Yuuka Asami

Yuuka Asami

Yuuka Asami (朝見優香), previously known as Makiko Tsujimoto (辻本牧子), born December 6, 1975, in Osaka, Japan, was the sixth actress to play Michiru Kaiou/Sailor Neptune and the second person to play Jadeite in the Sailor Moon musicals. Her first performance was in 1999's Kaguya Shima Densetsu Kaiteiban, and her last show was Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu in 2003 (although her last show as Sailor Neptune was Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth in 2002).

After graduating from her role as Michiru, she returned as a guest during the 2002 Autumn Fan Kansha, promoting Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth (Kaiteiban). She performed two musical numbers and, together with Nao Takagi, passed on the Deep Aqua Mirror and the Space Sword to their successors, in a similar ceremony to the passing of the tiara done by Sailor Moon actresses.

Yuuka was the longest running Neptune, with more then twice the number of stages as Hiroko Tahara, and the tenth longest running Myu performer. She was just one stage behind the ninth longest Myu performer, Sanae Kimura, the first Sailor Uranus. She was also the oldest Neptune, graduating at the age of 26.

In 2018 Yuuka and Nao took part in the ANZA ∞ Akiko Kosaka ~Legend Forever~ concert, in which Anza Ohyama and Akiko Kosaka performed both their own songs and many Sera Myu numbers, joined by several actors from the Bandai musicals. In the 2019 concert Akiko Kosaka 45th Anniversary Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Music History, which also reunited many actors from the Bandai musicals, Yuuka was paired with Sanae. She performed with both in 2023 at another event, ANZA ∞ Akiko Kosaka - The Day The Future Becomes the Past -

Personal Trivia

• Yuuka is 5'3" tall and is blood type A.

• Her hobbies include aikido, skiing, and karaoke.

• Her favorite jewel is ruby and her favorite colors are pink, green, and yellow.

• She has kept in close contact with former co-star Nao Takagi, and the two have hosted joint fan events together.

Musicals

Yuuka performed as Michiru Kaiou/Sailor Neptune in the following musicals:

• Kaguya Shima Densetsu (Kaiteiban) Natsuyasumi! Houseki Tankentai
• Shin / Henshin - Super Senshi e no Michi - Last Dracul Jokyoku
• Kessen / Transylvania no Mori - Shin Toujou! Chibi Moon wo Mamoru Senshi-tachi
• Kessen / Transylvania no Mori (Kaiteiban) - Saikyou no Kataki Dark Cain no Nazo
• Last Dracul Saishuu Shou - Chou Wakusei Death Vulcan no Fuuin
• Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady
• Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady (Kaiteiban) - Wakusei Nemesis no Nazo
• 10th Anniversary Festival - Ai no Sanctuary
• Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth

Yuuka performed as Jadeite in the following musical:

• Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu

Trivia

• During the Fan Kansha for Mugen Gakuen, in response to a question asked of her, Yuuka said that she was not afraid of a battle as long as Sailor Uranus was there with her. Nao Takagi said that she (Nao) was afraid of "Kappa," which was Yuuka's nickname at that time.

• During the 2000 Fan Kansha for the Transylvania no Mori kaiteiban, Yuuka was paired with Eri Kanda to sing "You're My Jewelry." Eri pretended that she had a picnic blanket and laid it out for Yuuka, while Yuuka sat down and Eri put her head onto her lap. Yuuka then pretended that there was a fly buzzing around them and "accidentally" slapped Eri in the face while trying to hit it.

• Yuuka sang "Just Love Wasurerarenai" in her final Fan Kansha, Mugen Gakuen (Kaiteiban).

• During the Fan Kansha for the Ankoku no Princess Black Lady kaiteiban, the Outer Senshi sang "Tekichi wa Ginga TV Kyoku!" with Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars. Nao Takagi, who was narrating the entire Fan Kansha with Yuuka and Marina Kuroki, commented that "Kappa" looked sexy when posing with Yuuko Hosaka. There was laughter from the others in response to that comment, and Yuuka told Nao to be quiet.

• During the Fan Kansha for the Ankoku no Princess Black Lady kaiteiban, Nao Takagi was paired with Nagisa Adaniya to sing "Gondola no Koibito-tachi." Nao could be heard apologizing to Yuuka, and while Nao was singing with Nagisa, Yuuka popped out from a trapdoor and pouted.