:Yakkun Sakurazuka

Saitō was born in Kanagawa Prefecture to Mitsuru and Misao Saitō on 24 September 1976.{{cite web|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/smt/f/geinou_tokuho/hot/?id=hot_20131006_220|title=《続報》やっくんと対面の両親、悲しみの帰宅...|date=2013-10-06|publisher=tv Asahi|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} He had a younger brother named Masashi{{cite web|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/smt/f/geinou_tokuho/hot/?id=hot_20131008_100|title=やっくん、斎場へ向け実家を出発|date=2013-10-08|publisher=TV Asahi|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20131006-1200575.html|title=桜塚やっくんの兄「きれいな顔してた」|date=2013-10-06|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} and graduated from Nihon University's College of Art.{{cite web|url=https://www.j-cast.com/2013/10/06185536.html|title=桜塚やっくんが交通事故死 中国自動車道下り線で|date=2013-10-06|publisher=J Cast|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} As a teenager, he was an active Johnny's member.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyzowoman.com/2011/04/post_3381_1.html|title=元ジャニーズJr.は極秘情報？ 桜塚やっくん以外にもいる、元Jr.|date=2011-04-01|publisher=cyzowoman|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}}

In 1999, Saitō formed a comedy duo called Abare Nunchaku with fellow up-and-coming comedian Kosuke Takeuchi. The team broke up in 2005, but they reunited in 2006 on the show Enta no kami-sama, where Saitō appeared for the first time as Sukeban Kyoko, a delinquent schoolgirl always seen carrying shinai bamboo sword.{{cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/05/what-is-japans-fetish-this-week-male-daughters/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529153824/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/05/what-is-japans-fetish-this-week-male-daughters/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2011|title=What Is Japan's Fetish This Week? Male Daughters|date=2011-05-27|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=2021-08-16|language=en}} He appeared as Sukeban on Quiz $ Millionaire in 2007,{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/394503/tv/p/7/|title=桜塚やっくんのTV出演情報|date=n.d.|publisher=Oricon|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} where he answered incorrectly in the final round, decreasing his earnings from ¥10,000,000 to ¥1,000,000.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

He made his musical debut in 2006 with the release of the single Geki Maji Mukatsuku. By the time of his death, he had released seven albums: Gekimajimukatsuku, 1000% SO Zakune?, Christmaster, Doonacchattendayo, Kaisou Rasputin, Sakura Revolution, and Aserunda Joshi Ha Itsumo Medatanai K.{{cite web|url=https://recochoku.jp/artist/2000009010/single?sort=seller|title=桜塚やっくん|date=n.d.|publisher=Recochoku|access-date=2021-08-16|language=ja}} He also sang with the band Bijomen Z, a musical group where all its members dressed as women.

As a voice actor, Saitō starred in shows such as Detective Conan and Inazuma Eleven, sometimes using the stage name Hiromi Ueda. {{citation needed|date=August 2021}} He published his first book, 桜塚やっくんの都市伝説工場 (Cleavage or, literally, Urban Legend Factory), in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://beauty.oricon.co.jp/news/56256/full/|title=桜塚やっくん、自身初の単行本で"谷間くっきり"ヌード披露|date=2008-07-25|publisher=Oricon|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}}

In 2011, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department contacted Saitō regarding the alleged rape of a drunk college student in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Real_Live_4389/|title=書類送検されていた桜塚やっくん ささやかれる突然の独立と事件の関係|date=2011-03-25|publisher=excite news|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} He denied the accusations.{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20110326-753047.html|title=桜塚やっくん準強姦完全否定 法的措置も|date=2011-03-26|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}} It was later reported that a settlement had been reached between Saitō and the woman.{{cite web|url=https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20110331_16318.html?DETAIL|title=警察に抗議文を送った桜塚やっくん 一転強気になった理由|date=2011-03-31|publisher=News Post Seven|access-date=2021-08-17|language=ja}}

Saitō was killed 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 colliding with the median.{{cite news|title= Comedian Yakkun killed on highway|date= 7 October 2013| newspaper = The Japan Times|publisher= The Japan Times Limited|page=2|location= Japan|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/06/national/comedian-yakkun-killed-on-highway/#.UlIGIxC8H5c|access-date= 7 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2013/10/05/yakkun_sakuraduka_twitter_n_4051559.html|title=桜塚やっくん事故死 Twitterで愛犬シェリーにメッセージ「またすぐに迎えに来るからね」永遠の別れに【訃報】|date=2013-10-06|publisher=Huffington Post Japan|access-date=2021-08-16|language=ja}}

• The Cabin in the Woods (Marty Mikalski (Fran Kranz)){{cite web |url= https://www.thecinema.jp/vod/cabin-movie/|title= キャビン|access-date= January 4, 2023|work= The Cinema}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|3147853}}
• [http://ameblo.jp/sakurazuka/ Official blog] {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131009013015/http://www.kekke.co.jp/talent/sakuraduka.html Agency profile (Archived)] {{in lang|ja}}

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Category:1976 births

Category:2013 deaths

Category:Japanese male comedians

Category:Japanese male voice actors

Category:Male voice actors from Kumamoto Prefecture

Category:Road incident deaths in Japan

Category:Male-to-female cross-dressers

Category:20th-century Japanese musicians

Category:20th-century Japanese male singers

Category:20th-century Japanese singers