Takehiro Hira to Receive Trailblazer Award at Tokyo Film Festival

Takehiro Hira, the acclaimed Japanese actor known for his roles in the FX series Shogun and the drama Rental Family, will be honored with The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at the forthcoming 38th Tokyo International Film Festival. This prestigious award will be presented during an “American Film Night” celebration on October 28, 2023, at the Roppongi Hills Club in Tokyo, gathering prominent figures from both the U.S. and Japanese film industries.

Hira, who has garnered both BAFTA and Emmy nominations, is only the second Japanese artist to receive this accolade, following Tadanobu Asano, who received the award at last year’s festival. The Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals whose work pushes boundaries and enriches representation in global cinema.

A Rising Star in Global Cinema

Takehiro Hira achieved international recognition for his compelling portrayal of the ambitious warlord Ishido Kazunari in Shogun, where he starred alongside Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Following this success, Hira will feature in Rental Family, directed by Hikari and co-starring Brendan Fraser. This film, which premiered to positive reviews in Toronto, will receive its own gala screening at the Tokyo festival.

In addition to his recent projects, Hira has completed filming for Lionsgate’s Karoshi, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Teo Yoo. Last year, he also participated in Guy Maddin’s Rumours, featuring Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.

A Diverse and Acclaimed Career

Over the past two decades, Hira has cultivated a diverse career that spans Hollywood, Europe, and Asia. He first gained significant attention in the Netflix/BBC series Giri/Haji (2020), where he portrayed detective Kenzo Mori and received a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his performance. Hira is set to reprise his role as Hiroshi Randa in the upcoming second season of Apple TV+’s action series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

His extensive filmography includes notable Japanese films such as Masato Harada’s Criminal on the Prosecutor’s Side, Takashi Miike’s Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai, and Yasuo Mikami’s Bushido, along with high-profile Western productions like Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo, Robert Schwentke’s Snake Eyes, and Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World.

The Tokyo International Film Festival, Japan’s premier celebration of cinema, will commence in the Ginza district next week, with the MPA and THR’s award ceremony being a highlight of the event. On October 29, the MPA will host its annual policy program, focusing on enhancing Japan’s production ecosystem, featuring guest speakers such as producers Schuyler Weiss (Elvis), Eriko Miyagawa (Shogun), and Obb Siricharoenji (Alien: Earth).

This session will be moderated by Patrick Brzeski, THR’s Asia bureau chief. Additionally, on October 31, Schuyler Weiss will conduct a masterclass at TIFFCOM, offering insights into the film industry.