Ryoko Hirosue __link__ Today

: A complex drama where she played a daughter whose body is inhabited by her mother's spirit, earning her a Best Actress nomination at the Japanese Academy Awards. Recent Events & Career Status

But it was 1998 that would define her as a "cultural icon." She released her debut single, MELODY , and appeared in the high school drama GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) . Playing Tomoko Nomura, the sweet, abused student with a crush on Onizuka, captured the hearts of an entire nation. Her chemistry with Takashi Sorimachi was so electric that the show became a massive hit, cementing her status as the "ideal younger sister" or "ideal student" of Japan. ryoko hirosue

Many wrote her obituary. The "Eternal Smile" seemed broken. : A complex drama where she played a