Miramax Films
If you’ve seen “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” then you remember that scene with Gogo Yubari, played by Japanese actor Chiaki Kuriyama. She uses a Chinese weapon known as a meteor hammer to fight Uma Thurman’s character, the Bride (revealed in the sequel to be named Beatrix). Gogo dominates the battle until Beatrix is able to grab a broken chair leg with nails sticking out, which she ultimately rams into Gogo’s head, making her cry blood and die.
The character, who dressed in a schoolgirl uniform to give off an aura of innocence (though she was anything but), became a cosplay fave for fans for years after the film’s 2003 release. A Gogo costume is even among Megan Fox’s most inappropriate outfits. With Gogo’s blunt fringe (aka the best bang type for thick hair), schoolgirl outfit with red tie, and meteor hammer on a chain, it’s an easily recognizable look for those in the know. However, what’s unrecognizable today from the world of “Kill Bill”? The actor who played her, 41-year-old Chiaki Kuriyama.
Kill Bill star Chiaki Kuriyama is stunning today
Jun Sato/Getty
Director Quentin Tarantino has previously noted that one of his favorite movies is the 2000 Japanese film “Battle Royale,” which Chiaki Kuriyama starred in, hence why he approached her to be part of his “Kill Bill” cast. Prior to that, she had built a reputation in Japan through modeling as a child in the ’90s. After portraying Gogo Yubari, she continued acting in films, but also in many Japanese TV series, including a leading role in a Japanese version of “CSI” called “CSI: Crime Scene Talks.”
Is she still rocking her thick Gogo fringe? Not as of March 2024 at age 39, when she hit the red carpet at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo, Japan. In fact, she hadn’t been seen on any major red carpets with the schoolgirl hairstyle for a decade. She also cut off her long locks in favor of a layered, chin-length look, which is a flattering bob cut for women in their 40s. At the awards ceremony, she looked elegant in a floor-length, body-skimming gown, but added some edge to the look with vampy lipstick, slicked-back hair, multiple ear piercings, and symmetrical wrist cuffs. We think Gogo would approve.