Hana Kino

Hana Kino, born January 8, 1948, out in Sendai—yeah, way up in Miyagi Prefecture—she’s been around the block, acting-wise. She’s one of those faces you might not recognize right away, but if you’ve watched enough Japanese TV or film, you’ve definitely seen her. She popped up in “Enjin Sentai Go-onger” back in 2008, which, let’s be real, if you’re at all into Super Sentai or Power Rangers-type shows, you know how big that is in Japan. It’s got action, wild costumes, and honestly, a cult following that just won’t quit. Then there’s “Soshite Chichi ni Naru” from 2013—English title’s “Like Father, Like Son.” That one’s a real gut-punch of a drama. It’s all about two families finding out their sons were switched at birth, and the fallout just kind of wrecks everyone involved. Kino’s role isn’t right in your face, but she’s there, adding this quiet depth and emotional weight. She’s got that presence, you know? Doesn’t need to shout to be heard. In “Itoshi no Irene” from 2018, things get even weirder and more offbeat. That film’s got this quirky, almost uncomfortable energy—blending dark humor with family dysfunction and love that’s just… not simple at all. Again, Kino slips into the story, making these odd worlds feel real. She’s not some flash-in-the-pan starlet. She’s the backbone, the type who just makes every scene feel lived-in, no matter what genre she’s tackling. That’s Hana Kino for you.