Akihiko Hirata

Akihiko Hirata

Born: December 26, 1927
Died: July 25, 1984
in Seoul, Korea
Akihiko Hirata ( Hirata Akihiko ) (26 December 1927–25 July 1984) was a Japanese film actor. While Hirata starred in many movies (including Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai trilogy), he is most well known for his work in the kaiju genre, including such films as King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterians, and his most famous role of Dr. Daisuke Serizawa, the brilliant but disturbed young scientist in the original Godzilla, released in 1954. Hirata died after a long battle with lung cancer in 1984, at age 56.

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Movies for Akihiko Hirata...

Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
Title: Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
Character: Daisuke Serizawa (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: November 2, 2002
Type: Movie
JSDF pilot Akane has a fateful encounter when a new Godzilla emerges in Tateyama. As a countermeasure, a cyborg named Kiryu is constructed from the remains of the original. The machine is discovered to harbor the restless soul of the original monster as Akane must learn to find value in her own life as well.
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Legend of the Cat Monster
Title: Legend of the Cat Monster
Character: Producer
Released: August 16, 1998
Type: Movie
A legendary actress thought to be dead is discovered living in an isolated mansion. A screenwriter is tasked with writing her comeback film, which leads the two to live under the same roof.
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Revive! Ultraman
Title: Revive! Ultraman
Released: March 9, 1996
Type: Movie
The film is composed of stock footage from the original Ultraman television series with additional newly filmed content, and it served as an “epilogue” as Ultraman returns to Earth for one final battle.
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Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
Title: Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
Character: Dr. Daisuke Serizawa (archive footage)
Released: December 9, 1995
Type: Movie
A burning Godzilla, on the verge of meltdown, emerges to lay siege to Hong Kong. At the same time horrifying new organisms are discovered in Japan. These crustacean-like beings are seemingly born of the Oxygen Destroyer, the weapon that killed the original Godzilla.
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Fugitive Alien
Title: Fugitive Alien
Character: Space Command official
Released: November 3, 1987
Type: Movie
An alien is pursued as a traitor by his own race because he refuses to kill humans.
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Sayonara Jupiter
Title: Sayonara Jupiter
Character: Dr. Inoue Ryutarou
Released: March 17, 1984
Type: Movie
In the 22nd century, scientists from an energy-depleted Earth research new fuel sources in the far corners of the solar system, where they discover an ancient alien race from Jupiter as well as the emergence of an apocalyptically dangerous black hole. Koji Hashimoto's 1983 sci-fi adventure was conceived as a Japanese competitor to the upcoming sequel to Stanley Kubrick's classic 2001, titled 2010, and often mirrors the sequel's plot.
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The Sea of Sparta
Title: The Sea of Sparta
Released: September 1, 1983
Type: Movie
Violent delinquent Shunpei is sent to Totsuka Yacht School, a grueling rehabilitation center. The principal fears that this "half-wolf" is too much. When kids go bad, this school beats them straight. But they've never seen anything like this punk before.
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Brain 17
Title: Brain 17
Character: Captain Roper
Released: June 6, 1982
Type: Movie
Brain is the world's greatest computer, and also the most intelligent being on planet Earth. One day, Brain decides to abandon its terrestrial moorings, and it's up to The Defenders to track it down. Unfortunately, Brain has developed an amazing army of deadly giant robots, including one with a huge "17" emblazoned on its chest-plate, with which it plans to subjugate its creators. A young boy whose family was killed by Brain's followers manages to activate Daitetsujin 17, which thereafter comes to his rescue whenever he is in danger from Brain's minions.
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Exam Hell
Title: Exam Hell
Released: January 12, 1982
Type: Movie
A student, running late on the day of the Tokyo Imperial University entrance exams, calls in a fake bomb threat in order to arrive on time.
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At This Late Date, the Charleston
Title: At This Late Date, the Charleston
Character: City Employee
Released: December 19, 1981
Type: Movie
A young man gets thrown into detention after an episode of sexual assault; he soon meets several impostors in the same situation.
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Station
Title: Station
Released: November 7, 1981
Type: Movie
A detective goes out of his way to crack the case of a serial killer who specialises in murdering police officers.
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The Imperial Navy
Title: The Imperial Navy
Released: August 8, 1981
Type: Movie
A lavish retelling of the true story of the final voyage and ultimate destruction and sinking of the battleship Yamato, Japan's greatest flagship during the Second World War.
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Port Arthur
Title: Port Arthur
Character: Gaishi Nagaoka
Released: August 2, 1980
Type: Movie
Depicts the bloody siege of the fortress of Port Arthur, one of the most strongly fortified positions in the world, during the Russo-Japanese War of (1904 - 1905). In the story dominated the character Lt Takeshi Kogyo (Teruhiko Aoi), teachers, and a reserve officer who became commander of the platoon and later company. At the same time monitors the conduct of the army commander general Nogi (Tatsuya Nakadai), which was commissioned of the emperor Matsuhito (Toshirô Mifune) to the conquest of the fort.
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Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle
Title: Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle
Character: Iwamoto
Released: July 21, 1979
Type: Movie
A 1979 Japanese tokusatsu kaiju film produced by Tsuburaya Productions, consisting of re-edited material from the original television series Ultraman. Ultraman: The Great Decisive Battle was the 1st movie of the third Showa phase (Jissouji's Ultraman being first and Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army being second) and because of this Tsuburaya decided to make this a reunion of the last 12 Ultras (aside from Ultraman 80 which hadn't come out yet). Tsuburaya decided to give this a different tone than Jissouji's Ultraman, having more new scenes and appealing to the all-Ultra fan.
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Nomugi Pass
Title: Nomugi Pass
Released: June 30, 1979
Type: Movie
The story of the silk industry and the young girls who worked as silk spinners in the early 1900s in Japan. The silk mills were located in Okaya which lies just beyond the Nomugi Pass. The women and girls worked in a hot, humid atmosphere without rest, and endured those conditions and sexual harassment to earn money for their poor families. Across the ocean, it was the great depression in America.
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Dog of Fortune
Title: Dog of Fortune
Character: Kan Aizawa
Released: June 2, 1979
Type: Movie
From Hokkaido to Tokyo, hunting dog Goro embarks on a long and grueling journey to reach home. With the loss of his master who held a secret to a weapons smuggling case and the corruptions of those who are involved, Goro's adventure unfolds.
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The War in Space
Title: The War in Space
Character: Defense Countermeasure Supreme Commander Oshi
Released: December 17, 1977
Type: Movie
The year is 1988, and in the midst of recovering from a near-miss with a large comet, Earth finds that there are much worse matters at hand: the sudden arrival of a strange army of aliens and their fleet of unstoppable warships.
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Title: Edogawa Rampo no bijo shirīzu
Released: August 20, 1977
Type: TV
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Tora-san Meets His Lordship
Title: Tora-san Meets His Lordship
Released: August 6, 1977
Type: Movie
Tora-san befriends the descendant of a feudal lord. The man asks Tora to locate his deceased son's wife who resides somewhere in Tokyo.
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Daitetsujin 17: Aerial Battleship
Title: Daitetsujin 17: Aerial Battleship
Character: Captain Gomes
Released: July 17, 1977
Type: Movie
Captain Gomes uses a flying battleship to battle the giant robot Daitetsujin 17. Theatrically-released abridgement of Episode 15 of the TV series.
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Title: Daitetsujin 17
Character: Captain Gomez
Released: March 18, 1977
Type: TV
Daitetsujin 17 is a 1977 tokusatsu series created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei. It revolves around a giant battle robot commanded by a young boy who fights the giant robots of an evil organization bent on world conquest. It is similar to Giant Robo in premise and how it ends.
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Godzilla
Title: Godzilla
Character: Dr. Serizawa
Released: January 1, 1977
Type: Movie
A re-edited Italian-language dubbed version of Godzilla, using as a basis the U.S. version Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), plus WWII newsreel footage and clips from other monster 1950's movies. The re-edited film was then colorized via a process called Spectrorama 70 consisting of applying various colored gels to the black and white footage. The film's opening and ending also features new music composed by musician Vince Tempera (under the pseudonym Magnetic System).
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Title: Enban Sensou Bankid
Character: Commander Guzare
Released: October 3, 1976
Type: TV
Enban Sensou Bankid is the title of a tokusatsu series of classic made by Toho. The series, consisting of 26 episodes, is a result of joint production with Nippon Television, and aired in Japan starting on October 3, 1976 until the 23 March 1977.
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Zero Fighter
Title: Zero Fighter
Released: October 2, 1976
Type: Movie
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Terror of Mechagodzilla
Title: Terror of Mechagodzilla
Character: Dr. Shinzô Mafune
Released: March 15, 1975
Type: Movie
A submarine expedition to salvage the remains of Mechagodzilla is thwarted by a massive dinosaur named Titanosaurus. An Interpol investigation leads biologist Ichinose to uncover the work of Dr. Mafune and his mysterious daughter Katsura. Aligned with the Black Hole Aliens, Katsura's life becomes entwined with the resurrected machine.
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Prophecies of Nostradamus
Title: Prophecies of Nostradamus
Character: Environmental scientist #1
Released: July 13, 1974
Type: Movie
Professor Nishiyama, after studying and interpreting the prophecies of Nostradamus, realizes that the end of the world is at hand. Unfortunately, nobody listens to him until it is too late. As the effects of mankind's tampering of the earth - radioactive smog clouds, hideously mutated animals, destruction of the ozone layer - rage out of control, the world leaders hurtle blindly toward the final confrontation. The film sparked controversy in Japan and was subsequently pulled out of circulation, with no official video release of the uncut film.
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Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Title: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Character: Professor Hideto Miyajima
Released: March 20, 1974
Type: Movie
An Okinawan prophecy that foretells the destruction of the Earth is seeming fulfilled when Godzilla emerges to return to his destructive roots. But not all is what it seems after Godzilla breaks his ally Anguirus's jaw. Matters are further complicated when a second Godzilla emerges, revealing the doppelgänger as a mechanical weapon.
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The Human Revolution
Title: The Human Revolution
Released: September 8, 1973
Type: Movie
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Title: Warrior of Love Rainbowman
Character: Mr. K
Released: October 6, 1972
Type: TV
Thanks to a Buddhist hermit in India, a young Japanese wrestler transforms into a 7-phased superhero and fights an evil organization hell-bent on destroying Japan.
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The Militarists
Title: The Militarists
Character: Tomita
Released: September 11, 1970
Type: Movie
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The Great Japanese Pick-Pocket Club
Title: The Great Japanese Pick-Pocket Club
Character: Furansu
Released: November 22, 1969
Type: Movie
A crime story (with strong elements of comedy) that pits a determined detective against a gang of pickpockets in Osaka. The detective (played by Keiju Kobayashi) and the leader of the gang (played by Norihei Miki) have an interesting wartime backstory together that fuels much of the story.
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Travels of Lord Mito
Title: Travels of Lord Mito
Character: Geki Kurokawa
Released: November 1, 1969
Type: Movie
In the 9th year of Genroku, Mitsukuni Mito Komon of Hitachi Province set out on a pilgrimage to various countries with his reluctant vassals, Sukesaburo and Kakunosuke, under the name of Koemon, a retired peasant.
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Battle of the Japan Sea
Title: Battle of the Japan Sea
Character: Staff Officer Tsunoda
Released: August 1, 1969
Type: Movie
Japan and Russia clash in what comes to be known as the Russo-Japanese War. An attempt by the Japanese fleet and army to take Port Arthur fails, and a Russian fleet bears down on the Sea of Japan. Admiral Heihachiro Togo sends his fleet to confront the Russians, with results which stun both nations. Meanwhile, Major Genjiro Akashi makes secret negotiations with the Bolshevik revolutionaries in Russia, negotiations that have repercussions far beyond the conflict at hand.
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Latitude Zero
Title: Latitude Zero
Character: Dr. Sugata
Released: July 26, 1969
Type: Movie
A massive underwater volcano erupts and puts a group of investigative scientists in danger. They are rescued by an atomic super submarine named The Alpha under the command of Captain McKenzie. The group is quickly taken to a vast underwater city known as Latitude Zero, a fantastic, Atlantean type utopia, a world beneath the ocean with its own sun. It is soon discovered that Captain McKenzie is at war with the evil Dr. Malic, a cruel scientist who wishes to rule mankind all the while conducting genetic experiments on humans and animals. Malic sends his agents to kidnap Dr. Okada, a human scientist who has created a serum that can immunize exposure to radiation.
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Crazy Big Explosion
Title: Crazy Big Explosion
Released: April 27, 1969
Type: Movie
A Toho comedy film staring the Crazy Cats.
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Samurai Banners
Title: Samurai Banners
Character: Suwa Yorishige
Released: March 1, 1969
Type: Movie
Kansuke Yamamoto is a samurai who dreams of a country united, peaceful from sea to sea. He enters the service of Takeda, the lord of Kai domain. He convinces Takeda to kill the lord of neighboring Suwa and take his wife as a concubine. He then convinces the widow, Princess Yu, to accept this arrangement and to bear Takeda a son. He pledges them his life. He then spends years using treachery, poetic sensibility, military and political strategy to expand Takeda's realm, advance the claim of Yu's son as the heir, and prepare for an ultimate battle with the forces of Echigo. Has Kansuke overreached? Are his dreams, blinded by love, too big?
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Young Challengers
Title: Young Challengers
Character: Asakawa
Released: October 12, 1968
Type: Movie
A story depicting the challenges faced by today's youth in working to build a better tomorrow, based on the theme of Toshiba's progress as one of Japan's leading manufacturers of electronic and electric goods.
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Admiral Yamamoto
Title: Admiral Yamamoto
Character: Staff Officer Watanabe
Released: August 14, 1968
Type: Movie
As Japan joins in a political pact with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is appointed supreme commander of the Japanese fleet. With Japan headed inexorably toward war, Yamamoto, despite his misgivings, believes the only possible victory lies in destroying the American fleet by surprise at Pearl Harbor. The attack succeeds, but fails to sink the American carrier fleet. Thus Yamamoto must lead the Japanese navy into war with ever-diminishing likelihood of success.
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風来忍法帖 八方破れ
Title: 風来忍法帖 八方破れ
Released: May 8, 1968
Type: Movie
The second of two films based on the novel by Futaro Yamada.
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Son of Godzilla
Title: Son of Godzilla
Character: Fujisaki
Released: December 16, 1967
Type: Movie
Reporter Goro Maki stumbles upon scientists conducting weather experiments on Sollgel Island in the South Seas. He discovers the island is inhabited by giant mantis and a woman named Saeko who's been cast away since the death of her father. The pair soon find a helpless infant monster that Godzilla must adopt and learn to raise as one of his own.
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Japan's Longest Day
Title: Japan's Longest Day
Character: Commander Sugahara - 302nd Air Group
Released: August 12, 1967
Type: Movie
Following the detonation of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese military and the government clash over the demand from the Allies for unconditional surrender. Minister of the Army Anami leads the military officers who propose to fight on, even to the death of every Japanese citizen. Emperor Hirohito, however, joins with his ministers in asking the unthinkable, the peaceful surrender of Japan. When the military plots a coup to overthrow the Emperor's civilian government, Anami must face the choice between his desires and loyalty to his Emperor.
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Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature
Title: Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature
Character: Professor Iwamoto
Released: July 22, 1967
Type: Movie
The film consists of re-edited material from the original television series Ultraman. Episodes 1, 8, 26, and 27 were used for the film. They were narrated by Hikari Urano as an "Ultraman Documentary". Allegedly only one new scene was shot, and that some parts of the movie where shot in black and white for unknown reasons. The movie screened at the same time as the Toho movie King Kong Escapes.
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Kojiro
Title: Kojiro
Released: April 1, 1967
Type: Movie
Sasaki Kojiro tells the story of the genius who staked his love, glory, and life on a duel with the supreme master of the sword, Miyamoto Musashi (Tatsuya Nakadai). Oscar winning Hiroshi Inagaki directs this epic motion picture based on Genzo Murakami’s fascinating story. Despite his humble birth, the orphan Sasaki Kojiro (Onoe Kikunosuke) is determined to become the foremost swordsman in all Japan, a title that traditionally belongs to a nobleman. At fencing school, young Kojiro receives the contempt of his classmates because of his superior swordsmanship. When rumors of the upcoming civil war between Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans spread, Kojiro leaves the school and sets out, seizing every opportunity to realize his dream.
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The Killing Bottle
Title: The Killing Bottle
Character: Man With Turkish Hat
Released: February 11, 1967
Type: Movie
In Hong Kong an International Secret Police (ISP) Agent is murdered while investigating ZZZ, a group bent on assassinating the Prime Minister of Buddhabal. ISP Agents Carter and Kitami are assigned to the case. When the Prime Minister arrives in Tokyo for a friendship visit, Carter and Kitami are on hand to protect him. On hand, too, are assorted ZZZ blackguards. Several attempts on the Prime Minister's life fail, until finally the ZZZ introduces a new device designed to eliminate not only the Prime Minister but the ISP Agents as well: THE KILLING BOTTLE, then, is a pocket-sized container filled with a substance that can expand to thousands of times its size and throttle its victim, then disappear leaving only the corpse.
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Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Title: Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Character: Capt. Yamoto
Released: December 17, 1966
Type: Movie
Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster. Finding a sleeping Godzilla, they decide to awaken him to defeat the terrorists and liberate the natives.
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Rise Against the Sword
Title: Rise Against the Sword
Character: Asakura
Released: November 25, 1966
Type: Movie
Farmer Abare Goemon is confronted by brigand-like samurai. He raises an army of farmers to fight them and does so brilliantly. When Lord Asakura sees the success Goemon has achieved, he attempts to recruit him to fight in a conflict between Asakura and another clan. Goemon refuses, and Lord Asakura sets out to destroy him.
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Title: Ultraman
Character: Dr. Iwamoto
Released: July 17, 1966
Type: TV
Hayata is a member of the Science Patrol, an organization tasked with investigating bizarre anomalies. He is mortally wounded when accidently encountering an alien being from Land of Light, who grants Hayata new life as the two are merged into one. Now, whenever a threat arises that is too great for the Science Patrol to handle, Hayata activates the beta capsule and becomes the hero known as Ultraman.
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The Mad Atlantic
Title: The Mad Atlantic
Character: Nozaki
Released: July 13, 1966
Type: Movie
Captain Murakami takes over as skipper of the Azuma Maru, replacing the well-liked former captain. Murakami forces the crew to work harder than they ever have, creating enmity and exhaustion. Just when the ship has taken a huge catch of tuna in its nets, Murakami learns that his ship is the only one in position to rescue the crew of another ship, sinking in a storm. He must choose between saving the catch or saving lives. Either choice may mean his ruin.
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Adventure in Kigan Castle
Title: Adventure in Kigan Castle
Character: Chamberlain
Released: April 28, 1966
Type: Movie
Osami, a soldier-of-fortune from Japan, joins with priest Ensai in a quest for the ashes of the great Buddha. Their journey takes them to a kingdom in the Middle East, where they find intrigue and romance in the court of an evil king.
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The Boss of Pick-Pocket Bay
Title: The Boss of Pick-Pocket Bay
Character: Omasa
Released: January 3, 1966
Type: Movie
Sangoro Oiwake runs out of money. He visits rice shop, eat and drink for free, and owners send him to prison. In prison Sangoro will have a new life
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Ironfinger
Title: Ironfinger
Character: Komori
Released: December 5, 1965
Type: Movie
After being mistaken for an Interpol agent, a man who was just supposed to go on vacation gets mixed up in a war between two gangs intent on winning the favor of a notorious arms dealer.
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A Smell of Money
Title: A Smell of Money
Released: December 5, 1965
Type: Movie
Banjun organizes a group of con men to fleece the greedy and rich.
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The Retreat from Kiska
Title: The Retreat from Kiska
Character: Dr. Kudo
Released: July 4, 1965
Type: Movie
In 1943, the Aleutian island of Kiska was fortified by a small contingent of Japanese soldiers. When word arrived of an impending attack by an overwhelming force of Americans, the Japanese Navy attempted one of the most daring and unlikely evacuations in military history. This is that story.
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風来忍法帖
Title: 風来忍法帖
Released: May 16, 1965
Type: Movie
The first of two films based on the novel by Futaro Yamada.
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Ankokugai zenmetsu sakusen
Title: Ankokugai zenmetsu sakusen
Released: February 14, 1965
Type: Movie
The 1965 Japanese yakuza film is the last episode of the Ankokugai series.
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Samurai Assassin
Title: Samurai Assassin
Character: Sohei Masui
Released: January 3, 1965
Type: Movie
Japan, 1860. The men of the Mito clan, victims of the Ansei purge, anxiously prowl around the Sakurada Gate of Edo Castle with the intention of assassinating Naosuke Ii of Hikone, tairō of the Tokugawa shogunate and responsible for their misfortune.
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Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Title: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Character: Chief Detective Okita
Released: December 20, 1964
Type: Movie
After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.
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Whirlwind
Title: Whirlwind
Character: Ryutaro Inoue
Released: July 26, 1964
Type: Movie
Set at the end of the Siege of Osaka this film follows the exploits of several members of the defeated Toyotomi clan as they cope with the post battle chaos and the persecution of the Shogun's army. Five samurai decide on different fates when it becomes clear that their side is being destroyed. One wants to attack the enemy head on in a final honorable death. Another decides to commit hari-kiri but wants to find a glorious view to do it. His close friend, the "coward", just wants to run and give up the life of a samurai. The final two set their own castle on fire to garner favors from the enemy and therefore avert their own death during the massacre of all defeated soldiers as
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Atragon
Title: Atragon
Character: Mu Agent #23
Released: December 22, 1963
Type: Movie
The legendary empire of the lost continent of Mu reappears to threaten the world with domination. While countries unite to resist, an isolated World War II Captain has created the greatest warship ever seen, and possibly the surface world's only defense.
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The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman
Title: The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman
Character: Eburi's older brother
Released: November 16, 1963
Type: Movie
A salaryman's drunken ravings in public attract the attention of journalists who coerce him into telling them his life's story.
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Operation Mad Dog
Title: Operation Mad Dog
Released: September 29, 1963
Type: Movie
Film number six in the Desperado Outpost serie directed by Jun Fukuda
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The Young Ace in Hawaii
Title: The Young Ace in Hawaii
Character: 戸井田教授
Released: August 11, 1963
Type: Movie
Fourth entry in Toho's Wakadaishō series directed by Jun Fukuda and released on a simultaneous screening with Matango. Filmed on location in Hawaii.
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King Kong vs. Godzilla
Title: King Kong vs. Godzilla
Character: Dr. Shigezawa (uncredited)
Released: June 26, 1963
Type: Movie
When an underhanded pharmaceutical company goes to a remote tropical island to steal King Kong for advertising purposes, they get more than they bargained for when the gigantic ape attacks an unsuspecting village and an enormous octopus.
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Siege of Fort Bismarck
Title: Siege of Fort Bismarck
Released: May 29, 1963
Type: Movie
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Attack Squadron
Title: Attack Squadron
Character: Senda's Aide
Released: January 3, 1963
Type: Movie
Lt. Col. Senda resists the idea of sending Japanese fighter pilots on suicide missions. He believes that what is really necessary for Japan to regain momentum in the war is for the air force to gather its most brilliant pilots into an elite squadron and use the unit to pinpoint attacks on the Americans. Disrespected by the kamikaze pilots who think the "non-suicidal" pilots are afraid, the unit redeems itself by stunning victories. But success leads the military leaders to expect too much of the unit, and new orders portend disaster.
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The Weed of Crime
Title: The Weed of Crime
Released: December 8, 1962
Type: Movie
Toho-produced crime drama involving the drug trade.
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Varan the Unbelievable
Title: Varan the Unbelievable
Character: Dr. Fujimora
Released: December 7, 1962
Type: Movie
In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint U.S.-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monster Obaki from hibernation at the lake's bottom, and it proceeds to attack Japan. Although made by a U.S. independent film company, this film was based on a Japanese Toho monster film of 1958, "Daikaiju Varan", from which all of the monster effects scenes and a few incidental dramatic shots were edited into it.
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47 Ronin
Title: 47 Ronin
Released: November 3, 1962
Type: Movie
After their lord is tricked into committing ritual suicide, forty-seven samurai warriors await the chance to avenge their master and reclaim their honor.
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Operation Enemy Fort
Title: Operation Enemy Fort
Released: October 20, 1962
Type: Movie
Soldiers on the front lines in China during World War II are besieged by guerrilla attacks and attempt to destroy an enemy fort.
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Wakai kisetsu
Title: Wakai kisetsu
Released: October 20, 1962
Type: Movie
1962 Japanese movie
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King Kong vs. Godzilla
Title: King Kong vs. Godzilla
Character: Dr. Shigezawa
Released: August 11, 1962
Type: Movie
The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.
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Jūyaku kōho-sei nanbā 1
Title: Jūyaku kōho-sei nanbā 1
Released: July 7, 1962
Type: Movie
1962 Japanese movie
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Operation Sewer Rats
Title: Operation Sewer Rats
Character: Captain Sugiyama
Released: June 1, 1962
Type: Movie
Towards the end of World War II, five men are tasked with freeing the son of a general from Chinese captivity.
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Ai no uzu shio
Title: Ai no uzu shio
Released: May 22, 1962
Type: Movie
1962 Japanese movie
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Gorath
Title: Gorath
Character: Endô
Released: March 21, 1962
Type: Movie
In 1976, a drifting star named Gorath is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. Although it is smaller than Earth, its enormous mass is enough to destroy the planet totally. A mission sent to observe Gorath is destroyed after the ship is drawn into the star, with a later mission barely escaping the same fate. However, Astronaut Tatsuma Kanai is left in a catatonic state due to his near death experience. Unable to destroy the invading star, Earth's scientists undertake a desperate plan to build giant rockets at the South Pole to move the planet out of Gorath's path before it is too late.
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Sanjuro
Title: Sanjuro
Character: Samurai
Released: January 1, 1962
Type: Movie
Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
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Structure of Hate
Title: Structure of Hate
Released: November 12, 1961
Type: Movie
Drama about two college friends, now working for the same banking firm, torn apart by jealousy over their inequitable positions and love lives.
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Girls of the Night
Title: Girls of the Night
Character: Shima
Released: September 4, 1961
Type: Movie
In the late 1950's prostitution was banned in Japan and if a woman was found exercising this profession they were sent to a reformatory. This is a story of one of these brave women Kuniko who is released from the reformatory and tries to build a new life.
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Blood on the Sea
Title: Blood on the Sea
Released: August 13, 1961
Type: Movie
Four fishermen friends are caught up in a piracy plot.
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Mothra
Title: Mothra
Character: Doctor
Released: July 30, 1961
Type: Movie
Shipwreck survivors found on the presumably uninhabited Infant Island leads to a scientific expedition that discovers a surviving native population along with the Shobijin, tiny twin fairy priestesses of the island's mythical deity called Mothra. After the fairies are kidnapped by an exploitative businessman named Clark Nelson, Mothra sets out to rescue them.
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Challenge to Live
Title: Challenge to Live
Released: June 17, 1961
Type: Movie
An employee at an oil cartel (Mihashi) is haunted by an act years before when he euthanized a fellow soldier when the two were adrift at sea during the Pacific War. Matters are complicated further when he falls in love with the soldier's younger sister (Tsukasa).
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Big Shots Die at Dawn
Title: Big Shots Die at Dawn
Released: April 9, 1961
Type: Movie
An early Okamoto yakuza film, though it's not in the Underworld series (along with The Last Gunfight and The Big Boss) despite being alternatively known as "Death of the Boss." While Okamoto did not write this film and took on the project because he was assigned and "just doing [his] job" according to an interview with Chris Desjardins in Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, he did express a general excitement about working in action cinema (which shows through in this film's energy.)
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The Merciless Trap
Title: The Merciless Trap
Released: February 1, 1961
Type: Movie
Taut thriller about a too-perfect criminal case against an ex-convict that makes a nosy detective suspicious.
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Blueprint of Murder
Title: Blueprint of Murder
Released: January 3, 1961
Type: Movie
Yuzo Kayama plays the protagonist, a whale-hunting cannon manufactuing supervisor, whose brother is an automobile tester for Komatsu Motors which has a fatal accident. As his brother investigates the "Accident" with his old college friend (makoto Sato), now a reporter... They stumble across murder, espionage and cover-ups. High-class night club, femme fatale, and a "Blueprint of Murder" all adds up to a bigger plot then first expected.
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Daredevil in the Castle
Title: Daredevil in the Castle
Character: Hayatonosho 'Hayato' Susukida
Released: January 3, 1961
Type: Movie
During the raging war between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans, the swordsman Mohei (whose family has been completely decimated) is recruited by Toyotomi to overcome the seat of power, Osaka Castle. Mohei's daredevil skills will be put to severe tests.
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Get 'em All
Title: Get 'em All
Character: Kozo Kinugawa
Released: November 29, 1960
Type: Movie
Gang of robbers quarrel about the loot, but when one of them gets killed, his younger brother seeks them out to ice them one by one.
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Westward Desperado
Title: Westward Desperado
Released: October 30, 1960
Type: Movie
In this patriotic WW II drama, the Japanese army demonstrates its courage and willingness to do anything to win as they endeavor to sneak into Communist China to bring back the flag of a defeated enemy regiment.
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Man Against Man
Title: Man Against Man
Character: Toriumi
Released: August 14, 1960
Type: Movie
Kikumori runs a cabaret on the docks, while his friend Kaji operates transport boats. When a gang of drug dealers tries to force the pair to cooperate in a smuggling scheme, conflict arises between the two friends. Falsely blamed for murder, Kikumori is blackmailed into an attempt to sabotage Kaji's boats and kill him. But the friendship between the two men proves an obstacle to the gangleader's plans.
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The Storm of the Pacific
Title: The Storm of the Pacific
Character: Fleet Staff Officer
Released: April 26, 1960
Type: Movie
Lt. Koji Kitami is a navigator-bombardier in Japan's Naval Air Force. He participates in the Japanese raid on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and is welcomed with pride in his hometown on his return. As Japan racks up victory after victory in the Pacific War, Kitami is caught up in the emotion of the time and fights courageously for the standard of Japanese honor. But his assuredness of his government's righteousness is shaken after the Japanese navy is defeated in the debacle of Midway.
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The Secret of the Telegian
Title: The Secret of the Telegian
Character: Inspector Kobayashi
Released: April 10, 1960
Type: Movie
Men are being murdered by a psycho called "The Telegian," who uses a matter-transmitting device to locate his victims.
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The Lost Alibi
Title: The Lost Alibi
Character: Kishimoto
Released: March 13, 1960
Type: Movie
Suspense drama about a married salaryman whose affair with one of his co-workers is compromised when, returning from a clandestine meeting with his lover, he runs into a neighbor who is later accused of murder. Questioned by police about the neighbor, and blackmailed by his lover's neighbor, the salaryman's lies lead him on a path to destruction.
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The Last Gunfight
Title: The Last Gunfight
Released: January 3, 1960
Type: Movie
Japanese police detective Saburo Fujioka is suspected of corruption, demoted, and sent to the city of Kojin. Kojin is the scene of fierce fighting between rival gangs. Fujioka is assigned to investigate the death of the wife of gangster Tetsuo Maruyama of the Kozuka gang, probably at the hands of one of the Oka gang. During a gang gunfight, Maruyama is rescued by Detective Fujioka and the two become friends. But Maruyama insists on avenging his wife's murder, even if it means conflict with his new friend.
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The Three Treasures
Title: The Three Treasures
Character: Kibino Takehiko
Released: November 1, 1959
Type: Movie
The legend of the birth of Shintoism. In Fourth Century Japan, the Emperor's son Ouso expects to succeed his father on the throne, but Otomo, the Emperor's vassal, prefers Ouso's stepbrother, and conspires to have Ouso die on a dangerous mission he has contrived. But Ouso prevails in the mission and returns to his father's castle under a new name, Prince Yamato Takeru. Otomo plots to have the Prince sent into even greater danger, but Otomo is unaware that the gods have favored the Prince and the outcome is far from what any of them expected.
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Saga of the Vagabonds
Title: Saga of the Vagabonds
Character: Jiro Hidekuni
Released: August 9, 1959
Type: Movie
Lord Taro must deliver a money chest but is robbed by brigands led by Jibu. One of Jibu's men, Rokuro, steals the money from Jibu, but after meeting and befriending Taro, Rokuro decides to return the money to Taro. But Taro's unscrupulous brother Jiro falsely accuse Taro of the theft, and Taro reactively joins the outlaw band and encourages them to steal from the nobles and give to the poor.
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Submarine I-57 Will Not Surrender
Title: Submarine I-57 Will Not Surrender
Released: July 4, 1959
Type: Movie
In World War II, the commanding officer of a sub, against his will takes on board two Western diplomats, to take them to the Canaries and arrange an armistice. When they get there, peace has been declared, but the sub's crew don't know as their radio has failed. They send their passengers ashore and go out to face a final battle...
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Samurai Saga
Title: Samurai Saga
Character: Akaboshi
Released: April 28, 1959
Type: Movie
Edmund Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac, transplanted to Japan. A poet-warrior with an oversized nose (matched only by his great heart) loves a lady. But she sees him only as a friend, so he helps another man to woo her by giving him the poetry of his own heart.
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I Want to Be a Shellfish
Title: I Want to Be a Shellfish
Released: April 12, 1959
Type: Movie
On a post-war peaceful day in Japan, Toyomatsu Shimizu, a barber as well as a good father and husband, is suddenly arrested by the Prefectural Police as a war criminal and sued for murder.
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The Big Boss
Title: The Big Boss
Released: January 15, 1959
Type: Movie
Ryuta and Mineo Komatsu are brothers, both yakuza (gangsters). Mineo, although complicit in crime, even murder, wants out of the gangster life, hoping to become a successful singer instead. Ryuta loves his brother, but Mineo's possible defection presents problems for the gang, and Ryuta realizes he must kill his brother if he wants to survive.
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Sazae-san's Marriage
Title: Sazae-san's Marriage
Released: January 9, 1959
Type: Movie
Sazae finally gets married, but right after that, Masuo is transferred to Osaka. A heartbroken Sazae sends her parents on a silver wedding trip, and eventually heads for Nikko, a travel destination. Sazae is once again overwhelmed by the sight of the newlyweds bustling with sunlight, but...
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Varan
Title: Varan
Character: Dr. Fujimora, bomb expert
Released: October 14, 1958
Type: Movie
When a rare species of butterfly is found in a mysterious valley in Japan, a pair of entomologists go to investigate and find more. They discover Varan, a giant monster, who decides to leave the valley and head straight for Tokyo.
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Underwater Murder
Title: Underwater Murder
Character: Detective Makimo
Released: July 27, 1958
Type: Movie
The film marked Yōko Mihara's debut as the star of Shintoho's series of ama films, a role she took over from Michiko Maeda.
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The H-Man
Title: The H-Man
Character: Inspector Tominaga
Released: June 24, 1958
Type: Movie
Nuclear tests create a radioactive man who can turn people into slime.
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Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
Title: Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
Character: Tomonori
Released: January 3, 1958
Type: Movie
In the Tokugawa Era, the clan of Lord Yagyu has hidden away three scrolls containing clan secrets which, if revealed, would cause revolution and disaster for the clan. The information is divided among the three scrolls, all of which must be possessed for the secrets to be understood. When Princess Yuhime steals the scrolls, Tasaburo, a samurai with magical powers, and his brother Senshiro are sent to retrieve them. In Part II, the search for the scrolls continues.
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The Mysterians
Title: The Mysterians
Character: Ryoichi Shiraishi
Released: December 28, 1957
Type: Movie
In Japan, scientifically advanced invaders from the war-destroyed planet Mysteroid cause an entire village to vanish, then send a giant robot out to storm the city by night, after which they request a small patch of land on Earth and the right to marry earthling women, claiming to be pacifists. Mankind must decide whether to capitulate or to resist.
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Zokuzoku Ôban: Dotô hen
Title: Zokuzoku Ôban: Dotô hen
Character: Arishima
Released: December 17, 1957
Type: Movie
Ushinosuke returns to his hometown to become a farmer. Part three (of four) of the film adaptation of Bunroku Shishi’s novel, Oban.
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A Farewell to the Woman Called My Sister
Title: A Farewell to the Woman Called My Sister
Released: August 25, 1957
Type: Movie
An Ishiro Honda film.
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Zoku Ôban: Fûun hen
Title: Zoku Ôban: Fûun hen
Character: Count Arishima
Released: July 19, 1957
Type: Movie
Ushinosuke returns broke to his hometown, where everyone believes he's rich and successful. Part two (of four) of the film adaptation of Bunroku Shishi's novel, Oban.
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Last Days of the Samurai
Title: Last Days of the Samurai
Released: July 13, 1957
Type: Movie
Seppuku Day 17 Ako ronins, including Kuranosuke Oishi, who were entrusted to the Hosokawa family, and the events of the two days before are depicted as a tragic romance between one of the ronins, Jurozaemon Isogai, and Omino. An adaptation of Seika Mayama play "Genroku Chusingura, the Last Day of Oishi", which tells about the torments of life and death of samurai living in feudal times.
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A Rainbow Plays in My Heart: Part 1
Title: A Rainbow Plays in My Heart: Part 1
Released: July 9, 1957
Type: Movie
An Ishiro Honda film. The first part of A Rainbow Plays in My Heart released the same day as the second film.
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A Rainbow Plays in My Heart: Part 2
Title: A Rainbow Plays in My Heart: Part 2
Character: Tokuoka
Released: July 9, 1957
Type: Movie
An Ishiro Honda film. The second part of A Rainbow Plays in My Heart released the same day as the first film.
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A Teapicker's Song of Goodbye
Title: A Teapicker's Song of Goodbye
Released: July 2, 1957
Type: Movie
An Ishiro Honda film.
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Yagyu Secret Scrolls
Title: Yagyu Secret Scrolls
Character: Tomonori
Released: April 14, 1957
Type: Movie
In the Tokugawa Era, the clan of Lord Yagyu has hidden away three scrolls containing clan secrets which, if revealed, would cause revolution and disaster for the clan. The information is divided among the three scrolls, all of which must be possessed for the secrets to be understood. When Princess Yuhime steals the scrolls, Tasaburo, a samurai with magical powers, and his brother Senshiro are sent to retrieve them.
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The Lonely Swordsman (Part 2)
Title: The Lonely Swordsman (Part 2)
Released: April 2, 1957
Type: Movie
Historical drama about a sleep-eyed ronin
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Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Ocean
Title: Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Ocean
Character: Dr. Serizawa
Released: March 15, 1957
Type: Movie
Obscure French version of the original Godzilla. The film combines elements of the original Toho version and the American King of the Monsters! in a unique assemblage exclusive to the Francophone market. Released by Les Films du Verseau.
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Ôban
Title: Ôban
Released: March 5, 1957
Type: Movie
A young country boy leaves his village for Tokyo, where he begins to work as a stock trader. First part (of four) of the film adaptation of Bunroku Shishi's novel, Oban.
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A Man in the Storm
Title: A Man in the Storm
Released: February 5, 1957
Type: Movie
Judo expert Saburô Watari fights his judo master, Tsujido, while simultaneously in conflict with a karate expert.
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Rodan
Title: Rodan
Character: Professor Kyuichiro Kashiwagi
Released: December 26, 1956
Type: Movie
Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying discovery in the form a prehistoric flying creature. Soon a second monster appears as the two converge in Fukuoka.
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はりきり社長
Title: はりきり社長
Released: July 13, 1956
Type: Movie
The third instalment in the Shacho Series.
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Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Title: Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Character: Dr. Serizawa
Released: April 27, 1956
Type: Movie
During an assignment, foreign correspondent Steve Martin spends a layover in Tokyo and is caught amid the rampage of an unstoppable prehistoric monster the Japanese call 'Godzilla'. The only hope for both Japan and the world lies on a secret weapon, which may prove more destructive than the monster itself.
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Rainy Night Duel
Title: Rainy Night Duel
Character: Shunsuke Iba
Released: January 29, 1956
Type: Movie
Masahiko Koseki, a judo master, gets in several fights as a result of protecting a young woman. Despite his success, Koseki is expelled from his judo school because of his propensity for street fighting. He goes to work for a gangster named Joji, but when he realizes that Joji is mixed up in the slave trade, Koseki helps the police in their attempts to foil Joji.
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Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Title: Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Character: Seijuro Yoshioka (uncredited)
Released: January 3, 1956
Type: Movie
A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.
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The Lone Journey
Title: The Lone Journey
Character: Horikoshi no Masakichi
Released: August 31, 1955
Type: Movie
Forced on the road by yakuza obligations, a man sets out on a reckless journey to Tsumagoi. Movie posters for local cinemas were often displayed at sento (public baths) too. The handwritten text on the bottom here announces the film will play at Hassen for 3 days.
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Stray Sheep
Title: Stray Sheep
Character: Sugimoto
Released: August 31, 1955
Type: Movie
1955 Toho adaptation of Natsume's novel.
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Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Title: Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Character: Seijuro Yoshioka
Released: July 12, 1955
Type: Movie
After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing. To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.
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No Response from Car 33
Title: No Response from Car 33
Released: May 31, 1955
Type: Movie
Film directed by Senkichi Taniguchi
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Godzilla
Title: Godzilla
Character: Daisuke Serizawa
Released: November 3, 1954
Type: Movie
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Yemani soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
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Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Title: Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Character: Seijuro Yoshioka
Released: September 25, 1954
Type: Movie
Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.
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Itsuko to sono haha
Title: Itsuko to sono haha
Character: Kozo Miyoshi
Released: February 17, 1954
Type: Movie
An elderly woman devoted to her foster-daughter searches for a good husband for her.
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Farewell Rabaul
Title: Farewell Rabaul
Character: First lieutenant Noguchi
Released: February 10, 1954
Type: Movie
A squadron of Japanese fighter pilots realise that they are never going to win the war when they understand that Japanese military tactics have little regard for life. Seeking the companionship of any woman who will have them, they spend their days indulging in every fantasy in order to escape the overwhelming fear of death looming just over the horizon.
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Girls in the Orchard
Title: Girls in the Orchard
Released: September 15, 1953
Type: Movie
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Mr. Pu
Title: Mr. Pu
Released: April 15, 1953
Type: Movie
A math teacher loses his job while falling in love with a local girl.
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The Last Embrace
Title: The Last Embrace
Released: March 11, 1953
Type: Movie
Yukiko Nogami is rescued during a mountain blizzard by handsome forester Shinkichi, and the two subsequently fall in love. But when Shinkichi dies in an avalanche, Yukiko leaves the mountains in despair and takes a job in a bar where she becomes deeply involved in the personal lives of several of the patrons. One day she thinks she sees Shinkichi alive, but it turns out to be a gangster named Hayakawa, a man on the run who bears an astonishing resemblance to Yukiko's lost love. Against her better judgment, she is drawn to help Hayakawa, though clearly danger follows him.