Quick Facts
Biography
Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku, born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, and stuntman. He is best known for his role in Ryuhei Kitamura's cult film, Versus. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple Hideo Sakaki. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a talented martial artist, and most often appears in films featuring copious fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is purportedly skilled in Bajiquan, Shorinji Kempo, boxing, and kick boxing.
Biography
Before entering into the film industry, Sakaguchi was an underground street fighter who was well known for his skill in the martial arts. He was discovered by then-unknown director Ryuhei Kitamura, who recruited Sakaguchi for a lead role in Versus. Since then, Sakaguchi has appeared in several films directed by Kitamura, including the Azumi films, Kitamura's short in the Jam Films titled The Messenger, and minor roles in Aragami and Alive. He played a larger role in the quirky, yet successful Battlefield Baseball (produced by Kitamura and directed by Yudai Yamaguchi).
2006 saw Sakaguchi in more mainstream roles, such as Yashamaru in Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, and "Grave" in Death Trance. He also guest-starred in the Japanese tokusatsu show, Kamen Rider Kabuto, as the villain Reiji Nogi/Cassisworm. In 2008, Sakaguchi made his directorial debut with Sakigake!! Otokojuku (a.k.a. "Samurai School"), in which he also starred, wrote the screenplay, and choreographed the action sequences. He made a cameo appearance in Yoshihiro Nishimura's 2008 exploitation film, Tokyo Gore Police, as well as directed/starred in Yoroi: Samurai Zombie, based on a story by Ryuhei Kitamura.
In 2011, Sakaguchi reprised his role as Yakyû Jubei in Deadball, a reimagining of Battlefield Baseball, and also co-directed/starred in Yakuza Weapon, based on the manga Gokudō Heiki. In 2013, Sakaguchi announced his retirement from acting to focus on work behind the camera. Despite this, he is expected to reprise his role as KSC2-303 in Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus 2, and has stated that he is currently working on a sequel to Death Trance.
Personal life
In 2013, rumors began circulating the internet that Sakaguchi was in a relationship with actress / producer Maya Fukuzawa, whom he purportedly met on the set of Mutant Girls Squad, and that the couple would be married in November of that year. These rumors were subsequently denied by Sakaguchi.
Filmography
Actor
- Versus (2000) – Prisoner KSC2-303
- Alive (2002) – Zeros
- Battlefield Baseball (2003) – Yakyû Jubei
- The Messenger (2003, Jam Films segment) – Man
- Aragami (2003) – Future Challenger
- Azumi (2003) – Sanzo Sajiki
- Godzilla: Final Wars (2004 – X-Seijin)
- Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005) – Tsuchigumo
- Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005) – Yashamaru
- Cromartie High - The Movie (2005) – Ichiro Yamamoto
- Death Trance (2006) Grave
- Yo-Yo Girl Cop (2006) – Enola Gay gang member
- The Red Army (2007, directed by Kōji Wakamatsu) – Takaya Shiomi
- Sakigake!! Otokojuku (2008) – Momotaro Tsurugi
- Tokyo Gore Police (2008) – (cameo)
- Elite Yankee Saburo The Movie (2009) – Hammerhead Boss
- Mutant Girls Squad (2010) – Kisaragi
- Deadball (2011) – Yakyû Jubei
- Yakuza Weapon (2011)
- Deadball (2011) – Yakyû Jubeh
- Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013) – Sasaki
- Snake of Violence (2013) – Juro
- Re:Born (2016)
Director
- Sakigake!! Otokojuku (2008)
- Yoroi: Samurai Zombie (2008)
- Mutant Girls Squad (First segment) (2010)
Writer
- Sakigake!! Otokojuku (2008) (screenplay)
Fight choreographer
- Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
- Death Trance (2006)
- Akihabara@DEEP (2006)
- Sakigake!! Otokojuku (2008)
TV drama
- Be-Bop High School Series (2005-2005) – Toshimitsu Yamada (fight director)
- Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006) – Reiji Nogi/Cassis Worm
