Since being the sadistic villainess in the classic film Angel in 1988, Yukari has gathered a legion of dedicated fans that love her whether she is playing the villain or the hero. Though she has often appeared as a secondary role to some of the other femme fatales or has been stuck in some god awful low budget films, she always manages to make a big impression. Her fighting is so fluid and her acrobatic ability is second to none. In some of her films, she has shown another very impish adorable side to her nature that makes one like her all the more.

Yukari grew up in Japan idolizing kung-fu film action stars and it was her dream from an early age to act in HK films. At the age of thirteen she began studying martial arts and gymnastics. She started out in a few TV shows in Japan, but got her first break by appearing in a small but very memorable role in Sammo Hungs's film Millionaires Express. Here she is a quiet but deadly female Samurai swordswoman. She followed this with a few films in Taiwan, but her role in the groundbreaking Angel made her (along with Moon Lee) very popular. She continued with a large number of films over the next decade - some good; others not so good.

As the girls with guns genre has gone out of fashion, Yukari has unfortunately had to settle for films of questionable quality - but she continues to plug away and though her films may not look so good - Yukari always does!

These are some films that contain my favorite Yukari roles.

Here is a wonderful overview on the career of Yukari Oshima.  I think that even if you are not a Yukari or a "Girls with Guns" fan, you will find it interesting reading. There are reviews, the most complete filmography on her existing (I bet Yukari doesn't even know she is in all of these films!) and a fascinating and analytical look at her career. Thanks very much to Tim for doing this great work. Click on the image.  

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