1992

<Movie>  “Keisho Sakazuki”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Succession Sake-saucer]
Director:   Kazuki Omori
His role:  Shoichi Yoshiari  (main role, young yakuza)

Comedy drama of a rookie yakuza and a ritual of handing over the yakuza family’s boss position.

1992

<Movie>  “Yamai wa Ki kara; Byouin e Iko 2”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Illness comes from mind; Let’s Go to the Hospital 2]
Director:  Yojiro Takita  (supporting role, vice president of the hospital)
His role:  Ichiro Katakura (supporting role)

Positioned as a sequel of the comedy “Byoin e Iko”, but the story is totally different from the first one.

1991

<TV Series>  “Taiheiki”  (Japan)
Broadcaster:  NHK  (Year-round historical drama series)
His role:  Shogun Takauji Ashikaga (main role, the first shogun of Muromachi Shogunate, actual historical figure)

Takauji Ashikaga conquered Kamakura Shogun government to start his own Shogunate in the 14th century. Hiro's Takauji is the noble prince at his younger days, and becomes the majestic Shogun later on. The story is a bit dark-toned, as things often go wrong, and people keep betraying him, although Takauji keeps struggling to live up to his own destiny. There is also a tragic love story episode with a woman, played by young Rie Meyazawa (Tomoe in "The Twilight Samurai"). This epic drama is made with beautiful visuals and color schemes with many prominent actors. For "The Last Samurai" fans, Takauji can be the early-days Ujio, with amazing action scenes and the sizzling armored samurai figures.

1990

<Movie>  “Byoin e Iko”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Let’s Go To The Hospital]
Director:  Yojiro Takita
His role:  Koichi Araya (main role, patient of the hospital)

Yojiro Takita's specialty is this combination of comedy and human story with a touch of sarcasm. Koichi and the guy who he thinks is his wife's lover got seriously injured and get hospitalized together for weeks. So what happens between those enemies, side by side in hospital beds, under the supervision of cute but novice lady doctor?? Sanada-san's acting of this air-head playboy is really funny, and the story reveals the human nature of people in the hospital room. Caution for total NUDITY of Sanada-san!

1990

<Movie>  “Tsugumi”  (Japan)
Director:  Jun Ichikawa
His role:  Kyoichi Takahashi  (supporting role)

Love story.

1990

<Movie>  “Rimeinzu Utsukushiki Tsuwamono Tachi”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Remains Beautiful Braves]
Director:  Sonny Chiba
His role:  Eiji  (main role, bear hunter)

Action drama of a hunter and a girl whose family were killed by a huge bear. Eiji and his team chase the human-eating bear in the beautiful country side in Hokkaido. Sanada-san also was a music director of the movie.

1989

<TV one-time>  “Sakamoto Ryoma”  (Japan)
Broadcaster:  TBS
His role:  Ryoma Sakamoto (main role, the most popular hero in Meiji Restoration, actual historical figure)

Ryoma Sakamoto is a rare-type big-heart hero in Japanese history.  He left his native Tosa clan and single-handedly arranged the alliance between Choshu and Satsuma, outlined the scenario of power transition from Edo Shogun government to the Emperor, and started Japan's first trading company.  He is loved even now as a free-minded, cheerful, generous guy with no greed in his mind.  He was also a sword-fighting master.  I cannot think of any other actor who can play this role so perfectly as Sanada-san.  He is so cute, cool, good-looking and powerful in this drama.  A part of 3 period drama series by TBS, and others are Togukawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, in which Hiro played supporting roles.  Narrated by Ken Watanabe.

Interactive Review

1989

<Movie>  “Docchi ni Suruno”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Which Do You Choose]
Director:  Shusuke Kaneko
His role:  Jun Yamamoto  (supporting role)

1988

<Movie>  “Kaito Ruby”  (Japan)
[Literal translation:  Funny Robber Ruby]
Director:  Makoto Wada
His role:  Toru Hayashi (main role, unattractive young guy who is forced to help Ruby’s silly crimes)

Fashionable love comedy, starring idol singer Kyoko Koizumi.  The highlight is a memorable scene where Kyoko and Hiro sing and dance in a musical style.  Hiro plays a clumsy guy with heavy glasses, but still is cute and funny.  He received several movie awards for this movie.

Interactive Review