Tomoyuki Tanaka

Person

Tomoyuki Tanaka

Production April 26, 1910

Osaka, Honshu, Japan

Born in Osaka Prefecture, Tomoyuki Tanaka was head man at Toho Studios and one of its most prolific producers. Throughout his career he would produce the films of notable filmmake…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

Godzilla

Godzilla

5.7 1998 Movie
Yojimbo

Yojimbo

8.1 1961 Movie
High and Low

High and Low

8.4 1963 Movie
Godzilla

Godzilla

7.6 1954 Movie
House

House

7.3 1977 Movie
Kagemusha

Kagemusha

7.8 1980 Movie
Sanjuro

Sanjuro

7.9 1962 Movie
Red Beard

Red Beard

8.2 1965 Movie
King Kong vs. Godzilla

King Kong vs. Godzilla

6.9 1962 Movie
The Return of Godzilla

The Return of Godzilla

7.2 1984 Movie
Mothra vs. Godzilla

Mothra vs. Godzilla

7.0 1964 Movie
Godzilla Raids Again

Godzilla Raids Again

6.0 1955 Movie

Biography

A closer look

Read full biography

Born in Osaka Prefecture, Tomoyuki Tanaka was head man at Toho Studios and one of its most prolific producers. Throughout his career he would produce the films of notable filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Senkichi Taniguchi, Kon Ichikawa, and Mikio Naruse. However, he is probably best remembered as the creator of Godzilla. After graduating from the Economic Department at Kansai University, Tanaka joined Toho in 1940. In 1954 Tanaka would spearhead the original Godzilla film with director Ishiro Honda. After Godzilla's monumental success, Tanaka was instructed to "make another one". Tanaka would produce every Toho monster film up until Godzilla vs Destoroyah. Tanaka was also a heavy supporter of Toshiro Mifune, producing his films with Kurosawa as well as Mifune's own production company and sole directorial effort in Legacy of the 500,000. Tanaka would champion Godzilla's return in 1984 and be heavily involved in the series until his death in 1997. In his near 60 year career Tanaka would go on to produce over 200 films.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 1998
    Godzilla

    Movie In Memory Of

  2. 1997
    Rebirth of Mothra II

    Movie Producer

  3. 1996
    Rebirth of Mothra

    Movie Original Story

  4. 1995
    Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

    Movie Executive Producer

  5. 1994
    Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

    Movie Executive Producer

  6. 1993
    Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

    Movie Executive Producer

  7. 1992
    Godzilla vs. Mothra

    Movie Executive Producer

  8. 1991
    Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

    Movie Executive Producer

  9. 1989
    Godzilla vs. Biollante

    Movie Executive Producer

  10. 1989
    Gunhed

    Movie Executive Producer

  11. 1987
    Princess from the Moon

    Movie Executive Producer

  12. 1987
    Actress

    Movie Producer

  13. 1986
    Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection

    Movie Self

  14. 1985
    Godzilla 1985

    Movie Story

  15. 1985
    Making of The Return of Godzilla

    Movie Production Supervisor

  16. 1984
    The Return of Godzilla

    Movie Story

More credits
  1. 1984
    Ohan

    Movie Executive Producer

  2. 1984
    Zero

    Movie Producer

  3. 1984
    Sayonara Jupiter

    Movie Executive Producer

  4. 1983
    The Makioka Sisters

    Movie Executive Producer

  5. 1982
    The Longest Tunnel

    Movie Producer

  6. 1981
    The Imperial Navy

    Movie Executive Producer

  7. 1981
    The Last Days of Planet Earth

    Movie Executive Producer

  8. 1980
    Magnitude 7.9

    Movie Executive Producer

  9. 1980
    Kagemusha

    Movie Executive Producer

  10. 1977
    The War in Space

    Movie Executive Producer

  11. 1977
    High Seas Hijack

    Movie Executive Producer

  12. 1977
    Bloodthirsty Hawk

    Movie Executive Producer

  13. 1977
    House

    Movie Producer

  14. 1977
    Mount Hakkoda

    Movie Producer

  15. 1977
    Monsters of the Lost Continent

    Movie Executive Producer

  16. 1977
    The Alaska Story

    Movie Producer

  17. 1977
    Godzilla

    Movie Producer

  18. 1976
    Zero Fighter

    Movie Executive Producer

  19. 1976
    Human Revolution II

    Movie Executive Producer

  20. 1975
    Conflagration

    Movie Executive Producer

  21. 1975
    Tidal Wave

    Movie Executive Producer

  22. 1975
    Terror of Mechagodzilla

    Movie Executive Producer

  23. 1974
    ESPY

    Movie Executive Producer

  24. 1974
    Submersion of Japan

    TV show Producer