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1-50 of 112
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Shin Koyamada is an American actor, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and martial artist. As actor, Koyamada became best known to global audiences after his co-starring debut role in the Warner Bros blockbuster Tom Cruise film The Last Samurai (2003), with a worldwide box office of $456 million, earning it nominations for several awards, including four Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two National Board of Review Awards. Shin also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006), which received the highest rated kids channel in Japan, U.K. and Europe, and is streaming on Disney+ to over 110 million global subscribers. As producer, Shin is also well known for producing numerous American and international movies, shows, comics and video games through his production company Shinca Entertainment for over 15 years. In addition to his prominent work in the entertainment career, Shin became eminent for his longtime global philanthropic efforts for over 15 years, mainly through Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), an international NGO with country chapters in 4 different continents around the world. Shin speaks fluent English and a native Japanese and holds several Black Belts in different martial arts.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Born in Kinko-cho, Asakuchi-gun (present-day Asakuchi City), Okayama Prefecture. He is most familiar to Western audiences for his work on Japanese horror films such as Ring (1998), Ring 2 (1999) and Dark Water (2002). Several of these were remade in English as The Ring (2002), Dark Water (2005), and The Ring Two (directed by himself).
Graduated from Kinko Gakuen High School and, in 1980, entered the Science Department of the University of Tokyo and graduated from the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts, although he had been offered a position in the Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering. While studying, he attended Shigehiko Hasumi's film seminar and was greatly influenced by his work. At his favorite bar during college, an acquaintance of Masato Hara, president of Herald Ace, introduced him to an assistant director from Masahiro Shinoda's team, and he began working as an assistant director on Shinoda's medium-length film "Allusion Reincarnation Tan" and corporate public relations films.
In 1985, he joined Nikkatsu Studios. Soon after, Hiroyuki Nasu, a senior at Tokyo University, decided to shoot Be-Bop High School at Toei, and because Nikkatsu Studios was used for studio shooting, two of the four assistant directors came out of Nikkatsu, including the first three Be-Bop High School films and Love Story for You. He worked as an assistant director on many Central Arts films and trained almost exclusively at Toei as an assistant director, making his directorial debut in 1992 with Curse, Death & Spirit
After which he moved to the UK. After returning to Japan, he made his directorial debut in 1996 with Don't Look Up. Subsequently, his film Ring (1998), an adaptation of Koji Suzuki's best-selling novel about the tragedy caused by a cursed video, was a huge success, and he became known as a leading figure in Japanese horror.
In 1998 he completed "Joseph Losey: The Man with Four Names," a documentary about Joseph Losey, which he began producing while in England.
After returning to Japan, he was told by Mitsuru Kurosawa, head of Central Arts, that he could direct a V-Cinema film, and in 1995 he directed "Diary of a Female Teacher: Forbidden Sex". He is now considered one of the representatives of J-horror (Japanese horror), along with Kurosawa Kiyoshi and Shimizu Takashi.
In 2003, he won the Art Encouragement Prize for New Talent for "The Last Scene".
"The Ring" was a remake in the United States by another director (Gore Verbinski), but he directed the sequel, "The Ring 2," making his long-awaited Hollywood debut. The discomfort he experienced during his stay in Hollywood was later compiled into the documentary film "An Introduction to Hollywood Director Studies. Also, "Dark Water" was a remake too.
In 2010, "Chatroom," directed in the UK, was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Other films he has directed include "Dark Water" , "Sadistic and Masochistic", "Ghost Theather", "Sadako", "Death Note: L Change the World", "Stolen Identity", "The Woman Who Keeps a Murderer" and many more.- Kagurazaka Megumi was born in the southwestern prefecture of Okayama on 28.09.1981. She was a gravure model in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She appeared in the television serial Fantasma in 2004, season two of Keitai Deka Zenigata Kai in 2007 and the school movie Gakko No Kaidan also in 2007. During this period she was the subject of adult photography, magazines and nude photo books. While she remained active in adult and bikini modelling for the next several years it was her appearance in Sono Sion's Cold Fish as a seductive and sexually liberated murderess that set a tone for her. As of this writing she had starred in ten of Sono's movies which, on certain years, consumed her entire professional energy. No wonder that the shapely actress and the risque director married in 2011. Kagurazaka has come to be known for her sexual appeal and attraction and, perhaps coincidentally, has not shied away from taking on avant-garde, offbeat and suggestive roles. She has appeared on stage at TIFF and other festivals and won awards for her work on films like the aforementioned Cold Fish or Guilty Of Pleasure. Kagurazaka was seen on the cover of Kenji Endo's 2014 album Koi No Uta aghaemi.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Joe Odagiri was born on 16 February 1976 in Tsuyama City, Okayama, Japan. He is an actor and director, known for They Say Nothing Stays the Same (2019), Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005) and Adrift in Tokyo (2007). He has been married to Yû Kashii since 16 February 2008.- Actress
- Stunts
- Soundtrack
Shihomi Etsuko was born in the western city of Okayama in Japan. Her father worked at Japan's Mint responsible for manufacturing money. She has a younger brother. She is athletic since childhood and at junior high school was part of the track and field club. She was second in her prefecture in the Hurdle. Growing up she enjoyed the TV serial Kii Hantâ (featuring Chiba Shin'ichi) and aspired to similar feats. She would appear in several action and fantasy movies as a participant in Chiba Shinichi's Japan Action Enterprise agency alongside said actor. She had joined the club in 1972. She debuted in 1973. Her first main role came in the serial Onna Hissatsu Ken ('Sister Street Fighter') in 1974, which made her popular in her home country. She was also a singer in the seventies and eighties and the subject of several books and multiple magazine articles. She became an agent in 1985 by establishing a company called Hundred. She met Japanese singer-songwriter, and human rights' activist, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi on the set of the comedy Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (1986). He married her a year later. This lead her to retire so she can take care of the house and her family. Their daughter is actress Nagabuchi Ayane who was born in 1988. She has a son who is a rapper and another son who is a racing driver. Her husband was arrested for drug possession in 1995. Beginning 2001 she began participating in marathons and began writing about it a year later. She is often credited as being the first Japanese actress who performed dangerous stunts and actions in a movie.- Oji Suzuka was born on 11 January 2000 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He is an actor, known for Listen to the Universe (2019), Silent (2022) and The Violence Action (2022).
- Actress
- Producer
Megumi was born on 25 September 1981 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. She is an actress and producer, known for Unknown (2023), Downfall (2023) and Daisuki!! (2008). She has been married to Kenji Furuya since 7 July 2008. They have one child.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Elina Miyake Jackson, also known as Elina Miyake, born and raised in Okayama, Japan, is a Japanese-Canadian actress. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Calgary Independent Film Festival for her role in the "Soul Sucker" chapter of the horror anthology film "Creepy Bits," released in 2021. Additionally, she has been cast alongside James Belushi and Martin Kove in the upcoming action film "Fight Another Day." Recently, her achievements have been thrust into the national spotlight in Japan, as her acting prowess garnered attention from major media outlets, including Yahoo! Japan News and Daily News. Elina is also a familiar face on the live TV circuit, regularly gracing screens as a beloved member of the cast on "Nanshon" on OHK Okayama Broadcasting.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Tesshô Genda was born on 20 May 1948 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Ghost in the Shell (1995), Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013) and Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995).- Shin Takuma was born on 18 April 1956 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Godzilla 1985 (1985), Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) and Hideyoshi (1996). He was previously married to Chikako Kaku.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Tomu Uchida was born on 26 April 1898 in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. He was a director and actor, known for Earth (1939), A Fugitive from the Past (1965) and Miyamoto Musashi VI (1971). He died on 7 August 1970 in Japan.- Actor
- Animation Department
Kenji Nomura was born on 23 July 1970 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005), Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive (1999) and Trigun (1998).- Hinako Sakurai was born on 2 April 1997 in Okayama, Japan. She is an actress, known for The Last Cop: Episode 0 (2016), Love You as the World Ends (2021) and Secret Unrequited Love (2019).
- Nishimura Riki was born on 9 December 2005 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Dark Moon: The Blood Altar (2022), Enhypen: Fever (2021) and Enhypen: Let Me in (20 Cube) (2020).
- Animation Department
- Art Department
- Director
Akihiko Yamashita was born on 6 February 1966 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. He is a director, known for Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004) and The Cat Returns (2002).- Masahiro Kômoto was born on 26 June 1965 in Okayama City, Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Perfect Days (2023), Space Travelers (2000) and Love's Stoppage Time (2019).
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Takeshi Ôbayashi was born on 24 January 1942 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor and assistant director, known for Shin Godzilla (2016), Ultraman Leo (1974) and Godzilla 2000 (1999).- Yasuhiro Takato was born on 23 January 1968 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Sailor Moon (1992), GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai (2007) and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002).
- Kiyoshi Shigematsu was born on 6 March 1963 in Tsuyama City, Okayama, Japan. He is a writer, known for A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016), Diary of Beloved Wife: Naive (2006) and Agein: 28-nenme no Kôshien (2015).
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Toshiaki Tsushima was born on 22 May 1936 in Okayama, Japan. He was a composer, known for Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Night Train (1987) and Kuroi tsume (1964). He died on 25 November 2013 in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.- Writer
- Actress
Yôko Ogawa was born on 30 March 1962 in Okayama City, Okayama, Japan. She is a writer and actress, known for Okoge (1992), Hotel Iris (2021) and The Ring Finger (2005).- Kôjirô Hongô was born on 15 February 1938 in Okayama, Japan. He was an actor, known for Buddha (1961), Satan's Sword (1960) and Nippon meishôbu monogatari (1964). He died on 14 February 2013 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
- Art Department
- Animation Department
- Costume Designer
Katsuya Terada was born on 7 December 1963 in Tamano City, Okayama, Japan. He is a costume designer, known for Hellboy (2004), Blood: The Last Vampire (2009) and Kamen Rider W (2009).- Director
- Cinematographer
- Animation Department
Junichi Kôuchi was born in 1886 in Okayama, Japan. He was a director and cinematographer, known for Namakura Gatana (1917), Chongire hebi (1930) and Hyoroku musha shugyo (1920). He died in 1970.- Yôichi Numata was born on 19 July 1924 in Okayama, Japan. He was an actor, known for Ringu (1998), Ring 2 (1999) and Yôun Satomi kaikyoden (1957). He died on 29 April 2006 in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
- Actress
- Writer
Kazumi Zatkin is a theater, film and voice-over actress from Japan now working in Los Angeles. Her theater credits include lead roles in a number of Japanese classics including Yuzuru and Hanjo, and western classics including The Importance of Being Earnest and Madame Butterfly. Kazumi's film credits include such films as Good Soil and Tales From the Dead.- Graduated in Literature for the Keio University. Debuted as a writer in 1938 with "Elegy", but the II World War cut his career until 1949, when he resumed his activity. In 1951 he was finalist in the Akutagawa Prize (which he won next year) for his novel "Death Mask". From 1956 his novels were made into movies, the first of them being "8th Cell". That same year his most popular character, Kyoshiro Nemuri (also known as "Sleepy Eyes of Death"), is converted in a three-part film series ending in 1958, starring Koji Tsuruta as Nemuri. The character returned in his most famous reincarnation, Raizo Ichikawa, who played it in a film series from 1963 up to his death in 1969, being replaced by Hiroki Matsukata. From the 70s many of Shibata's novels have been converted into TV series.
- Katsuyuki Miyake was born on 11 December 1981 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Out (2023), The ABCs of Death (2012) and The Days (2023).
- Shohei Nanba was born on 2 February 1991 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Gekijôban Dôbutsu Sentai Jûôjâ Tai Ninninjâ Mirai kara no Messêji Furomu Sûpâ Sentai (2017), Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger (2016) and Chou Super Hero Taisen: Kamen Rider vs. Super Sentai (2017).
- Hidetoshi Kageyama was born on 14 April 1950 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He is an actor, known for Sukeban Kabushiki-gaisha: Yacchae! Ojôsan (1984) and Rape! 13th Hour (1977).
- Kyôko Tongû was born on 11 October 1955 in Okayama, Japan. She is an actress, known for Original Dirty Pair: Project Eden (1987), Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac (1986) and Star Fox: Assault (2005).
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Reijirô Koroku was born on 13 December 1949 in Okayama, Japan. He is a composer, known for 1750 Days of Turbulence (1990), Pod severnym siyaniyem (1990) and Godzilla 1985 (1985). He has been married to Chieko Baishô since 1993.- Nonoka Akaki was born on 8 August 1990 in Okayama, Japan.
- Shintarô Mimura was born on 1 October 1895 in Okayama City, Japan. He was a writer, known for Sengoku gunto-den - Dai ichibu: Toraokami (1937), Banba no Chûtarô (1955) and Matatabi senichi-ya (1936). He died on 29 April 1970.
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Shimako Iwai was born on 5 December 1964 in Okayama, Japan. She is an actress and writer, known for Jiyû ren'ai (2005), Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013) and Chai koi (2013).- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Emiko Hiramatsu was born on 5 April 1967 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. She is a writer and assistant director, known for Love and Honor (2006), A Class to Remember 4: Fifteen (2000) and The Little House (2014).- Seikô Senô was born on 25 January 1964 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Shin Godzilla (2016), Avataro Sentai Donbrothers (2022) and Metalder: The Movie (1987).
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Yuki Katsuragi was born on 25 May 1949 in Okayama, Japan. She was an actress, known for Hana no asuka gumi! (1988), Furuhata Ninzaburô (1994) and Bamy (2017). She died on 27 June 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.- Makiya Yamaguchi was born on 14 February 1973 in Soja, Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Confessions (2010), CRISIS: Special Security Squad (2017) and Dark Suits: License to Live (2014).
- Writer
- Animation Department
Hisaichi Ishii was born on 2 September 1951 in Tamano, Okayama, Japan. Hisaichi is a writer, known for My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Crusher Joe: The Movie (1983) and The Heat of the Pennant Race (1980).- Additional Crew
Takashi Nagase was born in 1918 in Okayama City, Okayama, Japan. He is known for To End All Wars (2001) and Enemy, My Friend? (1995). He died on 21 June 2011 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
As a young actor in a small traveling Kabuki group, he was discovered by Makino Shozo and made his debut as the main character in Goban Tadanobu in 1909. Later he acted in parts both as a hero and kyokyaku (a professional gambler in the Edo period, often romanticized as a chivalrous 'Robin Hood' figure) one after another, and he also performed most of the main characters in the bestsellers of the time, Tachikawa paperbacks. Ninja films were also discovered by Matsunosuke, and he was given the nickname "Medama no Matchan" due to his very large eyes. He became very popular with children who would imitate the ninja moves they had seen in his films. Matusnosuke is said to have created over 80 films a year during his prime years and made over 1,000 films in total. However, the only films that are preserved today are Chushingura (1910), Goketsu Jiraiya (1921) and Shibukawa Bangoro (1922). Matsunosuke collapsed during the filming of Kyokotsu Mikazuki in 1926, and died of heart disease on 11 September that year.- Director
- Actor
- Cinematographer
Kohki Hasei was born in 1975 in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. He is a director and actor, known for Blanka (2015), Godog (2008) and Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007).- Yôko Tajima was born on 6 April 1941 in Asakuchi, Okayama, Japan. She is an actress, known for Supermarket Woman (1996), Maitresse (2000) and Arion (1986).
- Director
- Actor
Baksheesh Yamashita was born on 27 January 1967 in Setouchi, Okayama, Japan. He is a director and actor, known for Nyorôn (1990), The Sex Cannon Ball Run (2014) and Rewind This! (2013).- Director
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Takashi Minamoto was born on 5 June 1961 in Okayama, Japan. He is a director and writer, known for Akihabara@Deep (2006), Tokyo Tower (2005) and Daiteiden no yoru ni (2005).- Actor
- Editor
Masahiko Sakata was born on 10 September 1956 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor and editor, known for Shield of Straw (2013), Fudoh: The New Generation (1996) and Cold Fish (2010).- Zen Kajihara was born on 25 February 1966 in Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for The Grudge 2 (2006), My Little Chef (2002) and Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1995).
- Jun'ichi Kômoto was born on 7 April 1975 in Okayama City, Okayama, Japan. He is an actor, known for Sakura na hito tachi (2009), Drop (2009) and Tiger & Dragon (2005).
- Tokuji Kobayashi was born on 10 March 1901 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He was an actor, known for The Dancing Girl of Izu (1933), Aibu (1933) and Tosei tamatebako (1925). He died on 11 June 1964 in Okayama, Okayama, Japan.