1987

<Movie>  Sure Death 4 (Japan, “Hissatsu Urami Harashimasu”)
Director:  Kinji Fukasaku
His role:  Ukyonosuke Okuda (supporting role, the equivalent of police dept. chief in Edo era)

Popular samurai action series.  Hiro plays the good-looking villain with dark experience.

1987

<TV Series>  “Dokuganryu Masamune” (Japan)
[Literal translation:  One-Eyed Dragon Masamune]
Broadcaster:  NHK  (Year-round historical drama series)
His role:  Tadateru Matsudaira (supporting role, 6^th son of Ieyasu Tokugawa and son-in-law of Masamune Date, actual historical figure)

Ken Watanabe played Masamune, a samurai hero in late 16^th-early 17^th century. This drama recorded the highest rating among all the NHK historical dramas, and became the turning point for Ken’s career.  Although Hiro is only one year younger than Ken, he played Ken’s son in law in this drama. Sanada-san apprears only in a few episodes towards the end.

1987

<TV One-time> "Ore to Aneki" ( Japan ) [Literal translation: Me and My Sister]

His role: Ryuji Kodama (main role, architect in training who lives with his sister)

Charming episode of a young student and his older sister in downtown Tokyo . The sis, real estate agent, is working hard to realize her dream to build her own commercial building.  Ryuji (don't picture the same name character in “Ringu” - totally different) works on the architectural design, but her plan is interrupted by a greedy landowner, and Ryuji tries to save her dream.  Cute story, with a bit abrupt ending.  This sweet little brother's occasional sulky face and shy smiles are so refreshing.

1987

<Musical>  Little Shop of Horrors (Japan)

1986

<Movie>  “Inujini Seshi Mono”  (Japan) [Literal translation:  One Who Died in Vain]
Ditector:  Kazuyuki Izutsu
His role:  Juzaemon Sou (main role, young pirate in Setouchi Sea right after the WWII)

Two years after WWII is over, a group of young veterans lost their cause of life and their jobs, and become pirates. They accidentally steal a woman one day and it causes their huge fight with the yakuza. The combination of Hiro's Juza, pure and straight-spirited young guy, and his rough but cheerful partner, played by Koichi Sato, is the same pattern as “Dotonbori-gawa” in 1982, and gives a light-hearted rhythm to this otherwise dark-themed movie.

1986

<Movie>  “Kataku no Hito”  (Japan) [Literal translation:  Man of Desire]
Ditector:  Kinji Fukasaku
His role:  Chuya Nakahara (supporting role, Dadaism poet, actual figure in early 20th century)

Autobiography of Kazuo Dan, a prominent novelist in mid-20th century. 

1985

<Movie>  Dagger of Kamui (Japan, animation, “Kamui no Ken”, a/k/a “The Blade of Kamui” and “Revenge of the Ninja Worrior”)
Director:  Rintaro
His role:  Jiro  (voice of main role)

Ninja/martial arts animation movie.

1985

<TV series>  “Kage no Gundan IV” (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Shadow Worriers IV]
Broadcaster:  KTV
His role:  Rintaro Katsu  (supporting role)

Ninja/martial arts drama.

1984

<Movie>  “Kotaro Makaritoru”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  There Goes Kotaro]
Director:  Norifumi Suzuki
His role:  Tatsuya Yoshioka (supporting role)

School comedy.

1984

<Movie>  The Street of Desire (Japan, “Irodori-gawa”)
Director:  Kinichi Hanawa
His role:  Joji Tanaka  (supporting role)

Love story.

1983

<Movie>  Legend of the Eight Samurai (Japan, “Satomi Hakken-den”)
Director:  Kinji Fukasaku
His role:  Shinbei Inue (supporting role)

Based on a popular classic literature by Bakin Takizawa in Edo era.  Fantasy story of eight samurais and their search of treasures.

Interactive Review

1983

<Movie>  “Iga No Kabamaru”  (Japan)
Director:  Norifumi Suzuki
His role:  Shizune Mejiro (supporting role)

School comedy.

1982

<Movie>  Fall Guy  (Japan, “Kamata Koshinkyoku”)
Director:  Kinji Fukasaku
His role:  Hiroyuki Sanada (small role as himself)

A popular movie about life and love of a no-name actor. Sanada-san's appearance is just a few minutes.

1982

<Movie>  Lovers Lost (Japan, “Dotonbori-gawa”)
Director:  Kinji Fukasaku
His role:  Kunihiko Yasuoka  (main role, young art student)

Hiro’s first foray into the dramatic roles.  A tragic love story between a lonely mature woman and a lonely young man, surrounded by various life struggles of the people at the bottom of the society in Dotonbori section in Osaka.  Hiro’s role is rather low-key among strong colorful characters, such as billiard hustlers and gay hostesses, and yet his personality and delicate acting leaves a strong impression.  The love scene of this young action idol and the big name actress was a hot topic at the time of showing.

Interactive Review