10 Great Performances by Ryuhei Matsuda

Ryuhei Matsuda was born on the 9^th of May, 1983, in Tokyo, to actress and producer Miyuki Matsuda and actor Yûsaku Matsuda, and only six years later he loses his father to cancer at the premature age of 40. At only 15, Ryuhei is approached by Nagisa Oshima with the life changing offer of a prominent role in his film Gohatto. Since then, Matsuda's magnetic charisma and remarkable versatility have allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, from brooding antiheroes to quirky and endearing figures, captivating audiences both in Japan and internationally.

With a unique ability to immerse himself in diverse roles, he has left an indelible mark on Japanese cinema and continues to be a beloved and influential figure in the world of acting. However, Matsuda's congenital air of disdain for the whole world, his glacial aloofness mixed with his innate handsomeness make him the prototype of effortless coolness, and the perfect cast for certain roles and certain more edgy directors (like Toshiaki Toyoda who often cast him) and make you wonder if part of his success is also due to the aforementioned peculiar demeanor. Either way, let's have a look at 10 film roles – in chronological order – in which Matsuda's naturally detached poise works wonders:

1. Gohatto (1999) by Nagisa Oshima

A debut with a bang for 16-year-old neophyte Ryuhei Matsuda, who is introduced to the acting world by Nagisa Oshima, in what will be his last movie, the controversial “Gohatto”. Beside big names like Tadanobu Asano and Takeshi Kitano, Matsuda plays the androgynous, conflicted and enigmatic young samurai Sozaburo Kano in a 19th-century Shinsengumi. In a performance that is entirely physical, his allure and his frigid aloofness kindle the erotic tensions that accumulates as the movie proceeds, while Kano drives his comrades to lust and madness, proving the destructive force of love.

2. Blue Spring (2001) by Toshiaki Toyoda

What started with “Pornostar“, continued in the best way possible in “Blue Spring”, with the concept of the guerilla/punk film finding its apogee here, in probably Toshiaki Toyoda's best work to date. The acting is in complete resonance with the film's aesthetics. Ryuhei Matsuda is exceptional as the indifferent leader, with this attitude coming in direct contradiction with the eagerness Hirofumi Arai presents as Aoki, with their performances functioning as forerunners for their inevitable clash. The somewhat philosophical aspect of the film is also quite well presented through Mame Yamada who plays a teacher who is in charge of the school garden. (Panos Kotzathanasis)

3. Nana (2005) by Kentaro Ohtani

In a list of Matsuda's performances, it cannot be forgotten his role as the handsome punk guitarist Ren Honjo from the classic shojo series “Nana”'s live action adaptation. “Nana” was an immensely popular manga, a beautiful but dark and emotional story that depicted young adulthood and romantic relationships in a gritty and heartbreaking way. “Nana” follows its two complex female leads' adventures as they try to build their lives in Tokyo, but what ignited the fan's passion has always been the tumultuous romance between Nana and Ren. Passionate, but also toxic and codependent, their love was immature, selfish, and yet, the relationship was equally magical and faithful. Much like the musician is based on – Sex Pistol's bassist Sid Vicious – Ren has a dangerous drug addiction that compromises his relationships and career. So accustomed to playing the beautiful and the damned, Matsuda embodies Ren's spirit and aesthetic perfectly. (Adriana Rosati)

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4. Nightmare Detective (2006) by Shinya Tsukamoto

For those familiar with the other works by Tsukamoto, you will most certainly notice the various connection to the director's previous work. Perhaps “Nightmare Detective” can be compared to “Bullet Ballet” given its overall vision of the city, the characters search for authenticity or intensity of experience as well as the idea of isolation within the modern world. However, given the additional layer of the dream, invaded by an outside force, in this case the character played by Ryuhei Matsuda, the sense of isolation and helplessness is extended upon a person's most intimate and vulnerable state. Given the obviously traumatized state of Matsuda's character, how he cannot shake off what he has witnessed in the dreams of other people, this notion of isolation is further emphasized, as Kyoichi is branded an outcast in society, living on the run-down outskirts of the city. (Rouven Linnarz)

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5. Big Bang Love, Juvenile A (2006) by Takashi Miike

The other main feminine influence is through the actor Ryûhei Matsuda, who plays the scared, perplexed, but effeminate protagonist, Jun Ariyoshi, even though he's just killed someone and mutilated his corpse! This aspect of the story is never really elucidated upon, apart from the fact his character is an outsider now locked up in prison. Ryûhei Matsuda pretty boy good looks have been used to cause chaos in an all-male environment before, in Nagisa Ôshima's “Taboo” from 1999. Takashi Miike uses his unusually beautiful face for a different effect, as Masanobu Andô who plays Shiro Kazuki, is the real cause of the prison gossip; as he is the one who drives desire, violence, jealousy, and fear within the prison. (…) Ryûhei Matsuda plays Jun as an almost perplexed fish out of water ingénue murderer. Only in a Takashi Miike film can there be a male ingénue killer! Jun is confused by Shiro and he is trying to figure out what the hell is going on in this bizarre prison. Ryûhei Matsuda portrays Jun's slowly developing desire, affection and fascination for Shiro, as well as his bewilderment at Shiro's erratic behaviour and protection. (Jonathan Wilson)

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