Anime News

Singer Minako Honda Dies
Date: 11/7/2005
The popular Japanese singer / musician and actress Minako Honda died in Japan on the sixth of complications related to acute myelogenous leukemia. She was widely known for her leading role in the musical "Miss Saigon". She was 38 years old. Her funeral will take place in Asaka City on the ninth. She debuted in 1985 with "Vacation Of Murderous Intent" and won the Japan Record Grand Prix rookie of the year award. Honda played lead roles in musicals including "Les Miserables", "Fiddler On The Roof", and "The King And I". She was diagnosed in January of this year with leukemia and had been hospitalized. Chemotherapy etc. was effective, and she was relesased to go home at the end of July. However, after a relapse in September, she was hospitalized again. To anime fans she was known for theme song contributions to Ashita No Nadja, Hunter X Hunter and Magic Knight Rayearth 2.
Source: Anime News Service