Takashi Miike is a highly prolific and controversial Japanese filmmaker. He has directed over seventy theatrical, video, and television productions since his debut in 1991. In the years 2001 and 2002 alone, Miike is credited with directing fifteen productions. His films range from violent and bizarre to dramatic and family-friendly.
Despite his notorious reputation, Miike has also directed movies in a range of genres. He has created lighthearted children’s films (Zebraman and The Great Yokai War), period pieces (Sabu), subdued pictures such as the road movie The Bird People in China, a teen drama (Andoromedeia), a farcical musical-comedy-horror in The Happiness of the Katakuris, and even a video game adaptation in Ace Attorney. Other less controversial works include Ley Lines and Agitator, which are character-driven crime dramas.
While Miike often creates films that are less accessible and target arthouse audiences and fans of extreme cinema he has created several mainstream and commercial titles such as One Missed Call and The Great Yokai War.
