Minako Honda


Minako Honda was a Japanese "idol" pop-star and musical singer. She became famous and popular because of her sexy fashion and live performances in the mid to late 1980s.
She was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on January 5, 2005. At 4:38 A.M. on November 6, 2005, Honda died at the Juntendo University Hospital in Bunkyō, Tokyo, officially from acute myelogenous leukemia.

Early life

Minako Kudo was born in Itabashi, Tokyo, and was raised in Asaka, Saitama.

Beginnings

In 1989, at the age of 22, she made an attempt to revive her flagging career by forming an edgy girl group called "Minako with Wild Cats".
By 1992, however, she reinvented herself. She took formal acting and singing lessons, and became a notable theatrical singer and actress. In auditions for the Tokyo production of Miss Saigon, she won out over 12,000 other candidates for the part of Kim, earning the nickname "Tokyo's Miss Saigon".
Towards the end of her life, she released several classical albums demonstrating her soprano singing voice, including religious works such as Amazing Grace and Ave Maria. She also sang theme songs for several anime programs.
She did not abandon pop music in her adult career; indeed, she became recognized for her vocal improvement in the adult pop genre. Her song "Tsubasa" is famous for the "long note" that she holds for 30 seconds.

Death

Honda became ill in late 2004, but still performed in December in spite of a fever and fatigue. When her cold-like symptoms failed to improve, she sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on January 5, 2005. Honda recovered after treatment and came home to Asaka.
Honda was able to celebrate her 38th birthday at home feeling relatively well, but had a relapse shortly afterwards. Chromosome aberration was discovered and she received a dose of anticancer medicine from the United States to treat it. She recovered again briefly, but then suffered another relapse.
Honda developed lung complications on October 21, and she lapsed into a coma on November 3. At 4:38 a.m. on November 6, 2005, Honda died at the Juntendo University Hospital in Bunkyō, Tokyo, officially from acute myelogenous leukemia. She was 38 at the time of her death.

Discography

Singles

  1. Satsui No Vacance
  2. Suki To Iinasai
  3. Aoi Shumatsu
  4. Temptation
  5. 1986 Nen No Marilyn
  6. Sosotte
  7. Help
  8. The Cross -Ai No Jyujika-
  9. Oneway Generation
  10. Crazy Nights
  11. Golden Days released only in UK
  12. Heartbreak
  13. Kodoku Na Hurricane
  14. Kanashimi Swing
  15. Anata To Nettai as "Minako With Wildcats"
  16. Stand Up～Full Metal Armor as "Minako With Wildcats"
  17. Katte Ni Sasete as "Minako With Wildcats"
  18. 7th Bird "Ai Ni Koi"
  19. Shangri-La
  20. Tsubasa
  21. Rarabai~Yasashiku Dakasete~
  22. Boku No Heya De Kurasou
  23. Fall in Love With You -Koi Ni Ochite-
  24. Shining Eyes
  25. Kaze No Uta
  26. Honey
  27. Hoshizora
  28. Nadja!!
  29. Shinsekai

    Albums

Studio albums

  1. M'Syndrome
  2. Lips
  3. Cancel
  4. Oversea
  5. Midnight Swing
  6. Hyōteki as "Minako With Wildcats"
  7. Wild Cats as "Minako With Wildcats"
  8. Junction
  9. Hare Tokidoki Kumori
  10. Ave Maria
  11. Toki
  12. Amazing Grace
  13. Kokoro Wo Komete...
  14. Yasashii Sekai
  15. Eternal Harmony
  16. Last Concert

    Live albums

Note: Minako Honda was originally cast as Fantine in Les Misérables for the Japanese tour in 2005, but due to her death, another actor was given the part.