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Daisuke Ryû

Daisuke Ryû

Actor · Died April 11, 2021, aged 64 · Tokyo, Japan

Daisuke Ryu was a Japanese actor born in Tokyo, Japan on 14 February 1957. He won the Japanese "best new actor" Blue ribbon award for his performance as the legendary warrior Oda Nobunaga in Akira Kurosawa's movie Kagemusha (The Shadow Warrior). Other notable performances include Saburo Ichimonji in the famous Kurosawa epic Ran and the legendary warrior monk Benkei in Sogo Ishii's critically acclaimed Gojoe (Gojō reisenki or The Spirit war chronicle). He starred opposite Samantha Bond in the 1989 television serial The Ginger Tree, where he played Count Kentaro Kurihama. Based on the novel by Oswald Wynd, set in Japan at the turn of the century, it spans the period 1903 to the outbreak of the Second World War. Description above from the Wikipedia article Daisuke Ryu, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 14, 1957
Died
April 11, 2021 (aged 64)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
13 on MovieCove · 83 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 27Up 32% in 30 days

What are Daisuke Ryû's films like?

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

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action 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
35%
Bonds
23%
Power
19%
Self
11%
Survival
8%
Society
4%
Loyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 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 3 · Serious 1 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 3 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 4

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 7 · 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 2 · 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 2 · Engaged 4 · 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 1 · Affecting 3 · 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 5 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Threshold guardian
1 of 3
Herald
1 of 3
Hero
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

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

How their films linger

Thought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Daisuke Ryû's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 13 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Daisuke Ryû'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

83 credits, 13 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Nobutora - Samurai Tiger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Densuke Tsuchiya

  • Tokyo Wine Party People(2019)

    as Makita

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    Actor

  • Nipponia Nippon – Fukushima Rhapsody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Kokuhei Kusunoki

  • I Will Never Forgive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Solitary Scream 2 DARKNESS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Solitary Scream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • Time Trip App (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Toshizo Yamashita

  • Tangerines on Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Shoichiro

  • The Next Generation: Patlabor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Joshi Camera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • The Last Message (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Bando

  • You Dance with the Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Shintaro Teramoto

  • Kokô no mesu(2010)

    as Tatematsu Detective

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Challenge to Ambition: Final Chapter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

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

    Show 21 episodes · as Haruhisa Nabdo

  • Akechi Mitsuhide: The Man God Hated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Katsuie Shibata

  • Baian Fujieda the Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Ultraman: The Next (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Kazusa Sogabe

  • The King of Minami: Special Ver.50 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Domoto

  • Another Battle/Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Semi: Nakanai Semi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • Nezulla the Rat Monster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Aso

  • Yakuza Jihad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Yakuza Jihad 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Yakuza Jihad 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Graveyard of Honor(2002)

    as Tadaaki Kuze

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Great Jailbreak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • The Legend of the Ando Family: The Road to Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Agitator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Ichimatsu

  • Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle(2000)

    as Benkei

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Metropolis(2001)

    as Special Voice Appearance (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Zero Woman Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mutoh

  • Wild Criminal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Casino Customer #1

  • Chaka 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Ando Gumi Gaiden Group Wolf Genealogy 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Bayside Shakedown(1998)

    as Obayashi

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Scorpion: Double Venom 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Abare Bunya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Another XX: Matori Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Zero Woman: Dangerous Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mutoh

  • Zero Woman: The Hunted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mutoh

  • Guard Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Woman in Witness Protection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Religious Cult Leader

  • The Mamushi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Legend of the Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Black Jack 3: Black Mirror Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Black Jack

  • Black Jack 2: Pinoko I Love You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Black Jack

  • Black Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Black Jack

  • Mitabi no kaikyô (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • Asian Blue: Ukishima-maru Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Obayashi

  • Koya Choken-bou oboegaki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

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

    as Tadashi Senda

  • The Ginger Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · as Count Kentaro Kurihama

  • Four Days of Snow and Blood(1989)

    as Koji Muranaka

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Trinacria: Porsche 959 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • The Orphaned Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Yuuki Shinichiro

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

    as Azai Nagamasa

  • Onna Furin Kazan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • 闇からの叫び (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Atami Murder Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Son of Onijima

  • Musashibo Benkei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 32 episodes · as Taira no Tomomori

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

    as Akira Sawaki

  • Ran(1985)

    as Saburo Naotora Ichimonji

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • 国東物語 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Kita no hotaru(1984)

    as Nagakura

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Legend of the Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Shadow Hunters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • The Legend of Sayo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Takeo

  • Maboroshi no mizuumi(1982)

    as Nagao

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Law of Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sadashichi

  • Toge no Gunzo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 50 episodes · Actor

  • Willful Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Maruyama

  • Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior(1980)

    as Nobunaga Oda

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Twelve Months(1980)

    as Officer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Hunter in the Dark(1979)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles from 1978 to 2021; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

Bayside Shakedown (1998)

$84M worldwide

Highest rated

Ran (1985)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

19782021

Peak 2000 · 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting83 of 83: 83 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score76th

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s22 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% 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 Daisuke Ryû's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 76th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 8 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 8

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 13 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

Maboroshi no mizuumi (1982)

80th percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ran (1985)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 79/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 60. 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 Daisuke Ryû work with?

People who share at least 2 of Daisuke Ryû's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tatsuya Nakadai shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers