Kazuo Umezu
WritingAbout Kazuo Umezu
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.
Kazuo Umezu Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Kazuo Umezu reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 16 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Kazuo Umezu's work falls within the Horror genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 31% of Kazuo Umezu's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Makoto-chan, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Kazuo Umezu Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Kazuo Umezu's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Kazuo Umezu has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| 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 → |
| 1986 | 月曜ドラマランド 悪魔くん | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1983 | Umezu Kazuo no Gyaru 10 Island | Himself | Flop | 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 Umezu - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Kazuo Umezu?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Kazuo Umezu is "Makoto-chan" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Kazuo Umezu acted in?
Kazuo Umezu has been featured in at least 16 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Kazuo Umezu?
Other notable films include "Hoodlum Soldier", "Monster Heaven", and "The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch".