Taro Kawano

Acting

Taro Kawano

Born

1960-04-11 (66)

Known for

Acting

Credits

40 titles

Known for

Kamen Rider poster
6.4

Takeshi Hongo is a promising young man with a passion for motorcycle racing. However, his dreams are suddenly ruined when he gets kidnapped by Shocker, the evil secret organization planning to dominate the world. After being remodeled into a cyborg, Takeshi escapes and swears to protect the world from the inhuman monsters.

Kamen Rider

1971

Ultraman Blazar poster
8.3

Ultraman Blazar is a hero with a great sense of justice hailing from “M421,” an extragalactic astronomical object far from Earth. The main protagonist, Gento Hiruma, is the captain of the Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment (SKaRD), established by the Global Guardian Force (GGF) in a world where kaiju disasters are a common practice. When their strong desire for the power to save human lives resonates, the two unite.

Ultraman Blazar

2023

Miotsukushi poster
9.5

In the early Showa era, the town of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture was divided by the conflicts between the worlds of "land" and "sea". Born to Kyubei Bando, the owner of a long-established soy sauce brewery, and his mistress Rui, Kaworu was taken in by her father and raised as a prim and proper lady. As she grew up, she fell in love with Sokichi, the eldest son of an established fisherman; alas, their two families were in conflict. This is a story of pure love between two people that grew beyond the boundaries of the old customs that they were brought up with. It is a drama that depicts their turbulent journey of love and the bonds of the people from an old and established family working tirelessly to protect their naturally brewed soy sauce business through the ups and downs.

Miotsukushi

1985

Strategist KANBE poster
9.4

July 1590, Odawara. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army had surrounded the Odawara Castle for over 3 months, hoping to conquer this last obstacle to his dream of the country's unification. Standing at the gate of the castle, a lone man facing the menacing guards shouted out: "Do not throw your lives away. Treasure living!". Not long after, the castle gates opened and the reigning lord surrendered. The name of that man is Kuroda Kanbee. An excellent military strategist, he worked hand-in-hand with Hideyoshi to unify the country.

Strategist KANBE

2014

Kids War: Zaken na yo poster
6.0

No synopsis available yet.

Kids War: Zaken na yo

1999

Denshichi Torimonocho poster
7.3

Denshichi of Kuromon-cho hates crime and hates people. He is a stylish and kind Okakitori. Denchichi is a chivalrous and gentle okabiki, and he will not tolerate bad people under the ten purple hands of Murasakibusa, entrusted to him by the magistrate of Toyama. Denchichi is sent by Koi Nyobo's fire to destroy the evils of Edo.

Denshichi Torimonocho

2016

Film credits

2020s · 4 titles

Unification of Japan 46 poster
NR

Himuro and Tamura confront Kenichi Uchida, an elder from Onomichi, regarding a case involving Ezaki, vice president of the West Japan Mutsumikai. After a discussion, Ezaki himself attempts to apologize directly, but is assassinated by Saito, who has just been released from prison, and Minamida of the Okamura group. Himuro and Tamura feel responsible and try to take the blame, but...

Unification of Japan 46

2021

Unification of Japan 45 poster
NR

Hiroki Saito, chairman of the Ryuseikai and an ally of Himuro and his friends since their days in Yokohama, has been released from Hiroshima Prison after a long prison sentence. Saito tries to make amends for his time in prison by volunteering to be the commanding officer of a special attack team that is heading to Tokyo, but Himuro and his friends stop him from doing so. Meanwhile, Saito's obscene friends start a fight...

Unification of Japan 45

2021

Nobutora - Samurai Tiger poster
NR

Based on the historical figure of Nobutora, the father of the famous Warring States period general Takeda Shingen. Takeda Shingen has proven himself in battle but there’s an even more capable person in his family, his father Nobutora (lit. Samurai Tiger). The son exiles the father and so the old patriarch goes to Suruga to serve the Ashikaga shogun in Kyoto. Decades later, Nobutora, now 80 years old, learns that Shingen is in trouble and the old man returns home to keep the Takeda family alive as a new leader seeks to usurp leadership of the Takeda’s and starts a fight with the great warlord, Oda Nobunaga.

Nobutora - Samurai Tiger

2021

虎の流儀 旅の始まりは尾張 東海死闘編 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

虎の流儀 旅の始まりは尾張 東海死闘編

2022

2010s · 4 titles

Kyotaro Nishimura's Mystery: Railway Inspector 16 poster
NR

Six high school tennis clubmates, including railroad investigator Noriko Hanamura, are going on a day trip to Kawaguchi Lake. However, one of them, Ayako Hirayama, does not show up even after the arranged time for the meet-up has passed. Magazine writer Yumi Tachiki, who planned the trip, calls Ayako but gets no answer, so Noriko and the others, believing Ayako will catch up with them, proceed to their destination. Even though Yumi and Noriko call Ayako many times, she does not answer. Yumi receives an urgent work request after arriving at Tenjozan Park by ropeway, so Noriko and the others return to Tokyo leaving Yumi at the mountain. None of them had any contact with Ayako the entire day. That night, Noriko receives a call from the Yamanashi Prefectural Police informing her that Yumi's body has been found stabbed in Tenjozan Park. One of the ropeway employees happened to witness a mysterious woman wearing a hat and a mask following Yumi down the mountain trail that evening...

Kyotaro Nishimura's Mystery: Railway Inspector 16

2016

Jet Black poster
7.0

Takemiya Union Tōjō-gumi Wakagashira Yasuda (Hitomi Matsuda) retaliates against the Kansai-based Myōjin-kai by attacking their office after an assassination attempt on Union chairman Shimamura (Shunsuke Kariya). Joined by Yamashina-gumi Wakagashira Kiryu (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi), the two succeed and pledge to work as brothers without an official oath, dedicating themselves to their organizations and the Union. The Union faces upheaval with Shimamura's retirement announcement and the loss of his son, Katsuto (Hitoshi Ozawa). The leadership race narrows to Tōjō (Hiroyuki Watanabe), Yasuda's boss, and Yamashina (Masahiro Noguchi), Kiryu's boss. Just as Yasuda’s casino operation thrives, a police raid confiscates all earnings and forces its closure. In desperation, Yasuda turns to a certain man (Naoto Takenaka) for help.

Jet Black

2018

Jungle Crow poster
NR

The capital, Tokyo, had fallen into ruin as a crime-ridden metropolis, day and night, a city where violent offenders roamed the streets. And within that darkness lived a man who had become legend. Known only as ‘Crow,’ he survives in the underworld, hunting down the heads of criminals listed for special police bounty rewards. Journalist Shizuka Matori tracks Crow, determined to uncover the shadows that flicker behind him and the greater conspiracy hiding in the dark. But this city—where the underground powers of Japan, South Korea, and China stand in a fragile stalemate—is overflowing with hidden dangers…

Jungle Crow

2010

Kabukicho High School poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Kabukicho High School

2014

2000s · 11 titles

Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact poster
7.1

Musashi is a 10 year old boy with big dreams. He wants to grow up to be an astronaut so he can fly through the stars and meet his hero Ultraman. His mother worries that Musashi daydreams too much, but his police officer father thinks a little bit of daydreaming never hurts anyone.

Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact

2001

Don Woman poster
NR

Yakuza Girl Boss film.

Don Woman

2001

Don Woman 3 poster
NR

It's 'Don Woman 3'... Are you ready to see?

Don Woman 3

2002

Don Woman 2 poster
NR

It's 'Don Woman 2'... you already knew!

Don Woman 2

2001

Challenge to Ambition: Final Chapter poster
NR

The Katsumata-gumi, based in Nishinomiya, becomes outraged by the Serizawa-gumi's brazen expansion of their operations within their territory and prepares for all-out war. Despite being falsely accused due to Serizawa’s (Kawano Taro) devious schemes, Ōtani Ryūzō (Ryu Daisuke), head of the Ōtani-gumi, heads out to set things straight—only to fall to a hail of bullets from an enraged Katsumata-gumi member. Mikasa Yūji (Musashi Ken), still imprisoned, is left in shock and helpless upon hearing the news of his boss’s death. As the Kansai underworld is slowly swallowed whole by the serpent that is Serizawa, what fate awaits each of these men of ninkyō?

Challenge to Ambition: Final Chapter

2009

Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 2 poster
NR

Ōtani Ryūzō (Ryu Daisuke), head of the Ōtani-gumi within the Tōdō-gumi, is stripped of his position due to the scheming of Serizawa Daijirō (Kawano Taro), head of the Serizawa-gumi. With Serizawa taking over as the new wakagashira, the Tōdō-gumi rapidly transforms into an economic yakuza group. They begin extorting indiscriminately under the guise of “regional revitalization association fees.” Even the store run by the wife of Mikasa Yūji (Musashi Ken)—who is still serving time—falls victim to this ruthless scheme. Osaka’s Minami district is thrown into chaos by Serizawa’s insatiable ambition. And so begins a new yakuza war, fought in the name of old-school ninkyōdō and honor!

Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 2

2009

Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 1 poster
NR

The powerful organization Fifth-Generation Tōdō-gumi, based in Osaka’s Minami district, is led by Wakagashira Ōtani (Ryu Daisuke), under whom Yuji Mikasa (Musashi Ken) walks the path of the old-school yakuza code. Devoted to daily sword training and upholding traditional values, Mikasa’s peaceful days take a sharp turn when he commits a murder to cover for his younger protégé. The situation spirals out of control. As the yakuza world grows more entangled with politics, the organization’s boss, Myojin, announces his retirement. Seizing the opportunity, the cunning Serizawa (Kawano Taro) plots to oust Ōtani by any means necessary. Worse still, Mikasa’s own “civilian killing” ends up pushing his respected boss into a corner...

Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 1

2009

Target 2 poster
NR

After Ryo wipes off the remnants of the Hong Kong triad, he finds his partner mysteriously murdered. Now he must figure out who took the hit while fending off shadowy characters waiting for the perfect moment to kill him.

Target 2

2009

The King of Minami: Special Ver.50 poster
NR

Ginjiro finds that it has become impossible to collect debts when even his regular clients have been conned out of their savings. He discovers that Sugiura gang underboss Domoto is behind these schemes. Domoto wants to take over the gang and tries to ruin Yukino, the real boss’s widow and the gang’s acting head, by sabotaging a resort hotel project with the help of a thug named Kawatani. Ginjiro, who has lent money for the project, is furious when he learns about Domoto’s schemes and goes into action.

The King of Minami: Special Ver.50

2004

北アルプス山岳救助隊・紫門一鬼8 白馬八方尾根 雪どけの叫び poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

北アルプス山岳救助隊・紫門一鬼8 白馬八方尾根 雪どけの叫び

2006

Target poster
NR

A Professional sniper, Ryo has executed so many missions with his partner, Narushima. But Ryo is caught in between a multitude of emotions, when he realizes that his newest target will be an old acquaintance of his.

Target

2009

1990s · 8 titles

Quiet Don poster
NR

Part one of a twelve part direct to video film series. Based on the comic by Tatsuo Nitta.

Quiet Don

1991

Quiet Don 3 poster
NR

The news of Naruto's attack!! "Punching into the heavens"-Inokubi and Okita's anger has reached its peak, and it's finally time for an all-out war with Kishu-gumi. However, "Quiet Don" Shizuya Kondo remains silent and does not move. Seeing such Shizuya, the Shinsei-gumi was split internally.

Quiet Don 3

1992

Battleship Yamato poster
NR

Kon Ichikawa's war film depicts the 60-hour period from the departure of the battleship Yamato, the pride of the Japanese Navy, until its sinking by the American forces during Operation Ten-Go.

Battleship Yamato

1990

KILL THEM ALL poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

KILL THEM ALL

1990

No artwork available
NR

A ronin named Azami Onijuro travels the Nikko Highway, he is being followed by the bounty hunter Daihachi and Yukata Danzen. He is pursued by his past as a covert spy under Lord Matsudaira. Due to certain circumstances, Onijuro betrayed him and became a wandering ronin. Ever since, he's been hunted by Matsudaira's subordinates and bounty hunters. After saving the tough and fiery woman Omom from yakuza trouble, Onijuro and his companions head to Akame-shuku (inn town). Here, a conflict brews between the Tsurugame family led by Genroku and the lawless monk group led by Tetsuzan, a former sumo wrestler gone rogue. Onijuro sides with Tetsuzan, while Daihachi and Danzen side with Genroku. This intricate web of allegiances and confrontations unfolds against the backdrop of the bustling post-town.

The Unruly Ronin's Journey

1991

Quiet Don 4 poster
NR

Ken Sakamoto, a member of the Kishu-gumi, who is aiming to dominate the Kansai region and conquer the whole country, has come to crush the fresh group. Saying goodbye to his beloved Akino, Shizuya stands up. However, Kishu-gumi plans to use Akino's younger brother to trap Shizuya.

Quiet Don 4

1992

Azuke poster
8.0

Two high school girls with supernatural powers fell in love with werewolves created by scientists. Eventually he died because of the scientist, and the two faced off against the scientist.

Azuke

1990

Corporate Yakuza poster
NR

A gripping yakuza drama about a former elite banker who steps into the underworld.

Corporate Yakuza

1994

Series credits

Kamen Rider poster
6.4

Takeshi Hongo is a promising young man with a passion for motorcycle racing. However, his dreams are suddenly ruined when he gets kidnapped by Shocker, the evil secret organization planning to dominate the world. After being remodeled into a cyborg, Takeshi escapes and swears to protect the world from the inhuman monsters.

Kamen Rider

1971

Ultraman Blazar poster
8.3

Ultraman Blazar is a hero with a great sense of justice hailing from “M421,” an extragalactic astronomical object far from Earth. The main protagonist, Gento Hiruma, is the captain of the Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment (SKaRD), established by the Global Guardian Force (GGF) in a world where kaiju disasters are a common practice. When their strong desire for the power to save human lives resonates, the two unite.

Ultraman Blazar

2023

Miotsukushi poster
9.5

In the early Showa era, the town of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture was divided by the conflicts between the worlds of "land" and "sea". Born to Kyubei Bando, the owner of a long-established soy sauce brewery, and his mistress Rui, Kaworu was taken in by her father and raised as a prim and proper lady. As she grew up, she fell in love with Sokichi, the eldest son of an established fisherman; alas, their two families were in conflict. This is a story of pure love between two people that grew beyond the boundaries of the old customs that they were brought up with. It is a drama that depicts their turbulent journey of love and the bonds of the people from an old and established family working tirelessly to protect their naturally brewed soy sauce business through the ups and downs.

Miotsukushi

1985

Strategist KANBE poster
9.4

July 1590, Odawara. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army had surrounded the Odawara Castle for over 3 months, hoping to conquer this last obstacle to his dream of the country's unification. Standing at the gate of the castle, a lone man facing the menacing guards shouted out: "Do not throw your lives away. Treasure living!". Not long after, the castle gates opened and the reigning lord surrendered. The name of that man is Kuroda Kanbee. An excellent military strategist, he worked hand-in-hand with Hideyoshi to unify the country.

Strategist KANBE

2014

Kids War: Zaken na yo poster
6.0

No synopsis available yet.

Kids War: Zaken na yo

1999

Denshichi Torimonocho poster
7.3

Denshichi of Kuromon-cho hates crime and hates people. He is a stylish and kind Okakitori. Denchichi is a chivalrous and gentle okabiki, and he will not tolerate bad people under the ten purple hands of Murasakibusa, entrusted to him by the magistrate of Toyama. Denchichi is sent by Koi Nyobo's fire to destroy the evils of Edo.

Denshichi Torimonocho

2016

Gachi Baka! poster
4.0

Former pro boxer Gondo Tetta has come to Kaki-no-ki-zaka High School as a beginning teacher. The school hopes to restore finances by improving the students' abilities and strengthening its baseball team. Tetta goes head-to-head with his class full of failing students who have no ability whatsoever in sports and studies. Everyday, he passionately encourages his students who have no drive at all. School is not just a place to study. It's a place to learn how to live! If it means helping out his students, Tetta won't hesitate to snap at the parents and school. Gondo Tetta's slightly dangerous class is about to begin. --TBS

Gachi Baka!

2006

Waga Machi poster
NR

Based on Ed McBain's "87th Precinct" series. The drama series is set in Tsukishima, a popular town near downtown Tokyo, and is composed of content that incorporates the storyline of the original work while also incorporating current events and social issues in Japan.

Waga Machi

1992

Musashibo Benkei poster
NR

After being carried in his mother’s womb for three years, Benkei is born with long hair and teeth and the body of a small child. It is said that he immediately laughed and commented on the brightness of the outside world, leading local people in his native Kii (modern Wakayama) to proclaim that he is a devil. Abandoned on a mountainside, he is adopted by Dainagon, a Kyoto resident who rears him until age seven when he leaves to become a monk. Thrown out of the monastery for his violent behavior, Benkei wanders Japan in search of enlightenment, though only trouble seems to find him. After accidentally causing a temple to burn down, he decides to begin a quest to defeat 1,000 of the hated Heike samurai in battle and donate their swords to a temple. Obtaining the first 999 swords proves relatively easy but the final weapon belongs to Yoshitsune, a young boy whose appearance belies his great skill as a warrior.

Musashibo Benkei

1986

Daihyô torishimariyaku deka poster
NR

A detective drama that tries to charm you with its story rather than flashy action. The focus was on the guests in each episode, and each time a gorgeous lineup appeared and became a hot topic at the time. The title has the meaning that "a detective who protects citizens is the same as a representative director who protects employees in a company."

Daihyô torishimariyaku deka

1990