
Joe Odagiri
Biography
Jō Odagiri (小田切 譲 Odagiri Jō, born February 16, 1976), better known by his stage name Joe Odagiri (オダギリ ジョー Odagiri Jō), is a Japanese actor and musician. South China Morning Post described him as "a rebel, something made evident by his grungy, gothic style"
Odagiri Joe was born in Tsuyama, Okayama prefecture, a small town in central Japan renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Though he was accepted by Kochi University, he turned it down for an opportunity to study in the United States. He had originally intended to study movie directing at California State University in Fresno, but mistakes in the application process landed him in acting classes. It may have been a blessing in disguise, for two years after studying in Fresno and later starring in a few stage performances in Japan, Odagiri would find himself catapulted to fame in his role in the Kamen Rider series, playing the central character of Kamen Rider Kuuga, Yusuke Godai. He became the predecessor of the "Ikemen Hero" craze (literally, "good-looking actors playing hero roles in popular TV series").
Since then, Odagiri has appeared in many movies and dramas. He won the Best New Actor Award at the 2003 Japan Academy Awards for his role as the uniquely bisexual nemesis in the film "Azumi", and in the following year, was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award for his electrifying performance in internationally acclaimed director Kitano Takeshi's 2004 film, "Blood and Bones". Odagiri's creative acting skills and strong presence in films have secured him a place in stardom. He is slated to appear in numerous more films in 2005, including "Maison de Himiko", where he portrays a homosexual man in a relationship with the protagonist (played by Shibasaki Kou's father).
Acting (80 movies)

A Life Turned Upside Down: My Dad's an Alcoholic
2020

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
2005

Mushi-Shi: The Movie
2007

Blood and Bones
2004

In the Pool
2005

Dream
2008

Air Doll
2009

Bright Future
2003

Plastic City
2009

Tokyo Towers: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad
2007

Adrift in Tokyo
2007

Yoko
2023

Princess Raccoon
2005

Sway
2006

Retribution
2007

Platonic Sex
2001

Then Summer Came
2008

I Wish
2011

Scrap Heaven
2005

Making of Hazard
2005

House of Himiko
2005

Suite Dreams
2006

Real
2013

Aging Police / Resurrection Special
2019

The Great Passage
2013

A School Behind Bars
2010

The Pavillion Salamandre
2006

The Moon
2023

What to Do With the Dead Kaiju?
2022

The World of Kanako
2014

All Because of Me
2022

The Warrior and the Wolf
2009

My Way
2011

Shigure's Choice
2022

Hazard
2005

Kamen Rider Kuuga: Good Job
2001

Mr. Go
2013

Black Kiss
2004

Azumi
2003

Out of This World
2004

Pacchigi!
2005

Into a Dream
2005

Big River
2006

Sad Vacation
2007

Poongsan
2011

The Human Trust
2013

Present for You
2013

Midnight Diner
2014

Foujita
2015

Gassoh
2015

SOUL RED Yusaku Matsuda
2009

Ambivalent Future: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
2003

90 Years Old – So What?
2024

S: The Last Policeman: Recovery of Our Future
2015

Her Love Boils Bathwater
2016

Airport 2013
2014

Over the Fence
2016

Midnight Diner 2
2016

Ernesto
2017

The White Girl
2017

Prayer Beads
2004

Human, Space, Time and Human
2018

Pumpkin and Mayonnaise
2017

Saturday Fiction
2021

Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers
2005

Room Laundering
2018

Kamen Rider Kuuga: Special Edition
2001

Kamen Rider Kuuga: New Year's Dream
2001

Kamen Rider Kuuga Super Secret Video: Kuuga vs. the Strong Monster Go-Jiino-Da
2000

Modest Heroes
2018

The Asian Angel
2021

We Made a Beautiful Bouquet
2021

A Madder Red
2021

Namonaihi: A Day with No Name
2021

Gosh!!
2025

The Solitary Gourmet
2025

On Summer Sand
2025

Super Kuuga Exhibition EXTRA EPISODE Revisited
2025

Bring Him Down to a Portable Size
2025

mopim
2025
Directing (3 movies)
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| They Say Nothing Stays the Same | 2019 | Screenplay |
| Gosh!! | 2025 | Screenplay |
