Rumi Sakakibara is a Japanese actress. She portrayed Aki Sakata in Return of Ultraman.
Career[]
Sakakibara began her career as a magazine model and actress from a young age, appearing in various roles on stage and television. She gained prominence in the early 1970s for her role as Aki Sakata in the Return of Ultraman.
However, due to her involvement in the television drama Kininaru Yomesan, Sakakibara had to leave the role of Aki Sakata during the episode 37, which led to the character being written out of the series.[1][2][3] She later reunited with actor Jiro Dan in Robot 8-chan, and the two continued to collaborate on several projects.
In the 2008 film Superior 8 Ultra Brothers, she reprised her role as Aki. It was reported that due to Sakakibara's subsequent status as a permanent resident of the United States, it was challenging for her to appear in the film. When producer Kiyoshi Suzuki inquired about her participation, Sakakibara responded, "If that's the case, please ensure that my daughter and I can appear together." She temporarily returned to Japan from Los Angeles for the filming of the film.
After 2010, she was injured in a car accident near Las Vegas involving a vehicle she and her husband were traveling in. Following the accident, she decided to return to Japan to resume her acting career. Additionally, she and her daughter, Megumi Matsushita, actively participated in Ultraman-related events organized by Tsuburaya Productions.[4]
On March 24, 2023, Sakakibara issued a statement through her agency to mourn the passing of Jiro Dan.[5][6]
Personal Life[]
Sakakibara's daughter is actress Megumi Matsushita.
Roles[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Return of Ultraman | Aki Sakata | |
| 2008 | Superior 8 Ultra Brothers | Aki Go (née Sakata) |
Other Roles[]
- Kamen Rider Revice Original Spin-Off Drama: DEAR GAGA - Takako Kadota
Gallery[]
Miscellaneous[]
![Sakakibara at a Return of Ultraman 50th anniversary event in 2021[7]](/wiki/File:Jiro_Dan_2021_1.jpeg "Jiro Dan 2021 1.jpeg (403 KB)")
![[8]](/wiki/File:Megumi_Matsushita_2023_MAT_2.jpeg "Megumi Matsushita 2023 MAT 2.jpeg (417 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ https://www.zakzak.co.jp/article/20210727-Y545LXAGPJPNHLPB2OYZZEDRV4/
- ↑ https://magmix.jp/post/116102/2
- ↑ https://www.asagei.com/excerpt/57307
- ↑ https://www.s40otoko.com/archives/98628
- ↑ https://hochi.news/articles/20230324-OHT1T51224.html?page=1
- ↑ https://www.sanspo.com/article/20230326-6M47PR6UDZM4DNYNJ5ESYW3QOU/
- ↑ https://x.com/takeshiyoshioka/status/1411890301602435074
- ↑ https://x.com/matsushita_megu/status/1715710412619215071/