Akinori Matsuo

Directing

Akinori Matsuo

Born — Died

1928-11-05 — 2010-07-12

Place of birth

Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Known for

Directing

Credits

40 titles

Akinori Matsuo was born on November 5, 1928 in Japan. Akinori was a director and assistant director, known for Yakuza sensei (1960), Meiji keppûroku: Taka to ôkami (1968) and Tekka no hanamichi (1968). Akinori died on July 12, 2010. Originally named Matsuo Akinori, Ma was one of the Japanese directors who was hired by Shaw Brothers, and soon started the genre of Hong Kong films with a Japanese touch. Together with Inoue Umetsugu and Koh Nakahira (stage-named Yang Shu-Shin), they directed films like "Operation Lipstick" (directed by Inoue), "Interpol" (directed by Nakahira) and "Asia-Pol" (directed by Akinori).

Known for

Behind the camera

The Dragon Crest poster
NR

A violent story of loyalty and revenge among the many "yakuza" or gambling groups in Japan.

The Dragon Crest

1963

Yuganda tsuki poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Yuganda tsuki

1959

Yakuza sensei poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Yakuza sensei

1960

Yakuza sensei poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Yakuza sensei

1960

Thirteen Times a Loser poster
NR

Mineoka Group executive Okitsu Seiji is imprisoned for the 13th time for attacking rival Kuronuma. While in prison, he learns that the Kuronuma Group has retaliated by killing its leader and seizing territory. Upon his release, he embarks on a revenge campaign.

Thirteen Times a Loser

1969

Greatest Boss of Japan poster
NR

A man who became the third boss faces off against delinquent foreigners and villains vying to rule the underworld in order to develop the port city.

Greatest Boss of Japan

1970

Fight of the Gamblers poster
6.0

Ryuji Oshima, a gambler, kills Saiga in self-defense, and considering himself unfit to lead men, secludes himself in a temple to atone for his misdeeds. At home, when his mother, the boss of a construction gang, bids for and gets the job of building the Town Hall, other gangs set out to disrupt her business and try to kill her.

Fight of the Gamblers

1963

Asia-Pol poster
7.2

Yang Ming Xuan intercepts a truckload of contraband, but the criminals stage a brazen helicopter attack, ruthlessly eliminating their own operatives and destroying most of the shipment before it can be confiscated. In the process, Ming Xuan's partner is killed, and the young agent is brought to the unwelcome attention of the leader of the smuggling operation.

Asia-Pol

1967

The Fugitive Samurai poster
7.0

Itto Ogami- High Executioner to the Shogun- has been betrayed by his political enemies and sentenced to a dishonorable death. Seeking to restore the honor of his name, Ogami- The Wolf- must flee the Shogun's grasp and live long enough to prove his innocence. Taking only his sword and his son, Ogami embarks on a bloody journey of righteousness and revenge as he seeks to destroy those who would disgrace his family's name. Hunted mercilessly by the Shogun's troops, by his enemies, and by those who seek the reward put on his head, Ogami must fight his way through feudal Japan, challenging and defeating all who stand in the way of his quest for honor. Can Ogami- a true Samurai Warrior- endure the ceaseless violence which surrounds him?

The Fugitive Samurai

1984

The Lady Professional poster
7.3

Lily Ho as a deadly assassin becomes the target of murder herself

The Lady Professional

1971

The Symbol of a Man poster
7.0

A Japanese intelligence officer faces personal crises in the years preceding the Manchurian conflict.

The Symbol of a Man

1963

Warlord of the Underworld poster
NR

On the day of the festival at Takao Shrine in Koshu, a brawl breaks out at a local gambling den run by the boss, Kansuke of Saruya (played by Zo Ozawa). It’s the rowdy members of the Shimizu clan, led by Jirocho (Kinya Kitaoji), who uncover a cheating scheme. The chaos is brought to a halt by none other than Jirocho’s lifelong rival-Katsuzo of Kurokoma (Tetsuo Ishidate), a powerful local boss from Koshu...

Warlord of the Underworld

1998

Ninja Gangsters 2: The Lullaby of Hell poster
NR

The second in Norio Nanjo’s “Secret” series. The former secret phantom Sanzo (Hiroki Matsukata) and Yume no Gosuke (Ashiya Gannosuke), who escaped after clashing with their superiors, travel to the castle town of Kurume in Kyushu.

Ninja Gangsters 2: The Lullaby of Hell

1982

The Okinawa War of Ten Years poster
6.2

After World War II, when Okinawa was under control of the United States, the local yakuza prospered. But when Okinawa is returned to Japan, the mainland yakuza tries to take over; the local yakuza tries to compete. Now sides are drawn among the local yakuza guys who used to be best friends since their childhood, and brother fights brother. It results in the biggest yakuza war in Okinawa.

The Okinawa War of Ten Years

1978

The Retired Samurai poster
NR

Japan's greatest jidaigeki star, Mifune Toshiro is Shogun's Advisor Okubo Hikozaemon who must be coaxed out of retirement to save Shogun Iemitsu from danger. The elderly Hikozaemon has been belittled of late and has seemingly lost the will to live, much less the desire to assert himself and make Iemitsu listen to reason. The plot thickens when a lovely young woman enters the picture. Can she change Hikozaemon's mind, and thus alter the path of Japanese history? No longer a young man, can Hikozaemon gain the shogun's ear, and succeed in warning him of the evil plot to overthrow him?

The Retired Samurai

1987

Utau abarenbō poster
NR

1962 Japanese movie

Utau abarenbō

1962

The Wild Reporter poster
NR

Seven years ago, Ishimatsu Toshio, a talented radio producer at Zen Nihon Hōsō, witnessed a crazed drug addict murder his wife and then commit suicide, though Toshio was able to save the lives of their two children. Just transferred from Shimizu to Tokyo, Toshio hopes to produce a program that will expose the drug trade in Tokyo. One day, Toshio stops into a noodle shop where he is mistaken for a drug dealer and passed a bagful of drugs. The real dealer arrives in time to follow Toshio home. That night Toshio is attacked by the dealer, who turns out to be Kenji, one of the children Toshio had saved. Kenji can't bring himself to kill Toshio, so he runs away and goes into hiding from the mafia. While continuing to investigate the drug trade, Toshio searches for Kenji to get Kenji's testimony for his program.

The Wild Reporter

1959

The Wild Reporter poster
NR

Seven years ago, Ishimatsu Toshio, a talented radio producer at Zen Nihon Hōsō, witnessed a crazed drug addict murder his wife and then commit suicide, though Toshio was able to save the lives of their two children. Just transferred from Shimizu to Tokyo, Toshio hopes to produce a program that will expose the drug trade in Tokyo. One day, Toshio stops into a noodle shop where he is mistaken for a drug dealer and passed a bagful of drugs. The real dealer arrives in time to follow Toshio home. That night Toshio is attacked by the dealer, who turns out to be Kenji, one of the children Toshio had saved. Kenji can't bring himself to kill Toshio, so he runs away and goes into hiding from the mafia. While continuing to investigate the drug trade, Toshio searches for Kenji to get Kenji's testimony for his program.

The Wild Reporter

1959

The President's Son poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

The President's Son

1962

No artwork available
NR

The Satsuma clan conspires with key figures in the shogunate to overthrow the government. However, the head inspector, Naito Yamashiro no Kami, cannot find the sworn statement of rebellion and takes responsibility by ending his own life. This deeply affects Mondonosuke Saotome, who was close to Yamashiro no Kami and who is known for his restless nature. Seeking an audience with Shogun Tsunayoshi to request a view of the sworn statement, Mondonosuke Saotome is granted permission to go to Satsuma. He sets off on this journey accompanied by Sasao Kinai and Yamashiro no Kami's sister, Shizue . However, on the way, they are attacked by a group of mountain monks. Mondonosuke Saotome manages to repel the monks in a brawl but becomes separated from Kinai and Shizue. Afterward, he encounters a mysterious woman named Oren, and with her guidance, he finally arrives in Satsuma.

The Notorious Bored Samurai 2

1988

Young Panther poster
NR

A blockbuster youth action film based on the serialized novel in Nikkan Sports by Yoshirō Akinaga, now adapted for the screen.

Young Panther

1959

Chivalrous Man: Junkyard of Life poster
NR

End of the Taisho period. In the city of Kiryu, where the wind is constantly blowing, the heads of the yakuza families of Kanhasshu (eight Kanto provinces) were to raise funds for the construction of the Chuji Kunisada monument. Responsible for the fundraiser was Jokichi from the Asami family, but Matsugoro from the Kuromatsu family, who wanted to become the greatest boss of the Kanhasshu yakuza, is trying to take over the textile market that Jokichi controls and intercept the fundraiser.

Chivalrous Man: Junkyard of Life

1971

When a Man Risks His Life poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

When a Man Risks His Life

1959

When a Man Risks His Life poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

When a Man Risks His Life

1959

Ningen Gari poster
NR

A detective sets out on a manhunt to catch a murderer before the crime's statue of limitations runs out.

Ningen Gari

1962

Gambling Code and Feuds poster
7.0

It is the first Toei yakuza film directed by Akinori Matsuo, who was active in Nikkatsu action movies. It is a local yakuza movie made following Okinawa Yakuza War (1976) and Hokuriku Proxy War (1977). The film depicts the war between a storied yakuza killer (Hiroki Matsukata) and the largest organized crime group in the Kansai region, which plans to advance into the Kanto region.

Gambling Code and Feuds

1977

Sunset Hill poster
NR

A yakuza falls in love with his brother's mistress while he is serving his sentence, and hides out in Hakodate to wait for her... A mood action masterpiece set to a hit song. Ruriko Asaoka plays both the older and younger sisters who fall in love with the same man.

Sunset Hill

1964

A World For Two poster
NR

On a passenger ship to Japan, the journalist Kawase encounters a man who claims to be a Filipino, but Kawase believes he is a murder suspect who fled Japan fifteen years ago, Hojo Shuichi. To throw Kawase off, the man talks a female passenger, Reiko, into acting as if she was his long-time friend. When the man - who is, in fact, Hojo - secretly leaves the ship, Reiko, who has fallen for him, joins up with Kawase to go looking for him. Meanwhile, Hojo, who has returned to Japan to find the true murderer before the 15-year statute of limiitations on murder expires, tracks down the man whom he believes ordered the murder he was accused of.

A World For Two

1966

A World For Two poster
NR

On a passenger ship to Japan, the journalist Kawase encounters a man who claims to be a Filipino, but Kawase believes he is a murder suspect who fled Japan fifteen years ago, Hojo Shuichi. To throw Kawase off, the man talks a female passenger, Reiko, into acting as if she was his long-time friend. When the man - who is, in fact, Hojo - secretly leaves the ship, Reiko, who has fallen for him, joins up with Kawase to go looking for him. Meanwhile, Hojo, who has returned to Japan to find the true murderer before the 15-year statute of limiitations on murder expires, tracks down the man whom he believes ordered the murder he was accused of.

A World For Two

1966

Family Crest: Loyalty Offering Hell poster
NR

Nonaka Tetsugoro, a substitute for the Aoi group, held a flower party to celebrate the complete recovery of his boss. However, three rival bosses, trying to steal the Aoi's territory, made take-over plans in the shadows. The second in the two part Daimon series movies.

Family Crest: Loyalty Offering Hell

1969

Rainbow Over Kinmon poster
NR

Three years had passed since Ichiro Takeo left Japan. He was a young physician with a promising future, until his medical error caused the death of a big-shot politician. He was discharged from the hospital and had since sailed around the world as an on-board doctor. As he was about to reach the Taiwanese piers of Kinmon Island, thoughts of his days in Japan crossed his mind - he reminisced about the Taiwanese girl, Yan, who had scooped him out of his misery during the time of the medical accident. At times of war, the two rekindle an old flame.

Rainbow Over Kinmon

1962

Knock Down poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Knock Down

1960

Kazu no Fūkei poster
NR

Suspense TV movie based on the novel by Seicho Matsumoto, starring Ikko Furuya.

Kazu no Fūkei

1991

Good-for-nothing Guy poster
NR

1961 Japanese movie

Good-for-nothing Guy

1961

Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy poster
NR

The crescent shaped scar on his forehead is a license given him by the Shogun to kill anyone he deems to be a villain. A strong performance that reflects well upon his father, with interesting stories, these films are required viewing. When Saotome hears rumors of a Daimyo's plot to overthrow the Shogun, he launches an investigation. With the help of his sister Kikuji, his stewart, Kinai and a mysterious woman they begin to unravel the web of treachery.

Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy

1993

Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy poster
NR

The crescent shaped scar on his forehead is a license given him by the Shogun to kill anyone he deems to be a villain. A strong performance that reflects well upon his father, with interesting stories, these films are required viewing. When Saotome hears rumors of a Daimyo's plot to overthrow the Shogun, he launches an investigation. With the help of his sister Kikuji, his stewart, Kinai and a mysterious woman they begin to unravel the web of treachery.

Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy

1993

Pacific Porters poster
10.0

Tetsuji Tachibana was fired as a pilot after Jim gave false testimony in an accident caused by Captain Jim's intoxication. Only Junpei Nambu, the editor-in-chief of “Kokuikai” (Aviation World), was on Tetsuji's side. Tetsuji questions Jim, but Jim refuses to tell him anything, and the atmosphere turns sour. At that moment, Yosuke Sugie, a former classmate of Tetsuji's at the Civil Aviation College, enters the office.

Pacific Porters

1961

Gun of Nosappu poster
10.0

Set against the backdrop of the vast wilderness of Hokkaido and the Sea of Okhotsk, Ace Joe arrives in the town of Nosappu and explodes with exhilarating rapid fire and invincible charm.

Gun of Nosappu

1961

For This We Fight poster
NR

1961 Japanese movie

For This We Fight

1961

The Debt of Blood poster
NR

1967 Nikkatsu film.

The Debt of Blood

1967