Sôhei Tanikawa

Sôhei Tanikawa’s filmography is kind of a wild ride, honestly. He’s got this knack for popping up in movies that don’t really fit together at first glance—like, you’ve got “Tonde Saitama” from 2019, which is this over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek comedy that absolutely roasts regional rivalries in Japan. It’s so self-aware and ridiculous, with characters wearing their hometown pride like battle armor. The whole thing is basically a parade of campy humor and exaggerated drama, and Tanikawa fits right in with the chaos. Then there’s “Love Exposure” from 2008, which is a total fever dream of a film. Four hours long, jam-packed with everything from martial arts to religious guilt to some truly bizarre romance, and it still manages to be hilarious and heartbreaking all at once. Tanikawa’s part isn’t front and center, but his vibe adds this extra layer of weirdness—like he’s perfectly at home in Sion Sono’s universe where nothing is ever really what it seems. Jump to “Prisoners of the Ghostland” in 2021, and you’re suddenly in this neon-drenched, post-apocalyptic fever swamp. Nicolas Cage is running around in a leather suit that’ll explode if he screws up, and the whole movie is just bonkers. Tanikawa brings this offbeat energy to his role, making the bizarre world feel just a little more grounded—if you can call anything in that movie grounded. Basically, Tanikawa’s film picks are anything but boring. He’s the kind of actor who shows up and makes you think, “Oh, this is about to get interesting.”