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Ganjirô Nakamura

Ganjirô Nakamura

Actor · Died April 13, 1983, aged 81 · Osaka, Japan

Nakamura Ganjirō II was a Japanese kabuki and film actor. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1941 and 1980, directed by notable filmmakers such as Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Akira Kurosawa, and Mikio Naruse.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 17, 1902
Died
April 13, 1983 (aged 81)
From
Osaka, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 75 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 24% in 30 days

What are Ganjirô Nakamura's films like?

Across their 6 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th 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
Self
32%
Bonds
18%
Power
15%
Society
13%
Morality
12%
Survival
11%
Obsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 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 5

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 4 · Intense 1

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

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 0 · Whiplash 1

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

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 0 · 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 0

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

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 4

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 3 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 3
Threshold guardian
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
4
Tense
3
Absurd
2
Warm
2
Contemplative
2
Other
3

How their films linger

Bittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

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 Ganjirô Nakamura's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ganjirô Nakamura'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

75 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Rape(1982)

    as Akiyama

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Tokugawa Ichizoku no Houkai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Nihon Meisaku Kaidan Gekijō: Kaidan Shinigami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Hissatsu Shigotonin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 333 episodes · as Motojime Shikazō

  • Akumyo: Notorious Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Koto—The Lake of Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Samezaemon

  • The River Yokobori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Rihei

  • The Pornographers(1966)

    as Shiratori

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Story of a Blind Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Kwaidan(1964)

    as Publisher (segment "In a Cup of Tea")

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Ieyasu Tokugawa

  • The Prodigal Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as His Father

  • Hot Spring Doctress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Tahei

  • We Are Salarymen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Seizo Komuro (Eiichiro’s Father)

  • Bamboo Doll of Echizen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Boatman

  • Dobuike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Chūbē

  • Sentimental Mobsters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • The Third Will (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Uichi

  • Onsen Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Kesazō

  • An Actor's Revenge(1963)

    as Sansai Dobe

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Great Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Xu Fu

  • The Fencing Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Danpei Ichikawa

  • Long Swords of the Loyal Forty-Seven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • 170 Leagues to Edo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Sukezaemon Tsukagoshi

  • Yoru no keisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Ghost Story: Crying in the Night Lantern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Love Under the Crucifix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Sen Rikyu

  • Nakayoshi ondo: Nippon ichi dayo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Broken Commandment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Buddha priest

  • The Temple of Wild Geese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Nangaku Kishimoto

  • Wakai yatsura no kaidan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Bad Reputation Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Boss of Matsushima

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

    as Ashoka

  • The End of Summer(1961)

    as Kohayagawa Manbei

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Iro no Michi Oshiemasu: Yume San'ya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Triangle Moods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Tsurukichi

  • A Lustful Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Tenka ayatsuri-gumi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The Ginza Three Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Lord Tadanao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Tokugawa Ieyasu

  • What Price Love? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Shozaburo Shirokoya

  • Yoru wa usotsuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Ghost Story: Depth of Kasane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • A Woman’s Uphill Slope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Kiyoi

  • The Demon of Mount Oe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Bonchi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • When a Woman Ascends the Stairs(1960)

    as Goda

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • A Woman's Testament (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • The Two Musashis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Enchanted Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Tanuemon

  • Floating Weeds(1959)

    as Komajuro Arashi

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Three Treasures(1959)

    as Emperor Keikō

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Actor Shark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • The Telephone Rings in the Evening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • The Key(1959)

    as Kenji Kenmochi

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Gambler and the Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Tan'an Ogisu

  • Travels of Lord Mito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mitsukuni 'Kômon' Mito

  • The Gay Masquerade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Ambush at Iga Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Musume no boken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Conflagration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Tayama Dosen

  • Summer Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Wasuke

  • The Shop Curtain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Ôsaka no onna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Hanmaru Suzunoya

  • The Loyal 47 Ronin(1958)

    as Gorobei Kakimi

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Shogun's Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Princess Tsuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • The Oil-Hell Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • The Lower Depths(1957)

    as Rokubei, Osugi's Husband

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Last Days of the Samurai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Denemon Horiuchi

  • Floating Vessel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Emperor

  • An Osaka Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Nihei

  • New Tale of Genji: Shizuka and Yoshitsune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Revenge of Jorurizaka 1: Attack at Onibushi Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • 現代インチキ物語　ど狸 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 75 titles, 74 of them dated from 1955 to 1982; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

$52K worldwide

Highest rated

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Rape (1982)

Film career

19551982

Peak 1960 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1957Screen debut· The Lower Depths
  • 1959First top-billed film· Floating Weeds

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting75 of 75: 75 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score87th

By decade

1950s25 · acting1960s44 · acting1970s3 · acting1980s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 13% 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 Ganjirô Nakamura's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 87th percentile, the median of all 11; 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

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 11 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th3

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 11 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

The Rape (1982)

61st percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 57. 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 Ganjirô Nakamura work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ganjirô Nakamura's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Haruo Tanaka shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers