Skip to content
MovieCove
Nanako Matsushima

Nanako Matsushima

Actor · Born October 13, 1973 (53) · Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Nanako Matsushima (松嶋 菜々子 Matsushima Nanako, born October 13, 1973 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress and model. She is known outside Japan for her role in the horror film Ring. She was also a main character in A Story of Love, where she starred next to Hiroyuki Sanada, who also played Ryuji Takayama in Ring. On February 21, 2001, she married Takashi Sorimachi who co-starred with her in Great Teacher Onizuka. They have two daughters together, born on May 31, 2004 and November 30, 2007. Description above from the Wikipedia article Nanako Matsushima, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.​

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 13, 1973 (53)
From
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
15 on MovieCove · 62 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 155 days to Oct 26Up 13% in 30 days

What are Nanako Matsushima's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
34%
Morality
25%
Survival
19%
Self
10%
Ideas
7%
Power
3%
Society
3%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 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 1 · Serious 2 · Dark 3

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 3 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 2

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

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 3 · Even-paced 2 · 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 3 · Full focus 1

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

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 2 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 6 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Ally
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Dread
3
Melancholic
3
Joyful
2
Contemplative
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Hopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet6

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 Nanako Matsushima's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 15 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Nanako Matsushima'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

62 credits, 15 with a MovieCove page.

  • GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka(2026)

    Show 11 episodes · as Azusa Fuyutsuki

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • One in a Million: Tax Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 9 episodes · as Yoneda Seiko

  • Anpan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 130 episodes · as Tomiko Yanai

  • Haha no Matsu Sato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • GTO Revival(2024)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Ougon No Toki - Kintaro Hattori Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Hattori Man

  • Don't Call it Mystery: The Movie(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Kissing the Ring Finger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nitta Shizuka

  • Neighbor Chikara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 9 episodes · as Yoriko Michio（道尾 頼子）

  • The Great Yokai War: Guardians(2021)

    as Reika Watanabe

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • 夢の本屋をめぐる冒険 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · as 노조미 사사키

  • America ni Makenakatta Otoko - Bakayaro Souri Yoshida Shigeru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Kiyo Yoshida

  • AI Amok(2020)

    as Nozomi Kiryu

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Nozaki Shuhei President of Bank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 5 episodes · as Shoko Tachikawa

  • The World of Machida-kun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Machida Momoka

  • Natsuzora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 156 episodes · Actor

  • Yuukai Houtei: Seven Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • The Crimes That Bind(2018)

    as Hiromi Asai

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Nozaki Shuhei - Auditor of Bank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Shoko Tachikawa

  • Onna no Kunsho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Tower of Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Sasaki Yumiko

  • Natsuko Kira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · Creator · as Natsuko Kira

  • Red Cross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as 希代

  • Another Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Murder on the Orient Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Maiko Baba

  • Murder on the Orient Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • When Marnie Was There(2014)

    as Yoriko Sasaki (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Shield of Straw(2013)

    as Atsuko Shiraiwa

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Seven Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Lucky Seven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 10 episodes · as Toko Fujisaki

  • I'm Mita, Your Housekeeper(2011)

    Show 11 episodes · as Akari Mita

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Nanami Hoshino

  • Jungle Emperor: The Brave Can Change the Future(2009)

    as Eliza (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • BOYS OVER FLOWERS the movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Tsubaki Dōmyōji

  • Bizan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sakiko Kouno

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

    as Tamayo Nonomiya

  • Furuhata Ninzaburo Final: Last Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Grave of the Fireflies(2005)

    as Hisako

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • BOYS OVER FLOWERS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 20 episodes · as Domyoji Tsubaki

  • Beauty or Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Toshiie and Matsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 51 episodes · as Matsu

  • Perfect Woman(2000)

    Show 11 episodes · as Jinno Sakurako

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Story of One Century (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · as Main Role

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

    as Chiaki Hirakawa

  • Ice World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 11 episodes · as Egi Toko

  • Forbidden Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 11 episodes · as Michi Hirose

  • Ring 2(1999)

    as Reiko Asakawa

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Emergency Room 24 Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 41 episodes · as 小島楓（こじま かえで） 演 - 松嶋菜々子

  • GTOスペシャル座談会 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Azusa Fuyutsuki

  • GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 12 episodes · as Azusa Fuyutsuki

  • Ringu(1998)

    as Reiko Asakawa

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Spiral(1998)

    as Reiko Asakawa (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Season (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 11 episodes · as Fujitani Mahiro

  • Dramatic Travelogue: Midnight Express ’98 – Toward the Light, Europe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • The Doctor Is In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • A Story of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Dramatic Travelogue: Midnight Express ’97 – Westward to Eurasia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • こんな恋のはなし (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Fireworks, Ferris Wheels and Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Fumika Nonomura

  • Dramatic Travelogue: Midnight Express ’96 – Torrid Asia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Himawari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 162 episodes · as Nozomi Minamida

  • Furuhata Ninzaburo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 62 titles from 1994 to 2026; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

When Marnie Was There (2014)

$35M worldwide

Highest rated

When Marnie Was There (2014)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19942026

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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· Ring
  • 1998Screen debut· The Spiral
  • 1998First top-billed film· Ring

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting62 of 62: 61 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stOther crew1 of 62: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1990s18 · acting2000s12 · acting2010s18 · 18 acting · 1 crew2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 25% of 8 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 Nanako Matsushima's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 84th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

84thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 15 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 15 titles are Broadly Agreed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

Jungle Emperor: The Brave Can Change the Future (2009)

79th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

When Marnie Was There (2014)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 35. 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 Nanako Matsushima work with?

People who share at least 2 of Nanako Matsushima's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Takashi Miike shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers

Producers