10 outstanding Japanese actors & actresses
A country like Japan is full of mysticism and is a popular format for entertainment media, from video games to books, in this country and throughout the western world.
In the meantime, many Japanese actors have also made it far and enjoy great popularity outside the Land of the Rising Sun. The basis for this is usually an outstanding acting performance, but production and the aforementioned mysticism of Japan also play a role.
The result is a large number of Japanese actors who are now also well-known in Germany and other countries. Their origins are often relatively unknown, as the acting performance takes centre stage.
We would therefore like to show you some of the most famous Japanese actors so that you can get to know them better.
It is not unusual for Japanese dramas to achieve world stature
The so-called Global West, i.e. North America and Europe, are particularly spoilt and influenced by entertainment media.
Hollywood dominates across national borders for the most important productions and biggest film successes. However, it is by no means impossible for actors and films to make it outside of Hollywood, even if the path often leads to Hollywood.
Japanese films and productions also have the potential to do this and are now better than ever at ensuring that they are recognised around the world. There are opportunities for dubbing, and Japan has also been a respected country for years, and not just internationally.
Famous Japanese actors of the 20th century.
These days, an incredible number of films are produced every year, and it's not easy to keep track of them all.
There used to be far fewer of them, of course, and perhaps this is another reason why Japanese films were able to establish themselves worldwide as early as the 1950s.
Particularly noteworthy here is actor Toshiro Mifune, who was able to enjoy many roles in the second half of the last decade and a resulting international reputation.
But the Japanese actor and composer Hiroyuki Sanada, who is still successful today, also enjoyed his first successes in the last century and got his career rolling.
A popular TV series in Germany, which has been particularly popular since the 1990s and in the 2000s, is Takeshi's Castle.
What few people know is where the name actually comes from. The actor and director Takeshi Kitano was a producer and received several awards for his work.
So Japan has certainly managed to produce some famous Japanese actors and other greats in the last century who were and are of great importance beyond the country's borders.
Top 10 Japanese actors & actresses
We've put together a list of 10 Japanese actresses and actors that you've probably seen before.
Ken Watanabe
There are also well-known Japanese actors today, but the most important are Ken Watanabewho has also managed to make a name for himself in many Hollywood productions and play major roles.
Watanabe was born in what is now Oonuma in 1959, before moving to Tokyo in 1978 to study acting. There he celebrated his first success in what is now the classic Genji Monogatari.
He later celebrated his breakthrough, particularly in the series Dokugan ryu Masamune. A bout of leukaemia interrupted his career between 1989 and 2003, but his return was all the more brilliant.
After overcoming his illness, Watanabe made his breakthrough in the film Last Samurai, in which he was nominated for several prestigious awards. Other important films such as Batman Begins, Letters from Iwo Jima, The Geisha, Inception, Godzilla and Pokémon: Master Detective Pikachu contributed to his growing success.
One of the secrets of his success at both national and international level was simply his height, which was a unique selling point, especially during his breakthrough in Last Samurai. The actor is particularly tall by Japanese standards and was able to capitalise on this.
Toshiro Mifune
Toshiro Mifune is considered one of the most important Japanese actors. He was born on 01.04.1920 in Qungdao (China) and died on 24.12.1997 in Tokyo.
He has appeared in over 150 films in total and has often played the role of a samurai. His best-known films and series include
- The Seven Samurai (1954)
- The Castle in the Cobweb Forest (1957)
- Between Heaven and Hell (1963)
- Shogun (1980) US-American television series
In the 2016 documentary "Mifune: The last Samurai", various directors, actors and fans discuss his influence on Japanese and American cinema.
During his lifetime, Mifune received several awards for his acting, such as the Japanese Academy Award.
He probably received his greatest honour 19 years after his death. On 14 November 2016, Mifune received a star on the Walk of Fame in Hoolywood.
Hiroyuki Sanada
Born on 12 October 1960, the actor's real name is Hiroyuki Shimosawa. "Sanada" is his self-chosen stage name.
Sanada was already interested in martial arts and traditional Japanese dances as a teenager. He made his first appearance in front of the camera at the age of 5 in the film "Rokyoku komori-uta".
His outstanding performance as an actor and realistic portrayal in fight scenes make him one of the most popular Japanese actors of the 21st century.
This was later followed by various Japanese and international films in which Sanada appeared:
- The uncanny power of the ninjas (1982)
- The Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983)
- The Ring: The Original (1997)
- Last Samurai (2003)
- Wolverine: Way of the Warrior (2013)
- Mortal Kombat (2021)
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
- Shogun - Series on Disney+ (remake of a classic) (2024)
Kōji Yakusho
Kōji Yakusho was born on 1 January 1956 and is not only an actor, but also a screenwriter and director.
Yakusho played the character of Nobu in the 2005 film "The Geisha". He has also played other great roles in various Japanese and international films:
- Hunter in the Dark (1979)
- Cure - Kyua (1997)
- Babel (2006)
- 13 Assassins
- Mifune: The Last Samurai (2016)
Rinko Kikuchi
Rinko Kikuchi is both an actress and a producer. She was born on 6 January 1981 in Hadano. Her hobbies include motorbike riding and horse riding, as well as Japanese archery and the Japanese way of sword drawing.
Kikuchi has appeared in various Japanese and American films and series. Among others in the Japanese film "We are little Zombies" (2019), Terraformars (2016) but also in the Netflix series "Westworld (2nd season, 2018).
In 2014, she produced the film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter.
Tao Okamoto
She was born on 22 May 1985 in Chiba Prefecture. Okamoto is not only a Japanese actress, but also a model.
Okamoto took on her first role in the 2013 film "Wolverine: Way of the Warrior". She gave a great performance as Mariko Yashida, one of the film's main characters.
Other well-known film and series productions in which she has appeared include
- Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Westworld seasons 2 and 3 (2018/2020)
- Laplace's Witsch (2018)
Rila Fukushima
Rila Fukushima was born on 9 January 1980 in Tokyo. In addition to acting, she is also a sought-after model and works for major designers.
She played a leading role in "Wolverine: Way of the Warrior" (2013), among others. Other productions in which Fukushima has appeared include:
- Game of Thrones, Season 5 (2015)
- Ghost in the Shell (2017)
- Arrow season 3, 4, 8 (2014/2015/2019)
Shun Oguri
The Japanese actor Shun Oguri was born on 26 December 1982 in Tokyo. His acting career began in 2003 with the film "Azumi - The Fearless Warrior.
Since then, he has appeared in numerous Japanese films and series such as:
- Sakuran - Wild Cherry Blossom (2006)
- Terraformars (2016)
- Hana Yori Dango 2 (2008)
- Sukiyaki Western Django(2007)
- Samurai - Time of Wars (2009)
- Diner (2019)
Oguri has also received various awards for his acting performance. For his role in the Japanese film "Hana Yori Dango 2" alone, he received 6 awards, such as the award for best actor at the "Japan Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards".
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Born in Tokyo in 1950, the actor has appeared in numerous feature films and series. In 1987, Tagawa made his debut in the film "The Last Emperor". Among the well-known films in which he has appeared are
- James Bond 007 - Licence to kill (1989)
- Pearl Habor (2001)
- The Geisha (2005)
- Hachiko - A wonderful friendship (2009)
- Kubo - The Brave Samurai (2016)
Tagawa has also appeared in numerous television series such as MacGyver, Starship Enterprise, Nash Bridges, Walker, Texas Ranger, Grimm and many more.
In 2018, he was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a new member.
Chiaki Kuriyama
Chiaki Kuriyama was born on 10 October 1984 in Tsuchiura. Kuriyama is not only active as an actress, but also as a singer.
Some of her songs have also been used as theme music in Japanese animated films (anime). With the role of Takako Chigusa in the film "Battle Royal - Only One Can Survive" (2000), she made her breakthrough and attracted attention.
Other important roles in her acting career were:
- Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
- Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)
- Tekken (2010)
- Blade Of The Immortal - Revenge Never Dies (2017)
For her role in "Kill Bill Vol.1", Kuriyama won an award for Best Fight at the 2004 MTV Movie Awards.
Youki Kudoh
Youki Kudoh is a Japanese singer and actress who was born on 17 January 1971 in Hachiōji. She made her acting debut in the film "The Reverse Jet Family" (1984).
For her role in the film, Kudoh received an award at the Yokohama Film Festival in 1985. Other well-known films in which she has appeared include:
- Snow falling on cedars (1999)
- The Geisha (2005)
- Rush Hour 3 (2007)
- We are little zombies (2019)
Why are Japanese actors & Japanese films so popular?
Another recipe for success for many Japanese films is the culture of Japan, which also causes a stir outside the country and enjoys great popularity.
From high-quality ceramics and interesting Japanese architecture to language and writing, there are many aspects of the culture that are simply interesting and have a certain exotic value.
Those who embody this well will attract attention and make a name for themselves.
Japanese martial arts also play a large part in this, as few things are as legendary as samurais, ninjas and their hidden abilities. The Samurai sword should not be missing in a wide variety of designs.
If this is also popular with you, you can use it as a Decorative object and also as a real sword in our shop - so just take a look at our range.
Photo credits
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Ken_Watanabe_01.jpg/1024px-Ken_Watanabe_01.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Yakusho_Koji_%22The_World_of_Harada_Masato%22_at_Opening_Ceremony_of_the_28th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_%2822403788836%29.jpg/1024px-Yakusho_Koji_%22The_World_of_Harada_Masato%22_at_Opening_Ceremony_of_the_28th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_%2822403788836%29.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Ghost_In_The_Shell_World_Premiere_Red_Carpet-_Rila_Fukushima_%2837404702191%29.jpg/1024px-Ghost_In_The_Shell_World_Premiere_Red_Carpet-_Rila_Fukushima_%2837404702191%29.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/2013_Syfy_Press_Day_%2810174133614%29.jpg/1024px-2013_Syfy_Press_Day_%2810174133614%29.jpg
