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Misako Watanabe

Misako Watanabe

Actor · Born October 23, 1932 (94) · Tokyo, Japan

Misako Watanabe (渡辺美佐子) (b. 23 October 1932) is a Japanese actress. She is a graduate of the Haiyuza Theatre Company. In 1997 she received a Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and in 2004 the Order of the Rising Sun.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 23, 1932 (94)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
6 on MovieCove · 126 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 10% in 30 days

What are Misako Watanabe's films like?

Across their 5 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 93rd 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
Morality
31%
Bonds
28%
Society
11%
Power
10%
Ideas
8%
Self
6%
Survival
4%
Family bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 2 · Intense 2

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 0 · Whiplash 1

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 0 · Relentless 1

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 2 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
3
Tense
2
Warm
2
Contemplative
2
Dread
1
Other
2

How their films linger

Hopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1
  • Other1

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 Misako Watanabe's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 2 of their 6 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (2).

Subscription and free streaming for Misako Watanabe'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

126 credits, 6 with a MovieCove page.

  • Route29 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Old Lady at the Watch Shop

  • THE LAST GOZE (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Inochi Sketch(2019)

    as Kazuko Tanaka

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mango no Ki no Shita de (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Aya Kusakabe (1989)

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

    Actor

  • Midnight Diner 2(2016)

    as Yukiko Ogawa

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Princess Maison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 8 episodes · as Akane Todo

  • Battleship Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Karaage USA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Some Karashima

  • The Great Passage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Take

  • Bread of Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Aya Sakamoto

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

    Show as Fujiko Kirino

  • Bare Essence of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Shibata

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

    Actor

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

    Actor

  • Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad(2007)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • 彼女の恋文 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Haru and Natsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · as Nobu Takakura

  • Water Boys 2005 Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Haru Kakihara

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

    as Toshiko Minagawa

  • Farewell, Kuro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Principal Makino

  • Psycho Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Acacia Walk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Proof of the Man 2001 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

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

    as Mrs. Yoshimura

  • Sennen-Tabito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Cat Soup Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

  • The Abe Clan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Kinu

  • Haru yo koi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 307 episodes · as 長坂アイ

  • In Blazing Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Otoko Tomodachi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Summer of the Moonlight Sonata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Kimiko Yoshioka

  • The love song of farewell later (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Tsugumi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Tugumi's Mother

  • Corpse of your Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Ichiban Daiko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 150 episodes · as 養母・勢子

  • Tattoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sadako Takeda

  • Rennyo and His Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • This Is Noriko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Harue Matsubara

  • 空よ海よ息子たちよ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Rika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Lullaby to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Harue Bessho - Chi'e's Mother

  • Red Suspicion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 29 episodes · Actor

  • Long Journey into Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • A Mummy’s Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • The Gentle Japanese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Woman of the story

  • Child Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Yukiko Takayama

  • The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Koriku

  • The Shogun and His Mistresses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Narrator

  • Dissolution Rites (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Mie

  • Samurai Spy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Okiwa

  • Cold Rice, Osan, Chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Tokyo Untouchable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as as Mie Kaneko

  • With Beauty and Sorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Fumiko Ôki

  • Kwaidan(1964)

    as Second Wife (segment "The Black Hair")

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Ningen ni kakeruna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Homecoming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Ukyunosuke's Reverse Ichimonji Cut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Third Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Sasuke and His Comedians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • The Gambling Monk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • The Hill is Full of Flowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Asako Shiraishi

  • Foggy Night Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Bushido(1963)

    as Yasu, Sajiemon's wife

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Youth of the Beast(1963)

    as Kumiko Takeshita

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • A Fishmonger's Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Children of Izu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Nanae Igami

  • Being Two Isn't Easy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Setsuko

  • Human (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Kamegoro's wife

  • At the Side of the Bridge 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • 零戦黒雲一家 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • At the Side of the Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Me o tsubutte tsuppashire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Facing to the Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Injured Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Kimagure tosei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • The Inheritance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Kawara's wife Rie

  • Ningen Gari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Shima Kajimoto

  • Otoko to otoko no ikiru machi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Million Dollar Smash-and-Grab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Tomiko Haraguchi

  • That Guy and I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Yabure Kabure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Dai shusse monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The War Without Weapons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Chiyo, Senji Yamamoto's wife

  • Wait for Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Shinobu Yamaki

  • Sixteen years old (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • The Lost Diamond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Take Aim at the Police Van (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Yûko Hamajima

  • The Guitarist and the Rancher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Kikenna onna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Yoshiko Shiota

  • The Age of Our Own (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Yoriko

  • The Ghost of Iwojima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • The Rambling Guitarist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Rie

  • Wolves on Number Zero Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Break Down that Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Sakiko, the Tanigawas' daughter-in-law

  • Young Panther (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Beneath the Gallows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Talented Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Masked Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Unripe Fruit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • The Third Dead Angle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • City with Beasts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Endless Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Shima

  • Young Breasts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • The Man Who Rode the Typhoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Fumie Nezu

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

    as Hideko Ako

  • The Seasons of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Yuriko

  • A Slope in the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Yuriko Kawakami

  • Forever, My Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Tokie

  • Shiroi akuma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Teen Age Trap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Mountain Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • But the Flesh is Weak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Temptation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Junko Takeyama

  • The Barefoot Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Who's the Real Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • This Day's Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Streetlights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as 千代

  • Joshiryōsai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Hungry Soul, Part II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Noriko Izumitani

  • Hungry Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Noriko Izumitani

  • Saigo no sentō-ki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Flesh Smuggling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Gyakukōsen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Motoko Sayama

  • Sorcerer’s Orb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tower of Lilies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 126 titles from 1953 to 2024; peak year 2012.

Biggest box office

Midnight Diner 2 (2016)

$2.4M worldwide

Highest rated

Kwaidan (1964)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19532024

Peak 2012 · at the high point of their film career. 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.

  • 1960Screen debut· Take Aim at the Police Van

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting126 of 126: 126 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score89th

By decade

1950s37 · acting1960s42 · acting1970s7 · acting1980s6 · acting1990s9 · acting2000s13 · acting2010s10 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · 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 Misako Watanabe's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 89th percentile, the median of all 6; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 88th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 6 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th1

Shape of the crowd

None of their 6 titles divides audiences: 4 are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser4

Most loved · actor

Kwaidan (1964)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 82, 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 Misako Watanabe work with?

People who share at least 2 of Misako Watanabe's MovieCove titles; Joji Matsuoka shares the most, 2.