Kazuo Umezz
WritingAbout Kazuo Umezz
Kazuo Umezu or Kazuo Umezz (楳図 かずお, Umezu Kazuo, birth name 楳図一雄; born September 3, 1936) is a Japanese manga artist, musician and actor. Starting his career in the 1950s, he is among the most famous artists of horror manga and has been vital for its development, considered the "god of horror manga". In 1960s shōjo manga like Reptilia, he broke the industry's conventions by combining the aesthetics of the commercial manga industry with gruesome visual imagery inspired by Japanese folktales, which created a boom of horror manga and influenced manga artists of following generations. He created successful manga series such as The Drifting Classroom, Makoto-chan and My Name Is Shingo, until he retired from drawing manga in the mid 1990s. He is also a public figure in Japan, known for wearing red-and-white-striped shirts and doing his signature "Gwash" hand gesture.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Kazuo Umezz reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 14 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Horror
The majority of Kazuo Umezz's filmography leans towards the Horror genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Kazuo Umezz remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Makoto-chan, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Kazuo Umezz Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Kazuo Umezz's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Kazuo Umezz.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kaidan. Strange Stories of Japanese Ghosts | Himself | Flop | Similar → |
| 2014 | Why Horror? | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Gu Gu, the Cat | Umezu | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | God's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Tokyo Zombie | Akiyama / Prince | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Yaji & Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims | Old Man | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Gozamareji | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1993 | Kazuo Umezu's Terror Zone: Horror! | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Monster Heaven: Ghost Hero | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Drifting Classroom | Policeman C (special guest) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Monster Heaven | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Makoto-chan | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch | Taxi Driver | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | Hoodlum Soldier | - | Hit | Similar → |
Kazuo Umezz - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Kazuo Umezz?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Kazuo Umezz is "Makoto-chan" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Kazuo Umezz acted in?
Kazuo Umezz has been featured in at least 14 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Kazuo Umezz?
Other notable films include "Hoodlum Soldier", "Monster Heaven", and "The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch".