What's After the Movie
Kyûsaku Shimada
Kyusaku Shimada (born Tetsuo Shimada on 24 April 1955) is a veteran Japanese actor renowned for his striking presence in both period fantasies and contemporary dramas. Raised in Totsuka‑ku, Yokohama, Shimada discovered his passion for performance early, joining the avant‑garde Tokyo Grand Guignol Theater troupe under the artistic direction of Norimizu Ameya, where he honed a distinctive blend of physicality and intensity that would later define his screen roles. The troupe’s dissolution in 1986 propelled him toward cinema, and his breakout came in the cult classic Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988) where he embodied the enigmatic anti‑hero Yasunori Kato, a role he reprised in Tokyo: The Last War (1989) and Doomed Megalopolis (1991), cementing his reputation as a master of dark, mythic characters. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s Shimada expanded his repertoire, appearing as the legendary detective Kogoro Akechi in A Watcher in the Attic (1992) and delivering a memorable turn as Minila in the psychological thriller Dragon Head (2003). His collaborations with directors such as Makoto Shinozaki, Takahisa Zeze, and Shinji Higuchi demonstrate a versatile adaptability, ranging from the stylized action of K‑20: Legend of the Mask (2008) to the satirical edge of Shin Godzilla (2016). In addition to film, Shimada has maintained a steady presence on television, portraying historical figures like Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu in Isoroku Yamamoto in London (2021) and contributing to contemporary series such as Hanbun, Aoi (2018). His voice work includes the iconic role of Hades in the Kingdom Hearts video game series, showcasing his ability to convey menace even without physical appearance. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Shimada’s consistent dedication to challenging roles and his distinctive gravitas have made him an enduring figure in Japanese popular culture, influencing a new generation of actors who seek to blend theatrical intensity with cinematic nuance.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Kyûsaku Shimada, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Kyûsaku Shimada rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Tetsuo Shimada
Born: Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Citizenship: Japan
Birthday: April 24, 1955
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1988-present
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Kyûsaku Shimada
Shin Ultraman
Soup Opera
Abacus and Sword
The Woodsman and the Rain
Talk to the Dead
Ataru: The First Love & The Last Kill
The Apology King
Heaven’s Story
Patisserie Coin De Rue
Farewell for Today
Cape Nostalgia
Time Trip App
Teacher and Stray Cat
Solomon’s Perjury 1: Suspicion
Maestro!
Joker Game
64: Part 1
Solomon’s Perjury 2: Judgment
The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine
Shin Godzilla
Blue Hour
The Promised Land
Vengeance for Sale
Ultraman Cosmos 2: The Blue Planet
4.50 from Paddington
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice: The Final Battle
Cutie Honey
Dark Tales of Japan
Jam Films 2
Prayer Beads
Love Is Five Seven Five
Tomie: Revenge
Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers
A Cheerful Gang Turns the Earth
Damejin
Freesia: Bullet Over Tears
Kamen Rider: THE NEXT
Sad Vacation
Half a Confession
69
Kazuo Umezu’s Horror Theater: Snake Girl
Dragon Head
Engine
Route 225
Bird Call
Double Suicide Elegy
Night Time Picnic
The Insects Unlisted in the Encyclopedia
Doomed Megalopolis
Memories of Matsuko
Rainbow Kids
Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
Skin #5 Video Mix M.M.M.
Not Quite Dead Yet
All the Things We Never Said
The Blue Danube
Tonbi
Pure Japanese
Neighbor X
A Madder Red
What to Do With the Dead Kaiju?
First Gentleman
A Watcher in the Attic
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces
The Clone Returns Home
No Way Back
Orochi - Blood
One Summer’s Day
Murder on D Street
Naoko
One Million Yen Girl
Dumbeast
Labyrinth of Dreams
Kokuho
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Kyûsaku Shimada, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2022
Tonbi
Publishing Company Security Guard
Pure Japanese
What to Do With the Dead Kaiju?
Wataru Nakagaichi
2015
Teacher and Stray Cat
Solomon’s Perjury 1: Suspicion
Ryosuke Kono
Maestro!
Shuzo Shimaoka
Joker Game
Colonel Takeno
Solomon’s Perjury 2: Judgment
Ryosuke Kono
2013
Talk to the Dead
Ataru: The First Love & The Last Kill
Yoji Nakatsugawa
The Apology King
Ootoya
Farewell for Today
Hiroki Murayama
2008
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces
Designer
The Clone Returns Home
Kagaeyama
Orochi - Blood
Shitsuji
Naoko
One Million Yen Girl
Prison Officer
2007
Freesia: Bullet Over Tears
Iwatsuru
Kamen Rider: THE NEXT
Shindou
Sad Vacation
Sone
The Insects Unlisted in the Encyclopedia
2006
A Cheerful Gang Turns the Earth
Damejin
Route 225
Bird Call
Night Time Picnic
Fujimaki
Memories of Matsuko
2005
Love Is Five Seven Five
Miura
Tomie: Revenge
Dr. Togashi
Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers
Kazuo Umezu’s Horror Theater: Snake Girl
Kyoko's Father
Double Suicide Elegy
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