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Kayo Matsuo

Kayo Matsuo

Actor · Born March 17, 1943 (83) · Shimomeguro, Tokyo, Japan

Kayo Matsuo was born on March 17, 1943 in Tokyo, Japan. She is an actress, known for Shogun Assassin (1980), Outlaw: Gangster VIP (1968) and Hikaru umi (1963).

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 17, 1943 (83)
From
Shimomeguro, Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 99 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 27Down 33% in 30 days

What are Kayo Matsuo's films like?

Across their 7 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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%
Survival
29%
Morality
24%
Self
15%
Power
2%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 1 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 0 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 5

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 1 · Intense 6

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

Steady 0 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 1 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
4
Dread
3
Absurd
2
Thrilling
2
Other
1

How their films linger

Bittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic5

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 Kayo Matsuo's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kayo Matsuo'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

99 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page.

  • Free and Easy Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Free and Easy 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Business Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Iemitsu, Hikoza and Isshin Tasuke - A National Crisis: Edo Castle in Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Lady Kasuga

  • Iki no Iiyatsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 23 episodes · Actor

  • 姑公認未公認、二人の女の妻芝居 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • The Island Closest to Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Mitsuko Katsuragi

  • Dangerous Encounter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Kaneko Izawa

  • The Unmarked Path (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Kayo Sakai

  • The Key (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Meitantei Kindaichi Kōsuke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • 眠狂四郎無頼控 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Furuya Ikkou's Great Detective Kindaichi Kousuke Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Ritsuko Saeki

  • Tange Sazen: The Million Ryo Pot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Kushimaki Fuji

  • To Trap a Kidnapper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Summer Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Yukie Munekata

  • 妻の復讐 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Good Luck Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • The Imperial Navy(1981)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Tetsugen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Shogun Assassin(1980)

    as Supreme Ninja

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Zoku zoku jiken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Magnitude 7.9 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • The Battle of Port Arthur(1980)

    as Empress Shoken

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • 不良少年 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • The Fixer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Hunter in the Dark(1979)

    as Oren

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Aftermath of Battles Without Honor and Humanity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Satoko Ikenaga

  • Third Generation Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Mute Samurai(1973)

    Show 26 episodes · as Kikuno

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Water Margin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 13 episodes · as Lin Chung's Wife

  • Professional Killers – Assassin's Quarry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Orin

  • Japan's Top Gangster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Internal Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Kayo

  • Hikage-Mono (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • The Shin Hasegawa Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 30 episodes · as おきぬ

  • The Trail of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx(1972)

    as Yagyu Sayaka

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Vampire Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Keiko Sagawa

  • Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • New Prison Walls of Abashiri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Otsuya

  • The House of Wooden Blocks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Three Rogues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Yumeko Sugiyama

  • The Neon Taiheiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Gamblers: The Raid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Otama

  • The Domain: Severed Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Outlaw: Gangster VIP (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Yumeko

  • The Endless Duel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Parole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Velvet Hustler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Killer of Seven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Libido (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Okimi

  • The Domain: White Blade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Mahjong Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Assignment Dragon No. 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Biran Shu

  • Oyuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Fighting Elegy(1966)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Judo vs. Karate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Seven Gamblers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Showdown of Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • The Protector (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Carmen from Kawachi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Yukie

  • Tattooed Life(1965)

    as Oyuki

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Ochiba no honō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Chivalrous Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Story of a Prostitute(1965)

    as Midori

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Flame of Devotion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Ayano Kusaka

  • The Call of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Geisha

  • Gate of Flesh(1964)

    as Omino

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Sound of Waves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Chiyoko

  • Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Beautiful Teenager (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Whirlwind Call the Storm - Ginza Hoodlum's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Under the Roof of Young Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Kazuko Watase (Ryohei's college friend)

  • Foggy Night Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Ginza no jirochō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • A Modern Samurai Village (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Hiroko Ri

  • Sararīman monogatari - Taiki bansai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Fujiko

  • Beyond the Green Hills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Komako

  • Ai to shi no katami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Wakai futari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Bōkyō no umi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Sararīman monogatari: Teki wa ikuman aritotemo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Kyoko

  • Sararīman monogatari shin'nyū shain dai ikka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Rambler Returns Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Teenage Yakuza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Keiko

  • Wakai tsume ato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Frozen Plains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Season of Farewell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Wind and waves of the South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Sugiko

  • Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Aoime no Sugao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Ginza Whirlwind: The Call of the Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • My Second Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Yoshiko, eldest sister

  • Yutaro's Secret Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Endless Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles from 1958 to 1994; peak year 1971.

Highest rated

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Gate of Flesh (1964)

Film career

19581994

Peak 1971 · 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.

  • 1964Screen debut· Gate of Flesh
  • 1970First top-billed film· The Vampire Doll

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting99 of 99: 99 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score84th

By decade

1950s3 · acting1960s57 · acting1970s14 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 17% of 6 roles

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.

How do Kayo Matsuo's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 81st percentile, the median of all 9; across their 7 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 7

Approval · how many liked their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th2

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 10 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

The Imperial Navy (1981)

51st percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 38. 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 Kayo Matsuo work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kayo Matsuo's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Seijun Suzuki shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers