Skip to content
MovieCove
Masato Sakai

Masato Sakai

Actor · Born October 14, 1973 (53) · Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Masato Sakai (堺雅人) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio and The Chef of South Polar and the award for best supporting actor at the 2008 Nikkan Sports Film Award, at the 33rd Hochi Film Award and at the 51st Blue Ribbon Awards. He also received a nomination for best supporting actor at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize. He is married to Japanese actress and J-pop singer Miho Kanno.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 14, 1973 (53)
From
Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
17 on MovieCove · 123 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 35% in 30 days

What are Masato Sakai's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
Bonds
29%
Morality
23%
Self
19%
Survival
10%
Society
10%
Power
6%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 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 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 4 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 1

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 4 · 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 4 · Engaged 5 · 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 6 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 10
Trickster
1 of 10
Shapeshifter
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Warm
4
Melancholic
4
Contemplative
5
Hopeful
6
Other
13

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic2
  • 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 Masato Sakai's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 17 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Masato Sakai'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

123 credits, 17 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Three Ghosts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as ジョウ

  • Hiraba no Tsuki(2025)

    as 青砥健将

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • エジプト　悠久の王国 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 3 episodes · as MC

  • Vivant(2023)

    Show 25 episodes · as Yusuke Nogi

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Share The Challenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Lord Benimaru

  • Dr. Coto's Clinic(2022)

    as Kei Narumi

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Nature’s Hidden Miracles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as 人間代表

  • The Man Who Can't Defraud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Tadashi Kinusaki

  • Hanzawa Naoki: Spin-off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Hanzawa Naoki

  • Promare(2019)

    as Kray Foresight (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Promare / Side: Galo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Kray Foresight (voice)

  • Sakura Guardian in the North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Shujiro Ezure

  • Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura(2017)

    as Masakazu Isshiki

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • 世界初　極北の冒険 デナリ大滑降 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • Sanadamaru(2016)

    Show 50 episodes · as Sanada Yukimura

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Rintaro, Psychiatrist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as 日野伦太郎

  • 戦後７０年　ニッポンの肖像 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Legal High Special 2(2014)

    as Kensuke Komikado

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Pandora: Eternal life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Gen Suzuki

  • Hanzawa Naoki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 20 episodes · as Naoki Hanzawa

  • Legal High SP (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Kensuke Komikado

  • 7 Days of Himawari & Her Puppies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Shoji Kanzaki

  • The Castle of Crossed Destinies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Emonnosuke

  • The Samurai That Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Kenichi Nakamura

  • Ooku: The Beginning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 10 episodes · as Madenokouji Arikoto

  • Key of Life(2012)

    as Sakurai

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • 知られざる大英博物館 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Legal High(2012)

    Show 21 episodes · as Kensuke Komikado

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Tsukahara Bokuden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 7 episodes · as Shinemon Tsukahara

  • Antarctica(2011)

    Show 10 episodes · as Haruhiko Himuro

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • My SO Has Got Depression (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mikio Takazaki

  • The Legacy of the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Major Shirou Mashiba

  • Go! Boys' School Drama Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Technical Staff

  • Buddha: The Great Departure(2011)

    as Chapra (voice)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Assistant Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Yoshiaki Miyamae

  • Abacus and Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Naoyuki Inoshiyama

  • Joker: Unforgiven Investigator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 10 episodes · as Kazuyoshi Date

  • 堺雅人 今を生きるネイティブアメリカンを訪ねて (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • 知られざる“龍馬伝” 世紀の英雄・坂本龍馬 最大の謎と秘密の暗号 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Golden Slumber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Masaharu Aoyagi

  • Ningen Shikkaku: Director's Cut-ban (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Youzou Ooba

  • Aoi Bungaku Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · as Moerus · as Ōba Yōzō · as Ryoushuu, Sensei · as Sensei · as Shirimaru

  • The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Captain Kuhio

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

    as Saji

  • The Chef of South Polar(2009)

    as Jun Nishimura

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Summer for Bureaucrats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 10 episodes · as Niwano Takahisa

  • A Lush Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kurosawa

  • The Triumphant Return of General Rouge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Koichi Hayami

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

    Show 11 episodes · as Shimano Takaya

  • Be yourself (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Yasushi Enomoto

  • Flower of Ice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Takayuki Seno

  • The Two in Tracksuits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as The Son

  • Climber's High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Tatsuya Sayama

  • After School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Kimura

  • A love newpolitical party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Tales of the Bizarre: 2008 Spring Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Yasagure Panda〈Gold Edition〉 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Yasagure Panda〈Silver Edition〉 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Atsuhime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 50 episodes · as Tokugawa Iesachi

  • The Fearless Otojiro's Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Minoru Date

  • Sukiyaki Western Django(2007)

    as Shigemori

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Wall Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ren Keguang

  • Yasagure Panda〈Black Edition〉 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Yasagure Panda〈White Edition〉 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Kodoku no Kake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as 蒔田二郎

  • The Secret Garden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as 片岡航

  • Uwasa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as 鈴木光明

  • Honey & Clover(2006)

    as Shuji Hanamoto

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • 深津絵里のblack comedy ブラコメ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Da Vinci Code Mystery Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • The Woman Opposite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Shuji Tamura

  • Izumo no Okuni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sankuro

  • 新選組!! 土方歳三 最期の一日 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Yamanami Keisuke

  • 実録・小野田少尉 遅すぎた帰還 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as 鈴木紀夫

  • Welcome to Irabu's Office (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Kohei Yamashita

  • For the coming day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as 黒川医師

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

    Show 11 episodes · as Torii Motoichiro

  • お父さんの恋 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as 杉本大樹

  • 新シルクロード (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mourning Becomes Electra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • 小町 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as 若林

  • Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as 若林

  • フォーチュン・バナナ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shinsengumi! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 49 episodes · as Yamanami Keisuke

  • Dr. Coto's Clinic(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · as 鳴海慧

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Papa for One Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as 石倉

  • The Elephant Vanishes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • When the Last Sword Is Drawn(2002)

    as Okita Soji

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Sky High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as 関川勝

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

    as サトシ

  • Fan of Hong Kong star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Fukai Rei

  • Golden Bowl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as 太宰衛

  • Extramarital Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 9 episodes · as 湯浅拓也

  • The Scarlet Camellia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · as 徳次郎

  • Vamp Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Hisao Shima

  • The Scent of Jealousy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 11 episodes · as 中原テツシ

  • School Teachers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as 山岸俊輔

  • 反乱のボヤージュ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as 江藤麦太

  • Being Here (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Etsuro Maeno

  • Stake Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Yasuo Arakawa

  • The Goddess of 1967(2000)

    as Roadside Noodle Eater

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 149 episodes · as 杉本英記

  • 巡査鉄兵の推理日誌 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as 交番巡査

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

    as Yuichi Hirano

  • The Armchair Detective Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as 村瀬優

  • 恋詩物語～ラブソング (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mars Sweet Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Toshi Nakajima

  • Beautiful Sunday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Hiroki Ogasawara

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

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Nothing Lasts Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • ア・オ・ゾ・ラ・マ・ー・ジ・ャ・ン (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 9 episodes · as 大空渉

  • 国産ひな娘 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Zenmai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as 風侍

  • 水の味 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Jounetsu Tairiku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • 兄の仕事場～鴻上尚史と10人の新人俳優たち (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • 恋、した。 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as 白鳥麗次〈初代〉

  • Tokyo23区の女 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ハートにS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • VIVANT劇場版 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 123 titles, 122 of them dated from 1995 to 2026; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura (2017)

$35M worldwide

Highest rated

When the Last Sword Is Drawn (2002)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Vivant (2023)

Film career

19952026

Peak 2010 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. 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.

  • 2000Screen debut· The Goddess of 1967
  • 2009First top-billed film· The Chef of South Polar
  • 2012Career best· Legal High
  • 2012Career best· Key of Life

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting123 of 123: 123 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rd

By decade

1990s13 · acting2000s69 · acting2010s31 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 50% of 14 roles
0010

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 Masato Sakai's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 75th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 80th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 17 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Sanadamaru (2016)

60th percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

When the Last Sword Is Drawn (2002)

Midcredits 91st · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 8 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 Masato Sakai work with?

People who share at least 2 of Masato Sakai's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Katsuhisa Namase shares the most, 3.

Actors

Mixed roles