon musicals. Kanbe was chosen out of 500 women for the role. Most of her career involved roles that were physically demanding, and she was noted by both colleagues and superiors for going above and beyond that which was required of her. It is also noted that she accepted an offer to work with the production company responsible for Les Misérables upon recovery from the events of 2007.

As late as June 2008 Kanbe had been active and vocally expressing an interest in furthering her career. Aside from acting, she was known to have enjoyed vintage clothing and design, and in a meeting on the June 9, 2008, with Rouge president Masaki Honda, mentioned wanting to broaden her work to include fashion through the means of photography.

Kanbe was cast in the role of Eponine in the Japanese production of Les Misérables, but was forced to give it up due to poor health in February 2007. Since then, she had been in and out of the hospital until her death in Kawasaki City on June 18, 2008 at 4:08 am. The cause of death is cited as sudden heart failure.^[1]

She received a private funeral in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture on June 21, 2008 and some celebrities such as her friend Shoko Nakagawa attended it.

According to Masaki Honda, president of the Rouge talent agency, Kanbe died in the presence of loved ones, and appeared to be at peace.

Filmography

Live-action TV serials

• Moero!! Robocon (episode 43) (TV Asahi, 28 November 1999) - Nanako Yokokawa
• D-girls Idol Tantei San Shimai Monogatari (episode 11) (TV Tokyo, 2001)
• Hatchobori no Nana Nin (episode 3) (TV Aashi, 20 January 2003) - Oyumi
• Kamen Rider Hibiki (TV Asahi, 2005–2006) - Hinaka Tachibana
• Kyoto Chiken no Onna (TV Asahi, 20 April 2006 - 22 June 2006) - Tamiko Kuraki

Anime

• Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (episode 34) (TV Aichi / TV Tokyo, 22 November 2003) - Auri

Animated TV series

• Yume ☆ Ouen Tai (TV Tokyo, September 1999 - March 2000)
• Ikaring no Menseki (TV Aichi / TV Tokyo, April 2000 - December 2000) - apparently at HYPER GO Gou
• Ucchan Nanchan no Urinari!! (NTV, March 2001 - March 2002)
• LF+R Morning YOUNG LIVE JAPAN / Young Live Nippon LF+R Music TV (BS Fuji / Fuji TV 721, April 2001 - March 2003)
• Baku NEW (TV Tokyo, Oktober 2001 - September 2002)

Film

• Battle Royale II (Toei, 5 July 2003) - Kyouko Kakehi
• 69 sixty nine (Toei, 10 July 2004)
• Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Fighting Demons (Toei, 3 September 2005) - Hinaka Tachibana / Hinako

Stage

• Sailor Moon musicals (2000–2001) as Usagi Tsukino
  • 2000 Winter Special Musical Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon

    Shin / Henshin - Super Senshi e no Michi (新／変身・スーパー戦士への道)

    Last Dracul Jokyoku (ラストドラクル序曲)

  • 2000 Summer Special Musical Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon

    Kessen / Transylvania no Mori (決戦/トランシルバニアの森)

    - Shin Toujou! ChibiMoon wo Goru Senshi Tatsu - (～新登場！ちびムーンを護る戦士達～)

  • 2001 Winter Special Musical Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon

    Kessen / Transylvania no Mori [Kaiteiban] (決戦／トランシルバニアの森＜改訂版＞)

    -Saikyou no Kataki Dark Cain no Nazo- (－最強の敵　ダーク・カインの謎－)

  • 2001 Spring Special Musical Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon

    Last Dracul Saishuu Shou (ラスト・ドラクル最終章)

    Chou Wakusei Death Vulcan no Fuuin / Super Revue Musical Show (超惑星デス・バルカンの封印 / スパーレビューミュージカルショー)

• Spider's Nest (30 November 2001 – 9 December 2001 at Tokyo Globe Theater)
• The prosecution witness (2002, Ginza Theatre)
• Musical Forest is Alive (21–29 August 2004) as Queen
• Love Hotels - LOVE×HOTEL (6–16 October 2005)

Discography

Single

1. Taiyou no Rakuen ~Promised Land~ (太陽の楽園〜Promised Land〜) (released 16 April 2003, distributed by Pony Canyon)
   • First opening theme from the anime "Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch"
2. Rainbow Notes♪ (released 16 October 2003, distributed by Pony Canyon)
   • Second opening theme from the anime "Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch"

DVD

• Kanbe Miyuki 〜MOON Letter〜 (PONY CANYON, Released 21 June 2000)
• THE COMPLETE Kanbe Miyuki (Released 25 April 2001)
• Metamorphose! (Frontier Works, Released 25 November 2004)
• Amaretto ~Beware~ (Released 20 May 2006)

Photobooks

• I am Rainbow ☆ (Released 25 July 2000) ISBN 4-8470-2575-X
• Navi (Released 30 September 2004) ISBN 4-8124-1846-1

- Digital Photobook

• Kanbe Miyuki @ Digital Photocollection (December 2001)

References

External links

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=55306176
• Official profile for Miyuki Kanbe, rouge
• Miyuki Kanbe at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Interview with Miyuki Kanbe (Japanese)