Skip to content
MovieCove
Takako Matsu

Takako Matsu

Actor · Born June 10, 1977 (49) · Tokyo, Japan

Takako Matsu is a Japanese actress and pop singer born on June 10, 1977. She gained widespread popularity in the late 1990s through hit TV dramas starring alongside Takuya Kimura, including the massive success Long Vacation (1996) and Love Generation (1997). These roles established her as a leading actress in television. She has received Best Actress awards multiple time in her career.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 10, 1977 (49)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 72 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 8% in 30 days

What are Takako Matsu's films like?

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

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
30%
Morality
25%
Self
17%
Survival
12%
Society
11%
Ideas
3%
Power
2%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 2

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

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 4 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 4 · 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 5 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 10
Ally
3 of 10
Mentor
1 of 10
Trickster
1 of 10
Shapeshifter
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
10
Melancholic
7
Tense
6
Hopeful
4
Romantic
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Feel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Takako Matsu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (5).

Subscription and free streaming for Takako Matsu'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

72 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Blossom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • Nagi Notes(2026)

    as Yoriko Endo

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • 大パルコ人⑤オカタイロックオペラ「雨の傍聴席、おんなは裸足…」 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Their Marriage(2025)

    Show 9 episodes · as Nella Suzuki

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • On Summer Sand(2025)

    as Keiko Koura

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • NODA・MAP『Q』：A Night at the Kabuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 1st Kiss(2025)

    as Kanna Suzuri

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Slow Train (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Yoko Shibuya

  • The Zen Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Machiko

  • The Pass: Last Days of the Samurai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Suga

  • Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • My Dear Exes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Towako Omameda

  • Matsuo Suzuki to 30-pun no Joyuu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show Actor

  • Suddenly Reading! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • 劇場の灯を消すな！Ｂｕｎｋａｍｕｒａシアターコクーン編 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Tsutaya Madoka

  • Ikinari Honyomi! Sudden Book Reading (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Last Letter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Yuri Kishibeno

  • No Side Game(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Maki Kimijima

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Masquerade Hotel(2019)

    as Yoko Katagiri

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • It Comes(2018)

    as Kotoko Higa

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Hard-Core (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Bar woman

  • The Miracle of Crybaby Shottan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Yoshiko Kashimasawa

  • The Lies She Loved (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Theme Song Performance

  • Warotenka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 151 episodes · Theme Song Performance

  • Fireworks(2017)

    as Nazuna's Mother (voice)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Quartet(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as Maki Maki

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • ふつうが一番 －作家・藤沢周平 父の一言－ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as 후지사와 카즈코

  • Hero(2015)

    as Maiko Amamiya

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • A Farewell to Jinu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Akiko Amano

  • Back of Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Higuchi Touko

  • The Little House(2014)

    as Tokiko Hirai

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Dreams for Sale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Satoko Ichizawa

  • Man of Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 10 episodes · as Yuriko Yuminari

  • Someday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mie Oi

  • Shin Nihon Fudoki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 448 episodes · as 語り：声の旅人

  • Confessions(2010)

    as Yuko Moriguchi

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Clouds Over the Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 13 episodes · as 秋山多美

  • Villon's Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Sachi

  • K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Yoko Hashiba

  • Hero(2007)

    as Maiko Amamiya

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad(2007)

    as Mizue

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • At the Soul of an Actor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 11 episodes · as 乌山瞳美

  • HERO SP (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Maiko Amamiya

  • Brave Story(2006)

    as Wataru Mitsuya (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Suite Dreams(2006)

    as Hana Takemoto

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Shinobu Yajima

  • The Hidden Blade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Kie

  • 竜馬がゆく (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • 9 Souls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Yuki

  • Always the two of us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · as Tanimachi Mizuho

  • Chûshingura 1/47 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Aguri (later Yozeiin)

  • クリスマスの約束 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show Creator

  • 明るいほうへ 明るいほうへ -童謡詩人 金子みすゞ- (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

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

    Show 11 episodes · as Maiko Amamiya / 雨宫舞子

  • Omiai kekkon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 11 episodes · Theme Song Performance · as Nakatani Setsuko

  • Open tonight! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • The Oar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Jinbē (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Love Generation Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Uesugi/Riko

  • April Story(1998)

    as Uzuki Nireno

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Tokyo Fair Weather (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Love Generation(1997)

    Show 11 episodes · as Riko Uesugi

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Love Song of the Old Capital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Because I Am Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Konna Watashi ni Dare ga Shita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Long Vacation(1996)

    Show 11 episodes · as Ryoko Okusawa

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • SMAP×SMAP (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Bistro guest

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

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Hana no Ran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 37 episodes · Actor

  • Under One Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • NODA・MAP「兎、波を走る」 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 71 of them dated from 1993 to 2026; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Hero (2007)

$76M worldwide

Highest rated

Confessions (2010)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Love Generation (1997)

Film career

19932026

Peak 2007 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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.

  • 1998Screen debut· April Story
  • 1998First top-billed film· April Story
  • 2010Career best· Confessions
  • 2017Career best· Quartet

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting69 of 72: 68 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score68thOther crew4 of 72: 3 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1990s15 · acting2000s19 · 18 acting · 2 crew2010s19 · 17 acting · 2 crew2020s18 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 40% of 15 roles
9808

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.

How do Takako Matsu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th5

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 19 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser8
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Love Generation (1997)

54th percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Confessions (2010)

Midcredits 95th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 55. 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.

Who does Takako Matsu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Takako Matsu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Takuya Kimura shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers