# Yui Asaka

Yui Asaka (浅香 唯, Asaka Yui, born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese singer, idol and actress. She debuted with the single "Natsu Shojo" in 1985 under Warner Music Japan, and made her acting debut with main role in the third series of Sukeban Deka in 1987.

## Biography

Yui was born in Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan, and later attended Nakano High School. In 1984, she was the Grand Prix Winner for a Young Girls Comics Magazine. Yui was featured as the main character of the comic "Shooting Star". A year later, she debuted as a singer with the single Natsu Shoujo. Up until the end of 1986, Asaka enjoyed a moderately successful career as a singer and an idol.
Her fame grew when she starred in the third series of cult TV Show Sukeban Deka in 1987. In 1989, she starred as the heroine of popular manga Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl in its 1989 live movie adaptation. Capitalising on this exposure, Asaka started to write her own songs, starting with the single "Self Control".
In 1993, problems arose when her management began limiting her rights concerning her stage name (Yui Asaka). Asaka decided to temporarily withdraw from the limelight and took a break from show business. Her former label Hummingbird was acquired by Warner Music Japan the following year. She returned to the music scene in 1997 as Yui (not to be confused with another Japanese singer called Yui). Soon after, Asaka reconciled with her agency and was allowed to perform under the name "Yui Asaka" once more. Asaka decided to focus on her acting career, frequently appearing in Japanese TV dramas and variety shows (see full discography below).
In 2020, she released her first digital single Light a Shine. Coinciding with its release, it would be the first time in fifteen years that she released new music. In 2022, music from her idol years has been added to the music streaming services.

## Discography

As of 2023, Asaka released 14 original albums, 5 compilation albums, 25 physical singles, 1 digital single and 6 home-video releases.

### Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Crystal Eyes | Released: February 21, 1986 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Star Lights | Released: February 28, 1987 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 8 |
| Candid Girl | Released: June 1, 1988 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 3 |
| Herstory | Released: December 1, 1988 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 3 |
| Melody Fair | Released: March 1, 1989 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download | 2 |
| Pride | Released: November 11, 1989 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 7 |
| Nude Songs | Released: February 28, 1990 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 4 |
| Open Your Eyes:　Nude Songs　Vol.2 | Released: July 4, 1990 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 10 |
| No Lookin' Back | Released: December 5, 1990 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 10 |
| Glass no Miyako | Released: August 21, 1991 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download | 23 |
| Stay | Released: February 26, 1992 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 28 |
| Joker | Released: August 21, 1992 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 47 |
| Contrast | Released: February 24, 1993 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 63 |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |||

### Compilation albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Present | Released: December 1, 1987 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 4 |
| Thanks a lot | Released: February 27, 1991 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 18 |
| Single Collection | Released: November 25, 1992 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 69 |
| Asaka Yui Daizenshou | Released: November 25, 1992 Label: Warner Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Crystals: 25th Anniversary Best | Released: November 25, 1992 Label: Warner Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 236 |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |||

### Live albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Anniversary 2824 | Released: December 1, 1993 Label: Humming BirdWarner Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| 1989.8.23 Yui Asaka Special Live in Osaka | Released: June 21, 2022 Label: Warner Formats: digital download, streaming | - |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |||

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Formats |
| Year | Single | JPN Physical | Formats |
| 1985 | "Natsu Shoujo" （夏少女） | 120 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1985 | "Futari no Moon River" （ふたりのMoon River） | 105 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1986 | "Yappashi...H!" （ヤッパシ…H!） | 111 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1986 | "Complex Banzai!!" （コンプレックスBanzai!!） | 121 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1986 | "10gatsu no Christmas" （10月のクリスマス） | 88 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1987 | "Star" | 9 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1987 | "Hitomi ni Storm" （瞳にStorm） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1987 | "Niji no Dreamer" （虹のDreamer） | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1987 | "Remember" （with Onishi Yuka and Nakamura Yuma) | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1988 | "Believe Again" | 2 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1988 | "C-Girl" | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1988 | "Cecile" （セシル） | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1988 | "Melody" | 2 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1989 | "True Love" | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1989 | "Neverland ~ Yawara! Main Theme" （Neverland～Yawara!メインテーマ～） | 2 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1989 | "Koi no Rock n' Roll Circus" （恋のロックンロール・サーカス） | 4 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1989 | "Dream Power" | 3 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1990 | "Chance!" | 7 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1990 | "Boyfriend wo Tsukurou" （ボーイフレンドをつくろう） | 10 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1990 | "Self Control" | 13 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1991 | "Koi no Upside-Dow" （恋のUpside-Down） | 32 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1992 | "Itoshii Hito to Nemuritai" （愛しい人と眠りたい） | 42 | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1993 | "Hitori" （ひとり） | - | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1997 | "Ring Ring Ring" | 129 | CD |
| 1998 | "Bukiyou na Tenshi" （器用な天使） | - | CD |
| 2005 | "Egao no Watashi" （笑顔の私） | 196 | CD |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart ||||

### Digital single

| Year | Single | Reference |
| 2021 | "Light a Shine: Tsuki Wa Zutto Miteiru" | |

### Home video

List of home-video releases, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Only Yui | Released: July 3, 1987 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Candid Girl | Released: July 1, 1988 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Fun!Fan!Fun! Yui Graffiti | Released: January 1, 1989 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| Rock n' Roll Circus'89 Asaka Yui Sparkling Live | Released: December 16, 1989 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Self Control | Released: November 18, 1990 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| Yui Asaka Live 2020: Happy Birthday 35th Anniversary | Released: November 18, 1990 Label: Warner Formats: Blu-ray | - |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

## Filmography
### Dramas

* 1985 : Ikkyuusan
* 1987 : Sukeban Deka III: Shoujo Ninpou Chou Denki
* 1988 : Kanou Juuban Shoubu!
* 1990 : AD Boogie
* 1991 : Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari
* 1992 : Saimon Selection
* 1992 : Nani mo Ienakute
* 1999 : Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari '99 Aki no Tokubetsuhen "Wafuku no Shoujo"
* 2000 : Tadaima Manshitsu
* 2000 : Quiz
* 2000 : Kyoto Gion Irimuko Keijijikenbo 6
* 2001 : Handoc!!!
* 2002 : Kamaitachi no Yoru
* 2003 : Satsujin Roke
* 2004 : Rikon Yoteibi
* 2005 : Mama! I Love You
* 2006 : Virus Panic 2006 Natsu -Machi wa Kansenshita-
* 2011 : Taira no Kiyomori

### Films

* 1987: Sukeban Deka: The Movie
* 1988: Sukeban Deka: Kazama San Shimai no Gyakushū
* 1989: YAWARA!
* 2001: Dosaken Mahjong Jigoku
* 2010: Kurosawa Eiga