Yumi Takigawa

3.2.1. Film

Takigawa's filmography includes over 50 titles, spanning various genres and roles. Following her debut in School of the Holy Beast (1974), where she played the lead Maya Takigawa and performed nude scenes, she quickly took on diverse roles. In 1975, she appeared in action films such as Champion of Death and Karate Bearfighter, both starring Sonny Chiba, and portrayed Chieko Ishikawa, a heroine heading towards ruin, in Graveyard of Honor. She also featured in The Bullet Train as an SAS Staff member, Port of Yoko, Yokohama, Yokosuka as Noriko Kuboki, and Zoku Ai to Makoto as Yuki Takahara.

In 1976, she starred as Nami Matsushima in New Female Prisoner Scorpion 701, taking over the lead role from Meiko Kaji in the Female Prisoner Scorpion series, though critics noted she did not exhibit the same intense individuality as Kaji. She also appeared in Explosion! Violent Game as Yuki Kazama. Other notable film roles include Akogare (1977), Troubleman Warau to Korosu Zo (1979), and significant roles in disaster films like Earthquake Archipelago (1980) as Tomiko Ashida and the science fiction film Virus (1980) as Noriko Asami.

Her later film work includes Sukkari... Sono Ki de! (1981), El O V Ai N G (1983), One-Winged Angel (1986), Freeter (1987), Orgel (1989) as Shizuko Kubo, and Another Harajuku Story (1990). She took on a leading role as Tokuko Ayanokoji in Murder ga Ippai (1991). She also appeared in The Triple Cross (1992) as Misato, The Man Who Killed the Boss (1994) as Masayo Toba, and Ashita (1995) as Mitsuko Morishita. Takigawa reprised her long-running television role as Hisae Hasegawa in Onihei Hankachō Theatrical Version (1995). Further film appearances include GONIN2 (1996) as Yoko Toyama, Kaze no Katami (1996) as Kita no Kata, Ladies MAX Give me a Shake (1997), Financial Corruption Archipelago: The Curse (1999) as Nobue Aoki, and Empress SUPER QUEEN (2001) as Mariko Tachibana. She played Harue Morohashi in Sensen Fukoku (2002). In the 2000s, she appeared in Veronica Decides to Die (2006) as Kyoko, and Hare Tara Pop na Boku no Seikatsu (2006) as Chie. She also appeared in Nanase Futatabi Prologue (2010) as Nanase Hita's mother, Kuhana! (2016), and Kanon (2016) as Tatsuko Kishimoto.

3.2.2. Television

Takigawa's television career is extensive, marked by her presence in various drama series, including major roles in NHK's prestigious Taiga dramas and Asadoras. After 1976, she gradually shifted her focus towards television work. She attempted to transfer from Toei to Mifune Productions, a move that took two years due to initial resistance from Toei's Shigeru Okada. In 1978, she famously refused to perform a nude scene requested by director Kirio Urayama for the television drama Kiga Kaikyō, leading to her departure from the project. She later acknowledged some responsibility, admitting she had not fully understood the script before filming.

Her notable television roles include:

• Michikusa (1974, Fuji TV)
• Birdie Daisakusen (1974, TBS) as Noriko Asari
• Ushiro no Shōmen (1975, TV Asahi)
• Shinjuku Keisatsu (1975-1976, Fuji TV) as Toshiko Negoro
• Oretachi no Tabi (1975, NTV) as Keiko Miura
• Igokochi Manten (1976, TBS) as Kazumi Sasaki
• Kawachi Mandara (1977, NHK) as Yoshie
• Aki Nikki (1977, NTV)
• Ningen no Shōmei (1978, MBS) as Noriko Tachibana
• Seishun no Shōmei (1978, MBS)
• Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbō (1978-1979, KTV) as Okuni, her final role as a Toei exclusive actress.
• Shibafu wa Midori (1979, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting) as the lead Nanase Hita.
• Oretachi wa Tenshi da! (1979, NTV) as YUKO, a cool yet comical secretary.
• Shōnen Drama Series Nanase Futatabi (1979, NHK) as the lead Nanase Hita, a role that became a hit and captivated young audiences. She later played Nanase Hita's mother in Nanase Futatabi Prologue (2010).
• Seishun Shokun! (1979-1980, TBS) as Izumi Kawada.
• Fūjin no Mon (1980, NHK) as Oki-dono.
• Aishii Onna (1980, NTV) as the lead Rumi Kaminaga, for which she also sang the theme song.
• Ginga Drama Kagami no Naka no Onna (1981, NHK) as the lead Michiko.
• Mokuyōza series (MBS): Bishō Tenshi (1981) as the lead Yuko Tajima, also singing the theme song; Itsuka Tasogare no Machi de (1981) as the lead Kyoko Izumi; and Dareka ga Watashi o Aishiteru (1983) as the lead Izumi Terazawa.
• The Suspense Hit Song Satsujin Jiken Onna ga Utau Toki Hito ga Shinu (1982, TBS).
• Hiraiwa Yumie Drama Series Kosui Matsuri (1983-1984, Fuji TV) as the lead Yukie Furukawa.
• Nagareboshi Sakichi (1984, KTV) as Tae.
• Tadaima Zekkōchō! (1985, TV Asahi).
• Abare Kyūan (1985, KTV) as Oharu.
• Hokori no Hōshū (1985, NTV) as Keiko Wajima.
• Chūshingura (1985) as Aguri (Yōsen-in).
• Kinyō Drama Kinyōbi ni wa Hana o Katte (1986, TBS) as Kazue Kiyosawa.
• Kayō Suspense Gekijō (NTV): Hikisakareru Hakui (1986), Kyokō no Kūro (1987), Giwaku (1989), and Akai Coat no Onna (1990).
• Kyoto Karugamo Byōin (1987, TV Asahi) as Yumi.
• Mito Kōmon (1987, CAL) as Tae.
• Drama Onna no Shuki Matsu Onna ni Amai Yūwaku (1987, TV Tokyo).
• Tabaruzaka (1987).
• Ai no Gekijō (TBS): Kokoro Gawari (1988) and Eien no 1/2 (2000) as Midori Muroi.
• Onihei Hankachō Series (1989-2007, Fuji TV) as Hisae Hasegawa, a long-running and significant role.
• Onna Ninja Kagerō-gumi series (TV Tokyo), where she starred as Kagerō in Onna Ninja Kagerō-gumi Ni (1990) and Onna Ninja Kagerō-gumi San (1991).
• Utsukushii Uso Tsukemasu ka (1990, TV Asahi).
• Hadaka no Taishō Hōrōki (1990, KTV).
• Kanei Fūunroku (1991) as Sawa.
• Yagyū Bugeichō Jūbei Abare Tabi Date Rokujūnimankoku no Inbō (1992) as Mine.
• Doyō Wide Gekijō (TV Asahi): France Gourmet Satsujin Jiken (1987), Matsumoto Seichō Sakka Katsudō 40-nen Kinen Drama Special Ichi-nen Han Mate (1991) as the lead Satoko Sumura, Matsumoto Seichō Special Shodō Kyōju (1995) as Hisako Katsumura, Tensai Kōzu Kyōsuke no Satsujin Suiri 1 (1997) as Reiko Shirasaka, Takahashi Hideki no Senchō Series 11 (1999) as Michiyo Matsuyama, Kaseifu wa Mita! 18 (2000) as Reiko Hanabusa, Hanayome no Sakebi (2008), Kyoto Satsujin Annai 32 (2010) as Miwa Kudo, Ghostwriter no Satsujin Shuzai 2 (2015) as Etsuko Otaki, Omiyasan Special (2016) as Utako Ogasawara, and Shūchakueki no Ushio Keiji VS Jiken Kisha Saeko Morioka Seichō no Last Family (2017) as Sanae Sakita.
• Shinjuku Same Mugen Ningyō (1995, NHK) as Keiko Kagawa.
• Kindaichi Kōsuke no Kessaku Suiri Norowareta Mizuumi (1996, TBS) as Akiko Shiga.
• Shōta no Sushi (1996, Fuji TV) as Yachiyo Ōtori.
• Chūshingura (1996, Fuji TV) as Ukihashi Dayū.
• Nanamagarisho Sōsa Ikka (1997, NTV) as Detective Ryoko Shimada.
• Minamimachi Bugyō Jikenchō Ikare! Kyūma II (1999, CAL) as Osei.
• Rokubanme no Sayoko (2000, NHK) as Chika Sekine.
• Onna to Ai to Mystery Tenshi no Kizukon (2001, TV Tokyo) as Fumiyo Kinugawa.
• Wakaresaseya (2001, YTV) as Kazuyo Otani.
• Matsumoto Seichō Suspense Tokubetsu Kikaku Kiri no Hata (2003, TBS) as Keiko Kōno.
• Koinu no Waltz (2004, NTV) as Atsumi Sakaki.
• Kinyō Entertainment Jigoku no Hanayome 5 (2004, Fuji TV) as Kayoko Ogawa.
• Suiyō Mystery 9 (TV Tokyo): Sasurai Shochō Kazama Shōhei 3 (2005) as Haruko Yoshioka, Meiken Hoover no Jikenbo (2008) as Sayuri Yamada, and Chūzai Keiji 2 (2015) as Shizuko Miyahara.
• Meibugyō! Ōoka Echizen (2006, TV Asahi) as Omon.
• Natsugumo Agare (2007, NHK) as Oyo no Kata.
• The Family (2007, TBS) as Shino Tsuruta.
• Getsuyō Golden (TBS): Manbiki G-Men Nikaidō Yuki 15 (2007) as Hisako Kanda, Bengoshi Takamizawa Kyōko 10 (2009) as Michiko Kamiya, Yorozuya Chōbei no Sumidagawa Jiken File 2 (2010) as Chigusa Yamadomi, and Setagaya Chūzai Keiji 1 (2012) as Akiko Narita.
• Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki Tokugawa Fūunroku Hachidai Shōgun Yoshimune (2008, TV Tokyo).
• Kansa Hōjin (2008, NHK) as Keiko Shibata.
• Shin Keishichō Sōsa Ikka 9-gakari (2009, TV Asahi).
• Kinyō Prestige (Fuji TV): Yamamura Misa Suspense Akai Reikyūsha Series 24 (2009) as Mihoko Yoshioka, Shokatsu Keiji 6 (2011) as Satoko Narumi, Totsugawa Sōsa Han 8 (2014) as Michi Taketomi, and Gekai Hatomura Shūgorō 12 (2014) as Marie Hirakata.
• Kiryūin Hanako no Shōgai (2010, TV Asahi) as Uta Hayashida.
• Asami Mitsuhiko Series Ki Reitō (2011, Fuji TV) as Tomoko Tada.
• Suzuko no Koi (2012, Tokai TV) as Hana Saito.
• 3.11 Sono Hi, Ishinomaki de Nani ga Okita no ka ~ 6-mai no Kabe Shinbun (2012, NTV).
• Koi Nante Zeitaku ga Watashi ni Ochitekuru no Darō ka? (2012, Fuji TV TWO) as Mariko Takaraike.
• Kyoto Chiken no Onna Season 8 (2012, TV Asahi) as Hiroko Gotō.
• Kumo no Kaidan (2013, NTV) as Yoshie Tasaka.
• Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi Namida no Jikenbo (2013, TV Tokyo) as Sawako Kan.
• SAKURA ~ Jiken o Kiku Onna ~ (2014, TBS) as Kumiko Nabeshima.
• Garasu no Ashi (2015, WOWOW) as Ritsuko Fujishima.
• Keiji Ballerino (2016, NTV) as Kazue Odaka.
• Ōfuku Shokan ~ Jūgo-nen Go no Hoshū (2016, TBS) as Yuri Ōshima.
• Aibō Season 14 (2016, TV Asahi) as Mariko Kirishima.
• Iryū Sōsa (2017, TV Asahi) as Shizuko Tōjō.
• Double Fantasy (2018, WOWOW).
• Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru (2018, Fuji TV) as Yurie Ōkōchi.
• Okashina Keiji 24 (2020, TV Asahi) as Mitsue Nakagawa.
• Love Phantom (2021, MBS) as Aoi Hase.
• Come Come Everybody (2022, NHK) as the elderly Yukie Kizima, marking her first appearance in an Asadora.
• Watashi no Takaramono (2024, Fuji TV) as Kazumi Natsuno.

Takigawa has also been a consistent presence in NHK's Taiga drama series:

• Kaze to Kumo to Niji to (1976) as Kogō, the lover of Taira no Masakado.
• Kusa Moeru (1979) as Otowa.
• Tōge no Gunzō (1982) as Sora Takeshima.
• Sanga Moyu (1984) as Emi (Hatanaka) Amo.
• Honō Tatsu (1993-1994) as Sara.
• Kōmyō ga Tsuji (2006) as Kinu.

3.2.3. Stage Performances

Takigawa has also performed in various theatrical productions. Her stage roles include:

• Sasameyuki as Yukiko, the third daughter.
• Yumechiyo Nikki
• Kiken na Double Cast
• Yokohama Don Taku
• Haru ni Shite Kimi o Hanare
• Bangiku
• Haru o Matsu Ie
• Kyūtei Nyokan Jang Geum no Chikai
• Kindai Nōgaku-shū "Aya no Tsuzumi" "Yoroboshi"
• Ōoku (2010, Meijiza)
• Shukushuku to Unshin (2022, PARCO Theatre, Morinomiya Piloti Hall)

3.4.1. Commercials (CMs)

Takigawa has appeared in numerous commercials for various products and brands, including:

• Akita Meijō "Bishuranman"
• Toyota "Vista"
• Schwarzkopf Henkel
• Kagome "Tomato & Lemon"
• Tokai "Vesta"
• Tsumura
• Japan Supplement "Peptide Ace"
• Meiji Dairy (now Meiji) "Pizza & Pizza"
• Kao "Biore u The body" (2021, co-starring with Riki Chōshū, Kanna Hashimoto, and Kei Tanaka)

3.4.2. Variety Shows

She has been a regular presence on Japanese variety shows, serving as the second female captain on Quiz!! Hirameki Password (MBS) and hosting All-Star Gekitotsu Quiz Atatte Kudakero! (TBS) and Megalopolis Kayōsai. She also served as a judge on Beat Takeshi's Owarai Ultra Quiz (NTV) and appeared on Quiz! Nō Bell Show (BS Fuji) and in skits on Tunnels no Minasan no Okage Desu (Fuji TV).

3.4.3. Radio Personality

Takigawa hosted NISSAN Midnight Station Yumi Takigawa Gogo 0-ji no Koibito on TBS Radio from April to September 1981. She also appeared as a guest on Saegusa desu Radio de Ohayou ABC on ABC Radio.

3.4.4. Travel Programs

In 2014, she featured in the travel program Yumi Takigawa and Hanako's Tohoku Full Enjoyment! Two-Person Trip on BS Asahi, alongside her daughter Hanako Takigawa.