Hiroyuki Sanadais one of thebest Nipponese actors of all time , and one of just a handful that has find incredible success outside the Japanese picture show industry . Sanada began his playacting vocation at an early age , appearing in his first function at just five years honest-to-goodness in the 1966 photographic film , Game of Chance . Throughout the first four decades of his life history , Hiroyuki Sanada worked primarily in Japan , with a variety of incredible pic and goggle box shows to his name , includingKaitō Ruby , The Twilight Samurai , andRingu , the pic that ushered ina new geological era of J - horrorin the late-90s and early-2000s .

In 2003 , Hiroyuki Sanada successfully issue from the Nipponese film industriousness into the outside limelight with his persona inThe Last Samurai , alongside Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe . Since then , Sanada has revel international eclat with role in a number of massive projects that include , Rush Hour 3,The Wolverine , Avengers : Endgame , Bullet Train , andMortal Kombat . His most recent role , and the culmination of his career up to this point , was inthe record - break TV seriesShōgun .

10Kaitō Ruby (1988)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Tōru Hayashi

free in 1988,Kaitō Rubyfeels like an underrated gem in Hiroyuki Sanada ’s impressive filmography . The film is incredibly charming as Sanada plays a young , socially awkward salaryman until he meets a pretty , young cleaning woman who moves into the apartment up the stairs . After promulgate that she is a thief , she enlists Sanada ’s help to get her vocation formally started . It ’s kinky and fun , show another side to the actor .

What works so well aboutKaitō Rubyis how incredibly charming it is and howit allows Hiroyuki Sanada to toy against eccentric a bit more than common . Because of this , Sanada ’s vast talent is able-bodied to be on full display in the movie , stepping into his character with ease . The film is also quite rum , and Hiroyuki Sanada ’s performance is perfect for the tone it is go for .

9Sunshine (2007)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Kaneda

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Cast

Sunshine , directed by Danny Boyle , watch over a team of astronauts on a delegacy to reignite a dying sun with a monumental atomic turkey . Set in 2057 , the cinema stars Cillian Murphy , Chris Evans , and Michelle Yeoh , encapsulating their conflict against both forcible and psychological challenges . As the work party ventures deeply into outer space , they face unexpected danger that threaten the charge and their survival .

maneuver by Danny Boyle , Sunshineis a science fabrication thriller about a chemical group of astronauts charge on a mission to reignite the sunlight in the year 2057 . A mo underrated upon going , the moving-picture show has age well , turn back all the quirks that make Boyle such a fascinating director . The scope of the tale and the atmosphere present throughout makes it an incredible watch , with mind - deflect twist along the way . It was also one of the early motion-picture show that Alex Garland wrote , accompany up on his fantastic zombie film script,28 Days after .

Sunshine screenwriter Alex Garland reflect on the one philosophical line of reasoning he had with the director of the Cillian Murphy sci - fi film .

Cillian Murphy gazing upward with curiosity, bright light flooding his face in a scene from Sunshine

Hiroyuki Sanada is unbelievable inSunshine , playing Kaneda , the police chief of the Icarus II , the spaceship the crew use during their charge . Kaneda is such a great character throughout the motion-picture show , embodying all the quality that make him such a peachy captain . Hiroyuki Sanada is able to give the character an telling amount of depth and when he makes the ultimate sacrifice , it is heavily feel .

8Succession (1992)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Masakazu Yoshinari

Not to be obnubilate with the acclaimed HBO dramatic play , Japan ’s 1992 moving picture , Succession , is incredible in its own right . The film revolve around a former stockbroker who becomes a member of the yakuza , tasked with pass water sure his political boss is up to the task of swearing in the next loss leader . The movie is impressive in the way of life it is able-bodied to blend its comedy with affecting moments of drama . It ’s offbeat and sometimes cockamamie , but always enjoyable .

Much like his carrying into action inKaitō Ruby , Hiroyuki Sanada is once again able to show his pretend chain of mountains , tap into more of a comedic role than most of his filmography , and it is all the better for it . The film is at its good when Sanada is able to take full controller of a aspect , encounter up the absurdness of each scenario that he finds himself in .

7Lost (2010)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Dogen

Lost is a enigma drama series created for idiot box that abide by a group of survivors of a aeroplane clank and secernate its story between the yesteryear , present , and hereafter via flashback . When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean , the castaways discover their fresh temporary home may have a psyche of its own , as foreign supernatural case keep them locked to the island . From an unknown black-market smoke creature to dangerous islander , the passengers must act together to survive the island ’s seemingly deadly intentions .

It ’s hard to magnify just how monumentalLostwas during its 6 - time of year run . It was n’t like anything see on TV before it and the central mystery , combined with characters with an telling amount of depth , keep people spill the beans about the show hebdomad after workweek . It ’s one of the most popular show ever made and although the ending was a spot divisive , it does n’t stop it from being one ofthe skilful TV shows of all prison term .

Sanada plays a pivotal fictional character who debuted in the show ’s final time of year .

TOm cruise and ken watanabe in the last samurai

Despite lead for six seasons , Hiroyuki Sanada only appear in five instalment , relegated to the beginning of the sixth and last season . Despite that , Sanada had an important role on the show , act Dogen , a member of the Others and guardian of the Temple , the only person who was able to keep the Man in Black out of it . There is a mysterious quality to Dogen during his appearances , and Hiroyuki Sanada ’s carrying into action upgrade that even more .

6The Last Samurai (2003)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio

The Last Samurai is a historic epic poem directed by Edward Zwick , starring Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren , a disillusioned American military ship’s officer who finds himself in Japan . task with suppressing the Samurai rebellion , Algren is beguile and in the end assimilates into their way of lifetime . In doing so , he benefit unfathomed insights into their culture and honor . The film explores themes of battle , identicalness , and cultural transformation in recent 19th - century Japan .

The Last Samuraiis a diachronic epic that tells the story of an American soldier tasked with prepare the Nipponese ground forces in modern warfare . rather , he get wind the room of the Samurai , choosing to protect their way of lifetime . The Last Samuraiis a beautiful looking plastic film with a marvellous central carrying out by Tom Cruise . It is adequate parts thrilling and heartbreaking with an impressive cast all around .

The Last Samurai chronicle a genuine - spirit Japanese revolt but fictionalizes several diachronic events and hoi polloi . Here ’s what you necessitate to get it on .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Hiroyuki Sanada is a fundamental figure inThe Last Samurai , take on Ujio , a professional fencer who eventually teaches Tom Cruise ’s character the art of blade fighting despite initially having a disdain for him . Like Ken Watanabe , The Last Samuraiwas a major breakout role for Hiroyuki Sanada outside the Japanese film industry , marking a significant shimmy in his entire vocation , as he is now one of the most salient Japanese actors working in Hollywood today .

5Round About Midnight (1999)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Kōji Moriyama

There is just something undeniably cool aboutRound About Midnight . The pic orb around a nothingness musician who witness a execution and match a beautiful fair sex , as the two of them assay to sidestep the killers and clear their names , generate that they become the prime suspect . It ’s a bit of an absurd plot , but the heightened sense of reality mix with an incredible jazz score and Tokyo shot at Nox , makesRound About Midnighta special film .

Sanada is a picture star and indicate it here , making Koji an incredibly nuanced lineament that is just trying to make it through the nighttime .

Hiroyuki Sanada play jazz musician Koji , whose personal appeal throughout the motion picture is telling . His chemistry with Michelle Reis ' character is arguably the great view of the film , as the two of them go on a neo - noir journey through the neon city . Sanada is a flick star and express it here , making Koji an improbably nuanced character that is just trying to make it through the nighttime . It ’s one of Hiroyuki Sanada ’s good .

Collage of Hiroyuki Sanada in Bullet Train and John Wick Chapter 4

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4John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Shimazu Koji

When the firstJohn Wickcame out , it stunned everybody . Not only was it a slick and fashionable revenge film , but it also reignited Keanu Reeves ' legacy as an action star . It became a massive franchise and its in style primary installment , John Wick : Chapter 4 , is one of the best in the series , and one of the skillful American action film of the last several decades . Pushing the stunt squad to their absolute limit , John Wick : Chapter 4is stunning on every spirit level .

John Wick Franchise

John Wick

Hiroyuki Sanada looking at camera in Kaito Ruby

Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a mission to reignite a dying sun with a massive nuclear bomb. Set in 2057, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, encapsulating their struggle against both physical and psychological challenges. As the crew ventures deeper into space, they confront unexpected dangers that threaten the mission and their survival.

2014

John Wick : Chapter 2

2017

Article image

Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a mission to reignite a dying sun with a massive nuclear bomb. Set in 2057, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, encapsulating their struggle against both physical and psychological challenges. As the crew ventures deeper into space, they confront unexpected dangers that threaten the mission and their survival.

John Wick : Chapter 3 - Parabellum

2019

John Wick : Chapter 4

Headshot Of Cillian Murphy In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

2023

The Continental : From the World of John Wick

From the World of John Wick : Ballerina

Headshot of Rose Byrne

2025

WithJohn Wick : Chapter 4featuring a subdivision of the film that takes home at another Continental hotel in Osaka , it only felt natural to have Hiroyuki Sanada come along as the manager , Koji Shimazu . Hiroyuki Sanada has always been an action adept , and finally getting him in a John Wick film , fighting Donnie Yen , was something limited . Sanada has always been able to be effortlessly cool and his type in the celluloid absolutely substantiate that .

3The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Seibei Iguchi

The Twilight Samurai is a Japanese historical dramatic play direct by Yoji Yamada . Set in mid-19th century Japan , it follows Seibei Iguchi , a low - ranking samurai and widower , as he struggles to balance his duties and care for his young daughters and aging mother . star Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa . The motion-picture show captures the complexities of samurai life during the evenfall of the Edo period .

Released in 2002,The Twilight Samuraiis a masterpiece , telling the story of Seibei Iguchi , a low - ranking samurai who struggles to provide for his two daughters and ailing female parent . Told in such a tender mode , The Twilight Samuraiis one of the finest samurai films ever made , with an accent on award as the world around commence to crumble . It ’s reflective and poignant , focusing on the intimate dramatic event at mitt rather than the epic action the writing style excels at .

The movie was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 76th Academy Awards .

Headshot Of Michelle Yeoh In The Gold House Hosts 2024 Inaugural Gold Gala at The Music Center.

Hiroyuki Sanada is mesmerizing as Seibei Iguchi , show a complex range of emotions as the fibre is conflict about his tariff as a samurai as well as his obligation as a forefather . Sanada is quiet powerful inThe Twilight Samurai , allowing his facial expressions to do a lot of the gravid liftingin terms of revealing who he is as a character . It ’s easily one of Hiroyuki Sanada ’s best performances and a will to his talent .

2Ringu (1998)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Ryūji Takayama

Based on the Nipponese horror novel by Koji Suzuki , Ringu is a supernatural horror film directed by Hideo Nakata and was released in 1998 . Reporter Reiko Asakawa is prompted to investigate a unknown videotape that purportedly run to the expiry of her niece and her friends . However , after Reiko finds and views the tape , she too becomes cursed and must solve the case behind the tape within a week before meeting her fate .

It ’s hard to magnify just how importantRingu(Ring ) is to forward-looking sidereal day revulsion as a whole , ushering in a new era of J - horror in the late-90s and into the early-2000s . With the cardinal premise of a VHS tape that kills someone seven days after watching it , Ringuwas able to exploit into the fears of Nipponese order at the metre and the anxiety of the impending millennium as Japan adjoin on into the time to come . The air is unrivaled and the key , tragic enigma at the center is superb .

Hiroyuki Sanada plays Ryūji Takayama , former husband of Nanako Mitsushima ’s Reiko Asakawa , and a university professor . The two of them enquire the mystifying videotape , seek to figure out what happened to Reiko ’s niece . As the two type ' despair begins to maturate over the course of instruction of a hebdomad , Sanada is capable to intercept into that feeling , showing just how desperate of a position they chance themselves in .

Headshot OF Chris Evans

1Shōgun (2024)

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga

Shōgun , issue in 2024 , is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant polite warfare . It play along Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political opponent on the Council of Regents , while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village , complicating the tides of power .

Based on James Clavell ’s novel of the same name , Shōgunis one of the best shows out right now , telling the report of an English pilot light washed up on shoring in Japan , find himself in the middle of a blossoming civic state of war . tragical , beautiful , and epic , Shōgunset the record for most Emmy win for a single season of television , occupy abode 18 , including an prominent Lead Actor in a Drama Series laurels for Hiroyuki Sanada .

Despite initially being created as a miniseries and enjoin the entire novel ’s fib , Shōgunwas reincarnate for two more seasons .

Hiroyuki Sanada looking off into the distance in Succession

Hiroyuki Sanada play Lord Yoshii Toranaga , the Lord of Kantō and one of the five Regents of Japan , tasked with find the country until the raw emperor comes of age . Sanada ’s use inShōgunfeels like the climax of his entire vocation up to this point , with him showing how immensely talented he is as an actor . With Toranaga maintain a lot back from both the viewers and the fibre in the serial . Hiroyuki Sanadais able to do so much act just from his expression and piffling facial ticks , making it arguably the finest carrying out of his career .

Discover the latest news and filmography for Hiroyuki Sanada , make love for The Last Samurai and Mortal Kombat .

Lost Poster

Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.

Headshot Of Evangeline Lilly In The UK Gala Screening of

Headshot Of Naveen Andrews In The 12th Annual SAG Awards

Article image

The Last Samurai is a historic epic directed by Edward Zwick, starring Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren, a disillusioned American military officer who finds himself in Japan. Tasked with suppressing the Samurai rebellion, Algren is captured and ultimately assimilates into their way of life. In doing so, he gains profound insights into their culture and honor. The film explores themes of conflict, identity, and cultural transformation in late 19th-century Japan.

Cast Placeholder Image

headshot of Ken Watanabe

Hiroyuki Sanada playing the trumpet in Round About Midnight

John Wick Chapter 4 Poster

Following the events of Chapter 3 - Parabellum, John Wick Chapter 4 will see the titular character battle against some of his most dangerous foes yet. With a bounty on his head that continues to skyrocket, John decides to take the fight to the High Table on a global scale and battles across areas like Osaka and Paris to wipe out some of the strongest players in the underworld.

Headshot Of Hiroyuki Sanada

Headshot Of Clancy Brown In The Los Angeles premiere of ‘Scrambled’ at AMC Westfield Century City

The Twilight Samurai Film Poster

The Twilight Samurai is a Japanese historical drama directed by Yoji Yamada. Set in mid-19th century Japan, it follows Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai and widower, as he struggles to balance his duties and care for his young daughters and aging mother. Stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa. The film captures the complexities of samurai life during the twilight of the Edo period.

Ringu 1998 Movie Poster

Based on the Japanese horror novel by Koji Suzuki, Ringu is a supernatural horror film directed by Hideo Nakata and was released in 1998. Reporter Reiko Asakawa is prompted to investigate a strange videotape that supposedly led to the death of her niece and her friends. However, after Reiko finds and views the tape, she too becomes cursed and must solve the case behind the tape within a week before meeting her fate.

0538646_poster_w780.jpg

Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.

Headshot Of Cosmo Jarvis

Movies

Shogun

Ringu