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Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Actor, director, editor, writer, producer and cinematographer · Born January 1, 1960 (66) · Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Shinya Tsukamoto is a Japanese film director and actor with a considerable cult following both domestically and abroad.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1960 (66)
From
Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor, director, editor, writer, producer and cinematographer
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 83 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 8% in 30 days

What are Shin'ya Tsukamoto's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile
: browse their Documentary 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
34%
Self
29%
Society
11%
Morality
7%
Bonds
7%
Ideas
7%
Power
5%
Identity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession5 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence5 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 3 · Dark 14

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 7

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 4 · Intense 14

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

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 9

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

Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 6

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 7

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 5 · Heavy 12

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 3 · Ambiguous 11

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 7 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Mentor
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
11
Contemplative
8
Melancholic
7
Warm
4
Other
7

How their films linger

Haunting12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous10

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 Shin'ya Tsukamoto's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Shin'ya Tsukamoto'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, 22 with a MovieCove page; 14 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?(2026)

    Director · Camera Operator · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Brightest Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Hero's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • 孤独のグルメ2024大晦日スペシャル 太平洋から日本海 五郎、北へ あの人たちの所まで。 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Shin Kamen Rider: Episode Format Version (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 5 episodes · as Hiroshi Midorikawa

  • Shadow of Fire(2023)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The J-Horror Virus(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Hiroshi Midorikawa

  • Shin Kamen Rider(2023)

    as Hiroshi Midorikawa

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Hana Sugisaki's Filming Break (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as restaurant owner

  • Showa Kayo Musical Mata Au Hi Made (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

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

    as Takano

  • Killing(2018)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Executive Producer · Screenplay · as Jirozaemon Sawamura

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Shinya Tsukamoto Commentary "Fires on the Plain" 20 Year Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · as Self

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Uta Monogatari: Cinema Fighters Project(2018)

    as Satoshi Takahashi (segment "Canaria")

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Silence(2016)

    as Mokichi

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Scoop!(2016)

    as Taka

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Over the Fence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Satoshi's Father (voice)

  • Shin Godzilla(2016)

    as Kunio Hazama : Jouhoku University Associate professor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Fires on the Plain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · as Tamura

  • Japanscope, panorama de la nouvelle Nouvelle Vague (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • The Road Less Travelled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Sousuke Akiyama

  • Venice 70: Future Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • Kotoko(2011)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Seitaro Tanaka

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Ca' Foscari Cinema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Kaidan Horror Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Kaidan Horror Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Screenplay

  • Tetsuo: The Bullet Man(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Gaffer · Producer · Production Design · Screenplay · as The Guy

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

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

    Show 4 episodes · as 明石元二郎

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

    Director · Editor · Producer

  • Nightmare Detective 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Welcome to the Quiet Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Asuka's Ex-husband

  • Sexy Voice and Robo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as Takeo Hayashi

  • Nightmare Detective(2006)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as '0'

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Teruo Ishii Fan Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Dirt(y) Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

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

    Director

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

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • The Desire of the World: Jeonju Digital Project 2005 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Vital(2004)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Production Design · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Otakus in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Noro

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

    as Masuoka

  • Tracing Jake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • A Snake of June(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Production Design · Writer · as Michiro Iguchi

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Private Detective Mike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Drowning Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Tokio

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

    as Kazuya Miyamae

  • Legendary Crocodile, Jake and His Fellows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Ichi the Killer(2001)

    as Jijii

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

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

    as Eisuke

  • Quartet for Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Yuuenchi no otoko

  • Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Wizard

  • Dead or Alive 2: Birds(2000)

    as Magician Higashino

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • House of the Ghosts ~Kanako Inuki's World of Fear~ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Sunday's Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sakamoto

  • Gemini(1999)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

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

    Actor

  • The Perfect Education(1999)

    as Moriyama

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Wait and See (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Doctor

  • Bullet Ballet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · as Goda

  • Sunday Drive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Producer · Actor

  • Tokyo Fair Weather (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Atlanta Boogie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Some Kinda Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Kamisaki

  • Tokyo Fist(1995)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Tsuda Yoshiharu

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

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

    as Yamaguchi

  • 119 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Masaaki Tomita

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

    as Yamaguchi

  • Tetsuo II: Body Hammer(1992)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Yatsu - The Guy

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Hiruko the Goblin(1991)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Tetsuo: The Iron Man(1989)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Lighting Director · Producer · Special Effects · Writer · as Metal Fetishist

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Adventure of Denchu-Kozo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Lighting Director · Producer · Special Effects · Writer · as Kondo

  • The Phantom of Regular Size (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as MetalMan

  • Terry 100 Channels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Lotus Flower, Fly! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Visual Effects · Actor

  • New Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Visual Effects

  • Flying in a Hell Town Piss Lodge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Visual Effects

  • Cloudy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Visual Effects · Actor

  • Story of a Giant Cockroach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Visual Effects · Actor

  • Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Actor

  • Genshi-san (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Actor

Career shape

A full career of 83 titles from 1974 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Shin Godzilla (2016)

$82M worldwide

Highest rated

Silence (2016)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Shin Godzilla (2016)

Film career

Top draw in 8 MovieCove titles.

  • 1987Screen debut· The Adventure of Denchu-Kozo
  • 1995First top-billed film· Tokyo Fist

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 83: 47 only acting, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting35 of 83: 7 only directing, 28 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thWriting27 of 83: 0 only writing, 27 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thProducing26 of 83: 0 only producing, 26 with another role · typical Midcredits score76thCinematography20 of 83: 0 only cinematography, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thEditing27 of 83: 0 only editing, 27 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thOther crew17 of 83: 0 only other crew, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score76th

83 titles, 29 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 18 of them.

By decade

1970s7 · 5 acting · 7 crew1980s4 · 3 acting · 4 crew1990s16 · 14 acting · 6 crew2000s27 · 22 acting · 8 crew2010s17 · 12 acting · 9 crew2020s12 · 10 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 25% of 20 roles
870212

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 Shin'ya Tsukamoto's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 76th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 22 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · director, writer, editor

Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? (2026)

52nd percentile spread · 12% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Silence (2016)

Midcredits 88th · 73% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 43. 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.

Is Shin'ya Tsukamoto's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles77–93 · median 89 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles12–78 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 35 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 11 · minimalMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles68–92 · median 82 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Shin'ya Tsukamoto work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shin'ya Tsukamoto's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Chu Ishikawa shares the most, 10.

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles