Acting
Akihiko Hirata
Born December 26, 1927 · 日本, 東京都
Died July 25, 1984 · aged 56
Akihiko Hirata (born Hirata Akihiko; 26 December 1927–25 July 1984) was a Japanese film actor. While Hirata starred in many movies (including Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai trilogy), he is most well known for his work in the kaiju genre, including such films as King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterians, and his most famous role of Dr. Daisuke Serizawa, the brilliant but disturbed young scientist in the or…
Known For
Godzilla · 1954Godzilla
★ 7.61954
MovieThrillerHorror
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
Gorath · 1962Gorath
★ 6.51962
MovieScience FictionAction
In 1976, a drifting star named Gorath is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. Although it is smaller than Earth, its enormous mass is enough to destroy the planet totally. A mission sent to observe Gorath is destroyed after the ship is drawn into the star, with a later mission barely escaping the same fate. However, Astronaut Tatsuma Kanai is left in a catatonic state due to his near death experience. Unable to destroy the invading star, Earth's scientists undertake a desperate plan to build giant rockets at the South Pole to move the planet out of Gorath's path before it is too late.
Varan the Unbelievable · 1962Varan the Unbelievable
★ 4.41962
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint U.S.-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monster Obaki from hibernation at the lake's bottom, and it proceeds to attack Japan. Although made by a U.S. independent film company, this film was based on a Japanese Toho monster film of 1958, "Daikaiju Varan", from which all of the monster effects scenes and a few incidental dramatic shots were edited into it.
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah · 1995Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
★ 7.81995
MovieActionScience Fiction
A burning Godzilla, on the verge of meltdown, emerges to lay siege to Hong Kong. At the same time horrifying new organisms are discovered in Japan. These crustacean-like beings are seemingly born of the Oxygen Destroyer, the weapon that killed the original Godzilla.
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla · 2002Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
★ 7.52002
MovieActionScience Fiction
JSDF pilot Akane has a fateful encounter when a new Godzilla emerges in Tateyama. As a countermeasure, a cyborg named Kiryu is constructed from the remains of the original. The machine is discovered to harbor the restless soul of the original monster as Akane must learn to find value in her own life as well.
King Kong vs. Godzilla · 1962King Kong vs. Godzilla
★ 6.91962
MovieScience FictionFantasy
The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster · 1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
★ 7.01964
MovieScience FictionAction
After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.
Sanjuro · 1962Sanjuro
★ 7.91962
MovieDramaAction
In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
Movies
Godzilla · 1954Godzilla
★ 7.61954
MovieThrillerHorror
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
Gorath · 1962Gorath
★ 6.51962
MovieScience FictionAction
In 1976, a drifting star named Gorath is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. Although it is smaller than Earth, its enormous mass is enough to destroy the planet totally. A mission sent to observe Gorath is destroyed after the ship is drawn into the star, with a later mission barely escaping the same fate. However, Astronaut Tatsuma Kanai is left in a catatonic state due to his near death experience. Unable to destroy the invading star, Earth's scientists undertake a desperate plan to build giant rockets at the South Pole to move the planet out of Gorath's path before it is too late.
Varan the Unbelievable · 1962Varan the Unbelievable
★ 4.41962
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint U.S.-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monster Obaki from hibernation at the lake's bottom, and it proceeds to attack Japan. Although made by a U.S. independent film company, this film was based on a Japanese Toho monster film of 1958, "Daikaiju Varan", from which all of the monster effects scenes and a few incidental dramatic shots were edited into it.
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah · 1995Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
★ 7.81995
MovieActionScience Fiction
A burning Godzilla, on the verge of meltdown, emerges to lay siege to Hong Kong. At the same time horrifying new organisms are discovered in Japan. These crustacean-like beings are seemingly born of the Oxygen Destroyer, the weapon that killed the original Godzilla.
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla · 2002Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
★ 7.52002
MovieActionScience Fiction
JSDF pilot Akane has a fateful encounter when a new Godzilla emerges in Tateyama. As a countermeasure, a cyborg named Kiryu is constructed from the remains of the original. The machine is discovered to harbor the restless soul of the original monster as Akane must learn to find value in her own life as well.
King Kong vs. Godzilla · 1962King Kong vs. Godzilla
★ 6.91962
MovieScience FictionFantasy
The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster · 1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
★ 7.01964
MovieScience FictionAction
After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.
Sanjuro · 1962Sanjuro
★ 7.91962
MovieDramaAction
In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep · 1966Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
★ 6.31966
MovieScience FictionAction
Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster. Finding a sleeping Godzilla, they decide to awaken him to defeat the terrorists and liberate the natives.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla · 1974Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
★ 7.01974
MovieActionAdventure
An Okinawan prophecy that foretells the destruction of the Earth is seeming fulfilled when Godzilla emerges to return to his destructive roots. But not all is what it seems after Godzilla breaks his ally Anguirus's jaw. Matters are further complicated when a second Godzilla emerges, revealing the doppelgänger as a mechanical weapon.
Bloodthirsty Hawk · 1977Bloodthirsty Hawk
★ 9.01977
MovieScience FictionHorror
A mining community discovers that men are dying from unknown circumstances which leads to the discovery of a giant flying monster vulture by the name of Rodan that promptly attacks Japan.
Rodan · 1956Rodan
★ 6.51956
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying discovery in the form a prehistoric flying creature. Soon a second monster appears as the two converge in Fukuoka.
Godzilla, King of the Monsters! · 1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
★ 6.51956
MovieScience FictionHorror
During an assignment, foreign correspondent Steve Martin spends a layover in Tokyo and is caught amid the rampage of an unstoppable prehistoric monster the Japanese call 'Godzilla'. The only hope for both Japan and the world lies on a secret weapon, which may prove more destructive than the monster itself.
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto · 1954Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
★ 7.21954
MovieDramaAction
Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.
Son of Godzilla · 1967Son of Godzilla
★ 6.41967
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
Reporter Goro Maki stumbles upon scientists conducting weather experiments on Sollgel Island in the South Seas. He discovers the island is inhabited by giant mantis and a woman named Saeko who's been cast away since the death of her father. The pair soon find a helpless infant monster that Godzilla must adopt and learn to raise as one of his own.
Mothra · 1961Mothra
★ 7.11961
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
Shipwreck survivors found on the presumably uninhabited Infant Island leads to a scientific expedition that discovers a surviving native population along with the Shobijin, tiny twin fairy priestesses of the island's mythical deity called Mothra. After the fairies are kidnapped by an exploitative businessman named Clark Nelson, Mothra sets out to rescue them.
Terror of Mechagodzilla · 1975Terror of Mechagodzilla
★ 6.81975
MovieScience FictionAction
A submarine expedition to salvage the remains of Mechagodzilla is thwarted by a massive dinosaur named Titanosaurus. An Interpol investigation leads biologist Ichinose to uncover the work of Dr. Mafune and his mysterious daughter Katsura. Aligned with the Black Hole Aliens, Katsura's life becomes entwined with the resurrected machine.
Godzilla · 1977Godzilla
★ 6.81977
MovieScience FictionHorror
A re-edited Italian-language dubbed version of the original Godzilla, using as a basis the U.S. version, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" (1956), plus WWII newsreel footage and clips from other science fiction films. The re-edited film was then colorized via a process called "Spectrorama 70" consisting of applying various colored gels to the black and white footage. The film's opening and ending also features new music composed by musicians Fabio Frizzi, Franco Bixio, and Vince Tempera (under the pseudonym Magnetic System).
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island · 1956Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
★ 7.21956
MovieActionAdventure
A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.
Station · 1981Station
★ 6.31981
MovieDramaThriller
A detective goes out of his way to crack the case of a serial killer who specialises in murdering police officers.
Port Arthur · 1980Port Arthur
★ 7.41980
MovieWarDrama
Depicts the bloody siege of the fortress of Port Arthur, one of the most strongly fortified positions in the world, during the Russo-Japanese War of (1904 - 1905). In the story dominated the character Lt Takeshi Kogyo (Teruhiko Aoi), teachers, and a reserve officer who became commander of the platoon and later company. At the same time monitors the conduct of the army commander general Nogi (Tatsuya Nakadai), which was commissioned of the emperor Matsuhito (Toshirô Mifune) to the conquest of the fort.
Atragon · 1963Atragon
★ 6.61963
MovieScience FictionAction
The legendary empire of the lost continent of Mu reappears to threaten the world with domination. While countries unite to resist, an isolated World War II Captain has created the greatest warship ever seen, and possibly the surface world's only defense.
Japan's Longest Day · 1967Japan's Longest Day
★ 7.31967
MovieDramaHistory
Following the detonation of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese military and the government clash over the demand from the Allies for unconditional surrender. Minister of the Army Anami leads the military officers who propose to fight on, even to the death of every Japanese citizen. Emperor Hirohito, however, joins with his ministers in asking the unthinkable, the peaceful surrender of Japan. When the military plots a coup to overthrow the Emperor's civilian government, Anami must face the choice between his desires and loyalty to his Emperor.
The Storm of the Pacific · 1960The Storm of the Pacific
★ 6.01960
MovieWarDrama
Lt. Koji Kitami is a navigator-bombardier in Japan's Naval Air Force. He participates in the Japanese raid on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and is welcomed with pride in his hometown on his return. As Japan racks up victory after victory in the Pacific War, Kitami is caught up in the emotion of the time and fights courageously for the standard of Japanese honor. But his assuredness of his government's righteousness is shaken after the Japanese navy is defeated in the debacle of Midway.
TV Shows
Ultraman · 1966Ultraman
★ 8.41966
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
Hayata is a member of the Science Patrol, an organization tasked with investigating bizarre anomalies. He is mortally wounded when accidently encountering an alien being from Land of Light, who grants Hayata new life as the two are merged into one. Now, whenever a threat arises that is too great for the Science Patrol to handle, Hayata activates the beta capsule and becomes the hero known as Ultraman.
Edogawa Rampo no bijo shirīzu · 1977Edogawa Rampo no bijo shirīzu
1977
Series
Daitetsujin 17 · 1977Daitetsujin 17
★ 10.01977
SeriesDrama
Daitetsujin 17 is a 1977 tokusatsu series created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei. It revolves around a giant battle robot commanded by a young boy who fights the giant robots of an evil organization bent on world conquest. It is similar to Giant Robo in premise and how it ends.
Downtown StoryDowntown Story
Series
The story revolves around a bar and a poor church in downtown Yokohama , a port town . Kazami Yobuko is a singer and hostess at the bar . The bar originally belonged to Yobuko's mother, Ranko, but Ranko committed an assault and is serving time in prison, and the bar now belongs to Tsukiyo. This is the story of the twists and turns of the love story between Yobuko and a poor pastor , Shioya Isaku. The story begins on Christmas Eve, when Isaku helps Yobuko, who is suffering from a miscarriage .
Warrior of Love Rainbowman · 1972Warrior of Love Rainbowman
★ 6.51972
Series
Thanks to a Buddhist hermit in India, a young Japanese wrestler transforms into a 7-phased superhero and fights an evil organization hell-bent on destroying Japan.
Flying Saucer War Bankid · 1976Flying Saucer War Bankid
★ 6.01976
Series
Flying Saucer War Bankid is a tokusatsu series made by Toho. The series, consisting of 26 episodes, is a co-production with Nippon Television, and aired in Japan starting on October 3, 1976 until March 23, 1977. The series follows the titular Bankids, brightly colored superheroes, who fight invaders from the planet Bukimi.