Directing
Takeshi Kitano
Born Jan 18, 1947 · Tokyo, Japan
Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born January 18, 1947), also known in Japan as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi), is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host.
Kitano rose to prominence in the 1970s as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, before going solo and becoming one of the three biggest comedians in the country. After several small acting roles, he made his directorial debut with 1989's Violent Cop and garnered international acclaim for Sonatine (1993). He was not widely accepted as an accomplished director in Japan until Hana-bi won the Golden Lion in 1997. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000).
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Directed
Broken Rage
2024
Crime · Drama · Comedy
Kubi
2023
History · Action · Drama
Outrage Coda
2017
Action · Crime · Thriller
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
2015
Comedy · Action
Morning
2014
Drama
Beyond Outrage
2012
Action · Crime
Outrage
2010
Action · Crime · Thriller
Takeshi's Castle Vol. 1
2009
Comedy · Family · Adventure
Achilles and the Tortoise
2008
Comedy · Drama
To Each His Own Cinema
2007
Comedy · Drama
Glory to the Filmmaker!
2007
Drama · Comedy
Takeshis'
2005
Comedy · Drama · Fantasy
One Fine Day
2005
Comedy
Zatoichi
2003
Adventure · Drama · Action
Dolls
2002
Drama · Romance
Brother
2000
Crime · Drama · Thriller
Kikujiro
1999
Comedy · Drama
Fireworks
1997
Crime · Drama
Hana-bi (1997) – Behind-the-scenes Footage
1997
Documentary
Kids Return
1996
Drama · Crime
Getting Any?
1995
Comedy
Sonatine
1993
Action · Crime · Thriller
A Scene at the Sea
1991
Drama · Romance · Comedy
Boiling Point
1990
Crime · Comedy · Drama
Violent Cop
1989
Crime · Thriller · Action
Written
Analog
2023
Romance
Asakusa Kid
2021
Drama
Kids Return: The Reunion
2013
Crime · Drama
Asakusa Kid
2002
TV Movie · Drama
Many Happy Returns
1993
Comedy · Drama
Acting
In Your Blood: Hoki Naiden
AUM: The Cult at the End of the World
2025
Documentary · Crime
Broken Rage
2024
Crime · Drama · Comedy
Kubi
2023
History · Action · Drama
Takeshi's Castle Japan
2023
Reality · Comedy · Family
