Kunie Tanaka - Actor Profile

Kunie Tanaka

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 23, 1932
Birth Place: Toki, Gifu, Japan

About Kunie Tanaka

Kunie Tanaka (田中 邦衛 Tanaka Kunie, November 23, 1932 - March 24, 2021) was a Japanese actor. He had his first notable role in 1960 as a thug in Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well, and worked with the director again on Sanjuro. Tanaka is well known for his roles in Kinji Fukasaku's yakuza films, namely the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. He also appeared in Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan. He has been nominated for five Japanese Academy Awards, winning the Best Supporting Actor statuette for Gakko in 1993. He appeared as the lecherous Shinjiro Ishiyama, nicknamed Aodaishō, the antagonist of the hero, played by Yūzō Kayama, in all of the Wakadaishō series of films. The character Kizaru, from Eiichiro Oda's manga series One Piece, is modeled after Tanaka.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Kunie Tanaka 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 Kunie Tanaka'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 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Kunie Tanaka remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Truck Rascals Go to The North, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Kunie Tanaka Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Kunie Tanaka's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Kunie Tanaka.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2004 The Hidden Blade Kanbê Katagiri Hit Similar →
2002 Kewaishi - Hit Similar →
1995 Tora-san to the Rescue Ship Captain Hit Similar →
1994 Free and Easy Special - Super Hit Similar →
1993 A Class to Remember Ino Super Hit Similar →
1993 Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict Buddhist Priest Super Hit Similar →
1991 My Sons - Super Hit Similar →
1990 Tasmania Story - Super Hit Similar →
1989 Kita no kuni kara '89 Kikyo - Super Hit Similar →
1988 Tomorrow Shoji's stepfather Super Hit Similar →
1987 Take Me Out to the Snowland Yûichirô Tayama Super Hit Similar →
1985 Demon Keita Hit Similar →
1983 Choji Snack Bar Iwashita Hit Similar →
1978 The Truck Rascals Go to The North - Super Hit Similar →
1978 Dynamite Don-Don Sakuzo Hit Similar →
1977 The Love and Adventures of Kuroki Taro Kuroki Taro Super Hit Similar →
1977 Japan's Don - Super Hit Similar →
1975 The Wild Trucker Borsalino 2 Super Hit Similar →
1975 Doterai Man - Super Hit Similar →
1974 Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode Masakichi Makihara Hit Similar →
1974 Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Police Tactics Masakichi Makihara Hit Similar →
1973 Stray Dog Sagawa Hit Similar →
1973 Battles Without Honor and Humanity Masakichi Makihara Hit Similar →
1971 The Wolves Matsuzo Tsumura Hit Similar →
1971 The Battle of Okinawa - Super Hit Similar →
1971 The Instant Services Bureau - Super Hit Similar →
1971 Tora-san, the Good Samaritan Teacher Fukushi Super Hit Similar →
1970 Dodes'ka-den Hatsutaro Kawaguchi Hit Similar →
1969 Goyokin Hirosuke Hit Similar →
1968 The Day the Sun Rose - Hit Similar →
1968 Hymn to a Tired Man Hisataro Ohno Super Hit Similar →
1967 Birth of a Fighter - Hit Similar →
1966 Zatoichi's Pilgrimage Storyteller Hit Similar →
1966 The Face of Another Mentally Ill Man #1 Super Hit Similar →
1966 The Sword of Doom Senkichi Super Hit Similar →
1966 The Threat - Hit Similar →
1966 Cash Calls Hell Umegaya Super Hit Similar →
1965 Campus A Go-Go - Super Hit Similar →
1965 Sword of the Beast Tanji Hit Similar →
1965 Three Yakuza - Super Hit Similar →
1965 Abashiri Prison Otsuki Hit Similar →
1965 Kwaidan Yasaku (segment "Hoichi the Earless") Super Hit Similar →
1964 The Desperate Chiba Hit Similar →
1962 Pitfall Man in White Suit Hit Similar →
1962 The Inheritance - Hit Similar →
1962 Sanjuro Samurai Super Hit Similar →
1961 The Merciless Trap - Hit Similar →
1960 The Bad Sleep Well Hitman Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity Obara Nitôhei Super Hit Similar →
1959 Lucky Dragon No. 5 - Hit Similar →

Kunie Tanaka - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Kunie Tanaka?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Kunie Tanaka is "The Truck Rascals Go to The North" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Kunie Tanaka acted in?

Kunie Tanaka has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Kunie Tanaka?

Other notable films include "Tasmania Story", "Doterai Man", and "The Instant Services Bureau".