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Rie Miyazawa

Rie Miyazawa

Actor · Born April 6, 1973 (53) · Tokyo, Japan

Rie Miyazawa is a Japanese actress and former teen idol. She is regarded as one of Japan's top actresses, and her accolades include six Japan Academy Film Prizes and three Kinema Junpo Awards Miyazawa began her career as a child model, seeing wide exposure as the original face of Mitsui Rehouse, and made her acting debut in the 1988 film Seven Day's War, for which she won the Japan Academy Award for Newcomer of the Year at age sixteen. Her short-lived music career began with the single "Dream Rush" in 1989, and the next year she performed at the prestigious Kōhaku Uta Gassen television special. Miyazawa quickly rose to prominence as one of the top idols of the early Heisei period, attracting controversy for her 1991 nude photography book Santa Fe, which moved 1.5 million copies. Her personal struggles were further scrutinized, including a high-profile engagement to sumo wrestler Takanohana, a suicide attempt and battle with anorexia nervosa. By 1996, she went into hiatus and briefly resettled in San Diego. She took on a few television drama roles in the late 1990s, and returned to the big screen in the Taiwanese films The Cabbie (2000) and Peony Pavilion (2001). She co-starred in the highly-acclaimed 2002 film The Twilight Samurai, which marked a full-fledged comeback for Miyazawa and remains as her most recognizable role both domestically and internationally. She saw further success in The Face of Jizo and Tony Takitani (2004), and received several accolades for Pale Moon (2014) and Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 6, 1973 (53)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
21 on MovieCove · 84 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

What are Rie Miyazawa's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy 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
27%
Self
16%
Bonds
14%
Survival
14%
Power
12%
Society
11%
Ideas
6%
Romantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 4 · Dark 5

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 11 · Intense 0

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 6 · 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 9 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 9 · 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 4 · 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 7 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 12
Ally
4 of 12
Shapeshifter
1 of 12
Shadow
1 of 12
Mentor
1 of 12
Herald
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
9
Tense
6
Contemplative
8
Dread
5
Joyful
5
Other
13

How their films linger

Bittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous4

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 Rie Miyazawa's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 21 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rie Miyazawa'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

84 credits, 21 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Numb(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • 悪魔の手毬唄 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Eiga Last Man: First Love(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Human Specimens(2025)

    Show 5 episodes · as Rumi Ichinose

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Queen of Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • リア王 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • 昭和から騒ぎ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Asura(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as Tsunako

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Orlando (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • PHOENIX: Reminiscence of Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Romi (voice)

  • The Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Yoko

  • Phoenix: Eden17(2023)

    Show 4 episodes · as Romi (voice)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • I Am Makimoto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Miharu Imae

  • The 13 Lords of the Shogun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 48 episodes · as Maki no kata

  • The Sunday Runoff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Matrilineal Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Fumino Hamada

  • Guilty Flag(2021)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • FM999: 999 WOMEN'S SONGS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Eve (The First Woman)

  • Independence of Japan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • North Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • What Did You Eat Yesterday? New Year's Special 2020 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • 7 Days War(2019)

    as Hitomi Nakayama (voice)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • No Longer Human(2019)

    as Michiko Tsushima

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Naked Director(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Etsuko Takamiya

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Ashiato Hime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Her Love Boils Bathwater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Futaba Kono

  • Too Young to Die! Wakakushite shinu(2016)

    as Adult Hiromi Tezuka

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • 疾走する蜷川幸雄80歳 〜生きる覚悟〜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • あてなよる (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pieta in the Toilet(2015)

    as Takuto's Mother

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Pale Moon(2014)

    as Rika Umezawa

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

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

    Show 9 episodes · as Asako Kojima

  • Leaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Yukino Higashiyama

  • Kiki's Delivery Service(2014)

    as Kokiri

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The After-Dinner Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Miho Kumazawa

  • 神様のボート (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as 노지마 요코

  • Blackboard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · as Hisako Shirahama · as Shirahama Hisako

  • Princess Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 46 episodes · as Chacha / Yododono

  • MIRACLE GIRLS: Neva-da Stop Dreaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Gelatin Silver, Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Assasin

  • Dreaming Awake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Oceans(2008)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Invitation from Cinema Orion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Toyo Toyota

  • Hana(2006)

    as Osae

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Book of the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Iratsume of Fujiwara (voice)

  • Blood Gets in Your Eyes(2005)

    as Tsubaki

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Natsumeke no Shokutaku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 一番大切な人は誰ですか？ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nakamichi Toko

  • Tony Takitani(2004)

    as Konuma Eiko / Hisako

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Face of Jizo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mitsue Fukuyoshi

  • The Kiss of an Invisible Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 49 episodes · as Oshino

  • The Twilight Samurai(2002)

    as Tomoe Iinuma

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Kogoro Akechi vs Kaijin Nijyuu Menso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Fumiyo Yoshinaga

  • Utsutsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Ikuko Obara

  • Peony Pavilion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Cui Hua

  • Free and Easy 12: Big Holiday Bonus Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Kido Kubo

  • The Cabbie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Chuang Ching-wen

  • Food Fight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 11 episodes · as Miyazono Saeka

  • Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Genroku Ryoran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 49 episodes · as Aguri

  • Precious Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 12 episodes · as Lisa Takimura

  • Tom Cat Holmes and the Twilight Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

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

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Bistro Guest

  • The Miracle on a Christmas Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • The Tale of Himeji Castle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Kita no kuni kara '95 Himitsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • 47 Ronin(1994)

    as Karu

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • 結婚式場 花嫁介添人がゆく (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Youth Peony Lantern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Saiyūki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as 三藏法师

  • Erotic Liaisons(1992)

    as Rie

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Don't Steal My Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Kita no kuni kara '92 Sudachi Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Basara: The Princess Goh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Princess Goh

  • Tokyo Elevator Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • いつか誰かと朝帰りッ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • いつも誰かに恋してるッ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Defeat the Devil! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Maki Hoshigawa

  • Who Do I Choose? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Namiko

  • Oshare dorobō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Tears of a Swan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 25 episodes · as Mika Hazuki

  • Bokura no nanoka-kan sensô(1988)

    as Hitomi Nakayama

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles from 1988 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Oceans (2008)

$83M worldwide

Highest rated

The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Guilty Flag (2021)

Film career

19882026

Peak 2015 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 2002Screen debut· The Twilight Samurai
  • 2014First top-billed film· Pale Moon
  • 2016Career best· Her Love Boils Bathwater
  • 2025Best so far· Asura

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting83 of 83: 83 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s18 · acting2020s21 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 22% of 9 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 Rie Miyazawa's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 16; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 21 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Eiga Last Man: First Love (2025)

82nd percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 50. 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 Rie Miyazawa work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rie Miyazawa's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hidetoshi Nishijima shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Producers