Takeshi Kitano is a Japanese film director, comedian, singer, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his idiosyncratic cinematic work. Many of his films express a bleak or nihilistic philosophy, but they are also filled with humor and affection for their characters. Kitano's films leave paradoxical impressions and can seem controversial.

Credits include: Fireworks, The Cat Returns, Sonatine, Why Don't You Play in Hell? and Madadayo

Credits include: Whisper of the Heart, Bakuretsu toshi, Shuffle, A Girl, She Is 100% and Battle Heater: Kotatsu

Credits include: Dark Water, When Marnie Was There, 20-seiki shônen: Dai 2 shô - Saigo no kibô, Sada and Paradise Lost

Credits include: Minnâ-yatteruka!, Shangri-La, Kichiku and Detective Housewife: My Shadow

Credits include: Ghiblies: Episode 2, Weather Woman, Joshikôsei konkuriito-dume satsujin-jiken, Bayside Shakedown 3: Set the Guys Loose and Kichiku

Credits include: The Affair, Robo Ji, Mari to koinu no monogatari, Nurse Aoi: Special and Someday

Credits include: Rainbow Kids, Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger DELUXE: Abare Summer is Freezing Cold, The Story of Dan the Puppy, Original Sin and Angel's Share

Credits include: Kichiku

Credits include: Kichiku

Credits include: Psychic Vision: Jaganrei and Kichiku

Credits include: Kichiku