Recently, photos and footage from 1999 began circulating again online. The images showed the day Ryoko Hirosue arrived at Waseda University to attend her entrance orientation, but the scene looked nothing like a normal school day. Instead, more than 1,000 students and reporters reportedly gathered around her, creating a chaotic atmosphere that looked more like a red carpet event than a university campus.

The resurfaced moment quickly caught attention because it perfectly captured the peak of “Ryoko Hirosue fever,” a period when the actress and singer was one of the most beloved young stars in Japan.

The “Last Beautiful Girl Of The 20th Century”

Born in 1980, Ryoko Hirosue began working in entertainment during the 1990s and quickly gained recognition in both music and acting. During her prime, she was regarded as one of Japan’s most adored “pure beauty” icons. Her innocent, flawless image was so powerful that Japanese media gave her the nickname “the last beautiful girl of the 20th century.”

Her fresh visuals, clear charm, and natural star aura helped her become a cultural phenomenon. The fact that even her university entrance day could attract such a huge crowd shows how intense her popularity was at the time.

Her Acting Career Made Her A Household Name

Ryoko Hirosue appeared in many dramas and films throughout her career. On television, she first took leading roles in 1997 with Mokuyou no Kaidan ’97 and Beach Boys. After that, she continued acting steadily, appearing in at least one project almost every year.

Her most recent leading drama role was in Naomi and Kanako, released in 2016. From then until 2023, she continued appearing in supporting roles, proving her long-lasting presence in the industry. In film, Ryoko Hirosue made her leading debut with 20th Century Nostalgia. In 1999, she starred in Secret, a movie adapted from Keigo Higashino’s famous novel Naoko.

Like her television career, her filmography remained active for decades, with her latest film project also released in 2023. Even after her youth-icon era, Ryoko Hirosue continues to receive praise for her beauty and aura. Fans often point out that while she is no longer the teenage star who once caused chaos at Waseda University, she still carries a graceful and elegant presence.

Recently, Ryoko Hirosue has also been preparing plans to return to music. According to information reported by Today Line, she is expected to hold 3 concert nights for audiences in Tokyo.

Sources: K14