Megumi Odaka


Megumi Odaka, is a former Japanese idol, actress and singer. She is best known for the role of Miki Saegusa in six Godzilla films from 1989 to 1995.

Biography

Megumi Odaka was born on May 9, 1972 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. She graduated from Horikoshi High School. Odaka is the niece of actress Mayumi Shimizu. While in junior high school, Odaka suffered from a stomach illness and low blood pressure.
After winning the in 1987, where she took place with 1984 winner Yasuko Sawaguchi, Odaka made her film debut as the blind girl Akeno in the film Princess of the Moon. The following, year she won a Japanese Academy Award for "Rookie of the Year" for her performance in this film. In 1988, she starred in the TV series Hana no Asuka-gumi! as Asuka Kuraku along with Natsuki Ozawa and Hikari Ishida, based on a manga series about a 14-year-old delinquent girl.

Godzilla series

After playing roles in a number of TV series, Odaka landed the role of Miki Saegusa in Godzilla vs. Biollante in 1989. Toho was impressed with her acting skills and she reprised her role in the following installment and the rest of the Heisei Series. Prior to assuming the role, Odaka had never seen a Godzilla film, and was initially scared of the Godzilla suit until she befriended suit performer Kenpachiro Satsuma.
Odaka was one of the few actors to play the same role in more than one original Japanese release of a Godzilla film.

Music career

Odaka also had a short singing career from 1988 to 1991, which spawned six singles and the two albums, Milky Cotton and Powder Snow. She also acted in several stage productions such as "Anne no aijou" aka "Anne's Love" or "Anne's Affection" in 1991, "Kiki's Delivery Service" in 1995, "Peter Pan" in 1996 and "Yana no ue no Violin-jiki" in 1994, 1996, and 1998.

Retirement

In 2000, Odaka declined a role in a stage adaptation of Phoenix at the Osaka Shochikuza due to her illnesses. She then left Toho and announced her retirement.
Odaka was not heard from until September 25, 2010, when she recorded a message for the. Since her retirement, she took several jobs such as office work and cosmetics sales.

Personal life

Odaka is married to actor and director. Since 2012, Odaka has participated as an actress and assistant director in Ugajin's theater class.

Filmography

Film

Singles