Yuko Takeuchi's Classic: 'Pride'

However, the drama that truly cemented her status as the 'Queen of Japanese Dramas' was 'Pride,' a romantic series from 2004 where she starred alongside the legendary Takuya Kimura. Adapted from the manga of the same name, the plot where the two leads sign a love contract was incredibly popular at the time, achieving a viewership rating of nearly 25%, earning her the title of 'Ratings Queen' that year. Their brilliant performances in the drama remain one of the best on-screen couples for many fans to this day.