JAPANESE DIRECTORS OF NOTE

KEI FUJIWARA

Fujiwara attended film school with Shinya Tsukamoto, appearing in his early short film ADVENTURES OF ELECTRIC ROD BOY (1988) and also as the girlfriend in TETSUO (1989). She founded the ‘Organ Vital’ theatre in Tokyo and wrote and produced a play ‘Organ’ for the theatre, before adapting it into a very extreme film (which she also acted in, with eyepatch!). ORGAN ran into trouble with the Japanese board of film control, and was heavily cut for the cinema. For the film’s video release, Fujiwara ignored the board’s threats and released the full uncut version. She has reportedly finished work on the second ORGAN FILM (in a projected trilogy), but this remains unreleased to date.

Adventures of Electric Rod Boy (1988, Shinya Tsukamoto) – actress
Tetsuo (1989, Shinya Tsukamoto) – actress
Organ (1996) – also actress

SHOZIN FUKUI (AKA Shojin Fukui)

Fukui is one of the key directors in the Japanese underground movement. His two experimental short films led him to work with Shinya Tsukamoto on TETSUO (1989), before making his first full-length feature PINICCHIO 964, a deranged, frenetic, cyberpunk masterpiece. He followed this some years later with RUBBER’S LOVER, undoubtedly one of the greatest underground films of all time. Sadly, he hasn’t made anything else since. Hopefully he will be back soon…

Gerrorist (1987, short film)
Caterpillar (1988, short film)
Pinocchio 964 (1991)
Rubber's Lover (1996)

IZOU HASHIMOTO (AKA Izo Hashimoto)

Hashimoto is best known for his extreme short film LSD, and his sequel to Toshiharu Ikeda’s EVIL DEAD TRAP. He has also worked on various animes, and is a successful screenplay writer - some of his credits include AKIRA (1988), DRIFTING CLASSROOM (1991) and both the SUKEBAN DEKA TV series and spin-off movies.

Shiroi Kabe no Kekkon (1989) - AKA 'Lucky Star Diamond', 'LSD', 'Bloody Fragments on a White Wall'
Shiryo no Wana II: Hideki (1991) - AKA 'Evil Dead Trap II: Hideki'
Puru-Puru (1993) - AKA 'Brr'
Magma Taishi (1993) - AKA 'Ambassador Magma' (series of short animes - 13 parts)
Teito Monogatari:Gaiden (1995) - AKA 'Capitol Story: Secret Report'
Vampire Hunter D (2000) - anime, co-directed by Tai Kit Mak
Lensman: Power of the Lens (2000) - anime, co-directed by Tai Kit Mak

HIDESHI HINO

Hino is a famed manga artist. He made two episodes in the infamous GUINEA PIG series, including the most notorious episode, FLOWER OF FLESH AND BLOOD, which is often (mistakenly) called a ‘snuff’ film (and led to the famous ‘Charlie Sheen/FBI’ case).

Za Ginipiggu: Chiniku no Hana (1990) - AKA 'Guinea Pig: Flowers of Flesh and Blood', 'Guinea Pig: Flower of Bloody Flesh'
Za Ginipiggu: Manhoru no Naka no Ningyo (1991) - AKA 'Guinea Pig: Mermaid in a Manhole', 'Mermaid in a Manhole'

TOSHIHARU IKEDA

Ikeda started his career working on pinku eiga, before graduating to directing feature films. He is best known for his extremely influential 1986 film EVIL DEAD TRAP, and also made two episodes in the ‘XX’ series of films.

Sukeban Mafia (1980)
Sex Hunter (1980)
Tenshi no harawata: Akai Inga (1981) - AKA 'Angel Guts: Red Porno'
Blue Lagoon (1981)
Yudono-sanroku noroi mura (1984) - AKA 'Cursed Village in Yudono Mountain'
Ningyo densetsu (1984) - AKA 'Mermaid Legend'
Scent of a Spell (1985)
Shiryo no Wana (1988) - AKA 'Evil Dead Trap'
Misty (1991)
Joshu sasori satsujin yokoku (1991) - AKA 'Scorpion Woman Prisoner: Death Threat'
Kurenai monogatari (1992) - AKA 'Red Foliage'
Shiryo no wana: Chigireta ai no satsujin (1993) - AKA 'Evil Dead Trap III: Broken Love Killer'
XX: utukushiki emono (1996) - AKA 'XX: Beautiful Prey'
XX: utukushiki gakuen (1996) - AKA 'XX: Beautiful Beast'
Kagi (1997) - AKA 'The Key'

TAKASHI ISHII (DOB: 1946)

Ishii is a very successful new wave director, and also a respected screenwriter (EVIL DEAD TRAP being his most famous work in this field). His GONIN (1995) starred ‘Beat’ Takeshi Kitano and did very well in overseas markets as well as Japan. He re-made the film with a female gang the following year. Ishii is often regarded as a ‘feminist’ director, making several rape/revenge dramas in which the viewer identifies with the female victim, rather than the male perpetrators as in most Japanese films of this type.

Shiryo no Wana (1988, Toshiharu Ikeda) - AKA 'Evil Dead Trap' (Ishii wrote the screenplay for this film)
Tenshi no Harawata: Akai Memai (1988) - AKA 'Angel Guts: Red Dizziness'
Gekka no Ran (1991, SOV)
Shinde Mo Ii (1992) - AKA 'Original Sin'
Shiryo no wana: Chigireta ai no satsujin (1993, Toshiharu Ikeda) - AKA 'Evil Dead Trap III: Broken Love Killer' (Ishii wrote the screenplay for this film)
Nudo no Yoru (1993) - AKA 'A Night in the Nude'
Yoru ga Mata Koru (1994) - AKA 'Alone in the Night'
Tenshi no Harawata: Akai Senko (1994) - AKA 'Angel Guts: Red Lightning'
Gonin (1995) - AKA 'Five'
Gonin II (1996)
Kuro no Tenshi Vol 1 (1997) - AKA 'The Black Angel Vol. 1'
Kuro no Tenshi Vol 2 (1998) - AKA 'The Black Angel Vol. 2'
Freeze me (2000)

TOSHIHIRO ISHII (AKA Sogo Ishii)

Sogo Ishii is a tremendously talented director, but is little-known outside of Japan. His amazing biker film CRAZY THUNDER ROAD launched his career and his CRAZY FAMILY was tremendously successful. However, Ishii then stopped making films for a decade before returning with a surreal serial-killer film in 1994, ANGEL DUST. His recent films have been much more ambitious affairs than his early work, and his LABYRINTH OF DREAMS is an acknowledged masterpiece (sadly, it is almost impossible to see with subtitles). More recently, he has completed a big budget chambara, GOJOE.

Koko Daipanikku (1978) - AKA 'High School Big Panic'
Kuruizaki Sanda Rodo (1980) - AKA 'Crazy Thunder Road', 'Streets of Fire'
Bakuretso Toshi (1981) - AKA 'Burst City'
Hanbun Ningen (1983) - AKA 'Half Human' (documentary on German band Einsturzende Neubauten)
Gyaku Funsha Kazoku (1984) - AKA 'Crazy Family', 'Back-firing Family' (literal translation)
Enjeru Dasuto (1994) - AKA 'Angel Dust'
Mizu no Naka no Hachigatsu (1995) - AKA 'August in the Water'
Yume no Ginga (1996) - AKA 'Labyrinth of Dreams'
Gojo Reisen Ki (2000) - AKA 'Gojoe'
Electric Dragon 80,000V (2001)

KENICHI IWAMOTO

Kikuchi (1992) - AKA 'Tokyo Cleaning Man'

SHIGERU IZUMIYA

Izumiya was a successful folk musician in the 70’s before making this bizarre underground film, which was one of the earliest entries in the late 80’s/early 90’s underground explosion in Japan.

Desu Pawuda (1986) - AKA 'Death Powder'

RYUHEI KITAMURA

Drugs - Don't or Die (1988, short film)
Exit (1988, short film)
Headcrash (1989, short film)
Heat After Dark (1997, short film)
Down to Hell (1999, short film)
Versus (2000)
The Pirates of Tarutao (2001)
Alive (2002)

TAKESHI KITANO (AKA 'Beat' Takeshi) (DOB: 18/01/48)

As Director:

Sono otoko, kyobo ni tsuki (1989) - AKA 'Violent Cop', 'Warning - this Man is Wild'
3-4x Jugatsu (1991) - AKA 'Boiling Point'
Ano natsu, ichiban shizukana umi (1992) - AKA 'A Scene at the Sea', 'A Scene By the Sea'
Sonatine (1993)
Minna Yatteruka? (1994) - AKA 'Getting Any?', 'Getting Any Lately?'
Kidzu Ritan (1996) - AKA 'Kids Return'
Hana-Bi (1997) - AKA 'Fireworks'
Kikujiro no Natsu (1998) - AKA 'Kikujiro', 'Kikujiro's Summer'
Brother (2000)

As an Actor:

Makoto-Chan (1980, ?)
Manon (1981, Yoichi Azuma, Yoichi Higashi)
Danpu Wataridori (1981, Ikuo Sekimoto)
Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (1983, Nagisa Oshima) - AKA 'Senjou no Merii Kurisumasu'
Yasha (1985, Yasuo Furuhata) - AKA 'Demon'
Komikku zasshi nanka iranai! (1986, Yojiro Takita) - AKA 'Comic Magazine'
Sono otoko, kyobo ni tsuki (1989, Takeshi Kitano) - AKA 'Violent Cop', 'Warning - this Man is Wild'
3-4x Jugatsu (1991, Takeshi Kitano) - AKA 'Boiling Point'
Erotikkuna Kankei (1992, Koji Wakamatsu) - AKA 'Erotic Liaisons'
Sonatine (1993, Takeshi Kitano)
Kyoso Tanjo (1993, Toshihiro Tenma) - AKA 'Many Happy Returns'
Minna Yatteruka? (1994, Takeshi Kitano) - AKA 'Getting Any?', 'Getting Any Lately?'
Johnny Mnemonic (1995, Robert Longo, US)
Gonin (1995, Takashi Ishii) - AKA 'Five'
Hana-Bi (1997, Takeshi Kitano) - AKA 'Fireworks'
Tokyo Eyes (1998, Jean-Pierre Limosin, France)
Kikujiro no Natsu (1998, Takeshi Kitano) - AKA 'Kikujiro', 'Kikujiro's Summer'
Gohatto (1999, Nagisa Oshima) - AKA 'Taboo'
Jam session - Kikujiro no natsu koshiki kaizokuban (1999, Makoto Shinozaki) - AKA 'Jam Session' (documentary about making of KIKUJIRO)
Takeshi Kitano, l'Imprévisible (1999, French documentary by Jean-Pierre Limosin) Brother (2000, Takeshi Kitano)

KAZUO KOMIZU (AKA Gaira) - please note that the IMDB entry for Gaira is completely wrong

Desu Pawuda (1986, Shigeru Izumiya) - AKA 'Death Powder' (Gaira was the cameraman for this film)
Bijo no Harawata (1986) - AKA 'Guts of a Beauty', 'Entrails of a Beutiful Woman', 'Guts of a Virgin II'
Goumon Kifujin (1987) - AKA 'Female Inquisitor', 'Rusted Body', 'Guts of a Virgin III: Rusted Body'
Shojo no Harawata (1988) - AKA 'Guts of a Virgin', 'Entrails of a Virgin'
Hoshi o tsugumono (1990) - AKA 'The Man Who Inherited a Star'
Batoru garu (1992) - AKA 'The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay', 'Battle Girl'
XX: utsukishiki kyoki (1993) - AKA 'XX: Beautiful Weapon'
Gokudo no ane Reiko (1995)

KYOICHI KOMOTO

Tokyo Crash (1997)

KAZUYA KONAKA (DOB: 1964)

Hoshizora no Mukou no Kuni (1986) - AKA 'Adventure in the Parallel World'
Shigatsu Kaidan (1988) - AKA 'April Horror'
Kuma-Chan (1992) - AKA 'Teddy Bear From Outer Space' (!)
Powazon Bodi: Dokufu (1994) - AKA 'Lady Poison: Beasts of the Underground', 'Body Poison'
Black Jack (1995)
Black Jack II (1996)
Black Jack III (1996)
Defender (1997)

KAZUYOSHI KUMAKIRI

Kichiku dai Enkai (1997) - AKA 'Kichiku'
Sora No Anna (2001) - AKA 'Hole in the Sky'

KIYOSHI KUROSAWA (DOB: 1953)

Kandagawa Wars (1983)
Do-re-mi-fa-musume no chi wa sawagu (1985) - AKA 'The Excitement of the Do-Re-Mi-Fa Girl'
They're Back (1988)
Suito Homu (1989) - AKA 'Sweet Home'
Abunai Hanashi: Mugen Monogatari (1989) - AKA 'Dangerous Tales: Three Dream Stories' (Omnibus of three short films - Kurosawa was responsible for the middle one)
Jigoku no Keibiin (1992) - AKA 'Security Guard from Hell', 'The Guard from the Underground'
Doa 3 (1996) - AKA 'Door III' (Final film in series - not related to the previous two installments)
The Revenge - A Visit From Fate (1997)
The Revenge - The Scar That Never Fades (1997)
Kyua (1997) - AKA 'Cure'
Hebi no Michi (1998) - AKA 'The Serpent's Path'
Kumo no Hitomi (1998) - AKA 'The Eyes of the Spider', 'The Spider's Gaze'
Ningen Gokaku (1998) - AKA 'Licence to Live'
Karisuma (1999) - AKA 'Charisma'
Oinaru Genei (1999) - AKA 'Barren Illusions', 'Grand Illusion'
Korei (2000) - AKA 'Séance'
Kaïro (2001) - AKA 'Pulse'

YOSHIHIKO MATSUI

Pig-Chicken-Suicide (1981)
Tsuito no Zawameki (1989) - AKA 'Noisy Requiem'

TOSHIO MATSUMOTO

Bara no Soretsu (1969) - AKA 'Funeral Procession of Roses', 'Funeral Parade of Roses', 'Parade of Roses'
Shura (1971) - AKA 'Bloodshed', 'Demons', 'Pandemonium'
Juroku-sai no Senso (1973)
Dogura magura (1988)

TAKASHI MIIKE (DOB: 24/08/60)

Kyoshu tenshin: Hit & Run (1991)
Shinjuku Kuro Shakai - AKA 'China Mafia War', 'Shinjuku Triad Society' (1995),
Gokudô Sengokushi: Fudô (1996) - AKA 'Fudoh: The New Generations'
Kishiwada Shounen Gurentai/Chikemuri Junjyou Hen (1997)
Gokudo Kuro Shakai (1997) - AKA 'Rainy Dog'
Andromedia (1998)
Tennen Shojo Yorozu (1998, TV)
Kishiwada Shonen Gurentai/Boukyou (1998)
Chugoku no choujin (1998) - AKA 'The Bird People in China'
Blues Harp (1998) Dead or Alive: Hanzaisha (1999) - AKA 'Dead or Alive', 'DOA'
Tennen Shojo Yorozu Next (1999, TV)
Audition (1999)
Nippon Kuro Shakai - AKA 'Ley Lines' (1999),
Salaryman Kintaro (1999) - AKA 'White Collar Worker Kintaro'
MPD Psycho (2000, TV)
MPD Psycho Vol 2 (2000, TV)
MPD Psycho Vol 3 (2000, TV)
Hyoryu Gai (2000) - AKA 'The City of Strangers', 'Hazard City', 'City of Lost Souls'
Dead or Alive II: Toubousha (2000) - AKA 'Dead or Alive II - Birds', 'DOA2'
Tengoku Kara Kita Otoko-tachi (2000) - AKA 'The Guys From Paradise'
Visitor Q (2001, shot-on-video)
Family (2001)
Katakurike No Kofuku (2001) - AKA 'Happiness of the Katakuri Family' (a musical!!!)
Ichi the Killer (2001)
Dead or Alive III (2001)

ATSUSHI MUROGA (AKA Makoto Muroga)

Score (1995)
JUNK: Shiryou Gari (1999) - AKA 'JUNK', 'Zombie Hunting', 'Dying to Live'

SHUNICHI NAGASAKI

Yuwakusha (1989) - AKA 'The Enchantment'
Some Kinda Love (1995)
Shikoku (1999)

HIDEO NAKATA (AKA Hideo Nakada, DOB: 19/07/61)

Joyurei (1996, AKA 'Don't Look Up')
Ringu (1998) - AKA 'Ring'
Ringu II (1998) - AKA 'Ring II'
Garasou no Nou (1999) - AKA 'The Sleeping Bride'
Chaos (2000)

MASAYUKI OCHIAI

Parasaito Ivu (1997) - AKA 'Parasite Eve'
Saimin (1999) - AKA 'Hypnosis'

KENJI ONISHI

Squareworld (1995)
A Burning Star (1996, short film)

KATSUHIRO OTOMO

Jiyû o warera ni (1982)
Roboto kânibauru (1987, anime omnibus) - AKA 'Robot Carnival' (Otomo was responsible for the segments "Coming Soon" and "See You Again")
Meikyû monogatari (1987, anime) - AKA 'Neo Tokyo' (Otomo co-dirceted with Tarô Rin)
Akira (1988, anime)
Warudo Apaatomento Hora (1990) - AKA 'World Apartment Horror' (live action)
Memories (1996, anime omnibus) (Otomo was responsible for segment 3 and wrote segment 2)
Ash (2000)

HISAYASU SATO DOB: 15/08/59

Totsugeki! Lolita Mitsuryo (1985) - AKA 'Charge! Lolita Poaching', 'Mad Sensation'
SEX Otometai: Kemonotachi no Utage (1985) - AKA 'Sex Virgin Team: Banquet of Beasts', 'Zero Flight'
Hitozuma Collector (1985) - AKA 'Married Woman Collector', 'Rotten City'
Exciting Ero: Atsui Hada (1986) - AKA 'Exciting Eros: Hot Skin', 'Gimme Shelter'
Boko: Climax (1986) - AKA 'Rape: Climax', 'Waters High'
OL Boko Kegasu (1986) - AKA 'Rape of Office Ladies'
Rorita Baibuzeme (1987) - AKA 'Lolita: Vibrator Torture', 'Secret Garden'
Boko Honban (1987) - AKA 'Rape: For Real', 'Lustmord'
Hard Focus: Nusumigiki (1988) - AKA 'Hard Focus: Wiretapping', 'Survey of Lost Paradise'
Hentaibyoto Hakuizeme (1988) - AKA 'Abnormal Ward: The Torture of White Dresses', 'Love Letter in Sand'
Bijin Reprter: Boko Namachukei (1989) - AKA 'Beauty Reporter: Live Hook-up for Rape', Love Obsession'
Hentaibyoto SM Shinryoshitsu (1989) - AKA 'Abnormal Ward: SM Consultation Room', 'Alpha-Beta Fugue'
Hanrahonban: Joshi Daisei Boko-hen (1989) - AKA 'Half Naked Real Take: Raping Female University Students', Rose of Super Power'
Special Lesson: Hentai Seikyoiku (1990) - AKA 'Special Lesson: Perverted Sex Education', 'Neurasthenic Gods'
Seifukushikei: Nejirikome! (1990) - AKA 'Private Torture of Uniforms: Thrust It In!', 'Just an Illusion'
Mibojin Hentaijigoku (1991) - AKA 'Widow in Pervert Hell', 'Look Into Me'
Tosatsu Report: Insha! (1991) - AKA 'Hidden Filming Report: Sneak Shots', 'Turtle Vision'
Bondage Collector: Kyonyugari (1991) - AKA 'Bondage Collector: Big Tits Hunt'
Mugen Fuck Jigoku (1991) - AKA 'Boundless Fuck Hell'
Seifuku Onanie Shojo no Shitagi (1992) - AKA 'Masturbation in Uniform: Virgins' Panties', 'Close Dance'
Hitozuma Gomon Sandanzeme (1992) - AKA Torture of Married Women: The Three Steps', 'Labyrinth of Primary Colours'
Uwakizuma Chijokuzeme (1992) - AKA 'Unfaithful Wife: Shameful Torture', 'The Bedroom', 'An Aria For the Eyes', 'An Aria on Gaze'
Mofukuzuma Teimo Nawa Dorei (1993) - AKA 'Widow in Mourning: Shaven Rope Bitch', 'Negation'
Chikan to Nozoki Fujinkabyoto (1994) - AKA 'Pervert and peeping Tom: Gynaecology Ward', 'Sick People'
Chikandensha: Iyarashi Koi (1994) - AKA 'Train of Perversion: Dirty Actions', 'Birthday'
Inju no Tenshi (1994) - AKA 'Angel of the Filthy Beast'
Mangekyo Binikunaburi (1994) - AKA 'Kaleidoscope: Torture of Beautiful Flesh'
Hitozuma Hentaibiyoshi (1994) - AKA 'Married Woman: Pervert Hairdresser', Dead End'
Iyarashii Hitozuma (1995) - AKA 'Married Woman: Wet', 'Love - Zero = No Limit'
Nyogyaku: NAKED BLOOD (1996) - AKA 'Woman Abuse: Naked Blood', 'Naked Blood', 'Splatter'

SHIMAKO SATO

Tale of a Vampire (1992, US)
Eko Eko Azarak (1995) - AKA 'Wizard of Darkness'
Eko Eko Azarak II (1995) - AKA 'Birth of the Wizard', 'Wizard of Darkness II'

HIROYUKI TANAKA (AKA 'Sabu')

Warudo Apaatomento Hora (1990, Katsuhiro Otomo) - AKA 'World Apartment Horror' (Sabu played the lead role in this film, and was credited as 'Hiroki Tanaka')
Dangan Ranna (1996) - AKA 'D.A.N.G.A.N. Runner', 'Danagan Runner'
Posutoman Buruso (1997) - AKA 'Postman Blues'
Anrakkî Monkî (1998) - AKA 'Unlucky Monkey'
Monday (1999)

SHINYA TSUKAMOTO (DOB: 01/01/60)

As Director:

The Phantom of Regular Size (1986) (short film)
Denchu Kozo no boken (1987) - AKA 'Adventures of Denchu Kozo', 'Adventures of Electric Rod Boy' (short film)
Tetsuo (1988) - AKA 'The Iron Man', 'Tetsuo: The Iron Man' (b/w)
Hiruko: Yokai Hanta (1990) - AKA 'Hiruko the Goblin', 'Hiruko: Monster Hunting'
Tetsuo II: Bodyhammer (1992) - AKA 'The Iron Man II'
Tokyo Ken (1995) - AKA 'Tokyo Fist', 'Tokyo Fisuto'
Bullet Ballet (1998) (b/w)
Soseiji (1999) - AKA 'Gemini'

As an Actor:

The Phantom of Regular Size (1986) (short film)
Denchu Kozo no boken (1987) - AKA 'Adventures of Denchu Kozo', 'Adventures of Electric Rod Boy' (short film)
Tetsuo (1988) - AKA 'The Iron Man', 'Tetsuo: The Iron Man' (b/w)
Tetsuo II: Bodyhammer (1992) - AKA 'The Iron Man II'
Waga Jinsei Saiaku no Toki (1993, Kaizo Hayashi) - AKA 'The Most Terrible Time in My Life'
119 (1994, Naoto Takenaka) - AKA 'Quiet Days of Firemen'
Tokyo Ken (1995) - AKA 'Tokyo Fist', 'Tokyo Fisuto'
Some Kinda Love (1995, Shunichi Nagasaki)
Tokyo Biyori (1997, Naoto Takenaka)
Sunday Drive (1998, Hisashi Saito)
Bullet Ballet (1998) (b/w)
Kanzen Naru Shi-iku (1998, Ben Wada) - AKA 'A Perfect Education'
Chloe (2001, Go Riju)
DOA II - Toubousha (Takashi Miike)