Yōko Yamanaka (山中瑶子, Yamanaka Yōko; born 1997) is a Japanese filmmaker known for her 2017 film, Amiko, and 2024 film…Yōko Yamanaka (山中瑶子, Yamanaka Yōko; born 1997) is a Japanese filmmaker known for her 2017 film, Amiko, and 2024 film, Desert of Namibia.
Elaiza Ikeda (池田 エライザ, Ikeda Eraiza; born April 16, 1996) is a Philippine-born Japanese actress, fashion model and…Elaiza Ikeda (池田 エライザ, Ikeda Eraiza; born April 16, 1996) is a Philippine-born Japanese actress, fashion model and singer. She began modeling in 2009 after winning the "Grand Prix Nicola Model Audition 2009".
Bialystocks (Hepburn: Biarisutokkusu) are a Japanese pop music band formed in 2019, made up of vocalist Sora Hokimoto…Bialystocks (Hepburn: Biarisutokkusu) are a Japanese pop music band formed in 2019, made up of vocalist Sora Hokimoto and keyboardist Go Kikuchi. They are signed to Irori Records, a label under Pony Canyon.
Nariaki Obukuro (小袋成彬, Nariaki Obukuro; born 30 April 1991), also known as OBKR, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and…Nariaki Obukuro (小袋成彬, Nariaki Obukuro; born 30 April 1991), also known as OBKR, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and producer. Along with Yaffle, he is a co-founding member Tokyo Recordings. He is responsible for producing songs for acts like Wednesday Campanella, Kou Shibasaki, and other famous acts. His music combines musical elements of the R&B, PBR&B, Electronic and experimental tones genres. In 2018, it was revealed that he would make his solo debut as a singer and songwriter under Sony Music's Epic Records label. The album is co-produced by famed Japanese-American singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada.
Yūki Yamato (山戸 結希, Yamato Yūki) (born 1989) is a Japanese screenwriter and director. She has adapted and directed film…Yūki Yamato (山戸 結希, Yamato Yūki) (born 1989) is a Japanese screenwriter and director. She has adapted and directed film versions of Hot Gimmick and Drowning Love, and was named Best New Director at the 24th Japan Film Professional Awards. She has also directed music videos for Nogizaka46, Momoiro Clover Z, and Radwimps.
Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born 21 June 1983) is a Japanese film director, writer, editor, producer and actor best…Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born 21 June 1983) is a Japanese film director, writer, editor, producer and actor best known for his 2013 movie The Great Passage for which he won best director at the 2013 Japanese Academy Awards.
Michihito Fujii (藤井 道人, Fujii Michihito; born August 14, 1986) is a Japanese filmmaker. He also has his own production…Michihito Fujii (藤井 道人, Fujii Michihito; born August 14, 1986) is a Japanese filmmaker. He also has his own production company, Babel Label.
Yozo Hirano (平野 陽三, Hirano Yōzō; born October 9, 1985) is a Japanese space tourist. He flew to the International Space…Yozo Hirano (平野 陽三, Hirano Yōzō; born October 9, 1985) is a Japanese space tourist. He flew to the International Space Station on Soyuz MS-20 in December 2021. He flew with Yusaku Maezawa, who paid for both seats; his function was that as a production assistant to Maezawa and to document the flight.
Sho Miyake (三宅 唱, Miyake Shō; born 18 July 1984) is a Japanese director. In 2025, he won the Golden Leopard at the…Sho Miyake (三宅 唱, Miyake Shō; born 18 July 1984) is a Japanese director. In 2025, he won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival for his film Two Seasons, Two Strangers.
Kiki Sugino (杉野希妃, Sugino Kiki; born March 12, 1984) is a Japanese actress, writer, producer and film director. She has…Kiki Sugino (杉野希妃, Sugino Kiki; born March 12, 1984) is a Japanese actress, writer, producer and film director. She has produced over ten films and acted in such movies as Hospitalité, Chigasaki Story and Snow Woman. In 2014 she directed the film Yokudō which later went on to win awards at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival.
Takayuki Yamada (山田 孝之, Yamada Takayuki; born October 20, 1983) is a Japanese actor, singer, and producer. He is best…Takayuki Yamada (山田 孝之, Yamada Takayuki; born October 20, 1983) is a Japanese actor, singer, and producer. He is best known for his role as Sakutaro Matsumoto in TV drama Socrates in Love and as Densha Otoko in the 2005 film of the same name. Yamada gained international popularity through his portrayal as Tamao Serizawa in Crows Zero film series. Japanese media often dubs him as chameleon actor for his wide acting spectrum throughout his career. He began venturing as producer with live-action web series Saint Young Men. In 2018, he became the lead singer of band The XXXXXX.
Takeshi Fukunaga (福永 壮志, Fukunaga Takeshi; born September 10, 1982) is a Japanese filmmaker and director. His first…Takeshi Fukunaga (福永 壮志, Fukunaga Takeshi; born September 10, 1982) is a Japanese filmmaker and director. His first feature film, Out of My Hand (2015) premiered in the Panorama section at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival and won the US Fiction Award at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. He won the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2015 San Diego Asian Film Festival. The film was later released worldwide through Ava DuVernay’s distribution company, ARRAY. Takeshi was nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards. In 2017, he was selected for The Residence by Cannes Film Festival's Cinéfondation to develop his second feature film. His second feature film, Ainu Mosir (2020) won Special Jury Mention in International Narrative Competition at Tribeca Film Festival, and Best Film in International Feature Competition at Gunajuato International Film Festival.
Hirobumi Watanabe (渡辺紘文, Watanabe Hirobumi; born 1982) is a Japanese film director and actor. He writes the scripts for…Hirobumi Watanabe (渡辺紘文, Watanabe Hirobumi; born 1982) is a Japanese film director and actor. He writes the scripts for and performs as an actor in his films, while also sometimes acting in the films of other directors.
Katsuya Kobayashi (小林且弥, Kobayashi Katsuya; born 10 December 1981) is a Japanese actor from Shimonoseki. Even though he…Katsuya Kobayashi (小林且弥, Kobayashi Katsuya; born 10 December 1981) is a Japanese actor from Shimonoseki. Even though he and fellow Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love-exclusive Rider actor Mitsuki Koga/Kamen Rider Ketaros were only Kamen Riders within the movie, they did make a guest appearance during the final episode of the series as two people affected by the necklaces that transform people into Natives.
Tetsuya Mariko (born July 12, 1981) is a Japanese filmmaker. He graduated from Hosei University with a Japanese…Tetsuya Mariko (born July 12, 1981) is a Japanese filmmaker. He graduated from Hosei University with a Japanese literature major. His masters is from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in film production.
Takamasa Oe (大江 崇允, Ōe Takamasa; born 6 January 1981) is a Japanese screenwriter. He was co-nominated with Ryusuke…Takamasa Oe (大江 崇允, Ōe Takamasa; born 6 January 1981) is a Japanese screenwriter. He was co-nominated with Ryusuke Hamaguchi for an Academy Award in the category Best Adapted Screenplay for the film Drive My Car.
Tatsuo Fujioka (藤岡 竜雄, Fujioka Tatsuo; born August 19, 1980), better known as Dean Fujioka (ディーン・フジオカ, Dīn Fujioka…Tatsuo Fujioka (藤岡 竜雄, Fujioka Tatsuo; born August 19, 1980), better known as Dean Fujioka (ディーン・フジオカ, Dīn Fujioka; stylized as DEAN FUJIOKA) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, singer, songwriter, musician, model and film director/producer.
Koji Fukada (深田 晃司, Fukada Kōji; born 1980 in Koganei, Tokyo) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Most known…Koji Fukada (深田 晃司, Fukada Kōji; born 1980 in Koganei, Tokyo) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Most known for his films Harmonium (2016), Love Life (2022) and Love on Trial (2025).
Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama…Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and grew up in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture. After a number of short films, including Obsession and Seven Drives which were screened at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in 2003 and 2004, Irie directed two softcore erotic V-Cinema videos in 2007, Cream Lemon 7 and Swimsuit Spy - SPY GIRLS. The latter video, an erotic comedy, starred AV Idol Mihiro. In 2009 the second feature film he directed, 8000 Miles (SR サイタマノラッパー, SR: Saitama no Rapper), won the grand prize in the Off Theatre Competition at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. It also earned Irie the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award. The film follows four friends from suburban Fukuya (punned on Fukaya) who dream of becoming rap stars. The mostly amateur cast also included adult video actress Mihiro.
Ken Shimizu (Japanese: 清水 健, Hepburn: Shimizu Ken; born September 1, 1979) is a Japanese YouTuber, businessman…Ken Shimizu (Japanese: 清水 健, Hepburn: Shimizu Ken; born September 1, 1979) is a Japanese YouTuber, businessman, restauranteur, and former pornographic film actor. Nicknamed Pornaldo and dubbed "the Cristiano Ronaldo of sex", he is credited with having sex with over 10,000 women in the course of making 10,000 films.
Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film…Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film director, screenwriter, actor and calligrapher. He gained media attention when he was arrested and charged on suspicion of paying a 17-year-old girl for sexual services in March 2006.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (濱口 竜介, Hamaguchi Ryūsuke; [hamaꜜɡɯtɕi ɾʲɯꜜːsɯ̥ke] ; born 16 December 1978) is a Japanese filmmaker.…Ryusuke Hamaguchi (濱口 竜介, Hamaguchi Ryūsuke; [hamaꜜɡɯtɕi ɾʲɯꜜːsɯ̥ke] ; born 16 December 1978) is a Japanese filmmaker. An alumnus of the University of Tokyo and Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he first gained international recognition for Happy Hour (2015), Asako I & II (2018) and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021), which premiered in the main competitions of Locarno, Cannes, and Berlin respectively. For Drive My Car (2021), Hamaguchi was nominated at the 94th Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay; the film was the first Japanese production to be nominated for Best Picture, and it won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Following Drive My Car, Hamaguchi wrote and directed the critically acclaimed films Evil Does Not Exist (2023), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice, and All of a Sudden (2026), which won the award for Best Actress at Cannes.
Otsuichi (乙一, Otsuichi) is the pen name of Hirotaka Adachi (安達 寛高, Adachi Hirotaka; born October 21, 1978), a Japanese…Otsuichi (乙一, Otsuichi) is the pen name of Hirotaka Adachi (安達 寛高, Adachi Hirotaka; born October 21, 1978), a Japanese writer and filmmaker. He is a member of the Mystery Writers of Japan and the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan. He made his debut with Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse while still in high school. Major works include the novel Goth, which was adapted into a comic and a feature film and the Zoo short story collections which were also adapted into a feature film. Goth won the 2003 Honkaku Mystery Award. Tokyopop has published English-language translations of his short story collection Calling You, the novel Goth and the comic adaptations of both. Another short story, "F-Sensei's Pocket", appears in the English edition of the literary magazine Faust.
Kei Horie (堀江 慶, Horie Kei; born 4 October 1978 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese writer, film producer, director, editor…Kei Horie (堀江 慶, Horie Kei; born 4 October 1978 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese writer, film producer, director, editor and former actor. He is known as Gaku Washio/GaoYellow in 2001's Super Sentai's series, Hyakujuu Sentai GaoRanger. He reprised his role on one more occasion in the Super Sentai teamup, Hurricanger vs Gaoranger in 2003. His older brother, Kazuma Horie, is a voice actor.
Masakazu Kaneko (金子 雅和, Masakazu Kaneko; born 24 January 1978) is a Japanese film director. Kaneko's film Ring…Masakazu Kaneko (金子 雅和, Masakazu Kaneko; born 24 January 1978) is a Japanese film director. Kaneko's film Ring Wandering won Golden Peacock best film award at 52nd International Film Festival of India in November 2021.
Takashi Arai (born June 5, 1978) is a Japanese photographer/visual artist who is well known for his unique practice in…Takashi Arai (born June 5, 1978) is a Japanese photographer/visual artist who is well known for his unique practice in contemporary daguerreotype. He is based in Kawasaki & Tono, Japan.
Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many…Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many television dramas, anime series, and movies.
Mipo O (吳美保, O Mipo; Korean: 오미보, born March 3, 1977, in Iga, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese-born Korean film director…Mipo O (吳美保, O Mipo; Korean: 오미보, born March 3, 1977, in Iga, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese-born Korean film director, screenwriter, and commercial director. Her name is also romanized Mipo Oh.
Shōgo Kawashima (川島 省吾, Kawashima Shōgo; born 2 February 1977, in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Chiba), known by the stage name…Shōgo Kawashima (川島 省吾, Kawashima Shōgo; born 2 February 1977, in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Chiba), known by the stage name Gekidan Hitori (劇団ひとり; 'one-person troupe') is a Japanese comedian, lyricist, actor, novelist, and film director. Gekidan is mainly known his improvisational ability and for his style of physical comedy. He is represented with Ohta Production.
Mari Asato (安里 麻里, Asato Mari; born 14 March 1976) is a Japanese film director. Primarily known for the film Ju-On…Mari Asato (安里 麻里, Asato Mari; born 14 March 1976) is a Japanese film director. Primarily known for the film Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009), part of The Grudge film installments, her other films include the politically undertoned Samurai Chicks (Dokuritsu Shôjo Gurentai) (2004), the cinematic rendition of Boy From Hell (2004), Twilight Syndrome: Dead Go Round (2008), Ring of Curse (2011), Bilocation (2012) and Fatal Frame (2014).
Daisuke Shimote (下手 大輔, Shimote Daisuke; born June 13, 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter from Gifu…Daisuke Shimote (下手 大輔, Shimote Daisuke; born June 13, 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter from Gifu prefecture.
Masanori Tominaga (冨永 昌敬, Tominaga Masanori; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese film director. His 1999 short film…Masanori Tominaga (冨永 昌敬, Tominaga Masanori; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese film director. His 1999 short film, Dolmen, received the Honorary Mention of the International Jury at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in 2000.
Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman…Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman and martial artist. He is known for his role in Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple Hideo Sakaki. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a martial artist, and most often appears in films featuring fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is reportedly skilled in Bajiquan, Shorinji Kempo, Boxing, Kickboxing, and while recently filming Re:Born learned Zero Range Combat developed by Yoshitaka Inagawa.
