User:Petewarrior/sandbox/Yumiko Takino

Yumiko Takino (瀧野 由美子) is a Japanese singer and television personality, represented by Mama&Son. She is a member of STU48 and the center performer for the main songs in the group's first five singles, and is also known for her saxophone playing.

Biography
Takino had wanted to become an idol since she was a primary school student, but did not actively pursue that dream until she found out about STU48 since it would not be realistic to become an idol in rural areas. She moved from Yamaguchi to Hiroshima in 2016 to attend university and took the audition for STU48 in Hiroshima. On March 19, 2017, Takino passed the STU48 final audition and was accepted into the group. In a post-acceptance interview, she said that she wanted "to be in a group that makes many people feel the goodness of Setouchi."

In April, Takino was included as one of 100 members most discussed in social media in the AKB48 General Election Official Guidebook 2017, published by Kodansha. She also graced the cover of Weekly Shōnen Magazine released on May 31, becoming the fastest member to appear on a manga magazine cover among the AKB48 Group, Nogizaka46, and Keyakizaka46, 73 days after passing the audition.

Takino made her debut performance with STU48 on May 3 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, as part of the 2017 Hiroshima Flower Festival. She served as center (lead performer) for STU48's first original song "Setouchi no Koe", first performed at the Okayama Mirai Hall on June 3 and released as part of AKB48's 48th single, Negaigoto no Mochigusare. She was also the center for the title song of STU48's debut single, "Kurayami", released on November 1.

In August, Takino made her runway debut at the Kansai Collection 2017 Autumn/Winter fashion show in Osaka, appearing with other AKB48 Group members. She also appeared at the GirlsAward fashion show in September 2018, modeling for Bershka, and the TGC Kitakyushu in October 2019.

In June 2018, Takino ranked #74 in the AKB48 Senbatsu Sousenkyo, being one of only two STU48 original members to rank in along with Chiho Ishida at #99 (Nana Okada, who ranked fifth, is concurrently an AKB48 member). Both of them also took part in AKB48's performance of "Sustainable" at the 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2019.

Takino made her television series debut as the character Manji in the television drama Majimuri Gakuen, which was aired from July to September 2018 on Nippon TV. As a railway enthusiast, she hosted her first self-titled variety show about the Shinkansen,, which consisted of two episodes aired in October and December on TV Asahi. In January 2021, she started as regular reporter for the Yamaguchi Broadcasting local information show Nekketsu TV.

On March 28, 2020, during STU48's third anniversary celebration, AKB48 Group General Manager Mion Mukaichi announced that Takino has signed with the Mama&Son talent agency. The agency also represents Mukaichi herself and several former AKB48 members.

In June, Takino started her studies for university entrance in collaboration with the online prep school Tadayobi. The school's parent company, Red Queen, has also developed a series of mobile games for AKB48 and its sister groups, and parts of her tutoring sessions have been published on YouTube. She was a university student when she joined STU48, but dropped out after her fourth semester to focus on her work activities. In spring of 2022, she passed multiple university exams and enrolled in an undisclosed "prestigious" women's university.

Takino's first photobook was released on September 22, 2021, published by Kodansha. Titled, the photography took place at locations in her home prefecture of Yamaguchi, including the Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park and her actual family residence. The book sold approximately 9000 copies in its first week. In June 2022, Real Sound reported that the photobook was sold out in several online stores following an "unexpected" viewership spike in one of her Showroom live streaming sessions, and Takino later announced that a reprint has been ordered.

Takino was featured in an episode of the German documentary series Länder – Menschen – Abenteuer, lit. 'Countries, People, Adventures', on NDR Fernsehen about the San'yō Shinkansen, aired in June 2022.

Personal life
Takino first became interested in the saxophone during elementary school and played the alto saxophone in the brass bands of her middle and high school. She studied the saxophone at university and has performed with the Elisabeth University of Music ensemble. According to her, by participating in concerts, she was "able to learn not only technical skills but also the importance of friends." STU48 theater manager Manabu Yamamoto also remarked that her saxophone skills are "clearly at a professional level," and she is "a member who will increase the expectation for future activities".

Takino has an older sister and a younger brother. They own a pet dog named Anko, who appeared in her 2021 photobook. She is a railfan since childhood and collects N gauge railway models with her family. She loves the Shinkansen Iron character and recommends Setouchi visitors to ride the steam train SL Yamaguchi.

Takino is a supporter of Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Prior to becoming an idol, she has worked part-time as beer vendor at the club's home Mazda Stadium and consistently placed in the top three in sales. In 2018, she threw out a ceremonial first pitch at the same stadium as representative of STU48.