Yakkun Sakurazuka

Yasuo Saitō (斎藤 恭央, Saitō Yasuo, September 24, 1976 – October 5, 2013), also known by the stage name Yakkun Sakurazuka (桜塚 やっくん, Sakurazuka Yakkun), was a Japanese comedian, singer, and voice actor.

Biography

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, he made his singing debut in 2006, and subsequently released six singles, including "Geki Maji Mukatsuku", "1000% So Zakune", and "ChristMaster".

Before he officially changed his name, he was in a comedic duo with Kōsuke Takeuchi; their skit was called "Abare Nanchaku" (Raging Nunchucks).

He was also known as Sukeban Kyoko—a persona characterized as a delinquent schoolgirl always seen carrying a shinai bamboo sword. He appeared in the TV comedy show Enta no Kami-sama, a comedy show.

In 2010, he launched a band, in which the members all cross-dressed.

Death

Saito died after being involved in a traffic accident on October 5, 2013, aged 37, on the Chugoku Expressway in Mine, Yamaguchi, while en route to a concert in Kumamoto Prefecture. He was hit by another car and killed when exiting his car after a slight collision.