Kenji Tanigaki

Kenji Tanigaki
谷垣健治
Tanigaki in November 2018
Born
Tanigaki Kenji

(1970-10-13) 13 October 1970 (age 54)
Nara Prefecture, Japan
Alma materKwansei Gakuin University
Occupations
  • Action choreographer
  • Director
Years active1994–present

Kenji Tanigaki (谷垣 健治, Tanigaki Kenji, born 13 October 1970) is a Japanese action choreographer and film director best known for his works in Hong Kong action cinema and has expanded his career in Japanese cinema and Hollywood.

Inspired by Jackie Chan's action films, Tanigaki migrated to Hong Kong in 1993 and began his career in action choreography by collaborating with Donnie Yen in the ATV martial arts drama series Fist of Fury (1995). Since then, Tanigaki has participated in numerous Hong Kong action films, serving as a stunt coordinator in SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005), Flash Point (2007), Bodyguards and Assassins (2009), Raging Fire (2021), and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), and as an action director in See You Tomorrow (2016), Hidden Man (2018), and Sakra (2023). Tanigaki won a Golden Horse Award for Hidden Man and a Hong Kong Film Award for Raging Fire.

In addition to his work in Hong Kong, Tanigaki has developed careers in Japan and the United States. He had participated in the American film Blade II (2002), the Japanese films Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005), and Kamui Gaiden (2009). He gained international recognition for his work as the action director of Rurouni Kenshin (2012), and its sequels Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (both 2014), and Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021). Tanigaki's international action directing credits also include the Japanese film Shinjuku Swan II (2017) and the American film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021).

Early life and education

Tanigaki was born on 13 October 1970 in Nara Prefecture, Japan.[1] He had seizures at a young age and was physically weak, but Tanigaki considered that his childhood spent playing in the wild helped him develop a strong physique naturally.[1] When he was in primary school, he watched the Hong Kong action films Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Project A which starred Jackie Chan and became fond of Chan's action stunts and Chinese kung fu.[2][3] He joined a shorinji kempo coaching school and began martial arts training while in high school, winning in a prefectural tournament.[2][3] He went on a graduation trip to Hong Kong in his third year of high school,[2] and visited Chan's filmmaking company to witness the production of the action film Miracles, sparking his interest in joining the action film industry.[1][4] He returned to Japan to continue his studies at the School of Law and Politics, Kwansei Gakuin University and later graduated with a law degree.[5][6]: 0:14  Tanigaki joined a martial arts academy formed by Hong Kong-based Japanese choreographer Yasuaki Kurata to learn karate while studying in university in 1989.[3][7] During his time at the academy, he acted in films in Kyoto but did not find opportunities to utilize his martial arts skills, prompting him to seek acting roles in Hong Kong, which he considered "the center of kung fu and martial arts movies".[8] He moved to Hong Kong alone to pursue a career in filmmaking in 1993, starting off as a cast extra and volunteered in police identity parades.[4][9]

Career

Early ventures (1994-2001)

Tanigaki was initially rejected by most filmmaking companies when he first came to Hong Kong since he could not speak Cantonese.[10] He was approached by a talent scout in McDonald's, who offered him to play small parts on television.[10] In 1994, Tanigaki was invited to become a stunt actor by action choreographer Stephen Tung,[1][4] which included a minor role as an unnamed fighter knocked out by Chen Zhen (portrayed by Jet Li) in the martial arts film Fist of Legend,[11] and joined the Hong Kong Stuntman Association in June.[1][12] In 1995, ATV began production of the martial arts series Fist of Fury. Due to the extensive number of stunt actors required for the shoot, Donnie Yen, the lead actor of the series, sought to recruit every available stunt actor in Hong Kong and brought Tanigaki on board, where the two became acquainted on set.[2] Since then, Tanigaki became a recurring member of the Donnie Yen Stunt Team [zh] and appeared in several films starring Yen.[2][4] Tanigaki participated in the 1996 action film Once Upon a Time in Triad Society, a spin-off of the Young and Dangerous film series.[13] He also joined Yen's newly founded production company in the same year, serving as the stunt coordinator for the action films Legend of the Wolf and Ballistic Kiss, both directed by and starring Yen.[9]

In 1997, he received an invitation from an action director to work as a stunt coordinator in the American sci-fi film The Matrix in Los Angeles.[1] However, due to lead actor Keanu Reeves' injury and the subsequent rescheduling of filming, both the action director and Tanigaki had to withdraw from the project before Yuen Woo-ping substituted.[1] In 1998, Yen advised Tanigaki to return to Japan and pursue a parallel career in both Hong Kong and Japanese cinema due to limited opportunities for foreigners in Hong Kong.[9] Tanigaki followed the advice and coordinated the Hong Kong-Japanese co-produced romance film Moonlight Express.[9][1] In 1999, RTL Television in Germany produced the action series The Puma, with Yen serving as the action director and Tanigaki was brought on board as part of the crew.[1] While working on The Puma, RTL was also filming the mystery series SK Kölsch, which had an opening for a Japanese character. Tanigaki was invited to take up the acting role and was also given the position of action director, marking his action directorial debut.[1] In 2001, he joined his first Japanese-produced film project after receiving an invitation from Ichiese Taka, the producer of Moonlight Express, and served as a stunt actor in the horror film Gore from Outer Space.[1] He also took part in the Japanese action film The Princess Blade in the same year.[1][13]

Rising with Donnie Yen Stunt Team (2002-2011)

In 2002, Donnie Yen served as the action choreographer for the American superhero film Blade II, with Tanigaki once again joining the production as part of Donnie Yen Stunt Team.[14][15] He reprised his position as a stunt coordinator in Donnie Yen's 2003 comedy horror film The Twins Effect and 2005 action film SPL: Sha Po Lang.[1][16] Individually, Tanigaki took part in several V-Cinema and low-budget Japanese films, which he himself described as "forgettable" due to their lackluster or unknown nature.[1] In 2005, he assumed the role of action director in the Japanese drama film Always: Sunset on Third Street,[17] directed by Takashi Yamazaki, which won the Picture of the Year in the 29th Japan Academy Film Prize.[18] The following year, he made his directorial debut in Japan with the action film Legend of Seven Monks, featuring Sonny Chiba and Yasuaki Kurata in lead roles.[2][10]

In 2007, Tanigaki joined the production of the Hong Kong action film Flash Point, which was produced by and starred Yen.[19] Yen specifically selected a crew of stunt coordinators with martial arts backgrounds, including Yan Hua [ja], Yuji Shimomura [ja], John Salvitti, and Tanigaki.[20] He once again served as an action director in the Japanese action film Kung Fu Kid [ja] and horror film The Chasing Worlds [ja].[21][22] In 2009, Tanigaki participated in the Hong Kong historical action film Bodyguards and Assassins and the Hong Kong action thriller film Shinjuku Incident.[23] He also worked on the Japanese action film Kamui Gaiden adapted from the manga series of the same title,[24] which he described as his first large-scale Japanese project.[1] Mark Schilling of The Japan Times complimented the fight sequences choreographed by Tanigaki,[24] and while Andrew Skeates of Far East Films criticised the film's plot and CGI, he pointed out that the action scenes are "fluid and well-staged" with climax.[25] From 2010 to 2011, Tanigaki was involved in the Hong Kong martial art film Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, a sequel to the television series Fist of Fury,[10] as well as action films The Lost Bladesman and Wu Xia, all of which starred Yen.[23][26]

Breakthrough with Rurouni Kenshin (2012-2019)

In 2012, Tanigaki served as the action director of the Japanese jidaigeki action film Rurouni Kenshin, based on the manga of the same title.[27] Keishi Ōtomo, the film's director, was impressed by Tanigaki's stunt coordination work in Legend of the Wolf and handpicked him to join the project.[2] Maggie Lee of Variety described the action scenes as "expertly handled" and choreographed in a "balletic, kinetic style characteristic of Hong Kong action films", owing to Tanigaki's experience in the Hong Kong action cinema,[28] while Cinema Today [ja] commended the action sequences as being of the highest quality in Japanese cinema.[27] Tanigaki also won Best Stunt Coordinator in the 1st Japan Action Awards [ja] for his work.[29] South China Morning Post described Rurouni Kenshin as Tanigaki's most popular project,[10] and Tanigaki himself acknowledged that the film generated the most response among all his projects.[1][7] Tanigaki later returned as the action director for the 2014 back-to-back sequels Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends,[30] which earned him Best Action Director in the 3rd Japan Action Awards.[31]

From 2012 to 2014, Tanigaki served as an action director in Donnie Yen's action films Special ID and The Monkey King,[32][33] as well as the Japanese television series SIII [ja] and historical drama series Miyamoto Musashi [ja].[34][2] In 2015, he participated in the Chinese action thriller film The Vanished Murderer,[35] and choreographed the music video for Japanese girl group AKB48's single "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai".[36]: 101  In 2016, Tanigaki served as the action director for the Chinese-Hong Kong romance films Finding Mr. Right 2 and See You Tomorrow.[37][38] He continued in the same role for the Japanese crime comedy film Shinjuku Swan II and the Chinese crime film The Liquidator in the following year.[39][40] In 2018, Tanigaki took on the role of action director for the Chinese-Hong Kong fantasy adventure film Monster Hunter 2 and the Chinese action comedy film Hidden Man.[41][42] Both films garnered nominations for Best Action Choreography in the 55th Golden Horse Awards and Tanigaki emerged as the winner with Hidden Man.[43][44] Tanigaki collaborated with Yen as the action director for the action drama film Big Brother later in the same year.[45]

Broadening opportunities (2020-present)

In 2020, Tanigaki co-directed the action comedy film Enter the Fat Dragon with Wong Jing, which starred Donnie Yen, alongside Niki Chow and Teresa Mo.[46] Isaac Chambers of Far East Films praised the action scenes but criticised the plot and jokes calling them clichéd and lame,[47] while Edmund Lee of South China Morning Post described the film as a Frankenstein monster that combines elements from classic Hong Kong movies.[48] In 2021, Tanigaki once again assumed the role of action director for the action film Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, the fourth installment of the Rurouni Kenshin film series.[49] Alex Rallo of Polygon acknowledged Tanigaki for bringing his "A-game to the Rurouni Kenshin saga" and delivering new cinematic kinetics that utilised camera movements to enhance the choreography.[15] Mark Schilling of The Japan Times commended the film's battle sequences and referred to Tanigaki as the person who "brings panache and impact to these scenes that lift them above the Japanese action norm".[50]

Tanigaki assumed the roles as action director, stunt coordinator and second unit director in the 2021 American superhero film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.[51][52] He was recommended to the film's producers by American director Chad Stahelski, who kept in contact with him after they met during a trip to Japan.[7] Initially joining the crew as the stunt coordinator, Stahelski proposed that he also serve as the second unit director.[7] Scott Mendelson of Forbes praised the action scenes as "hugely impressive staging, courtesy of Kenji Tanigaki",[53] and Susan Hornick of South China Morning Post credited Tanigaki for the "truly stellar" sword choreography.[54] The same year, Tanigaki choreographed for the Hong Kong action film Raging Fire,[55] which earned him Best Action Choreography in the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards.[56] Matthew Monagle of The Austin Chronicle praised Tanigaki's fight coordination as "top-tier violence", particularly highlighting a church brawl sequence and calling it the best seen in a movie that year.[57]

Tanigaki collaborated once again with Donnie Yen in the 2022 action drama film Big Rescue [zh] and the 2023 martial arts film Sakra as the action director.[58][59] The latter earned Tanigaki a nomination for Best Action Choreography in the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards.[60] Tanigaki took on the role as stunt coordinator in the 2024 martial arts film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.[61] Keith Ho, writing for HK01, noted Tanigaki's effort in choreographing with considerations of the different sets within the Kowloon Walled City, describing it as "the best Hong Kong close combat film in recent years",[62] while Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com called the action "thrilling" and credited Tanigaki with elevating the action to a larger scale.[63] The film also became the most-watched Hong Kong domestic film, with a record of over 1.5 million viewers.[64] Tanigaki also served as the action director in the action thriller film The Prosecutor, which Yen directed, produced, co-choreographed and starred in, released in the same year.[65] He is set to direct the upcoming action thriller film The Furious, a Hong Kong-funded English-language project set in Thailand.[66]

Personal life

Tanigaki got married in the late 1990s and held his wedding in Japan.[67]: 110  As of 2020, he has resided in Hong Kong for 26 years.[4][68] He has learnt to speak Cantonese fluently over the years and has a basic proficiency in Mandarin.[4][69]

Filmography

As director

Year Title Notes
2006 Legend of Seven Monks [10]
2020 Enter the Fat Dragon [46]
TBA The Furious † [66]

As action choreographer

Year Title Stunt coordinator Action director Notes
1996 Once Upon a Time in Triad Society Yes No [13]
1997 Legend of the Wolf Yes No [9]
1998 Ballistic Kiss Yes No [9]
1999 Moonlight Express Yes No [1]
The Puma Yes No Television series[1]
SK Kölsch No Yes Television series[1]
2001 The Princess Blade Yes No [1]
2002 Blade II Yes No [14]
2003 The Twins Effect Yes No [1]
2005 SPL: Sha Po Lang Yes No [16]
Always: Sunset on Third Street No Yes [17]
2007 Flash Point Yes No [19]
Kung Fu Kid [ja] No Yes [21]
2008 The Chasing Worlds [ja] No Yes [22]
2009 Bodyguards and Assassins Yes No [23]
Kamui Gaiden No Yes [24]
Shinjuku Incident Yes No [23]
2010 Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen Yes No [70]
2011 The Lost Bladesman Yes No [23]
Wu Xia Yes No [26]
2012 Rurouni Kenshin No Yes [27]
SIII [ja] No Yes Television series[34]
2013 Special ID Yes No [32]
2014 The Monkey King Yes No [33]
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno No Yes [30]
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends No Yes [30]
Miyamoto Musashi [ja] No Yes Television series[2]
2015 The Vanished Murderer No Yes [35]: 122 
2016 Finding Mr. Right 2 No Yes [37]
See You Tomorrow No Yes [38]
2017 Shinjuku Swan II No Yes [39][71]
The Liquidator No Yes [40]
2018 Monster Hunt 2 No Yes [41]
Hidden Man No Yes [42]
Big Brother No Yes [45]
2021 Rurouni Kenshin: The Final No Yes [49]
Raging Fire Yes No [55]
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Yes Yes Also as second unit director[51][52]
2022 Big Rescue [zh] No Yes [58]
2023 Sakra No Yes [59]
2024 Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In Yes No [61]
The Prosecutor No Yes [65]

Acting credits

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Fist of Legend Japanese fighter [11]
1999 SK Kölsch Miroto [1]
2005 SPL: Sha Po Lang Wong Po's bodyguard [11]
2006 Fatal Contact Underground boxer Uncredited[11]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2013 1st Japan Action Awards Best Stunt Coordinator Rurouni Kenshin Won [29]
2015 3rd Japan Action Awards Best Action Director Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno/
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends 		Won [31]
2018 55th Golden Horse Awards Best Action Choreography Hidden Man Won [43]
Monster Hunt 2 Nominated [44]
2019 2019 Taurus World Stunt Awards Best Action in a Foreign Film Big Brother Nominated [72]
2022 2022 Taurus World Stunt Awards Raging Fire Won [73]
40th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Action Choreography Won [56]
2024 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards Sakra Nominated [60]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v 浅見みなほ (31 December 2020). "アクション監督：谷垣健治（前編）「香港映画の現場を見て『この中にいたい』と思った」" [Action director: Kenji Tanigaki (Part 1): "Seeing the Hong Kong film production on set made me think, 'I want to be a part of this.'"]. Natalie (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 李嘉譽 (1 March 2020). "【浪客劍心】武指谷垣健治：倉田保昭的弟子 甄子丹指定班底成員" [[Rurouni Kenshin] Action director Kenji Tanigaki: Student of Yasuaki Kurata, recurring member of the Donnie Yen Stunt Team.]. HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "谷垣健治 ３０年前、ジャッキー・チェンに「日本へ帰れ」と言われた青年が…公開中「燃えよデブゴン／ＴＯＫＹＯ ＭＩＳＳＩＯＮ」で初メガホン" [3. Kenji Tanigaki [said] thirty years ago, a young man was told by Jackie Chan, 'Go back to Japan'... Now that teenager is directing Enter the Fat Dragon, currently in theatres.]. Fuji Evening News [ja] (in Japanese). 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "【2020賀歲片】《肥龍過江》導演谷垣健治自小迷港片 來港26年：我DNA是香港人" [[2020 Lunar New Year Film] Enter the Fat Dragon's director Kenji Tanigaki has been a fan of Hong Kong films since childhood. After 26 years in Hong Kong, 'I feel that Hong Kong is part of my DNA.']. TOPick (in Chinese). 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  5. ^ 前川仁之 (28 December 2020). "正月映画『燃えよデブゴン／ＴＯＫＹＯ ＭＩＳＳＩＯＮ』監督・谷垣健治が語るカンフーの国の冒険【前編】「香港映画のスタントマンになりたくて、ジャッキー・チェンに『僕の技を見てください！』って押しかけてみたけど......」" [Director of new year film Enter the Fat Dragon, Kenji Tanigaki, discusses his adventure in the land of Kung Fu (Part 1): "I wanted to become a stuntman in Hong Kong films, and I approached Jackie Chan and said, 'Please watch my skills!'"]. Weekly Playboy (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  6. ^ Yen, Donnie (24 March 2021). A Lawyer Became A Martial Artist (in Chinese). Donnie Yen Official Channel. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b c d 西森路代 (24 December 2021). "『るろ剣』を支えたアクション監督が、挑戦を続ける理由" [The action director who choreographed Rurouni Kenshin continues to take on challenges.]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  8. ^ Merican, Sara (31 October 2024). "Sammo Hung, Yasuaki Kurata & Kenji Tanigaki Talk Martial Arts Cinema & Highlights Of Their Careers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f 許育民 (27 January 2020). "【肥龍過江】谷垣健治沉迷港片做埋導演 「當年男生都想做成龍」" [Enter the Fat Dragon's director Kenji Tanigaki, obsessed with Hong Kong films, takes on directing: 'Back then, every boy wanted to be Jackie Chan.']. HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Yau, Elaine (13 July 2021). "Donnie Yen's action choreographers on his and Jackie Chan's lasting influence on movie making". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "一張電影票炒到1800，不愧史上最強" [A movie ticket sold for 1800, truly the strongest in history.]. The Paper (in Chinese). 12 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  12. ^ Am730 (11 September 2024). "武替道專訪｜董瑋親述《旺角卡門》《龍的心》驚險實況 為伍允龍被恰抱不平" [Stuntman Exclusive Interview: Stephen Tung Shares Thrilling Experiences from As Tears Go By and Heart of Dragon, While Standing Up for Philip Ng]. am730 (in Chinese). Retrieved 30 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b c Brown, Todd (15 July 2006). "Impact's Mike Leeder Interviews Master of Thunder Director Kenji Tanigaki". Screen Anarchy. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  14. ^ a b Schilling, Mark (12 June 2009). "Samurai get put through paces". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b Rallo, Alex (18 June 2021). "Rurouni Kenshin, the decade's best live-action Japanese action saga, has hit Netflix". Polygon. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b Skeates, Andrew (1 June 2015). "SPL (2005) - Review". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b "掰了功夫片 《肥龍過江》甄子丹暴肥成「120公斤探員」" [Breaking down the kung fu film, in Enter the Fat Dragon, Donnie Yen transforms into an "agent of 120-kilogram".]. Mirror Media (in Chinese). 3 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  18. ^ "第29回 日本アカデミー賞（2006年）" [29th Japan Academy Film Prize (2006)]. Eiga.com [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b Catsoulis, Jeannette (14 March 2008). "MOVIE REVIEW 'FLASH POINT' Hong Kong Crime Stories". New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  20. ^ 禾馬 (13 December 2018). "甄子丹的武術指導高峰？不是《葉問》，是《導火線》！" [[When was] the pinnacle of Donnie Yen’s action choreography? [It was] Not Ip Man, but Flash Point!]. The News Lens (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ a b Schilling, Mark (28 March 2008). "'Kung Fu Kun'". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  22. ^ a b "ダッシュが友情を育んだ!?「リアル鬼ごっこ」の石田卓也、谷村美月、大東俊介" [Did [they] cultivate friendship through running? The Chasing Worlds's Takuya Ishida, Mitsuki Tanimura, and Shunsuke Daito share their experiences.]. Eiga.com [ja] (in Japanese). 4 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e "《九龍城寨之圍城》古天樂不只是「古老闆」：在家練8小時空中倒立、被連打七巴導致耳鳴" [Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In's Louis Koo is more than just "Boss Koo": [he] practiced aerial handstands at home for 8 hours, suffered from tinnitus after being slapped seven times.]. Yahoo! Style (in Chinese). 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Schilling, Mark (18 September 2009). "'Kamui Gaiden '". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  25. ^ Skeates, Andrew (3 April 2015). "Kamui: The Lone Ninja". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  26. ^ a b Saroch, Andrew (28 June 2015). "Wu Xia (2011) - Review". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  27. ^ a b c "佐藤健、『るろうに剣心』で見せつけた覚悟！アクション監督が明かす驚愕の身体能力！" [Takeru Satoh reveals his determination in Rurouni Kenshin! The action director reveals his astonishing physical abilities!]. Cinema Today [ja] (in Japanese). 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  28. ^ Lee, Maggie (29 October 2012). "Rurouni Kenshin". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  29. ^ a b "佐藤健がベストアクション男優！『るろうに剣心』アクションアワード4冠に輝" [Takeru Satoh named Best Action Actor! Rurouni Kenshin shines with four wins at the Japan Action Awards.]. Cinema Today [ja] (in Japanese). 20 April 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  30. ^ a b c "「るろ剣」蒼紫と翁の激闘公開「原作の蒼紫より熱いかも」" [The intense battle between [Shinomori] Aoshi and Okina in Rurouni Kenshin: "It might be more passionate than the Aoshi in the original."]. Natalie (in Japanese). 10 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  31. ^ a b "武井咲、歓喜！『るろうに剣心』が「第3回ジャパンアクションアワード」MVP作品に決定！" [Emi Takei is delighted! Rurouni Kenshin has been selected as the MVP work in the 3rd Japan Action Awards!]. Cinema Today [ja] (in Japanese). 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  32. ^ a b Young, Al (15 August 2013). "Get Behind The Scenes Of SPECIAL ID". Screen Anarchy. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  33. ^ a b Lee, Maggie (31 January 2014). "Film Review: 'The Monkey King in 3D'". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  34. ^ a b "伊藤淳史＆水川あさみ、バーベキューで一致団結！「はじけた」" [Junichi Ito and Asami Mizukawa reunited at a barbecue! "[We can] Really let loose!"]. Cinema Today [ja] (in Japanese). 24 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  35. ^ a b "消失的兇手 民國最強神探再次出動！" [The Vanished Murderer: The strongest detective in the Republic of China takes action once again!]. WOW!Screen (in Chinese). Taiwan. November 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  36. ^ Tanigaki, Kenji. "アクション・バカ街道 連載第156回 AKB48に『るろ剣』仕込みのアクションを!? 新曲PV撮影秘話!" [Action Baka Street, volume 156: Did AKB48 incorporate Rurouni Kenshin-inspired action!? Secrets of their new single's music video!]. Eigahiho [ja] (in Japanese) (July 2015). Yosensha [ja].
  37. ^ a b Lee, Maggie (2 May 2016). "Film Review: 'Book of Love'". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  38. ^ a b "トニー・レオンの現在 日本公開が激減した理由は？" [How is Tony Leung now? Why did he reduce public appearances in Japan significantly?]. Cinema Today [ja] (in Japanese). 25 October 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  39. ^ a b Schilling, Mark (19 January 2017). "Sion Sono swan dives into Shinjuku's chaos". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  40. ^ a b 林夢芸; 金然 (23 February 2018). "香港團隊撐起春節檔四部大片" [Hong Kong production crews supports four major films for the Lunar New Year release.]. People's Daily Online (in Chinese). Qianjiang Evening News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  41. ^ a b "トニー・レオン主演「モンスター・ハント 王の末裔」公開、アクション監督は谷垣健治" [Tony Leung stars in Monster Hunt 2, with Kenji Tanigaki serving as action director.]. Natalie (in Japanese). 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  42. ^ a b "金馬55最佳動作設計 邪不壓正" [Best Action Choreography in the 55th Golden Horse Awards: Hidden Man.]. Yahoo! News (in Chinese). Central News Agency. 17 November 2018. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  43. ^ a b Wong, Silvia (19 November 2018). "'An Elephant Sitting Still' wins best film at Golden Horse Awards". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  44. ^ a b Chou, Inna; Lee, Leah (17 November 2018). "【2018金馬獎】入圍得獎名單一覽！" [[2018 Golden Horse Awards] List of nominations and wins!]. Elle (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  45. ^ a b Saroch, Andrew (12 April 2019). "Big Brother (2018) - Review". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  46. ^ a b Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah (7 June 2020). "Enter The Fat Dragon Trailer: Rogue One's Donnie Yen Fights In A Fat Suit". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  47. ^ Chambers, Isaac (6 March 2020). "Enter The Fat Dragon". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  48. ^ Lee, Edmund (22 January 2020). "Enter the Fat Dragon film review: delightful Donnie Yen action comedy gets actor's post-Ip Man career off to a bright start". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  49. ^ a b "「るろうに剣心 最終章 The Final」佐藤健と新田真剣佑の戦いは"感情のぶつかり合い"" [In Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, the battle between Takeru Satoh and Mackenyu is a "clash of emotions".]. Natalie (in Japanese). 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  50. ^ Schilling, Mark (21 April 2021). "'Rurouni Kenshin: The Final': Impressive battles bring samurai series to a satisfying conclusion". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  51. ^ a b Victus, Vyce (21 July 2021). "Becoming Storm Shadow meant more than learning moves for Snake Eyes' Andrew Koji". Polygon. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  52. ^ a b Rose, Sundi (11 January 2020). "Snake Eyes: GI Joe Spinoff Heads to Japan, Releases First Cast Photos". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  53. ^ Mendelson, Scott (22 July 2021). "'Snake Eyes' Review: Choppy Action Editing Hurts Ambitious G.I. Joe Reboot". Forbes. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  54. ^ Hornick, Susan (26 July 2021). "Snake Eyes: what we learned from Henry Golding's candid Comic-Con interview – the G.I. Joe Origins movie that 'has everything'". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  55. ^ a b Davis, Rebecca (24 June 2021). "Donnie Yen Actioner 'Raging Fire' Acquired by Well Go USA For North America (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  56. ^ a b Shackleton, Liz (17 July 2022). "Donnie Yen Starrer 'Raging Fire' Wins Best Film, Director At Hong Kong Film Awards; 'Anita' Takes Biggest Haul With Five Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  57. ^ Monagle, Matthew (13 August 2021). "Raging Fire - Movie Review". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  58. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (15 May 2015). "Cannes: Donnie Yen Heads Dog Pack in 'Big Rescue'". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  59. ^ a b O'Rourke, Ryan (23 March 2023). "'Sakra' Trailer Showcases Donnie Yen's Stylish Chinese Action-Epic [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  60. ^ a b Wong, Silvia (6 February 2024). "Hong Kong Film Awards nominations led by newsroom drama 'In Broad Daylight'". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  61. ^ a b Rosser, Michael (29 April 2024). "Cannes title 'Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In' secures UK-Ireland distribution (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  62. ^ Ho, Keith (1 May 2024). "《九龍城寨之圍城》近年難得的港產片超水準佳作" [Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a rare high-quality Hong Kong production in recent years.]. HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  63. ^ Abrams, Simon (9 August 2024). "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  64. ^ Li, Ambrose (2 July 2024). "Twilight of the Warriors delivers knockout blow to become Hong Kong's most-watched local film ever". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  65. ^ a b Rosser, Michael (19 November 2024). "Donnie Yen's 'The Prosecutor' lands US distribution and sets release date (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  66. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (25 April 2024). "'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Producer Bill Kong Aims to Reset Martial Arts Genre With 'The Furious,' Directed by Tanigaki Kenji (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  67. ^ 浦川とめ (10 October 1999). "香港アクション風雲録" [Hong Kong Action Chronicle]. Kinema Junpo (in Japanese). ISBN 4-87376-519-6.
  68. ^ 陳儀雯 (17 January 2020). "《肥龍過江》搭建多個日本街景 甄子丹讚像真度高 打得好爽" [Enter the Fat Dragon built multiple Japanese street sets. Donnie Yen praises the high authenticity: "the fights are thrilling".]. Wen Wei Po (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  69. ^ 劉宜庭 (17 November 2018). "金馬獎／《邪不壓正》奪動作設計獎 谷垣健治急掏小抄「雙聲道」致詞" [Golden Horse Awards: Hidden Man won Best Action Choreography. Kenji Tanigaki had to quickly pull out notes to give a "bilingual" acceptance speech.]. ETtoday (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  70. ^ Gillon, Phil (6 April 2015). "Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (2010) - Review". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  71. ^ Loo, Egan (16 February 2016). "Sion Sono Returns to Direct Shinjuku Swan Sequel". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  72. ^ "Winners and Nominees 2019". Taurus World Stunt Awards. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  73. ^ "Winners and Nominees 2022". Taurus World Stunt Awards. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.