Masato Sakai

Acting

Masato Sakai

Born 1973-10-14 · Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Masato Sakai (堺雅人) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio and The Chef of South Polar and the award for best supporting actor at the 2008 Nikkan Sports Film Award, at the 33rd Hochi Film Award and at the 51st Blue Ribbon Awards. He also received a nomination for best supporting actor at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize. He is married to Japanese actress and J-pop singer Miho Kanno.

Acting credits

Promare poster
7.0

Galo and the Burning Rescue Fire Department face off against BURNISH, a group of mutants who are able to control and wield flames, and the fire disaster they have unleashed on Earth.

Promare

2019

Sukiyaki Western Django poster
6.2

A nameless gunfighter arrives in a town ripped apart by rival gangs and, though courted by both to join, chooses his own path.

Sukiyaki Western Django

2007

Legal High 2 SP poster
7.3

Attorneys Kensuke Komikado and Machiko Mayuzumi receive a request from a general hospital. They go up against veteran attorney Kazuma Kujou who is trying to extract money from the general hospital by a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Legal High 2 SP

2014

When the Last Sword Is Drawn poster
7.4

Kanichiro Yoshimura is a Samurai and Family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the the low pay he receives from his small town clan, he is forced by the love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them.

When the Last Sword Is Drawn

2003

Key of Life poster
7.6

A failed actor switches identities with a stranger at a bath house thinking it is his way out of his life of misery but only to find himself filling the shoes of an elite assassin.

Key of Life

2012

Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura poster
7.5

Set in an alternate universe, the ancient capital of Kamakura is a vibrant town where fantastical creatures live alongside humans. Akiko is a cheerful publishing assistant who moves into town after marrying Masakazu, a popular mystery writer. Akiko is surprised by the unusual town but enjoys the new curiosities surrounding her. However, just as she was beginning to settle in, a trifling incident sweeps her spirit to the underworld too soon. Convinced that destiny has something else in store for his wife, Masakazu journeys into the underworld to bring back Akiko’s spirit.

Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura

2017

Buddha: The Great Departure poster
7.5

Prince Siddhartha is heir to the Shakya kingdom, which is constantly at war with the more powerful Kosala kingdom. His father tries to raise as him as a warrior leader and to shield him from the miseries of the world. Meeting the young outcast girl Migaila, Siddhartha experiences love for the first time but also witnesses the suffering that afflicts humankind. Meanwhile, in Kosala, Chapra rises through the military, despite his lowly origins, to become a hero and general of the army. A final showdown between the two kingdoms forces Siddhartha to re-evaluate the path he is following.

Buddha: The Great Departure

2011

Dr. Coto's Clinic poster
7.6

In this drama set on Shikina Island, a far-flung island of the Japanese archipelago located more than six hours from the Japanese main islands, the young physician Kensuke Goto arrives at the island and has to deal with the island's inhabitants, not eager to accept him, at a clinic lacking sufficient medical equipment. Here's a human drama showing how Dr. Coto values the dignity of human life while unflinchingly facing disease with a serious attitude.

Dr. Coto's Clinic

2022

My SO Has Got Depression poster
7.2

Mikio is a married man and works hard for the company where he is employed. Then one day Mikio is diagnosed with depression. Mikio's wife is Haruko. They have been married for 5 years. Haruko draws comics for work, but they do not sell well. She mainly relied on Mikio for support. Meanwhile, Haruko did not notice any changes in her husband. She begins to blame herself for not noticing any signs. Mikio's depression derived from his work. His company has been pressing him to quit the company. After Mikio quits his job his condition improves, but the dynamics of their relationship changes.

My SO Has Got Depression

2011

A Moon in the Ordinary poster
7.7

Kensho Aoto reunites with Yoko Sudo, whom he had feelings for in junior high school, for the first time in 35 years. On the second floor window sill of a small apartment. Yoko was leaning against the window and looking up at the moon in the night sky, then Kensho was watching her from outside. Kensho “What were you thinking back then?” Yoko “...Something like a dream. Just about something like a dream.” The two of them are naturally attracted to each other for the first time at the age of 50. They eventually start talking about the future...

A Moon in the Ordinary

2025

Honey and Clover poster
6.4

Adapted from the popular manga of the same name, director Masahiro Takada's coming of age drama follows five Hama Art College students as they prepare to venture out into the real world on a great voyage of self-discovery.

Honey and Clover

2006

Golden Slumber poster
7.1

When easy-going Aoyagi meets an old friend for a fishing trip, he ends up drugged, framed for the Prime Minister's assassination, and on the run from corrupt cops. It's only the beginning of what quickly becomes the worst, weirdest day of his life. But he'll get by with a little help from his friends, who include a famous pop diva, a rockabilly deliveryman, a crippled old gangster, and the world's most cheerful serial killer.

Golden Slumber

2010

Vamp Show poster
NR

Five merry men who travel and live all over the country. They all love to sing and for some reason they are all nocturnal. Their hobbies are raiding and blood donor cars. What they don't like is crosses, and what they love is - choo-choo-choo!!! ?

Vamp Show

2001

The Goddess of 1967 poster
6.5

A rich, young businessman travels to Australia with the intention of buying a 1967 Citroën DS. Once he arrives, things do not go to plan, and he must drive the DS into the outback alongside a blind young woman in order to track down its seller.

The Goddess of 1967

2000

The Chef of South Polar poster
7.1

When eight men are assigned to live 14,000 kilometers from home in inhumanly cold conditions, food becomes their new existence.

The Chef of South Polar

2009

Legal High SP poster
8.0

Kazuhiko Kogure, who is a 2nd grade student in middle school, falls off from one of the school's rooftop. There were other male students on the roof when Kazuhiko Kogure fell off. According to the other students there, Kazuhiko Kogure tried to jump to another school building, but missed. Fortunately, Kazuhiko Kogure only fractured his leg and ribs. According to Kazuhiko Kogure's mother Hidemi, the school insists it was students playing around and did not involve bullying. Hidemi though, doesn't believe it, because Kazuhiko Kogure has a fear of heights. Hidemi goes to see attorney Machiko Mayuzumi and Machiko decides to take her case, but she asks for fellow attorney Kensuke Komikado's help. Meanwhile, the school hires attorney Teshigahara Isao.

Legal High SP

2013

The Legacy of the Sun poster
5.0

Set during the end of World War II, Major Mashiba (Masato Sakai) and others receive an order to hide 200 trillion yen worth of treasures. These treasures are to help rebuild the country after the war. 20 girls are mobilized to carry out the mission.

The Legacy of the Sun

2011

Promare / Side: Galo poster
7.4

A prequel to Promare, set one day before the events of the film.

Promare / Side: Galo

2019

Welcome to Irabu's Office poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Welcome to Irabu's Office

2005

Sakura Guardian in the North poster
7.5

The film follows the relationship between a mother and her son. In 1945, the mother played by Sayuri Yoshinaga fled with her two sons from the Russians to Hokkaido. In 1972, her son played by Masato Sakai returns to Japan after finding success in the U.S.

Sakura Guardian in the North

2018

After School poster
8.1

A middle school teacher, Jinno, is friends with a young couple that is about to have a baby. But on the eve of the birth, the father, Kimura, disappears. Then, a hired private detective appears and ask Jinno's help to find Kimura.

After School

2008

Climber's High poster
6.2

On August 12, 1985, a jumbo jet crashes, causing 520 fatalities, making the accident the biggest single-plane accident in the world. The local press reporters are tossed about by the waves of facts and rumors. While overwhelmed by the magnitude of the accident, Yuuki, in charge of this crash report at a local newspaper, faces a string of decision-making moments. What are news and a reporter? How should a man do his work and survive in a corporate hierarchy? What do family and friends mean to him? An intriguing story, which keeps the audience on the edge of tension and reality.

Climber's High

2008

The Wall Man poster
3.7

The wall man is a strange wall-dwelling creature that is neither human nor ghost.

The Wall Man

2007

Yasagure Panda〈Gold Edition〉 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Yasagure Panda〈Gold Edition〉

2008