Japan has a rich and diverse film industry that has produced many talented and popular actors over the years. Some of them have achieved international fame and recognition for their roles in Hollywood movies, while others have remained icons of Japanese cinema and culture. Here are some of the most famous Japanese actors, based on various sources:
10. Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997)
Considered to be one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, Mifune starred in more than 150 films, most notably in 16 collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa. He is known for his powerful and charismatic performances as samurai warriors, ronin, and anti-heroes in classics such as Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Yojimbo, and Throne of Blood. He also appeared in Hollywood films such as Grand Prix and Shogun.
9. Ken Watanabe (1959-)
One of the most successful Japanese actors in Hollywood, Watanabe rose to fame with his Oscar-nominated role as Katsumoto in The Last Samurai, opposite Tom Cruise. He has since starred in blockbuster films such as Batman Begins, Inception, Godzilla, and Detective Pikachu. He is also a respected stage actor who won a Tony Award for his portrayal of the King of Siam in The King and I on Broadway.
8. Hiroyuki Sanada (1960-)
Another prominent Japanese actor in Hollywood, Sanada has appeared in films such as The Last Samurai, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, and Mortal Kombat. He is also known for his roles in television shows such as Lost, Westworld, and The Good Doctor. He started his career as a martial arts star in Japan and won a Japanese Academy Award for his performance in The Twilight Samurai.
A popular actor who rose to fame with his role as Hanazawa Rui in the hit drama series Boys Over Flowers, Oguri has since starred in many films and television shows, such as Crows Zero, Lupin the Third, Gintama, Border, and Tokyo Dogs. He is also a voice actor who has lent his voice to characters such as Conan Edogawa in Detective Conan and Harlock in Space Pirate Captain Harlock
7. Tadanobu Asano (1973-)
A versatile and acclaimed actor who has worked with some of the most renowned directors in Japan and abroad, Asano is known for his roles in films such as Ichi the Killer, Zatoichi, Mongol, Thor, Silence, and Midway. He is also a musician, model, director, and artist.
6. Shun Oguri (1982-)
A popular actor who rose to fame with his role as Hanazawa Rui in the hit drama series Boys Over Flowers, Oguri has since starred in many films and television shows, such as Crows Zero, Lupin the Third, Gintama, Border, and Tokyo Dogs. He is also a voice actor who has lent his voice to characters such as Conan Edogawa in Detective Conan and Harlock in Space Pirate Captain Harlock.
5. Kento Yamazaki (1994-)
A young and rising star who has become one of the most sought-after actors in Japan, Yamazaki is best known for his performance as L in the live-action adaptation of Death Note and as Minato Shindo in the medical drama Good Doctor. He has also appeared in films such as Orange, Kingdom, Alice in Borderland, and Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku.
4. Takeshi Kitano (1947-)
A multifaceted entertainer who is an actor, comedian, director, writer, producer, and television host, Kitano is famous for his distinctive style of deadpan humor and violent action films. He has directed and starred in critically acclaimed films such as Hana-bi, Sonatine, Zatoichi, Outrage, and Dolls. He is also known for his comedy show Takeshi’s Castle and his role as Doraemon’s voice in Stand by Me Doraemon.
3. Masatoshi Nagase (1966-)
A veteran actor who has been active since the 1980s, Nagase is known for his roles in films such as Mystery Train, The Hidden Blade, Paterson, Radiance, and Vision. He has worked with directors such as Jim Jarmusch, Naomi Kawase, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Yoji Yamada. He is also a musician who plays guitar and harmonica.
2. Koji Yakusho (1956-)
A respected actor who has won numerous awards for his performances in films such as Shall We Dance?, The Eel, Babel, 13 Assassins, and The Third Murder. He has worked with directors such as Masayuki Suo, Shohei Imamura, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Takashi Miike, and Hirokazu Kore-eda. He is also a singer who has released several albums.
1. Kimura Takuya
Takuya Kimura is a Japanese actor, singer, and radio personality. He is regarded as a Japanese icon after achieving success as an actor. He was also a popular member of SMAP, one of the best-selling boy bands in Asia. Kimura is known for his work in television dramas, films, and video games.
Kimura is known for his work in television dramas, films, and video games. Some of his notable works include the television drama series Long Vacation (1996), Hero (2001), and the films Love and Honor (2006), Hero (2007), and Howl’s Moving Castle (as a voice actor, 2004).
He has also worked in the video games Judgment and Lost Judgment, portraying Takayuki Yagami. Kimura began his solo artist activities in 2019 and released his first album “Go with the Flow” through Victor Entertainment in 2020.
Kimura Takuya is famous for his successful career as an actor, singer, and radio personality. He is regarded as a Japanese icon after achieving success as an actor.
