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Kon Ichikawa

Kon Ichikawa

Director and writer, also producer, composer and actor · Died February 13, 2008, aged 92 · Mie, Japan

Kon Ichikawa was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. His work displays a vast range in genre and style, from the anti-war films The Burmese Harp and Fires on the Plain, to the documentary Tokyo Olympiad, which won two BAFTA Film Awards, and the 19th-century revenge drama An Actor's Revenge.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 20, 1915
Died
February 13, 2008 (aged 92)
From
Mie, Japan
Works as
Director and writer, also producer, composer and actor
Titles
17 on MovieCove · 107 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 33% in 30 days

What are Kon Ichikawa's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 93rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
23%
Self
22%
Survival
20%
Society
14%
Bonds
10%
Ideas
7%
Power
5%
Mortality3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 5 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 8

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 12 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 9 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Contemplative
9
Melancholic
6
Warm
5
Absurd
3
Other
12

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kon Ichikawa's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 17 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (8).

Subscription and free streaming for Kon Ichikawa's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

107 credits, 17 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Magic Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Film Director

  • Ten Nights of Dreams(2006)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Enlightenment: A Second Night of Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Murder of the Inugami Clan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Writer

  • Musume no kekkon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Ten Dark Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • The Life of Bangaku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

  • Kah-chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Dora-heita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Shinsengumi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Writer

  • Kon Ichikawa: My Life in Cinema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Interviewee

  • The 8-Tomb Village (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Un bel dì vedremo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Story

  • Fusa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Writer

  • 47 Ronin(1994)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Kogarashi Monjirō Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Noh Mask Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Battleship Yamato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Crane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Writer

  • Princess from the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Actress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

  • The Hall of the Crying Deer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director · Writer

  • The Adventures of Milo and Otis(1986)

    Co-Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Burmese Harp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Ohan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer

  • The Makioka Sisters(1983)

    Director · Composer · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Lonely Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Koto: The Ancient City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Writer

  • Galaxy Express 999(1979)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The House of Hanging (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Hi no tori(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Queen Bee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Writer

  • The Devil's Island(1977)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Lullaby to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay

  • The Inugami Family(1976)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Between Women and Wives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • I Am a Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Visions of Eight(1973)

    Director · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Wanderers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director · Producer's Assistant · Screenplay

  • Kogarashi Monjiro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Creator · Writer

  • To Love Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • Dodes'ka-den(1970)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Japan and the Japanese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director

  • Kyoto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director

  • Youth: The 50th National High School Baseball Tournament (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director

  • Topo Gigio and the Missile War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Writer

  • The Tale of Genji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director

  • Tokyo Olympics (International Version) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • Tokyo Olympiad(1965)

    Director · Thanks · Writer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Money Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Alone Across the Pacific (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director

  • An Actor's Revenge(1963)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Being Two Isn't Easy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director · Producer

  • The Broken Commandment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director

  • Ten Women in Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director

  • Her Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • Ashi ni sawatta onna(1960)

    Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bonchi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director · Screenplay

  • A Woman's Testament (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • Fires on the Plain(1959)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Key(1959)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Goodbye, Hello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Conflagration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Edo wa aozora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Adaptation

  • Hole in One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Writer

  • The Men of Toho-ku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Crowded Train (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Bridge of Japan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Director

  • Punishment Room(1956)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Burmese Harp(1956)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Director

  • Ghost Story of Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Director

  • 12 Chapters About Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Director

  • A Billionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Director · Writer

  • All of Myself (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Director · Writer

  • The Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Writer

  • Brilliant! The First Detective: Zenigata Heiji in His Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Blue Revolution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director

  • Mr. Pu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Writer

  • This Way, That Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Woman Who Touched the Legs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Forbidden Path (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Mr. Lucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director

  • Wedding March (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Writer

  • Bengawan Solo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Writer

  • Stolen Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Writer

  • The Man Without a Nationality (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director

  • Koibito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Writer

  • Nightshade Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Pursuit At Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director · Story

  • Heat and Mud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Sanshiro of Ginza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director

  • Endless Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Director

  • Ningen moyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Director

  • 365 Nights: Osaka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Director

  • 365 Nights: Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Director

  • 365 Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Director

  • A Flower Blooms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Director

  • A Thousand and One Nights with Toho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Director · Writer

  • A Girl At Dojo Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Director

  • World of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Assistant Director

  • Hyoroku's Dream Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Production Manager

  • Enoken's Bow-Wow General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Assistant Director

  • Old Songs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Assistant Director

  • Fallen Blossoms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Assistant Director

  • Shinsetsu Kachikachi Yama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Director · Writer

  • Cowardly samurai squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Animation

Career shape

A full career of 107 titles from 1935 to 2008.

Biggest box office

The Burmese Harp (1956)

$34K worldwide

Highest rated

The Burmese Harp (1956)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Dodes'ka-den (1970)

Film career

  • 2008Screen debut· The Magic Hour

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting3 of 107: 2 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting94 of 107: 41 only directing, 53 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thWriting54 of 107: 3 only writing, 51 with another role · typical Midcredits score83rdProducing9 of 107: 1 only producing, 8 with another roleEditing1 of 107: 0 only editing, 1 with another roleOther crew8 of 107: 6 only other crew, 2 with another role

107 titles, 54 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 50 of them.

By decade

1930s4 · crew1940s11 · crew1950s33 · crew1960s16 · crew1970s15 · 1 acting · 15 crew1980s10 · crew1990s8 · 1 acting · 7 crew2000s10 · 1 acting · 9 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Kon Ichikawa's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 78th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 83rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 17 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor, director

Visions of Eight (1973)

83rd percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Burmese Harp (1956)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 81/100 and the pacing 45/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kon Ichikawa work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kon Ichikawa's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Natto Wada shares the most, 7.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers