Tak Sakaguchi(坂口 拓,Sakaguchi Taku, born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, and stuntman. He is best known for his role in Ryuhei Kitamura's cult film, Versus. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple Hideo Sakaki. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a talented martial artist, and most often appears in films featuring copious fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is purportedly skilled in Bajiquan, Shorinji Kempo, boxing, and kick boxing.
Japanese actor director tak sakaguchi singing a popular japanese song at terracotta cafe in london
Biography
Before entering into the film industry, Sakaguchi was an underground street fighter who was well known for his skill in the martial arts. He was discovered by then-unknown director Ryuhei Kitamura, who recruited Sakaguchi for a lead role in Versus. Since then, Sakaguchi has appeared in several films directed by Kitamura, including the Azumi films, Kitamura's short in the Jam Films titled The Messenger, and minor roles in Aragami and Alive. He played a larger role in the quirky, yet successful Battlefield Baseball (produced by Kitamura and directed by Yudai Yamaguchi).
2006 saw Sakaguchi in more mainstream roles, such as Yashamaru in Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, and "Grave" in Death Trance. He also guest-starred in the Japanese tokusatsu show, Kamen Rider Kabuto, as the villain Reiji Nogi/Cassisworm. In 2008, Sakaguchi made his directorial debut with Sakigake!! Otokojuku (a.k.a. "Samurai School"), in which he also starred, wrote the screenplay, and choreographed the action sequences. He made a cameo appearance in Yoshihiro Nishimura's 2008 exploitation film, Tokyo Gore Police, as well as directed/starred in Yoroi: Samurai Zombie, based on a story by Ryuhei Kitamura.
In 2011, Sakaguchi reprised his role as Yakyû Jubei in Deadball, a reimagining of Battlefield Baseball, and also co-directed/starred in Yakuza Weapon, based on the manga Gokudō Heiki. In 2013, Sakaguchi announced his retirement from acting to focus on work behind the camera. Despite this, he is expected to reprise his role as KSC2-303 in Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus 2, and has stated that he is currently working on a sequel to Death Trance.
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Filmography
Actor
2023
One Percenter
2022
Bad City as
Han
2022
The Sealer (TV Series) as
Shin Godo
- Episode #1.9 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.8 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.7 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.6 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.5 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.4 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.3 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.2 (2022) - Shin Godo
- Episode #1.1 (2022) - Shin Godo
2021
Red Eyes (TV Series) as
Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.10 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.9 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.8 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.7 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.6 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
- Episode #1.5 (2021) - Katsuya Mayumi
2021
Prisoners of the Ghostland as
Yasujiro
2020
Shichinin no Hisho (TV Mini Series) as
Shunsuke Kuroki
- Episode #1.6 (2020) - Shunsuke Kuroki
- Episode #1.4 (2020) - Shunsuke Kuroki
- Episode #1.3 (2020) - Shunsuke Kuroki
- Episode #1.1 (2020) - Shunsuke Kuroki
2020
Grave of Love (Video)(as Tak)
2020
Ninja Jajamarukun
2020
Crazy Samurai Musashi as
Musashi Miyamoto
2020
Tokyo Dragon Chef (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2020
Osaka Girl as
Toshiro Kuroda
2019
Rise of the Machine Girls as
Tetsuya 'Justice' Matsukata
2019
Kingdom as
Zuo Ci
2018
Red Blade (as Tak)
2016
Re: Born as
Toshiro Kuroda (as Tak)
2016
Max the Movie (Short) as
Sakaguchi (as Toshirô Takuma)
2016
Kamen Rider Battride War: Genesis (Video Game) as
Cassis Worm Dimidius / Clipeus (voice)
2013
Why Don't You Play in Hell? as
Sasaki
2013
Kamen Rider: Battride War (Video Game) as
Cassis Worm (voice)
2013
Snake of Violence as
Kenji
2012
Kenkichi as
Juro
2012
Clover (TV Series) as
Mido
- Episode #1.12 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.11 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.10 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.9 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.8 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.7 (2012) - Mido
- Episode #1.6 (2012) - Mido
2012
Takuzo Weapon (Video short) as
Shozo Iwaki
2011
Men's Egg Drummers
2011
Deadball as
Jûbei Yakyû (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2011
Gokudô heiki as
Shozo Iwaki
2010
A Yakuza's Daughter Never Cries as
Yakuza (as Taku Sakaguti)
2010
Mutant Girls Squad as
Kisaragi
2010
Soil (TV Series)(2010)
2009
Hijoshi zukan
2008
Yoroi: Samurai zonbi
2008
Tokyo Gore Police as
Koji Tanaka
2008
Sakigake!! Otokojuku as
Momotaro
2007
United Red Army as
Shiomi Takaya
2006
Kamen Rider Kabuto (TV Series) as
Reiji Nogi
- Saraba Tsurugi!! (2006) - Reiji Nogi
- Kurisumasu Gekishin (2006) - Reiji Nogi
- Ikiru to wa (2006) - Reiji Nogi
- Ore o Nerau Ore (2006) - Reiji Nogi
- Saikyo Tai Saikyo (2006) - Reiji Nogi
- Yabureru Saikyo (2006) - Reiji Nogi
2006
Yo-Yo Girl Cop as
Romeo's thug
2005
Death Trance as
Grave
2005
Tebana Sankichi: Snot Rocket & Super Detective
2005
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade as
Yashamaru
2005
Chromartie High - The Movie as
Ichiro Yamamoto (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2005
Azumi 2: Death or Love as
Tsuchigumo (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2004
Kaiki daikazoku (TV Series) as
Master Detective
- Escape! The Imawano Family and the Cursed Maze (2004) - Master Detective
2004
Godzilla: Final Wars as
Xilian
2004
Be-Bop High School (TV Movie) as
Toshimitsu Yamada
2003
Samurai (Short)
2003
The Messenger: Tomurai wa yoru no hate de (Short) as
The Bodyguard
2003
Battlefield Baseball as
Yakyû Jubei
2003
Azumi as
Sanzo Sajiki (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2003
Aragami as
The Future challenger
2002
Jam Films (segment "The Messenger - Requiem for the Dead")
2002
Alive as
Zeros
2001
One Piece (TV Series) as
Additional Voices
- Zekkai no Kotou! Densetsu no Lost Island (2001) - Additional Voices (English version, voice)
- Eric Shutsugeki! Gunkanjima kara no Daidasshutsu! (2001) - Additional Voices (English version, voice)
2000
Versus as
Prisoner KSC2-303
Miscellaneous
2020
Tokyo Dragon Chef (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2019
Rise of the Machine Girls (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2018
Red Blade (action director: opening - as Tak) / (action supervisor - as Toshirô Takuma) / (general director)
2017
Demekin (action director)
2017
Meatball Machine Kodoku (action supervisor - as Toshirô Takuma)
2015
Tag (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2015
Iron Grandma (TV Mini Series) (action director - 6 episodes)
- Episode #1.6 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
- Episode #1.5 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
- Episode #1.4 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
- Episode #1.3 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
- Episode #1.2 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
- Episode #1.1 (2015) - (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2014
Tokyo Tribe (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2014
The Ninja War of Torakage (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2014
Kiki's Delivery Service (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2010
Cold Fish (action choreographer - as Taku Sakaguchi)
2010
Mutant Girls Squad (action director)
2010
Utsukushiki mehyô: Body sniper (action choreographer - as Taku Sakaguchi)
2008
Saikyô heiki joshikôsei: Rika - zonbi hantâ vs saikyô zonbi Gurorian (action director - as Taku Sakaguchi)
2008
Sakigake!! Otokojuku (action director)
2005
Death Trance (action director)
2005
Meatball Machine (action director - as Taku Sakaguchi)
2004
Godzilla: Final Wars (action choreographer)
1997
Down to Hell (production assistant)
Stunts
2021
Prisoners of the Ghostland (action director - as Toshiro Takuma)
2016
Max the Movie (Short) (action director - as Toshirô Takuma)
2014
Tokyo Tribe (action director - as Toshiro Takuma)
2011
Themis (stunt coordinator)
2009
Kyûketsu Shôjo tai Shôjo Furanken (fight choreographer - as Taku Sakaguchi)
2008
Tokyo Gore Police (fight choreographer)
Director
2012
Kenkichi
2011
Gokudô heiki
2010
Mutant Girls Squad
2008
Yoroi: Samurai zonbi (as Taku Sakaguchi)
2008
Sakigake!! Otokojuku
Writer
2016
Re: Born (as Tak)
2012
Takuzo Weapon (Video short) (ideas)
2011
Gokudô heiki (screenplay)
2008
Sakigake!! Otokojuku (adaptation)
Producer
2023
One Percenter (producer)
2020
Crazy Samurai Musashi (co-producer)
Self
2014
Hôsô kinshi de naze warui: Making 'Tokyo Tribes' (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2011
Sushi Typhoon: Tokyo Invasion (Documentary short) as
Self
2004
Behind Versus Part 1: The Birth of the Dark Hero (Video documentary short) as
Self
2004
Behind Versus Part 2: Versus the Legend (Video documentary) as
Self
2004
Nervous Part 1: Versus Side Story (Video documentary short) as
Self
2004
Nervous Part 2: Versus Side Story (Video documentary short) as
Self
2004
The Making of 'Versus' (Video documentary short) as
