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Honda Minako

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Kudo Minako (工藤美奈子), better known by her stage name Honda Minako (本田美奈子) was a Japanese soloist and stage actress.

On November 6, 2005, she passed away due to myelocytic Leukemia at the age of 38.

Profile[]

  • Name: Kudo Minako (工藤美奈子)
  • Stagename: Honda Minako (本田美奈子)
  • Birthdate: July 31, 1967
  • Date of Death: November 6, 2005 (aged 38)
  • Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
  • Zodiac: Leo Leo

History[]

She was encouraged by her family, particularly her mother, to become a singer from a young age. In 1981 at only 14 years old she auditioned for the televised talent scouting show Star Tanjou! and made it all the way to the final rounds. However, she failed to negotiate a record contract and was therefore eliminated. She tried again after entering high school in 1983 by auditioning for the group Shojotai and this time was signed to Bond Planning. During this time she began working directly under the wing of Bond Planning's president Takasugi Keiji who decided she would be more suitable for a solo idol versus debuting as part of Shoujotai. In 1984, her agency sent her to the 8th Nagasaki Song Festival talent contest and she was the winner. This proved that she had what it took to be an idol, so her solo debut was guaranteed.

She finally made her official debut as an idol singer in 1985. She immediately debuted with a different concept than most female orthodox idols at the time that was more similar to Western teen idols. This concept at first led to moderate success. However, her agency began creating songs and stage costumes that were increasingly more dramatic and daring which helped her stand out among other idols. This peaked when she released 1986-nen no Marilyn in February 1986 which became a huge hit. In 1988 she became one of the first "band-dols" when she formed the band Minako with Wildcats.

In 1990 she expressed an interest in performing in musical theater. She successfully landed the leading role of Kim in the Japanese edition of the musical Miss Saigon. After her performance recieved critical acclaim and a few acting awards, she primarily became a musical theater actress.

In the early 2000s she began to frequently fall ill, and on January 12, 2005 was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare aggressive blood cancer. Despite undergoing several types of (at the time) cutting-edge treatments and support from several celebrities and friends, she eventually passed away from the disease on November 6, 2005 at 38 years old.

Discography[]

Studio Albums[]

  1. [1985.11.21] M'Syndrome (M'シンドローム)
  2. [1986.06.04] Lips
  3. [1986.09.28] CANCEL
  4. [1987.06.22] OVERSEA
  5. [1987.12.16] Midnight Swing
  6. [1988.08.05] WILD CATS (Minako With Wildcats)
  7. [1989.07.05] Hyoteki (豹的) (Minako With Wildcats)
  8. [1994.09.24] JUNCTION
  9. [1995.06.25] Hare Tokidoki Kumori (晴れ ときどき くもり)
  10. [2004.11.25] Toki (時)
  11. [2006.12.06] Yasashii Sekai (優しい世界)

Best Albums[]

  1. [1986.12.20] MINAKO COLLECTION
  2. [1988.06.05] NEW BEST NOW -Golden Best-
  3. [1988.10.26] Look Over My Shoulder
  4. [1990.12.12] Stand Up -Best Beat Collection-
  5. [2003.06.25] GOLDEN☆BEST HONDA MINAKO (GOLDEN☆BEST 本田美奈子)
  6. [2005.05.21] Life -Minako Honda: Premium Best-
  7. [2006.03.26] I LOVE YOU
  8. [2006.04.20] Kokoro wo Komete (心を込めて...)
  9. [2007.04.18] ANGEL VOICE
  10. [2007.04.20] Classical Best ~ Ten ni Hibiku Uta (天に響く歌)
  11. [2008.11.06] Eternal Harmony
  12. [2014.07.30] GOLDEN☆IDOL HONDA MINAKO (ゴールデン☆アイドル 本田美奈子)

Live Albums[]

  1. [1986.03.20] The Virgin Concert (ザ・ヴァージン・コンサート)
  2. [1988.01.25] DISPA 1987
  3. [2008.12.10] LAST CONCERT (ラスト・コンサート)

Mini Albums[]

  1. [2003.05.21] AVE MARIA
  2. [2005.10.19] Amazing Grace (アメイジング・グレイス)

Singles[]

  1. [1984.04.20] Satsui No Vacance (殺意のバカンス)
  2. [1985.07.20] Suki to Iinasai (好きと言いなさい)
  3. [1985.08.31] Aoi Shumatsu (青い週末; Blue Weekend)
  4. [1985.09.28] Temptation
  5. [1986.02.05] 1986 no Marilyn (1986年のマリリン)
  6. [1986.05.01] Sosotte
  7. [1986.07.23] HELP
  8. [1986.09.03] The Cross -Ai no Jujika- (愛の十字架)
  9. [1987.02.04] Oneway Generation
  10. [1987.04.22] CRAZY NIGHTS / GOLDEN DAYS
  11. [1987.06.22] HEART BREAK
  12. [1987.09.09] Kodoku na Hurricane (孤独なハリケーン)
  13. [1987.11.25] Kanashimi Swing (悲しみSwing)
  14. [1988.07.06] Anata to, Nettai (あなたと、熱帯) (Minako With Wildcats)
  15. [1988.11.30] Stand Up ~Full Metal Armor~ (Minako With Wildcats)
  16. [1989.05.31] Katte ni Sasete (勝手にさせて) (Minako With Wildcats)
  17. [1989.10.11] 7th Bird "Ai ni Koi" (愛に恋)
  18. [1990.07.04] SHANGRI-LA
  19. [1994.05.25] Tsubasa (つばさ; Wings)
  20. [1995.05.10] La・La・Ba・I ~ Yasashiku Dakasete (ら・ら・ば・い〜優しく抱かせて)
  21. [1995.07.26] Boku no Heya de Kurasou (僕の部屋で暮らそう)
  22. [1995.11.06] Fall In Love With You
  23. [1996.07.21] shining eyes
  24. [1999.11.21] Kaze no Uta (風のうた; Song of the Wind)
  25. [2000.10.21] HONEY
  26. [2003.02.21] Nadja! (ナージャ!)
  27. [2004.05.14] Shin Sekai (新世界; New World)

Trivia[]

  • She first attended Tokyo Seitoku Junior College High School before she was scouted. She then transferred to Horikoshi High School and graduated class of 1986 alongside Minamino Yoko, Okada Yukiko and many more famous celebrities. Her best friend in high school was Minamino.
  • She made her first radio appearance on the day she was born. There happened to be a news segment introducing newborns born at Narimasu Maternity Hospital that day.[1]
  • On November 6, 2025, the twentieth anniversary of her death, a tribute concert was held in her memory. There were several celebrity performers, such as Cutie☆MoriMori and Shimada Kaho.

Gallery[]

  1. ↑ "Songs that resonate in the heavens: The life of songstress Honda Minako," Wani Books, May 20, 2007. ISBN 9784847017230
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