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Kiichi Nakai

Kiichi Nakai

Actor · Born September 18, 1961 (65) · Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kiichi Nakai (born 18 September 1961) is a Japanese actor. His father, Keiji Sada, also a movie actor, died when Nakai was only two years old. Nakai started his acting career while he was still in university and was awarded the Rookie of the Year of Japan Academy Awards in 1981. He won the Japan Academy Best Supporting Actor award in 1994 (for 47 Ronin) and Best Actor award in 2003 (for Mibu gishi den (When the Last Sword is Drawn). He also won the award for best supporting actor at the 19th Hochi Film Award for 47 Ronin. In 2003 he played a Japanese delegate to a Chinese emperor of the Tang dynasty in Warriors of Heaven and Earth. Though a few of his lines are in Japanese, most are in Mandarin. His older sister, Kie Nakai, is also an actress. Description above from the Wikipedia article Kiichi Nakai, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 18, 1961 (65)
From
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 125 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 26Up 50% in 30 days

What are Kiichi Nakai's films like?

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

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: 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
42%
Bonds
25%
Self
13%
Survival
12%
Society
4%
Power
2%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeWar2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 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 2 · Serious 5 · Dark 7

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

Grounded 4 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

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 7 · Even-paced 6 · 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 10 · Full focus 2

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 3 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 7

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 8
Shadow
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Mentor
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
8
Warm
6
Contemplative
5
Absurd
3
Other
13

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous1
  • 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 Kiichi Nakai's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 3 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kiichi Nakai'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

125 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Yukikaze(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Second to Last Love 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 11 episodes · as 长仓和平

  • Silence of the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Suiken

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

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • We Make Antiques! Osaka Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Norio Koike

  • The Travel Nurse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 17 episodes · as Kuki Shizuka

  • Dreaming of the Meridian Arc (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • 「銀座ゴルフ倶楽部 presented by テーラーメイド」 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kareinaru ichizoku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 12 episodes · as Manpyo Daisuke

  • 劇場の灯を消すな！PARCO劇場編 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Kyouen NG (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 7 episodes · as Toyama Eiji

  • We Make Antiques! Kyoto Rendezvous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Norio Koike

  • 風博士 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hit Me Anyone One More Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Keisuke Kuroda

  • Aircraft Carrier Ibuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Keiichi Nakano, convenience store manager

  • Memory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 12 episodes · as Hidehisa Honjo

  • 娘の結婚 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • We Make Antiques! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Norio Koike

  • Flower and Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Nobunaga Oda

  • Kofuku no Alibi: Picture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Good Morning Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Shingo Sumida

  • Ken San (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator

  • Kinpika(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as Kenta Sakaguchi · as 阪口健太

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Haruhiko Sakacho

  • Snow on the Blades(2014)

    as Kingo Shimura

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Time Never Stops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Ryosuke Saigo

  • Kumokiri Nizaemon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 53 episodes · as Kumokiri Nizaemon

  • SWITCH Interview Masters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Second to Last Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

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

    Show 10 episodes · as Kengo Moai

  • 中国文明の謎 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mitsukuni Mito

  • Keigo Higashino Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • The Wings of the Kirin(2011)

    as Takeaki Aoyagi

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Second to Last Love(2012)

    Show 34 episodes · as Nagakura Wahei

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Taira no Kiyomori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 50 episodes · as Taira no Tadamori

  • Wild 7 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • A Flawless Concierge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Osano

  • 三谷幸喜「short cut」 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • A Ghost of a Chance(2011)

    as Osano

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

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

    as Koichi Sanada

  • The Warring States(2011)

    as King of Qi

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

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

    as Hajime Tsutsui

  • The History of Our Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jyuichi Shishimaru

  • Pro Bono (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Sawaki

  • Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Hiroshi Kataoka

  • Smile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 11 episodes · as Ito Kazuma

  • Garden of the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 11 episodes · as Sadami Shiratori

  • Samurai Gangsters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jirocho Shimizu

  • The Magic Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Toru Iwata

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

    Actor

  • Hero(2007)

    as Akihiko Takida

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Barefoot Gen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Daikichi Nakaoka

  • はだしのゲン (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · as 中岡 大吉

  • Dororo(2007)

    as Kagemitsu Daigo

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

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

    as Akihiko Takida

  • Moyuru Toki: The Excellent Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles(2005)

    as Kenichi Takata (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • A Hardest Night!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Hashita

  • Aegis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Yong Fa

  • Yoshitsune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 49 episodes · as Kamakura's first Sho-Gun

  • Onmyoji II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Genkaku

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

    Actor

  • Warriors of Heaven and Earth(2003)

    as Lai Qi

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • When the Last Sword Is Drawn(2002)

    as Kanichiro Yoshimura

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

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

    Show 49 episodes · as Munenori Yagyu

  • Shura Group Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Ryoma's Wife, Her Husband and Her Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Shura Group (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Shura Group Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Shura Group Part 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Love From a Lie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • All About Our House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Kiichi Nakai

  • The Firefly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Bring Me to the Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Darkness in the Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Makoto Sasano

  • Tales of the Unusual (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as (segment "Samurai Cellular")

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

    Actor

  • 玩具の神様 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Owls' Castle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Tsuzura Juzo

  • Semi-double (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Sho Jinguji

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

    Actor

  • Falling into the Evening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Shibata

  • Begging for Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Fumio Chin

  • Love Letter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • I Miss Age 35 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 11 episodes · as Eiji Shimata

  • Love Still Hasn't Begun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

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

    as Yuichiro Goda

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

    Actor

  • 47 Ronin(1994)

    as Matashiro Irobe

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Good Mourning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Natsuko no Sake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 11 episodes · as 佐伯康男

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

    as Masahiko Tendo

  • Jaja uma narashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 12 episodes · as Ryuichiro Yamada

  • Moving(1993)

    as Kenichi

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Unmei no gyakuten: Nusuma reta kigyô himitsu! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Gekashitsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Kiyonaga

  • Yakuza Warfare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • NASA〜未来から落ちてきた男〜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as 橋口健次郎中尉

  • Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • 1750 Days of Turbulence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Battleship Yamato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lieutenant Mitsuo Yoshioka

  • Tokyo Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Fumio Amamiya

  • Tales of the Bizarre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Those Swell Yakuza(1988)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Takeda Shingen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 50 episodes · as Takeda Shingen

  • Princess from the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Otomo-no-Dainagon or Minister of the Military

  • Actress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Heinosuke Gosho

  • The Greatest Man in the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Nise

  • The Hall of the Crying Deer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Kenjiro Shimada

  • Big Joys, Small Sorrows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Rice Curry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Empty Table (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Otohiko Kidoji

  • The Burmese Harp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Pvt. Mizushima

  • Make-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Kusaka

  • F2 Grand Prix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Nakano

  • Tora-san Goes Religious? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as 一道

  • Lanterns on Blue Waters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Legend of Plumeria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Shinji Terao

  • ふぞろいの林檎たち (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 47 episodes · as 仲手川 良雄

  • Oddball Nippon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • 花揺れ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Imperial Navy(1981)

    as Masato Odagiri

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 125 titles from 1981 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Hero (2007)

$76M worldwide

Highest rated

Moving (1993)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Hero (2007)

Film career

19812025

Peak 2004 · 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.

  • 1987Screen debut· Princess from the Moon
  • 2003First top-billed film· When the Last Sword Is Drawn

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting125 of 125: 125 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1980s20 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s33 · acting2010s33 · acting2020s12 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 10% of 10 roles
8707

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 Kiichi Nakai's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 62nd percentile, the median of all 14; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th10
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 16 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

The Warring States (2011)

75th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Moving (1993)

Midcredits 96th · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 37. 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 Kiichi Nakai work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kiichi Nakai's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hiroshi Abe shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers