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Kirin Kiki

Kirin Kiki

Actor · Died September 15, 2018, aged 75 · Tokyo, Japan

Kirin Kiki (樹木 希林 Kiki Kirin) (15 January 1943 – 15 September 2018) was a Japanese actress known for her work in Japanese cinema and television.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 15, 1943
Died
September 15, 2018 (aged 75)
From
Tokyo, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 141 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 83% in 30 days

What are Kirin Kiki's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 91st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 88th percentile
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
36%
Self
24%
Survival
15%
Morality
10%
Society
10%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 6 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Ally
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
8
Warm
7
Melancholic
6
Bittersweet
3
Tense
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kirin Kiki's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kirin Kiki's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

141 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Tales of the Bizarre: 35th Anniversary Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Erica 38 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Erica's Mother

  • Cherry Blossoms & Demons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Yus Großmutter

  • Every Day a Good Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Teacher Takeda

  • Shoplifters(2018)

    as Hatsue Shibata

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Mori, The Artist's Habitat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Hideko

  • Kiki Kirin's Izakaya Grandma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • The Gods of Food: The Last Promise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Life is Fruity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • After the Storm(2016)

    as Yoshiko Shinoda

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Mystery Trilogy Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Kirika Ohmori (segment "A Mystery Writer's Daily Life")

  • Our Little Sister(2015)

    as Fumiyo Kikuchi

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Bean(2015)

    as Tokue

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Kakekomi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Genbei

  • This Mystery is Excellent! ~ Challenge from Bestseller Writer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as 大森キリカ (案内人)

  • Like Father, Like Son(2013)

    as Riko Ishizeki

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Promise: The Nabari Poisoned Wine Case, The Life of a Death-row Inmate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Tatsuno Okunishi

  • Until the Break of Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Aiko Shibuya

  • Chronicle of My Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Yae

  • Hanezu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Takumi's Mother

  • I Wish(2011)

    as Hideko

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • A Honeymoon in Hell: Mr. & Mrs. Oki's Fabulous Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as fortune teller

  • Hokaibito: Ina no Seigetsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Unten Sazuki

  • Villain(2010)

    as Fusae Shimizu

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Secret World of Arrietty(2010)

    as Haru (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Two Portraits of MIYAGINO (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Madam

  • The Short Films: We Were All Once Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Still Walking(2008)

    as Toshiko Yokoyama

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Dots and Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Kagerou no Tsuji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as Oichi

  • Saido kâ ni inu(2007)

    as Granny Tome

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad(2007)

    as Eiko Nakagawa

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Red Whale, White Snake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Our War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Tokyo Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Natsumeke no Shokutaku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Izo(2004)

    as Izo's Mother

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Taste of Tea(2004)

    as Obaa

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Fireflies: River of Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Headmistress

  • Kamikaze Girls(2004)

    as Momoko's Grandmother

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Half a Confession (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Yasuko Shimamura

  • Teacher's suitcase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Sensei's ex-wife

  • Through the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Inochi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Mother

  • Returner(2002)

    as Xia

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Pistol Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Rin

  • Cardboard House Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Tokyo Marigold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Ritsuko Sakai

  • The Whispered City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Fan of Kyushiro

  • Aoi: Tokugawa Three Generations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 49 episodes · as Lady Kasuga [Iemitsu's wet nurse]

  • Keiho(1999)

    as Defence Counsel Shigure Nagamura

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Magnitude: Bridge to Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • The Best Bad Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Aunt Hata

  • Hissatsu shimatsunin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Otora

  • Fireworks, Ferris Wheels and Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sanae Mita

  • Oishinbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Tome

  • Mitabi no kaikyô (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Toki no kagayaki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Nagashima

  • The Mystery of Rampo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as House Wife / Head of Maid

  • Sakura (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Fumi

  • Rex: A Dinosaur's Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Yearning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Omatsu

  • Korekara: Umibe no Tabibitotachi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Triple Cross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Ritsuko: Her Love, Her Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • The Games Teachers Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Yasuko Takeda

  • The Voyage Of Little Sinbad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Private Detective Dobu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Kim's War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Kimi no na wa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 312 episodes · as 深野柳子

  • War and Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Etsuko Onoki

  • Rainbow Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kura 'Ku-chan' Nakamura

  • Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • ママ母戦争 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • As If In Flight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 48 episodes · as 天璋院付き老女・幾島

  • Misty Kid of Wind – The Glass Cape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Otane

  • Crane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Yura

  • Remembrance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mine Kamioka

  • An Early Autumn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 冷たいのがお好き (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Harue Hashimoto

  • 森繁久彌の七人の孫 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hanekonma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 156 episodes · as Yae Tachibana

  • The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Yume-Chiyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Lonely Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Terue Amano

  • Song of the Spring Pony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Capone Cries a Lot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sene Tachikawa

  • Private Detective DOBU 6: The Origami Murder Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Hometown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Private Detective DOBU 5: The Pinwheel Murder Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Sen

  • Amagi Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Ryosaku's wife

  • Private Detective DOBU 4: The Mysterious Kite Murders Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Sen

  • Highschool Scramble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Private Detective DOBU 3: The Exile Island Murder Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sen

  • Private Detective DOBU 2: The Kyoto Murder Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sen

  • I Are You, You Am Me(1982)

    as Naoko Saitoh

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Karate Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sumi Yashiro

  • The Wild Daisy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Omasu

  • Yumechiyo Nikki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Return of the Champ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Tomoe

  • Private Detective DOBU 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Sen

  • The First Catch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Nurse's Husband (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Zigeunerweisen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Kimi

  • Heaven Sent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Down with The Big Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Okonomiyaki Manager

  • Taro the Dragon Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Yamanba (voice)

  • Prime Minister of Yuhigaoka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • Truck Rascals: Another Odyssey of Momojiro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Crocodile, Parrot and Fur Seal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Mary

  • Ballad of Orin(1977)

    as Tama Ichise

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Female Teacher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Yuriko Yokoyama

  • Tomorrow Evening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kimagure Honkakuha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 38 episodes · as Ijuuin Ayano

  • Sachiko no sachi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Momoe

  • The Sea of Eden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • The Viper Brothers and the Young General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Without Complaint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Haruko Kitani

  • Statue in Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • The Four Roughnecks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Jack and the Beanstalk(1974)

    as Madam Noir

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Akumyo: Notorious Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Red Paper Lantern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Terauchi Kantarō Ikka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Voiceless Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Maid

  • Go As Messy As Messy Can Be (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as PTA Mama

  • Ōedo Sōsamō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Live My Share, Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Nurse Okamura

  • 時間ですよ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 35 episodes · as 児島（石松）浜子 · as 児島浜子

  • Tora-san, His Tender Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as 信州女佣

  • Crazy Big Explosion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Angel's Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Amadera maruhi monogatari(1968)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Chiegi

  • Koto—The Lake of Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Kayo Sugumo

  • Dynamite Doctor Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Fumiko (as Chiho Yûki)

  • 3 Raccoon Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Midori

  • Dianas of the Campus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Zoku Yumechiyo Nikki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 5 episodes · as Kikun

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 141 titles, 140 of them dated from 1966 to 2025; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

$149M worldwide

Highest rated

Still Walking (2008)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Shoplifters (2018)

Film career

19662025

Peak 2015 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1974Screen debut· Jack and the Beanstalk
  • 2015First top-billed film· Sweet Bean
  • 2015Career best· Sweet Bean

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting141 of 141: 141 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score90th

By decade

1960s8 · acting1970s27 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s25 · acting2000s24 · acting2010s26 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 6% of 18 roles
740414

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kirin Kiki's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 90th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 91st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 20 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 20 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Amadera maruhi monogatari (1968)

68th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Still Walking (2008)

Midcredits 99th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 82/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 54. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Kirin Kiki's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 6 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 5 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 5 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Kirin Kiki work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kirin Kiki's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hirokazu Koreeda shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers