Skip to content
MovieCove
Rinko Kikuchi

Rinko Kikuchi

Actor, also producer · Born January 6, 1981 (45) · Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan

Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Rinko Kikuchi, born Yuriko Kikuchi, January 6, 1981, is a Japanese actress. Kikuchi is the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years. She is currently Japan's only living female Academy Award nominee in acting categories. The only other nominee was Miyoshi Umeki, who won the Best Supporting Actress award in 1957 for Sayonara.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 6, 1981 (45)
From
Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 79 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 14% in 30 days

What are Rinko Kikuchi's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation 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
Bonds
31%
Survival
21%
Self
14%
Society
11%
Morality
10%
Ideas
10%
Power
3%
Romantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 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 6 · Serious 2 · Dark 8

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

Grounded 3 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 6

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

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

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

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 6 · Affecting 3 · 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 8 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 14 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 14
Hero
4 of 14
Threshold guardian
2 of 14
Trickster
1 of 14
Shapeshifter
1 of 14
Mentor
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
7
Contemplative
6
Thrilling
4
Bittersweet
4
Other
18

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

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 Rinko Kikuchi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rinko Kikuchi'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

79 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!(2026)

    Executive Producer · as Haru

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • いのこりぐみ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Uso ga Uso de Uso wa Uso da (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mitsuko Omori

  • Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Ayvil Suzuki

  • The Hot Spot(2025)

    Show 10 episodes · as Masako Umemoto

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • That Person Has Disappeared (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Terada

  • Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 10 episodes · as Shosenkyo Reiko

  • Shinnyuushatachi no Bansan(2024)

    as Tanaka Akiko

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • In Love and Deep Water(2023)

    as Aina Horikawa

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Yoko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Yoko

  • Menstrual Uncle and His Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Kitashiro Urara

  • PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 11 episodes · as Tatsuki Samejima

  • Tokyo Vice(2022)

    Show 18 episodes · as Eimi Maruyama

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Evil God's Balance Public Security Analysis Team (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Machiko Aiba

  • What to Do With the Dead Kaiju? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Colonel Sen Masago

  • Invasion(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · as Hinata Murai

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • The Dancing Kettle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • A BUTTERFLY EFFECT –The Murder Analysis Team– (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · as Aiba Machiko

  • Aging Police / Resurrection Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • We Are Little Zombies(2019)

    as Yuko Ibu

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • I'm still here (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Screenplay

  • Weakest Beast(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Kureha Tachibana

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Sherlock(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Mitsuki Kurata

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Pacific Rim: Uprising(2018)

    as Mako Mori

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Highheels: Kodawari ga unda otogibanashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • A Story About Kagurazaka and Sake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Etsuko

  • Westworld(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Akane

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Terra Formars(2016)

    as Asuka Moriki

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • テラフォーマーズ／新たなる希望 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Endless Night(2015)

    as Allaka

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Dear Deer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Onlooker

  • To Give a Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mikiko Abe

  • Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter(2014)

    Executive Producer · as Kumiko

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Last Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Naomi

  • Gu Gu the Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Chikako

  • Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 10 episodes · as Reiko Shosenkyo

  • 47 Ronin(2013)

    as Witch

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Pacific Rim(2013)

    as Mako Mori

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Frame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Mako Mori

  • It's Getting Late (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Anna

  • The Warped Forest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Love Strikes!(2011)

    as Naoko Hayashida

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • At River's Edge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Tazu

  • Good-bye, Robinson Crusoe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Norwegian Wood(2010)

    as Naoko

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • 42 One Dream Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Actor

  • Love Strikes! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 12 episodes · as Naoko

  • Shanghai(2010)

    as Sumiko (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Assault Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Lucifer

  • Map of the Sounds of Tokyo(2009)

    as Ryu

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Sideways(2009)

    as Mina Parker

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as (segment "ASSAULT GIRL 2")

  • The Brothers Bloom(2008)

    as Bang Bang

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Sky Crawlers(2008)

    as Suito Kusanagi (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Tokyo Serendipity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Junda Atsuko

  • Genius Party(2007)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Insects Unlisted in the Encyclopedia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sayoko

  • Liar Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 9 episodes · as Ryo Katsuragi

  • Umi de no hanashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Kaori

  • Babel(2006)

    as Chieko

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Arch Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Nobuko Sakurai

  • Funky Forest: The First Contact(2005)

    as Kikuchi

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Portrait of the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • The Motive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Survive Style 5+(2004)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Taste of Tea(2004)

    as Waitress At Noodle Shop

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • 69(2004)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Tori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Making-of１７才 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Jyunanasai(2003)

    as Hitomi

  • Mike Yokohama: A Forest with No Name (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as No. 51

  • The Phantom of August (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • The Private Detective Mike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hole in the Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Taeko

  • Churasan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 156 episodes · as Maiko Murayama

  • By Player (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Will to Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Kawaii Dake ja Dame Kashira? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • School Ghost Story F (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 79 titles from 1997 to 2026; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

Pacific Rim (2013)

$411M worldwide

Highest rated

Tokyo Vice (2022)

Midcredits 93rd

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19972026

Peak 2009 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting78 of 79: 75 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thDirecting1 of 79: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 79: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing2 of 79: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

79 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1990s3 · acting2000s28 · acting2010s31 · 30 acting · 3 crew2020s17 · 17 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 20% of 20 roles
051015

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. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

7 major nominations and no wins, 2007–2015.

  1. 2015
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Female Lead
  2. 2007
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
    • +1 other major body · 2 nominations
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Acting Ensemble
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actress

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Rinko Kikuchi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 69th percentile, the median of the 23 of 24 with a score; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Sideways (2009)

86th percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Taste of Tea (2004)

Midcredits 94th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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.

Is Rinko Kikuchi's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles57–69 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles14–72 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles30–66 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles16–73 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles50–66 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Rinko Kikuchi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rinko Kikuchi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Isabel Coixet shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers