Atsuko Sakuraba

Biography

Atsuko Sakuraba (桜庭 あつこ, Sakuraba Atsuko; real name Akiko Kanari (金成 亜希子, Kanari Akiko) born on (1976-03-29)March 29, 1976) is a former Japanese gravure idol, tarento, actress and one-time mixed martial arts fighter. Sakuraba has appeared in several photobooks, films, and TV series. She also participated in the MMA tournament ReMix World Cup 2000.

== Biography ==

=== Background === Sakuraba was born (1976-03-29)March 29, 1976 in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan. She graduated from the Koriyama Women's University Associated Senior High School.

=== Modeling and acting career ===

Sakuraba debuted in 1996 with the photobook Yume de Ippai (夢でいっぱい; Full of dreams) published by gravure publisher Scola. She began to appear on TV programs and in gravure videos the same year. She made her acting debut in 1997 in the V-Cinema film Bichichi Daisakusen Miss Spy (美乳大作戦 メスパイ, bichichi daisakusen mesupai), directed by Minoru Kawasaki. Sakuraba was romantically linked to Kenji Haga, her partner in the 1999 film Silver (directed by Takashi Miike) but it was later believed to be a publicity stunt. In 1999, Sakuraba appeared in her first nude photobook titled Careyes and published by Roux Shuppan. Her first theatrical film was Waru also directed by Takashi Miike. Sakuraba has also participated in theatre. On January 14, 2012, she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, and on January 17, she announced her marriage.

== Publications ==

=== Photobooks === Yume de Ippai (夢でいっぱい; Full of dreams), Scola, ISBN 978-4-7962-0390-6, May 1996 (1996-05) in the room, Scola, ISBN 978-4-7962-0453-8, September 1997 (1997-09) Careyes, Roux Shuppan, ISBN 978-4-89778-083-2, June 1999 (1999-06) Ultimate Hunter: Guardless 4, Takeshobo, ISBN 978-4-8124-0770-7, July 2001 (2001-07)

=== Videos === Sakuraba Atsuko: Kakeru kita Megami (桜庭あつこ 駈けてきた女神), Scola, ISBN 978-4-7962-3067-4, June 1996 (1996-06) Sakuraba Atsuko: Body Conscious (桜庭あつこ　ボディコンシャス, sakuraba atsuko bodei konshasu), Eichi Publishing, ISBN 978-4-7542-6634-9, JAN 1902874032381, October 1997 (1997-10) Careyes: Atsuko Sakuraba, SVC, ISBN 978-4-88288-415-6, JAN 1920876028009, October 1999 (1999-10) Ultimate Hunter: Guardless 4 (VHS), Takeshobo, JAN 4985914111393, July 19, 2001 (2001-07-19) Ultimate Hunter: Guardless 4 (DVD), Takeshobo, JAN 4985914118057, August 21, 2001 (2001-08-21)