Similar to what SomethingWild is saying, I remember watching Saki Fukuda in "Life"- she played the meanest bully possible, and it was hard to like her because she was so good at playing that role.
But recently I saw Saki in "I.S.", and she played one of the most admirable characters that I have seen in a Drama, so both roles proved what a fine actress Saki was back then, and is today.
With Emi, the first time that I saw her was in 2009 television drama "Otomen", which starred Kaho and Masaki Okada. Emi played the younger sister of actor Sano Kazuma in the drama, and well......she was an adorable little sister, so that's how I picture her (have not seen 'Taisetsu na Koto wa subete kimi ga oshiete kureta' yet)
Here is a tribute to Emi, that was made by YouTuber kuririnsan77 back in September, and it does show off the adorable side of Emi. Singing is Maria Anzai (who had her debut in 1973) with the song "Sayonara Harbor Light" (サヨナラ・ハーバーライト), which was released on August 1, 1976.
◇サヨナラ・ハーバーライト◇ 安西マリア (武井咲Ver2) Emi Takei