Japanese actor Tetsuya Watari (Tokyo Drifter, Graveyard of Honor, Yakuza game series) has passed away

[Aurica]

News source: Yahoo (Japanese)
He died of pneumonia on August 10th, but it was just made public today.

He was a pretty popular choice for directors doing yakuza films in the 60s/70s, like Kinji Fukasaku and Toshio Masuda. You can take a look at more of his roles here:

Films starring Tetsuya Watari

Films starring Tetsuya Watari

letterboxd.com

He'd be most well known here likely for his role as Shintaro Kazama.

 

[Futabaisthebest<3]

I just played Yakuza 0 last year and I always fascinated by this man relation with Kiriyu (protagonist) in some scenes and it was incredibly entertained. RIP Tetsuya-san.

 

[Theswweet]

"Pneumonia"? Did he have COVID?

 

[StrangeRoboMemory]

LEGENDARY dude. RIP.

 

[Volimar]

"Pneumonia"? Did he have COVID?

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When you're 78, pneumonia can do you in on its own.

Edit: But further reading says he suffered a myocardial infarction a few years back and has battled respiratory infections since.

 

[mojo]

Me and my SO said "RIP to a legend" at the same time 😥

 

[Ruruja]

Damn, I watched Tokyo Drifter very recently, he was great in that. Didn't know he was Kamaza in Yakuza too.

RIP.

 

[Deleted member 21709]

RIP

"Pneumonia"? Did he have COVID?

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I find it so disrespectful when they call it pneumonia.

 

[FnordChan]

Watari starred in two of Kinji Fukasaku's best yakuza films, Graveyard of Honor (1975) and Yakuza Graveyard (1976):

Both of those films are incredible and absolutely worth seeking out, along with any of Watari's other yakuza roles, such as Tokyo Drifter and Outlaw Gangster VIP. All four of the titles I named have had English friendly releases, with Arrow due to release a new Blu-ray edition of Graveyard of Honor (along with the amazing Takahashi Miike remake) any day now.

Then, heading to the other side of the law, Watari played a two-fisted, tough as nails cop on the Seibu Keisatsu series from 1979-1984:



And, if that wasn't enough, here's Watari delivering the heartfelt ballad "Kuchinashi no Hana":



Farewell to an absolute legend.

 

[Aurica]

Watari starred in two of Kinji Fukasaku's best yakuza films, Graveyard of Honor (1975) and Yakuza Graveyard (1976):

Both of those films are incredible and absolutely worth seeking out, along with any of Watari's other yakuza roles, such as Tokyo Drifter and Outlaw Gangster VIP. All four of the titles I named have had English friendly releases, with Arrow due to release a new Blu-ray edition of Graveyard of Honor (along with the amazing Takahashi Miike remake) any day now.

Then, heading to the other side of the law, Watari played a two-fisted, tough as nails cop on the Seibu Keisatsu series from 1979-1984:



And, if that wasn't enough, here's Watari delivering the heartfelt ballad "Kuchinashi no Hana":



Farewell to an absolute legend.

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I considered mentioning his music, too. Thank you for the post :)

 

[FnordChan]

I considered mentioning his music, too. Thank you for the post :)

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I had no idea until I started reading up on Watari's career that he was also famous as a singer in addition to his film roles! I was surprised to see just how extensive discography was.

Thank you for sharing the news of his passing and giving us a chance to celebrate a legendary career!

 

[Deleted member 10629]

RIP Patriarch Kazama :(