Kirari, the actress who played Nanako Mizuki in the iconic 1998 J-drama "GTO" (Great Teacher Onizuka), recently took to Instagram to share a tough personal update: she's battling stage three cancer. In a heartfelt post, she revealed her diagnosis and shared the outpouring of support she's received from her former co-stars. She also posted precious photos with Yosuke Kubozuka, Shun Oguri, Yuta Yamazaki, and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, expressing deep gratitude for their friendship.
Kirari specifically mentioned that Yuta Yamazaki reached out to check on her, relaying that the entire "GTO" cast was worried.
"I've always been a bit introverted and shy," she wrote, clearly touched. "Yuta told me everyone was thinking of me." She reminisced about their bond during filming, noting that Yuta has been a steadfast supporter for years, his care unwavering. "Yuta is such a kind person," she added. "He not only checks in on me but also shares so much health knowledge, teaching me how to take care of myself. I've learned a lot from him."
She also extended her gratitude to all her friends and fans: "Yuta, and everyone else, I truly love you all, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!" The post immediately resonated with fans, who flooded the comments section with messages like, "This is what true friendship looks like!", "The GTO bond is truly special!", and "How lucky to have friends like these!"
Kirari first revealed in 2015 that she was taking a long break due to cervical cancer. In September 2024, she announced a recurrence and underwent surgery. However, by October, doctors discovered the cancer had spread more extensively than anticipated, leading to a second surgery in December.
This January, further tests confirmed the cancer had metastasized, leading to her stage three diagnosis. Despite the daunting challenges ahead, Kirari is showing incredible resilience, crediting the unwavering support of her friends for giving her the strength to keep fighting.
via： Instagram@kigod23