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Yakkun Sakurazuka
Yasuo Saitō (斎藤 恭央, Saitō Yasuo, September 24, 1976 – October 5, 2013), also known by the stage name Yakkun Sakurazuka (桜塚 やっくん, Sakurazuka Yakkun), was a Japanese comedian, singer, and voice actor.[1] Early lifeSaitō was born in Kanagawa Prefecture to Mitsuru and Misao Saitō on 24 September 1976.[2][3] He had a younger brother named Masashi[4][5] and graduated from Nihon University's College of Art.[3] As a teenager, he was an active Johnny's member.[6] CareerIn 1999, Saitō formed a comedy duo called Abare Nunchaku with fellow up-and-coming comedian Kosuke Takeuchi.[7] The team broke up in 2005, but they reunited in 2006 on the show Enta no kami-sama, where Saitō appeared for the first time as Sukeban Kyoko, a delinquent schoolgirl always seen carrying shinai bamboo sword.[8][9][7][1] He appeared as Sukeban on Quiz $ Millionaire in 2007,[10] where he answered incorrectly in the final round, decreasing his earnings from ¥10,000,000 to ¥1,000,000.[citation needed] He made his musical debut in 2006 with the release of the single Geki Maji Mukatsuku.[7] By the time of his death, he had released seven albums: Gekimajimukatsuku, 1000% SO Zakune?, Christmaster, Doonacchattendayo, Kaisou Rasputin, Sakura Revolution, and Aserunda Joshi Ha Itsumo Medatanai K.[11] He also sang with the band Bijomen Z, a musical group where all its members dressed as women.[8][7] As a voice actor, Saitō starred in shows such as Detective Conan and Inazuma Eleven,[7] sometimes using the stage name Hiromi Ueda. [citation needed] He published his first book, 桜塚やっくんの都市伝説工場 (Cleavage or, literally, Urban Legend Factory), in 2008.[12] ControversyIn 2011, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department contacted Saitō regarding the alleged rape of a drunk college student in 2010.[13] He denied the accusations.[14] It was later reported that a settlement had been reached between Saitō and the woman.[15] DeathSaitō was killed in a traffic accident on October 5, 2013, aged 37, on the Chugoku Expressway in Mine, Yamaguchi, while en route to a concert in Kumamoto Prefecture. He was hit by another car and killed when exiting his car after colliding with the median.[8][7] Discography
Filmography
Dubbing
References
External links
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