Takeshi Kitano

Born: 1947-01-18

Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born January 18, 1947), also known in Japan as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi), is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. Kitano rose to prominence in the 1970s as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, before going solo and becoming one of the three biggest comedians in the country. After several small acting roles, he made his directorial debut with 1989's Violent Cop and garnered international acclaim for Sonatine (1993). He was not widely accepted as an accomplished director in Japan until Hana-bi won the Golden Lion in 1997. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000).


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Ghost in the Shell

as Chief Daisuke Aramaki
Released: 2017-03-29

In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human saved from a terrible crash, then...

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as Kitano
Released: 2000-12-16

In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them...

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Kikujiro

as Kikujiro
Released: 1999-06-05

Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro is the unlikely companion for Masao who is...

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Johnny Mnemonic

as Takahashi
Released: 1995-05-26

In a dystopian 2021, Johnny is a data trafficker who has an implant that allows him to securely...

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Battle Royale II: Requiem

as Kitano
Released: 2003-07-05

It's three years after the events of the original Battle Royale, and Shuya Nanahara is now an...

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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

as Hara
Released: 1983-05-28

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese...

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Izo

as Chancellor
Released: 2004-09-07

Izo is an assassin in the service of a Tosa lord and Imperial supporter. After killing dozens of...

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Fireworks

as Yoshitaka Nishi
Released: 1997-10-30

Detective Nishi is relieved from a stakeout to visit his sick wife in hospital. He is informed...

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Brother

as Aniki Yamamoto
Released: 2000-12-13

A Japanese Yakuza gangster's deadly existence in his homeland gets him exiled to Los Angeles,...

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Sonatine

as Aniki Murakawa
Released: 1993-04-10

Murakawa, an aging Tokyo yakuza tiring of gangster life, is sent by his boss to Okinawa along...

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To Each His Own Cinema

as The projectionist (segment "Rencontre unique")
Released: 2007-10-31

Commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival, "To Each His Own Cinema"...

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Taboo

as Toshizo Hijikata
Released: 1999-12-18

Set during Japan's Shogun era, this film looks at life in a samurai compound where young...

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Zatoichi

as Zatoichi / Ichi
Released: 2003-09-06

Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice...

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Violent Cop

as Azuma Ryosuke
Released: 1989-08-12

A detective breaks all rules of ethical conduct while investigating a colleague’s involvement in...

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Getting Any?

as Scientist
Released: 1995-02-11

While pursuing his dream of having car sex, a goofy middle-aged man makes all the wrong moves...

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Takeshis'

as Beat Takeshi / Mr. Kitano
Released: 2005-09-02

Beat Takeshi lives the busy and sometimes surreal life of a showbiz celebrity. One day he meets...

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Beyond Outrage

as Otomo
Released: 2012-09-03

As the police launch a full-scale crackdown on organized crime, it ignites a national yakuza...

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Boiling Point

as Uehara
Released: 1990-09-15

Masaki, a baseball player and gas-station attendant, gets into trouble with the local Yakuza and...

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Outrage Coda

as Otomo
Released: 2017-10-07

Five years after the all-out war between the Sanno and Hanabishi crime families, former yakuza...

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Kubi

as Hashiba Hideyoshi
Released: 2023-11-23

Lord Oda Nobunaga plans to control Japan where rival warlords battle by waging war against...

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Outrage

as Otomo
Released: 2010-05-17

When a tough yakuza gangster is betrayed by his bosses, it means all out war. Bodies pile up as...

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Achilles and the Tortoise

as Machisu
Released: 2008-09-20

Machisu is a painter. He never had the success he thinks he is entitled to. Regardless of this,...

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Blood and Bones

as Joon-pyong Kim
Released: 2004-11-06

In 1923, teenager Kim Shun-Pei moves from Cheju Island, in South Korea, to Osaka, in Japan....

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Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen

as Detective Murakami
Released: 2015-04-25

Ryuzo and his 7 former henchmen are all retired yakuza, but they now live as regular old men....

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Gonin

as Ichiro Kyoya
Released: 1995-09-23

Five men plot to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, but everything does not go as...

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Trespassing Bergman

as Self
Released: 2013-08-28

In the sixties, Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) built a house on the remote island...

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Glory to the Filmmaker!

as Takeshi / Yakuza / Father / Ninja / Detective / Astronomer
Released: 2007-06-02

Takeshi Kitano plays a version of himself in which he's a struggling director cycling through a...

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Arakimentari

as Self
Released: 2004-01-18

A look at the life and work of Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki and his impact on Japanese...

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While the Women Are Sleeping

as uncredited
Released: 2016-02-27

Kenji and Aya spend their summer days in a Hotel. While she is doing her own thing, he tries to...

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Go, Go Second Time Virgin

as Gang Member
Released: 1969-01-01

Go, Go, Second Time Virgin is the story of two damned and abused teenagers who meet and fall in...

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Tokyo Eyes

as Yakusa
Released: 1998-09-09

The police are tracking a man who shoots at people. But the young sister of a detective finds...

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Mozu The Movie

as Daruma
Released: 2015-11-07

Lone wolf detective with an enormous personal grievance seeks to connect the mysterious death of...

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The Mosquito on the Tenth Floor

as Man at Racetrack
Released: 1983-07-02

A lower-middle-class policeman lives decadently, chasing cheap beer and girls at the same time...

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The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit

as Take-Majin
Released: 2008-10-26

When heads of state gather at the G8 summit in Japan, Guilala -- the intergalactic monster that...

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A Living Promise

as Detective Koichiro Iwase
Released: 2016-01-09

Yuma Nakahara is the CEO of an IT company and he is a workaholic. He is focused only on...

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Demon

as Yajima
Released: 1985-08-31

Shuji was once a feared member of the Yakuza crime syndicate, but he's reformed his ways,...

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Bergmans video

as Self
Released: 2012-08-22

In the sixties, Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) built a house on the remote island...

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Dearest

as Teruo Sugino
Released: 2012-08-25

The posthumous wish of Eiji's wife is for her ashes to be scattered in the ocean near her...

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Seicho Matsumoto's Black Gospel

as Rokuro Fujisawa
Released: 2014-01-19

In 1959, a body of a flight attendant of an international airline is found, strangled. Detective...

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Aka Medaka

as Tatekawa Danshi
Released: 2015-12-28

One of the hottest selling tickets in town is to see the hugely popular “rakugoka”, or comic...

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Shooting Film is Battleground: Making of BATTLE ROYALE

as Self
Released: 2001-01-13

The late Kinji Fukasaku directed "Battle Royale" - his 60th movie - at the age of 70. This film...

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Kogoro Akechi vs Kaijin Nijyuu Menso

as Niju Menso
Released: 2002-08-27

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Prison Break

as Urata
Released: 2017-04-12

One late night in June 1942, Sakuma Seitaro dangles from the frame of a skylight in an isolation...

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A Special Day

as Self
Released: 2012-05-16

At the 60th anniversary of Cannes Film Festival, 34 famous directors are followed by camera.

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Citizen Kitano

as Self
Released: 2020-10-16

Takeshi Kitano is an international icon. We know the actor, the multi-award-winning filmmaker,...

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Miwa: A Japanese Icon

as Himself
Released: 2013-08-31

A legendary entertainer and a pioneer of gay activism, Miwa was born Akihiro Maruyama. As a...

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Makoto-chan

as uncredited
Released: 1980-07-26

The series follows the odd life of kindergartener Makoto Sawada and his family. Makoto gets into...

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Jesus' Ark

as Takeyoshi Sengoku
Released: 1985-12-09

One-episode drama starring Beat Takeshi depicting the turbulent life of the protagonist...

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No More Comics!

as Police
Released: 1986-03-24

Stuck doing show-biz schlock, an investigative reporter stumbles on a scheme to swindle pensions...

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Plankton Salesmen

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2017-10-29

A nostalgic look at the birth and death of arthouse film distribution in the early 2000s in...

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Doctor X: Gekai Daimon Michiko Special

as uncredited
Released: 2016-07-03

Kojiro Himuro is a champion figure skater taking part in an upcoming world competition. Yet, he...

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Hoshi wo tsugu mono

as Yama no hito
Released: 1990-02-03

An old man falls into a coma and dreams about his childhood during WWII.

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The 8th Floor

as Self
Released: 2014-05-10

On the 8th floor of the Fondation Cartier in Paris, Raymond Depardon's film features a minute of...

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Dioxin from Fish!

as uncredited
Released: 1992-02-22

A black comedy about a former Rock'n'Roll singer, who becomes the mayor of Tokyo.

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Kikoku

as Private First Class Oomiya
Released: 2010-08-12

An unscheduled late night train arrives at Tokyo station on 15 August, the anniversary of...

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Summer Secrets

as uncredited
Released: 1982-09-18

Two high school girls get mixed up in murder while investigating the disappearance of a classmate.

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In Between Mountains And Oceans

as Himself
Released: 2014-04-11

Finding their place between the forest and the sea, the Japanese have always felt awe and...

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The Boss' Wife

as Shoji Sugimoto, Hitman
Released: 1988-11-19

The widow of a murdered yakuza boss serves jail time for attacking the man she believes killed...

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Tokyo Melody: A Film about Ryuichi Sakamoto

as Hara (archive footage)
Released: 1985-04-09

Documentary about the eclectic Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto during the recording sessions...

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Making of 'Battle Royale'

as Self
Released: 2000-12-01

An abundance of footage from the shooting of Battle Royale and cast and crew discussions.

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Making-of Kids Return

as Himself
Released: 1996-12-31

Making of Takeshi Kitano's movie Kids Return.

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Kichiku

as uncredited
Released: 2002-10-15

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What the War Meant

as Hideki Tojo
Released: 2008-12-24

The drama stars Beat Takeshi as General Hideki Tojo, who served as Prime Minister of Japan...

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Joke with a Sorrowful Heart

as Hiroshi Igarashi
Released: 1985-04-26

This is a sad and beautiful story about a father who is a popular comedian and a son who...

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Takeshi's Castle Vol. 1

as uncredited
Released: 2009-11-20

Various attacking forces unique to Takeshi's Castle were organized, aiming for "Defeat!...

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The Dump Truck Rascal

as uncredited
Released: 1981-04-29

Depicting the turbulent life of truck driver Takashi, his fellow drivers, and the women he meets.

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Many Happy Returns

as Daisuke Shiba
Released: 1993-11-20

Kazuo encounters a religious group travelling around Japan performing "miracles". He discovers...

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A Legend of Turmoil

as Kiichirou Yashiro
Released: 1992-01-15

A story about the development of a bright and strong yakuza. Otaki is an old-fashioned...

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Erotic Liaisons

as Okuyama
Released: 1992-10-17

A low-key private detective agency in Paris is run by Rie and her lover and partner Kishin, two...

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Electric Yakuza, Go to Hell!

as Self
Released: 2004-02-22

Documentary about the Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, where we see him attend film festivals,...

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The Final Battleground — Making of Battle Royale II

as Self
Released: 2003-07-10

Prolific director Kinji Fukasaku died suddenly during the production of Battle Royale 2. His son...

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Manon

as Shinobu
Released: 1981-09-26

A story about a woman who is a research student of a theater company and the three men who are...

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Scenes by the Sea: Takeshi Kitano

as uncredited
Released: 2000-05-05

First major English-language documentary profile of the cult Japanese actor/director, Takeshi...

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The 300 million yen robbery

as uncredited
Released: 2000-12-30

The 300 million yen robbery (San Oku En Jiken), also known as the 300 million yen affair or...

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Kiseki Taiken! Anbiribabō: 1999 Nostradamus Senritsu no Daiyogen Mysterious Unbelievable

as uncredited
Released: 1999-04-21

This is a video version of "The Great Prophecy of Nostradamus" aired on Fuji Television...

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Kim's War

as Kim Hyi-ro
Released: 1991-04-05

After shooting a gangster in self-defense, Kim Hui Ro takes refuge at a hotel and takes the...

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Kiseki Taiken! Anbiribabō: Kyōfu Eizō Kaiki Shashin Korekushon

as uncredited
Released: 1999-05-19

This is a video version of the ghost photo feature that caused a sensation on the popular...

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KILL THEM ALL

as uncredited
Released: 1990-11-23

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The Crimes of Kiyoshi Ōkubo

as Kiyoshi Ôkubo
Released: 1983-08-29

Arrested and interrogated by the police for a murder, Kiyoshi Ōkubo remembers his past and ends...

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The Golden Cups: One More Time

as Himself
Released: 2004-11-20

A music documentary that traced the trajectory of the authentic real power band "The Golden...

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Completely... With That Air!

as uncredited
Released: 1981-12-20

This film is Beat Takeshi's first starring role.

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Dots and Lines

as Jutaro Torikai
Released: 2007-11-24

Jutaro Torikai is a senior detective set to uncover the truth behind an apparent double suicide.

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Zankyo

as uncredited
Released: 1999-02-13

The story of Iwaki, a young brawler who becomes a professional criminal when he joins a Yakuza clan.

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Shoko Asahara with Takeshi

as uncredited
Released: 1991-12-30

Sect leader of Aum Shinrikyo, known as Shoko Asahara, and Takeshi Kitano meet in an interview.

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Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon

as 黑须贯太郎
First aired: 2012-10-18

Daimon Michiko is a 37-year-old freelance surgeon who is part of a questionable “doctor...

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Takeshi's Castle

as uncredited
First aired: 2002-11-01

Takeshi's Castle was a Japanese game show that aired between 1986 and 1990 on the Tokyo...

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Golden Horse Awards

as Self
First aired: 1962-10-31

The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards (Chinese: 台北金馬影展; pinyin: Táiběi Jīnmǎ...

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MXC

as uncredited
First aired: 2003-04-13

Footage from the popular game show, Takeshi's Castle has been re-edited, re-written and...

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Today's Close-Up

as 出演
First aired: 1993-04-05

A current affairs television programme produced by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK provides...

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Musashi

as Munisai Shinmen
First aired: 2003-01-05

Orphaned when he was not yet ten, Musashi grows up skilled in the martial arts. During the...

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Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story

as 古今亭志生
First aired: 2019-01-06

Traces Japan’s history with the Olympic games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for viewers before...

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Takeshi's Castle

as Count Takeshi
First aired: 1986-05-02

Takeshi's Castle is a Japanese game show that aired between 1986 and 1990, on the Tokyo...

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Takeshi's Castle India

as uncredited
First aired: 2023-11-01

Bhuvan Bam lends his distinctive voice and unique humor as commentator in the brand-new season...

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Takeshi's Castle Japan

as uncredited
First aired: 2023-04-21

Worldwide sensation Takeshi's Castle returns after 34 years! Popular games are revived on a...

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The Story of One Century

as uncredited
First aired: 2000-08-28

The Story of One Century tells the stories of three women, living in three different Japanese...

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Beat Takeshi Presents TV Tackle

as uncredited
First aired: 1989-07-03

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たけしのその時カメラは回っていた

as uncredited
First aired: 2020-07-24

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Kiseki taiken! Unbelievable

as Storyteller
First aired: 2018-04-05

Unbelievable is a Japanese variety/documentary TV show produced by Fuji TV. It is hosted by...

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