31:
467:, a two-part film which the theatrical release was postponed for one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and was released on April 23 and June 4, 2021. Even though a state of emergency was declared in Japan and theaters across major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka closed on the third day of its release,
332:
followed shortly after on
September 13, 2014. The 2 films were both commercial hits, grossing 5.25 billion yen ($ 52.9 million) and 4.39 billion yen ($ 44 million) respectively. As with the first film, both were also critical successes, winning awards at film festivals in Japan and abroad, including
388:
of the same name—which won first place in the "Book of the Year" comic category in Da Vinci magazine for three consecutive years and later won the grand prize in the manga category at the 24th Japan Media Arts
Festival Awards—was released in two consecutive parts (first part: March 18, second part:
293:
of the same name, was theatrically released on August 25, 2012, in Japan. With its period setting, intricate plot (based on the popular manga series), and unusual degree of high-speed action, film captivated audiences, going on to gross $ 36 million domestically. The film was also well received
341:.In August of the same year, the Asian premiere was held at the "SM MEGA MALL" shopping center in the center of Manila, Philippines, and was attended by approximately 11,000 local fans over the course of two days and was screened in 64 countries around the world, including Asia and Europe.
262:
won many accolades and is considered one of the most successful series to date, renewing the image of historical dramas by its innovative approaches of meticulous modern film making, which deftly incorporated the use of long takes and pursued painstaking realism in character design.
493:
for the global fan base. The film achieved the highest viewer ranking of No. 4 worldwide, including
English-speaking countries. The unprecedented critical and financial success of the franchise helped revitalize the manga-to-live-action adaptations in Japan.
150:
film series. Ōtomo’s awards include the
Audience Award at the 18th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal (2014), the Popularity Award at the 38th Japanese Academy Awards (2014), and Best Director at the 31st Japanese Critics Award (2022).
180:
In addition to producing documentaries for national broadcast, From 1990 to 1994, Ōtomo was director for a variety of TV programs, including a number of regional shows aimed at teen audiences. These included the long-running singing contest
441:, Ōtomo’s first foray into arthouse films, was released. Shot entirely on location in his hometown of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, explored loss and resilience in the aftermath of the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake.
452:
In 2020, Ōtomo signed a management deal with LUKA Productions
International, a production company based in Hollywood and is currently managed overseas by LUKA Management, a subsidiary of LUKA Productions International.
221:
starring Nao Ōmori. The film deftly reflected the financial shock and the growing public mistrust at the time and won numerous national and international awards the same year, including the prestigious international
282:
Several months later, in August 2011, Ōtomo signed a 3-film directing deal with Warner Bros. Japan, becoming the first
Japanese director to receive such a large multi-picture deal. The first of these films,
326:, was released domestically on August 1, 2014, becoming the most popular live-action film of the year and cementing the series as one of the most successful film franchises in Japan. The third film,
194:
In 1997, NHK granted Ōtomo a 2-year sabbatical to study directing and scriptwriting in Los
Angeles, California. During this time, he took courses at several educational institutions, including the
159:Ōtomo was born on May 6, 1966, in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Morioka First High School before moving to Tokyo in 1986 to study at the Faculty of Law at
350:. (winner of the Excellence Award in the Manga Division of the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival) which explores the repercussions of probing the memories of the dead, was released.
138:
is a
Japanese film director and screenwriter. He is known for psychological thrillers and historical dramas, as well as adapting a variety of manga and novels to film, including
198:. When not in classes, he worked as an on-set crew member on various Hollywood productions, where he gained a valuable understanding of the US commercial film-making industry.
1014:
313:, the film recorded the highest first-day advance ticket sales of any Toho film to date at the time (103,655 tickets) and grossed 2.7 billion yen ($ 26.1 million) in Japan.
482:
series has garnered international acclaim. The first overseas screening of all five films and the international premiere of the final two parts were held at the 24th
475:
also went on to bring in an additional 2.50 billion yen ($ 21.3 million), making it the first franchise in Japan to take the No. 1 and 2 spot at the box office.
986:
206:
In 1999, Ōtomo returned to Japan to join NHK’s
Division 2 Drama Department. He directed many dramas during his tenure there, including the highly acclaimed
445:
was the only
Japanese film selected for the Competition section of the 2nd Hainan Island International Film Festival, where it made its world premiere.
1315:
275:
On April 30, 2011, after more than a decade as a successful television and film director, Ōtomo left NHK and established his own film company,
904:
1176:
1305:
191:. He was transferred to the Drama Programming Department from 1994, a move which enabled him to focus more on storytelling.
483:
390:
334:
309:, a cautionary mystery-thriller about overreliance on DNA analysis in investigations, set in the near future. Released by
302:. The film went on to be shown in 64 countries and 2 territories worldwide, grossing over $ 60 million internationally.
229:
Following this critical success, Ōtomo moved into films full-time, making his directorial debut with a film version of
1246:
1238:
597:
380:
368:
364:
295:
195:
1290:
1214:
545:
363:. The film marked his first successful foray into the horror-suspense genre and received awards from both the 29th
328:
1310:
1295:
506:
and was impressed by how Team Ninja have done their research and focused on every detail in the game's universe.
1262:
1206:
561:
537:
463:
322:
1169:
245:, who played an active role in the reconstruction of Japan during the West’s occupation after World War II.
359:, which opened in Japan on November 12, 2016. The film was released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of
427:
426:) was based on Genki Kawmura’s novel which was nominated for the 12th annual Japan Bookseller’s Award (
1254:
553:
457:
430:
Award,2015) and featured extensive international filming in Morocco, was released on October 19, 2018.
385:
1230:
346:
338:
1162:
234:
856:
1300:
1198:
529:
285:
214:. The series boasted an average viewer rating of 22.2% and ran for an unprecedented 4 seasons.
96:
1091:
1000:
248:
In 2010, he became the youngest Chief Director in NHK's history, and directed the 49th annual
636:
1285:
829:
372:
119:
677:
502:
8:
938:
918:
870:
371:. The film was also an official selection at the fantasy and horror-orientated Festival
1222:
1015:""Rurouni Kenshin Is 1st Franchise to Take Top 2 Spots at Japanese Weekend Box Office""
583:
355:
1149:
702:
The 33rd Hoso Bunka Foundation Award, Main Prize (Program Category, TV Drama Program)
489:
Soon after the film's release in Japan, the films were made available for viewing on
344:
On August 6, 2016, Ōtomo released a live-action film adaptation of the popular manga
111:
959:""Eiri, Only Official Selection from Japan for Hainan International Film Festival""
755:
37th Hoso Bunka Foundation Award for Excellence (Program Division TV Drama Program)
500:Ōtomo was brought on board as director for the opening and real-time cinematics of
133:
61:
1154:
771:
1st Japan Action Award, Grand Prize for Best Action, Best Action Film Grand Prize
521:
438:
290:
160:
1029:""1st Japanese Franchise to be invited to Shanghai International Film Festival""
717:
Special Mosfilm Award at the 32nd Golden Chest International Television Festival
486:
to an enthusiastic audience, the first franchise outside of Hollywood to do so.
242:
733:
Asian Television Awards 2009, Jury's Encouragement Award, Series Drama Division
471:
was a smash hit, grossing 4.35 billion yen ($ 37.8 million) at the box office.
446:
183:
1070:
1028:
987:""'Rurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning' release postponed amid pandemic""
1279:
1045:
163:. After graduation in 1990, he joined the Japanese public television network
1092:"木村拓哉&綾瀬はるか:出演の東映70周年記念作「THE LEGEND & BUTTERFLY」総事業費は20億円 手塚治社長「判押すとき手が震えた」"
299:
1046:"「Rise of the Ronin」ハンズオンイベントレポート:ゲームプレイとインタビューで見えてきた"幕末オープンワールド"の全貌とその魅力"
396:
In a span of approximately 18 months between 2018 and 2019, Ōtomo filmed
249:
223:
167:
where he was assigned to their Akita Broadcasting Station as a director.
958:
884:
662:
449:, one of the leading actors in the film, received the Best Actor Award.
254:
1145:
835:
37th Hoso Bunka Foundation Award for Individual Achievement (Direction)
217:
In 2007, Ōtomo directed the action-packed corporate thriller TV series
30:
1001:""Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning Box Office listing". Box Office Mojo"
705:
Asian Television Awards 2007, Grand Prize in the Series Drama Category
972:
758:
Teamwork of the Year (Sponsored by the Logical Teamwork Committee)
266:
1117:
973:""Eiri World Premiere in Hainan. Ryuhei Matsuda wins Best Actor""
490:
316:
The following year, Ōtomo directed 2 much-anticipated sequels to
211:
129:
57:
201:
360:
353:
The same year, Ōtomo released another manga film adaptation,
943:
923:
889:
815:
The 76th Mainichi Film Contest, TSUTAYA Film Fan Award 2021
310:
905:""Rurouni Kenshin Stars, Director Attend Manila Premiere""
233:, released in 2009 as a sequel to the TV drama. He won an
857:""Advice on Studying Abroad: Film Director Keishi Otomo""
787:
Audience Award, 18th Fantasia International Film Festival
164:
774:
30th Golden Gross Special Award, Zenkoren Special Award
793:
27th Nikkan Sports Film Awards, Yujiro Ishihara Award
598:
March Comes In like a Lion/March Comes In Like a Lamb
1184:
796:69th Mainichi Film Contest, TSUTAYA Film Fan Award
714:32nd Hélandres Award for Best Film, TV Guide Award
681:, 2024 (Opening and Real-Time Cinematics Director)
294:internationally, and was invited to screen at the
1277:
298:, which included a Q&A with the lead actor,
790:38th Japan Academy Film Prize, Popularity Award
123:
780:Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno/The Legend Ends
373:Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya
1170:
730:Award of Excellence, 64th Japan Arts Festival
175:
1072:Rise of the Ronin | The Beginning BTS | PS5
320:, produced back-to-back. The first sequel,
202:1999-2010: Drama works and critical success
1177:
1163:
838:31st Japanese Critics Award, Best Director
497:His latest film will be released in 2023.
378:In 2017, a live-action film adaptation of
237:for Encouragement in 2009 for his work on
29:
699:59th Italian Awards for Best Series Drama
685:
389:April 22) and was also shown at the 20th
1316:University of Southern California alumni
808:Rurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning
746:Tokyo Drama Award 2010 Excellence Prize
16:Japanese film director and screenwriter
1278:
802:32nd Golden Gross Awards, Best Picture
1158:
1040:
1038:
412:), and the final two installments of
337:and the Popularity Award at the 38th
629:
484:Shanghai International Film Festival
391:Shanghai International Film Festival
335:Fantasia International Film Festival
13:
1035:
818:2022 VFX-JAPAN Award, Best Picture
799:The 3rd Japan Action Awards Prizes
752:The 1st Location Japan Grand Prize
749:2011 Hélandres Award for Best Film
241:, a biographical adaptation about
14:
1327:
1139:
369:Busan International Film Festival
365:Tokyo International Film Festival
296:Busan International Film Festival
196:University of Southern California
1215:Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends
708:44th Galaxy Award for Excellence
546:Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends
329:Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends
1110:
1084:
1063:
1021:
1007:
993:
384:—based on the highly acclaimed
333:the Audience Award at the 18th
1263:Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
1231:The Top Secret: Murder in Mind
1207:Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno
979:
965:
951:
931:
911:
897:
877:
863:
849:
670:
591:The Top Secret: Murder in Mind
562:Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
538:Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno
509:
323:Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno
1:
1306:Japanese television directors
842:
607:, 2018 (also as scriptwriter)
601:, 2017 (also as scriptwriter)
593:, 2016 (also as scriptwriter)
565:, 2021 (also as scriptwriter)
557:, 2021 (also as scriptwriter)
549:, 2014 (also as scriptwriter)
541:, 2014 (also as scriptwriter)
533:, 2012 (also as scriptwriter)
464:Rurouni Kenshin:The Beginning
154:
7:
711:My Best TV Award Grand Prix
124:
10:
1332:
1255:Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
1247:March Goes Out Like a Lamb
1239:March Comes In Like a Lion
939:"Beneath the Shadow. IMDb"
554:Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
458:Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
381:March Comes in Like a Lion
176:1990-1999: Early directing
1193:
871:"Churasan. NHK on Demand"
650:Hagetaka: Road to Rebirth
435:Beneath the Shadow (Eiri)
189:High School Baseball Live
170:
115:
89:
81:
69:
40:
28:
21:
617:The Legend and Butterfly
525:live-action film series
514:
339:Japan Academy Film Prize
305:In 2013, Ōtomo directed
1291:Japanese film directors
289:, based on the popular
128:, born May 6, 1966, in
1311:Keio University alumni
1296:Japanese screenwriters
828:Hitmaker of the Year (
686:Awards and recognition
571:Hagetaka (The Vulture)
433:On February 14, 2020,
277:Keishi Otomo & Co,
235:Asian Television Award
219:The Vulture (Hagetaka)
885:"Platinum Data. IMDb"
830:Nikkei Entertainment!
437:(winner of the 157th
416:in rapid succession.
279:the following month.
347:Himitsu - Top Secret
35:Keishi Ōtomo in 2014
961:. 27 November 2019.
75:television director
1185:Films directed by
611:Beneath the Shadow
605:Million Dollar Man
443:Beneath the Shadow
420:Million Dollar Man
406:Beneath the Shadow
398:Million Dollar Man
210:, the 64th Serial
1273:
1272:
678:Rise of The Rōnin
630:Television series
503:Rise of The Rōnin
271:and wider acclaim
104:
103:
82:Years active
1323:
1179:
1172:
1165:
1156:
1155:
1133:
1132:
1130:
1128:
1114:
1108:
1107:
1105:
1103:
1088:
1082:
1081:
1080:
1079:
1067:
1061:
1060:
1058:
1057:
1042:
1033:
1032:
1025:
1019:
1018:
1017:. 14 March 2024.
1011:
1005:
1004:
997:
991:
990:
983:
977:
976:
969:
963:
962:
955:
949:
948:
935:
929:
928:
919:"Okuotoko. IMDb"
915:
909:
908:
907:. 7 August 2014.
901:
895:
894:
881:
875:
874:
867:
861:
860:
853:
823:Directing Awards
146:(2010), and the
137:
127:
117:
92:
54:
50:
48:
33:
19:
18:
1331:
1330:
1326:
1325:
1324:
1322:
1321:
1320:
1276:
1275:
1274:
1269:
1199:Rurouni Kenshin
1189:
1183:
1142:
1137:
1136:
1126:
1124:
1116:
1115:
1111:
1101:
1099:
1090:
1089:
1085:
1077:
1075:
1069:
1068:
1064:
1055:
1053:
1044:
1043:
1036:
1027:
1026:
1022:
1013:
1012:
1008:
999:
998:
994:
985:
984:
980:
971:
970:
966:
957:
956:
952:
937:
936:
932:
917:
916:
912:
903:
902:
898:
883:
882:
878:
869:
868:
864:
859:. 6 March 2018.
855:
854:
850:
845:
764:Rurouni Kenshin
688:
673:
632:
530:Rurouni Kenshin
522:Rurouni Kenshin
517:
512:
480:Rurouni Kenshin
439:Akutagawa Prize
414:Rurouni Kenshin
318:Rurouni Kenshin
286:Rurouni Kenshin
273:
269:Rurouni Kenshin
204:
178:
173:
161:Keio University
157:
148:Rurouni Kenshin
142: (2009),
109:
97:Rurouni Kenshin
90:
76:
74:
65:
55:
52:
46:
44:
36:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1329:
1319:
1318:
1313:
1308:
1303:
1298:
1293:
1288:
1271:
1270:
1268:
1267:
1259:
1251:
1243:
1235:
1227:
1219:
1211:
1203:
1194:
1191:
1190:
1182:
1181:
1174:
1167:
1159:
1153:
1152:
1141:
1140:External links
1138:
1135:
1134:
1109:
1098:. 21 June 2022
1083:
1062:
1034:
1031:. 26 May 2021.
1020:
1006:
992:
978:
964:
950:
930:
910:
896:
876:
862:
847:
846:
844:
841:
840:
839:
836:
833:
820:
819:
816:
804:
803:
800:
797:
794:
791:
788:
776:
775:
772:
760:
759:
756:
753:
750:
747:
735:
734:
731:
719:
718:
715:
712:
709:
706:
703:
700:
687:
684:
683:
682:
672:
669:
668:
667:
659:
653:
647:
641:
631:
628:
627:
626:
620:
614:
608:
602:
594:
588:
580:
574:
568:
567:
566:
558:
550:
542:
534:
516:
513:
511:
508:
447:Ryuhei Matsuda
272:
267:2011-present:
265:
203:
200:
184:NHK Nodo Jiman
177:
174:
172:
169:
156:
153:
102:
101:
93:
87:
86:
83:
79:
78:
71:
67:
66:
56:
42:
38:
37:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1328:
1317:
1314:
1312:
1309:
1307:
1304:
1302:
1301:Living people
1299:
1297:
1294:
1292:
1289:
1287:
1284:
1283:
1281:
1265:
1264:
1260:
1257:
1256:
1252:
1249:
1248:
1244:
1241:
1240:
1236:
1233:
1232:
1228:
1225:
1224:
1220:
1217:
1216:
1212:
1209:
1208:
1204:
1201:
1200:
1196:
1195:
1192:
1188:
1180:
1175:
1173:
1168:
1166:
1161:
1160:
1157:
1151:
1147:
1144:
1143:
1123:
1119:
1113:
1097:
1093:
1087:
1074:
1073:
1066:
1052:(in Japanese)
1051:
1047:
1041:
1039:
1030:
1024:
1016:
1010:
1002:
996:
988:
982:
974:
968:
960:
954:
946:
945:
940:
934:
926:
925:
920:
914:
906:
900:
892:
891:
886:
880:
872:
866:
858:
852:
848:
837:
834:
831:
827:
826:
825:
824:
817:
814:
813:
812:
811:
809:
801:
798:
795:
792:
789:
786:
785:
784:
783:
781:
773:
770:
769:
768:
767:
765:
757:
754:
751:
748:
745:
744:
743:
742:
740:
732:
729:
728:
727:
726:
724:
716:
713:
710:
707:
704:
701:
698:
697:
696:
695:
693:
680:
679:
675:
674:
665:
664:
660:
657:
654:
651:
648:
645:
642:
639:
638:
634:
633:
624:
623:Hero's Island
621:
618:
615:
612:
609:
606:
603:
600:
599:
595:
592:
589:
586:
585:
581:
578:
577:Platinum Data
575:
572:
569:
564:
563:
559:
556:
555:
551:
548:
547:
543:
540:
539:
535:
532:
531:
527:
526:
524:
523:
519:
518:
507:
505:
504:
498:
495:
492:
487:
485:
481:
476:
474:
473:The Beginning
470:
466:
465:
460:
459:
454:
450:
448:
444:
440:
436:
431:
429:
425:
421:
417:
415:
411:
407:
403:
399:
394:
392:
387:
383:
382:
376:
374:
370:
366:
362:
358:
357:
351:
349:
348:
342:
340:
336:
331:
330:
325:
324:
319:
314:
312:
308:
307:Platinum Data
303:
301:
297:
292:
288:
287:
280:
278:
270:
264:
261:
257:
256:
251:
246:
244:
240:
236:
232:
227:
225:
220:
215:
213:
209:
199:
197:
192:
190:
186:
185:
168:
166:
162:
152:
149:
145:
141:
135:
131:
126:
121:
113:
108:
99:
98:
94:
88:
84:
80:
73:film director
72:
70:Occupation(s)
68:
63:
59:
53:(age 58)
43:
39:
32:
27:
20:
1261:
1253:
1245:
1237:
1229:
1221:
1213:
1205:
1197:
1187:Keishi Ōtomo
1186:
1146:Keishi Ōtomo
1125:. Retrieved
1121:
1112:
1100:. Retrieved
1095:
1086:
1076:, retrieved
1071:
1065:
1054:. Retrieved
1049:
1023:
1009:
995:
981:
967:
953:
942:
933:
922:
913:
899:
888:
879:
865:
851:
822:
821:
807:
806:
805:
779:
778:
777:
763:
762:
761:
738:
737:
736:
723:Shirasu Jiro
722:
721:
720:
691:
690:
689:
676:
661:
656:Shirasu Jiro
655:
649:
643:
635:
622:
616:
610:
604:
596:
590:
582:
576:
570:
560:
552:
544:
536:
528:
520:
501:
499:
496:
488:
479:
477:
472:
468:
462:
456:
455:
451:
442:
434:
432:
428:Honya Taisho
423:
419:
418:
413:
409:
405:
401:
397:
395:
379:
377:
354:
352:
345:
343:
327:
321:
317:
315:
306:
304:
291:manga series
284:
281:
276:
274:
268:
259:
253:
247:
243:Jiro Shirasu
239:Shirasu Jiro
238:
230:
228:
218:
216:
207:
205:
193:
188:
182:
179:
158:
147:
143:
139:
125:Ōtomo Keishi
107:Keishi Ōtomo
106:
105:
95:
91:Notable work
85:1990−present
77:screenwriter
23:Keishi Ōtomo
1286:1966 births
1050:gamer.ne.jp
671:Video Games
666:(NHK, 2010)
658:(NHK, 2009)
652:(NHK, 2007)
646:(NHK, 2001)
640:(NHK, 1996)
510:Filmography
300:Takeru Sato
250:Taiga drama
231:The Vulture
224:Prix Italia
140:The Vulture
100:film series
51:May 6, 1966
1280:Categories
1096:Mantan-web
1078:2024-03-24
1056:2024-03-24
843:References
155:Early life
47:1966-05-06
637:Hideyoshi
469:The Final
1122:eiga.com
1102:June 21,
739:Ryomaden
692:Hagetaka
663:Ryōmaden
644:Churasan
424:Okuotoko
402:Okuotoko
260:Ryōmaden
255:Ryōmaden
252:series,
212:TV Novel
208:Churasan
144:Ryōmaden
136:, Japan)
112:Japanese
1127:May 22,
491:Netflix
130:Morioka
120:Hepburn
64:, Japan
58:Morioka
1266:(2021)
1258:(2021)
1250:(2017)
1242:(2017)
1234:(2016)
1226:(2016)
1223:Museum
1218:(2014)
1210:(2014)
1202:(2012)
810:(2021)
782:(2014)
766:(2012)
741:(2010)
725:(2009)
694:(2007)
625:, 2025
619:, 2023
613:, 2020
587:, 2016
584:Museum
579:, 2013
573:, 2009
356:Museum
171:Career
515:Films
386:manga
361:WOWOW
134:Iwate
62:Iwate
1150:IMDb
1129:2024
1118:"宝島"
1104:2022
944:IMDb
924:IMDb
890:IMDb
478:The
461:and
410:Eiri
367:and
311:Toho
187:and
116:大友啓史
41:Born
1148:at
404:),
165:NHK
1282::
1120:.
1094:.
1048:.
1037:^
941:.
921:.
887:.
393:.
375:.
258:.
226:.
132:,
122::
118:,
114::
60:,
49:)
1178:e
1171:t
1164:v
1131:.
1106:.
1059:.
1003:.
989:.
975:.
947:.
927:.
893:.
873:.
832:)
422:(
408:(
400:(
110:(
45:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.