Minamino Yoko

If there was to be a written history on Japanese Idols, "Nanno" would definitely be there (and in the foreword!). Her long career started out in the mid 1980s and she was propelled to the front page with her casting as Saki Asamiya II in the TV series "Sukeban Deka II". The action/drama series also starred Haruko Sagara and Onyanko Club member Akie Yoshizawa. Nanno's ability to play a wide variety of characters from action heroines to traditional Edo era roles and her cute voice gathered her a very big, strong and loyal following. She followed Sukeban Deka with the movie "Haikarasan ga Toru" which featured a very catchy song title song of the same name. Her trademark little mole on her chin helped to stand out of the crowd a bit too.

Her popularity landed her a co-host spot on the "Young Special 101" variety show with master saxophonist Malta for about a season.

Nanno produced many hits songs such as "Hazukashisugite", "Rakuen no Door", "Aki no Indication", "Haikara san ga Toru", "Troublemaker" and "Henna no!". She even wrote a few of them, like "Natsu no Obakasan". She still goes on strong as an actress. Nanno, Nanno!