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Shirô Sano

Shirô Sano

Actor · Born March 4, 1955 (71) · Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan

Shirō Sano (born March 4, 1955, in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor and director. After working with several theater companies, he had his first starring film role in To Sleep so as to Dream (1986) and gained wider recognition through the television drama Zutto Anata ga Suki datta (1992). His film credits include Violent Cop (1989), Godzilla 2000 (1999), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). He made his directorial debut with Karaoke in 1999.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 4, 1955 (71)
From
Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 272 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 156 days to Oct 27Up 10% in 30 days

What are Shirô Sano's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Survival
23%
Self
22%
Morality
18%
Bonds
14%
Society
10%
Power
6%
Ideas
6%
Survival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 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 4 · Serious 7 · Dark 9

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

Grounded 4 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 8

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 7 · Intense 11

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 15 · 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 3 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 2

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 6 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 9

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 7 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Dread
9
Melancholic
10
Thrilling
7
Hopeful
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Haunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous11

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 Shirô Sano's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Shirô Sano'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

272 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • S&X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 7 episodes · as Norio Toyohara

  • The Living Corpse(2026)

    as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ultraman Teo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · as Takayuki Tsukahara

  • Ice Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Is It Too Late for Sushi? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 10 episodes · as Tateishi Funao

  • The Flying Tackle: A Great Whirlwind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Daizo Sawada

  • Two Seasons, Two Strangers(2025)

    as Uonuma

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Ghost Writer's Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 125 episodes · as Eto Yasumune

  • AOSHO! Voices in Bloom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Good News(2025)

    as Sugimoto

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Ashura (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 11 episodes · as Katsuji Fudo

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

    as Cabinet Minister Kirigaya

  • Stolen Identity: The Last Hacker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Jung Hak-sun

  • Happyend(2024)

    as Principal Nagai

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Brush of the God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • 警視庁強行犯係 樋口顕 －炎上－ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Shimane Multiverse Den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Dear Kaita Ablaze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Satoshi

  • Oshorin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Between the White Key and the Black Key (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Takumi

  • 疑念 警視庁強行犯係 樋口顕 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • The Killer Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 9 episodes · as Masato Shirabishi

  • 暁鐘 警視庁強行犯係 樋口顕 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Intimate Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • "Renjou" Keishichou Kyoukouhan-gakari Higuchi Akira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • The Journalist(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Hisashi Nakagawa

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • How to Get a Divorce for the Whole Family! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Takeshi Mizuguchi

  • Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Kazuo Kudo

  • Caution, Hazardous Wife: The Movie(2021)

    as Nobuo Asanuma

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • So Close! Detective Oshii 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Enoshita Chikara

  • Keishicho Kyokohan Gakari Higuchi Akira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • Nezura 1964 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Azuma

  • Onibi Keishichou Kyoukouhan-gakari Higuchi Akira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Jubaku Keishichou Kyoukouhan-gakari Higuchi Akira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 24 JAPAN (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 24 episodes · as Genji Onitsuka

  • Cursed in Love(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Sōjurō Takatsuki

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Mother’s Bomb-struck Piano (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Mitsunori Yagawa

  • Fukushima 50(2020)

    as Prime Minister

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Secret of 10 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Yutaka Naganuma

  • Harassment Game Akitsu VS Katoku Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Black Lizard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Top League (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • So Close! Detective Oshii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 4 episodes · as Chikara Enoshita

  • Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger The Movie: Time Slip! Dinosaur Panic!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Valma

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

    Actor

  • Tokyo 23-ku Onna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Hyuga

  • An Artist of the Floating World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Dr. Saito

  • We Are Little Zombies(2019)

    as Kamo Keiichiro

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Great Buddha Arrival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Tales of the Bizarre: 2018 Fall Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Harassment Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 9 episodes · as Mizutani Itsuro

  • Henkan kōshōjin: Itsuka, Okinawa o torimodosu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • The Habitation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Seiji Terauchi

  • My Little Monster(2018)

    as Taizou Yoshida · as Taizo Yoshida

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Confidence Man JP(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Tsutomu Tawaraya

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

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

    Actor

  • SICK'S Jo no Shou (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 15 episodes · as Yuichi Oshima

  • Roupeiro's Melancholy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Spring Has Come (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 5 episodes · as Shuji Kishikawa

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

    Show 8 episodes · as Ii Naosuke

  • 確証～警視庁捜査三課 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Les Garçons-Bonbons 2: l'Oiseau du paradis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Tatara Samurai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Tokugawa’s vassal

  • Parks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Random Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Tadao

  • Silver and Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · as Akio Nakajima

  • Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost with Legend Rider(2016)

    as Michihiko Zaizen / Dr. Pac-Man

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Yuki onna(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Zen and Bones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Tatsuo Ishii

  • Yuriko's Picture Book (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Ultraman Orb(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ryutaro Suganuma

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • 99.9: Criminal Lawyer(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Masahiko Todo（藤堂 正彦）

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • 仮釈放の条件 出口の裁判官 岬真斗香 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Woman Who Took the Local Paper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Enishi: The Bride of Izumo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Yasuo Soda

  • 黒の斜面 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Whispers from a Crime Scene(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Yuzo Shindo

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bikuu: The Movie(2015)

    as Zeshin

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Police Precinct Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Muneo Yamaoka

  • Mr. Love Chemistry 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • The Last Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 7 episodes · as Endo Yuji

  • I Alone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

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

    as Konomi Mitsuru

  • Phantom Limb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

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

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • Magnet Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Eat and Sleep Together, Live Together (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 8 episodes · as Machida Yuzo

  • Oh! Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Satoru

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Norio Shinohara

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Kiyoharu Ikezawa

  • The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Tankuro Hinode

  • Housekeeper the Peeper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Taizan Kitamura

  • Piano in a Storeroom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Seicho Matsumoto's Black Gospel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • The Locked Room Murders SP (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Tetsuji Hiramatsu

  • Miroku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Danda Rin - The Labour Standards Inspector(2013)

    Show 11 episodes · as Shigeo Manabe

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Under the Nagasaki Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Morikazu Kadota

  • Trembling Cow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • The Flying Publicist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Koichi Takigawa

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • The Intermission (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • The Farthest Galaxy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • ミエリーノ柏木 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • The Millennial Rapture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Reina

  • Rich Man, Poor Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 11 episodes · as Yamashita

  • 波の塔 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as 이시이 테츠오

  • レベル7 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as 犬山刑事

  • Future Diary Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 11 episodes · as Toru

  • The Locked Room Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Hiramatsu Tetsuji

  • Rock'n'Roll Housewives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Ujiie Kiyoshi

  • Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie(2012)

    as Ashurada (voice) / Weeval

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • My Way(2011)

    as Tatsuo's Father

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • A Taste of Honey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 11 episodes · as Tadashi Kirishima

  • Hayabusa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Kawabuchi

  • HESOMORI -ヘソモリ- (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • CSI: Crime Scene Talks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 11 episodes · as Takeo Sone

  • Wasao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Shigeo

  • Dōki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kyukei no Koya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Tenohira no memo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as 折川孝之

  • SPEC: Birth(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Yuichi Oshima

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

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

    as Nobuo Ishikawa

  • Left-Eye Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 8 episodes · as Yuya Fukuchi

  • If Blessed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Clouds Over the Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · as 陸羯（カツ）南

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

    as Michio Nishino

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

    Actor

  • The Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Detective 501

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

    as Yuji Kakiya

  • Geharha: The Dark and Long-Haired Monster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Dr. Murakami

  • Life Improvement Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Ueda

  • The Yagyu Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End(2008)

    as Yan-bô · as Mâ-bô

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects(2008)

    as Himeself

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Kitaro and the Millennium Curse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jakotsu Babaa

  • The Taste of Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • The Glorious Team Batista (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Yuji Kakiya

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

    Actor

  • Hissatsu Shigotonin 2007 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Kagaya Genemon

  • Wives Make the World Go Round (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • 王様の心臓〜リア王より〜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as 黒田数男

  • Waiting in the Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Akihiro's Boss

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

    Actor

  • A Drop of Dew: Shoji Ueda's Photographs that Woke the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • PS－羅生門－　警視庁東都署 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Scum of Lawyers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tales of the Bizarre: 2006 Spring Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as 半沢杜夫

  • Angels with Broken Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Maekawa Takuro

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

    Show 20 episodes · as Shuji Igarashi

  • Satomi Hakkenden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Daiki Makuwari

  • Detective Office 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as 501

  • Onna Keiji Mizuki: Kyoto Rakusai Sho Monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 8 episodes · as Okita Tomohito

  • Detective Office 5: Another Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 50 episodes · as 501 · as Officer 501

  • The Suspect: Muroi Shinji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as 窪園 行雄

  • The Great Yokai War(2005)

    as "Mysterious" Editor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Arthouse Ultraman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Narrator

  • Ultraman Max (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 40 episodes · as Narration

  • The Passed Scene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Kazuo Shimosaka

  • All About My Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Uncle

  • The Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as The chamberlain

  • Infection(2004)

    as Kiyoshi Akai

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Perfect Education 6: Red Murder(2004)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

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

    Show 26 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

  • Vampire Host (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 12 episodes · as Tenran

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

    Show 10 episodes · as Chief Tasaki

  • Oh! My Zombie Mermaid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Yamaji

  • Dokushin 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • The Battling Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ashida

  • 警視庁・樋口警部補 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · as 氏家譲

  • The Negotiator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Lt. Ando

  • 朱夏～警视厅恐吓事件 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • 樋口警部補 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Time Limit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • Cop Festival: New Beginning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Osamu Minoda（箕田 修）

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

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • An Autumn Afternoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Koichi Hirayama

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

    Actor

  • AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shangri-La (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Kuwata

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

    Actor

  • Kamaitachi no Yoru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • しあわせのシッポ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 8 episodes · as 竹屋喜好

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

    Actor

  • Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack(2001)

    as Haruki Kadokura

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Princess Blade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Kidokoro

  • Platonic Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ishikawa

  • Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest(2001)

    as Vicious (voice)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • 闇の脅迫者　江戸川乱歩の《陰獣》より (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Armchair Detective's Christmas Eve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 11 episodes · as Miyazono Kyosaku

  • Godzilla 2000(1999)

    as Prof. Shiro Miyasaka

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

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

    Director · Story · Actor

  • Good News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Kimi to Ita Mirai no Tame ni ~ I'll be back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Frozen Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 11 episodes · as Oikawa Kenichi

  • LOVE&PEACE (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Blue Bird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 11 episodes · as Hiromu Watanuki

  • Cat's Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Chief

  • The Glass Shoe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

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

    as Wizard

  • Spring and Chaos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Kenji Miyazawa

  • Love and Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • グッドラック (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

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

    Actor

  • Wana(1996)

    as Masaru Kanno

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Invisible Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Snow falls on a southern island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Endless Waltz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Sashow The Last Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

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

    as Utamaro

  • Burai-Heiya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Tadao

  • The Stairway to the Distant Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Masaru Kanno

  • Watashi no Unmei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 21 episodes · as Katagiri Shuntaro

  • The Mystery of Rampo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Officer

  • It's a Summer Vacation Everyday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Nariyuki Rinkaiji

  • 長男の嫁 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • Hana no Ran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 37 episodes · as Ashikaga Yoshimi

  • The Most Terrible Time in My Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Masaru Kanno

  • Rampo - Bewitching Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • The Anthropology of a Fight Scene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • The Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as The Dying Man

  • Rainbow Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Gensen-Kan Inn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Yoshiharu Tsuge

  • The Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 12 episodes · as Yamada Mario

  • 誰にも言えない (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • The Brutal Insanity of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Tetsuro Muraki

  • Double Kitchen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Haruka, Nostalgia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Tutor

  • My Beloved Ultraseven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Tetsuo Kinjo

  • Garo Video 3: Hisago (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • The Rocking Horsemen(1992)

    as Noritane Itoh

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Can You Collect It? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Sosuke Loses His Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Shinji Kitamura

  • The Shadow Over Innsmouth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Takuji Hirata

  • Evil Dead Trap 2(1992)

    as Kurahashi

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Zutto Anata ga Sukidatta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Betonamu Nanmin Shoujo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Red Foliage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Shunji Muroi

  • Akio Jissoji's Museum of Wonders - Volume of the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Swimming with Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

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

    Show 11 episodes · Creator · Actor

  • Shimanto River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • TVO (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Detective Takatsuka

  • King's Playing With Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Seven Days War 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Discontinuous Bombing Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Ready to Shoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Kikuchi

  • Lady Battle Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Henry Ohba

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

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Correspondent Morita

  • Natsu no pēji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Kazuki

  • The Legend of Zipang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Bunshichi

  • Circus Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Hiroshi

  • The Dancer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Takashi Tanimura

  • Violent Cop(1989)

    as Yoshinari

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Festival of Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Four Days of Snow and Blood(1989)

    as Yasuhide Kurihara

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Rakkî sukai daiamondo(1990)

    as Katayama, a doctor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Bokura no nanoka-kan sensô(1988)

    as Yashiro

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Shoji Nakagawa

  • Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Junichi Narumi

  • The Heartbreak Yakuza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • To Sleep So as to Dream(1986)

    as Detective Uozuka

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Female Detective Yuko Kasumi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 272 titles from 1985 to 2026; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)

$38M worldwide

Highest rated

Violent Cop (1989)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Rakkî sukai daiamondo (1990)

Film career

19852026

Peak 2000 · 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.

  • 1989Screen debut· Violent Cop

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting271 of 272: 269 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdDirecting2 of 272: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 272: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 272: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s12 · acting1990s63 · 63 acting · 2 crew2000s70 · 69 acting · 1 crew2010s87 · acting2020s40 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
890409

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 Shirô Sano's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 62nd percentile, the median of all 29; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 38 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

The Living Corpse (2026)

88th percentile spread · 76% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects (2008)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 31. 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 Shirô Sano work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shirô Sano's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Naomi Nishida shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers