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Akitake Kōno

Acting
Freshness: Jan 23, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 8, 1911
Birth Place: Nagasaki, Japan

About Akitake Kōno

Akitake Kōno (河野 秋武 Kōno Akitake, 8 October 1911 – 17 March 1978) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than sixty films from 1943 to 1973. Kōno started acting with the Zenshinza theater troupe before joining the Toho studio in 1942. Mostly a character actor, he appeared in films by directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Kenji Mizoguchi as well on television.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Akitake Kōno reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Akitake Kōno's filmography leans towards the Drama 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 72% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Akitake Kōno remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Want to Be a Shellfish, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Akitake Kōno Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Akitake Kōno's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
I Want to Be a Shellfish (1958) movie poster
★10.0

I Want to Be a Shellfish: Television production of I Want to Be a Shellfish. On a post-war peaceful day in Japan, Toyomatsu Shimizu, a barber as w

I Want to Be a Shellfish

1958
★9.0
Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai (1963) movie poster
★9.0

Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai: Gonza was a handsome young laborer, a footman and spear-carrier, working hard for his meager wage. All Gonza wanted was

Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai

1963•Drama
★8.5
Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey (1962) movie poster
★8.5

Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey: Playhouse employees Okimi and Otoshi become involved in an undercover officer’s investigation of a gang when they accide

Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey

1962•Adventure
★8.1
Sansho the Bailiff (1954) movie poster
★8.1

Sansho the Bailiff: In medieval Japan, a woman and her children journey to find the family's patriarch, who was exiled years earlier.

Sansho the Bailiff

1954•Drama
★8.1
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959) movie poster
★8.1

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love: After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labor chief at a large

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love

1959•War

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Akitake Kōno.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1973 Miyamoto Musashi Kimura Sukekuro Hit Similar →
1971 The Viper Brothers Kingoro The Tattoo Master Hit Similar →
1969 Okatsu the Fugitive - Average Similar →
1969 New Prison Walls of Abashiri 2 - Average Similar →
1969 Broken Swords - Super Hit Similar →
1969 Crimson Bat, the Blind Swordswoman Yasuke Hit Similar →
1967 Traveling in Party - Average Similar →
1967 Three Gamblers Toyomatsu Inoue Super Hit Similar →
1966 Nerves for Victory - Average Similar →
1964 Adventures of Zatoichi Intendant Gorota Kajima Hit Similar →
1964 The Shape of Night - Hit Similar →
1964 Ken Kiuchi Super Hit Similar →
1963 Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai - Super Hit Similar →
1963 Castle of Owls - Average Similar →
1962 Mother Country - Hit Similar →
1962 The Escape - Hit Similar →
1962 Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey - Super Hit Similar →
1961 The Conspirator - Average Similar →
1961 Restoration Fire Heikichi Hit Similar →
1961 Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia - Hit Similar →
1960 Castle of Flames - Hit Similar →
1960 Outlaw Under a Blue Canopy - Hit Similar →
1960 The Man of Seven Faces Jukichi Arao Average Similar →
1959 Souls in the Moonlight III - Hit Similar →
1959 Happily Tied to the Road Sanemon Average Similar →
1959 The Human Condition I: No Greater Love Kôno Taii Super Hit Similar →
1958 Points and Lines - Average Similar →
1958 I Want to Be a Shellfish - Super Hit Similar →
1958 Taikoki - The Saga of Hideyoshi - Average Similar →
1958 The Shogun’s Guard, Shinsengumi Furutaka Shuntaro Super Hit Similar →
1958 Souls in the Moonlight II Momozo Zenriki Hit Similar →
1958 Wind, Woman and Road - Hit Similar →
1958 Tales of Young Genji Kuro 2 - Hit Similar →
1957 A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era Matabei Hit Similar →
1956 Dotanba - Average Similar →
1956 Love is Lost Yoshizo Hit Similar →
1955 Policeman's Diary, Part 2 - Average Similar →
1955 Taira Clan Saga Heiroku Hit Similar →
1955 The Wolves - Hit Similar →
1954 Sansho the Bailiff Taro Super Hit Similar →
1953 The Cannery Boat Shibaura Super Hit Similar →
1953 Tower of Lilies - Hit Similar →
1952 The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail Ise Hit Similar →
1950 Listen to the Voices of the Sea - Hit Similar →
1950 Till We Meet Again - Average Similar →
1950 Street of Violence Enomoto Hit Similar →
1947 Snow Trail Honda Hit Similar →
1946 No Regrets for Our Youth Itokawa Hit Similar →
1945 Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two Genzaburo Higaki Average Similar →
1943 Sanshiro Sugata Yoshima Dan Hit Similar →

Akitake Kōno - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Akitake Kōno?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Akitake Kōno is "I Want to Be a Shellfish" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Akitake Kōno acted in?

Akitake Kōno has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Akitake Kōno?

Other notable films include "Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai", "Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey", and "Sansho the Bailiff".