Shinobu Otake
Known for
Shinobu Otake, born in Tokyo's Edogawa ward in 1957, is one of the most acclaimed Japanese actresses of her generation, respected in both film and theatre. She won early recognition in Kinji Fukasaku's Fall Guy (1982), a landmark of Japanese cinema in the 1980s. She returned to prominence with an award-winning performance in Villon's Wife (2009). Across five decades she has combined big-screen work with a distinguished stage career and constant television presence.
Shinobu Otake
51 Movies
13 Series
Shinobu Otake, born in Tokyo's Edogawa ward in 1957, is one of the most acclaimed Japanese actresses of her generation, respected in both film and theatre. She won early recognition in Kinji Fukasaku's Fall Guy (1982), a landmark of Japanese cinema in the 1980s. She returned to prominence with an award-winning performance in Villon's Wife (2009). Across five decades she has combined big-screen work with a distinguished stage career and constant television presence.
Movies
Plays Aiko (voice)
The Boy and the Heron
2023
Plays Homily (voice)
The Secret World of Arrietty
2010
Plays Mrs. Kurokawa (voice)
The Wind Rises
2013
Plays Miyako Sasaki
Our Little Sister
2015
Plays Great-Aunt Charlotte (voice)
Mary and The Witch's Flower
2017
Plays Noriko Kinugasa
Hell Dogs
2022
Plays Miyoko Asano
The Empty Table
1985
Plays Shizue Sato
Railroad Man
1999
Plays Mother
Ritual
2000
Plays Nikuko-chan (voice)
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
2021
Plays Yumi
Owl
2003
Plays Michiko
GO
2001
Plays Yodo-dono
Sanada 10 Braves
2016
Plays Ayumi Kato
A Night in Nude: Salvation
2010
Plays Sachiko Komoda
The Black House
1999
Plays Policewoman
The Demon
1978
Plays Hiroshi's Mother
Pieta in the Toilet
2015
Plays Kiwa-san (voice)
The House of the Lost on the Cape
2021
Plays Tokuko
Will to Live
1999
Plays Yasuko Akashi
Otakus in Love
2004
Plays Orin
Nomitori Samurai
2018
Plays Yoshiko Sakai
The Incident
1978
Plays Mayumi
Mahjong Horoki
1984
Plays Sayoko Takeuchi
Black Widow Business
2016
Plays Anja (voice)
Twelve Months
1980
Plays Sayuri
Gonin 2
1996
Plays Couple
Round About Midnight
1999
Plays Sachiko Yamada
Before the Vigil
2013
Plays Akemi Nakazato
Leaving on the 15th Spring
2013
Plays Tsunako Mitamura - First Daughter
Like Asura
2003
Plays Nishino
Welcome to the Quiet Room
2007
Plays Naomi Ito
Rex: A Dinosaur's Story
1993
Plays Nami Tsuchiya
Original Sin
1992
Plays Tagiri
Oh, My Son!
1979
Plays Yoko Morii
Here Comes the Bride, My Mom!
2010
Plays Sachiko
Tora-san Plays Cupid
1977
Plays Saori's mom
My Darling Is a Foreigner
2010
Plays Tomoko Morikawa
Postcard
2010
Plays Sawako Kojima
A Class to Remember III: The New Voyage
1998
Plays Hiroko
Beyond the Shining Sea
1986
Plays Mikiko Kitahara
Returning the Favor
2006
Plays Setsuko
A Tale of Young Elopement
1987
TV Shows
Plays 松宮知子
Mizuiro no toki
1975
Plays 吉岡（麻生）滝乃
Audrey
2000
Plays 池部几江
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story
2019
Plays 神崎桃子
Danjoshchinin Akimonogatari
1987
Plays Nagumo Akane
Where Does the Sea Begin
2024
Plays Rie Hirose
You Gotta Be Kidding Me!
2007
Plays Minami Shikota
PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
2022
Plays Wakui Megumi
Affectionate Time
2005
Plays Kyoko Nomoto
Still, Life Goes On
2011
Plays Hyuga Reiko
I'm Sorry, I Love You
2017
Plays Tsuno Kyouko
Dear Woman
1996
Plays Matsuko Inugami
The Inugami Family
2023
Plays Mako Tsuzuki
Semi-double
1999
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Boy and the Heron
Full Filmography
Where Does the Sea Begin
Nagumo Akane · 12 episodes
2024–
TV
Who Were We?
Kii
2024
Film
The Inugami Family
Matsuko Inugami · 2 episodes
2023
TV
The Boy and the Heron
Aiko (voice)
2023
Film
PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Minami Shikota · 11 episodes
2022–
TV
Hell Dogs
Noriko Kinugasa
2022
Film
The House of the Lost on the Cape
Kiwa-san (voice)
2021
Film
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
Nikuko-chan (voice)
2021
Film
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story
池部几江 · 47 episodes
2019–
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Shinobu Otake and where are they from?
Shinobu Otake is 69 years old, born on July 17, 1957 in Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan.
What are the most famous roles of Shinobu Otake?
Shinobu Otake is best known for roles in The Wind Rises, The Secret World of Arrietty, The Boy and the Heron.
How many movies has Shinobu Otake been in?
Over a 51-year career (since 1975), Shinobu Otake has appeared in 51 movies and 13 TV shows.
What was Shinobu Otake's first movie?
The career of Shinobu Otake began with The Gate of Youth (1975).
What is Shinobu Otake's most recent movie or series?
Shinobu Otake's most recent release is リア王, which premiered on October 9, 2025.
What TV shows has Shinobu Otake appeared in?
On television, Shinobu Otake has appeared in Still, Life Goes On, Where Does the Sea Begin, Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story, Affectionate Time.
Shinobu Otake
1957-07-17 · Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
Shinobu Otake (大竹 しのぶ, Ōtake Shinobu, born July 17, 1957) is a Japanese actress. She has won three Japanese Academy Awards: the 2000 Best Actress award for Poppoya, and the 1979 awards for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.