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Masato Ishioka
Masato Ishioka
Masato Ishioka
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Masato Ishioka (石岡正人, Ishioka Masato) is a Japanese director, screenwriter and business executive who had an early career as an adult video (AV) director.

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

Masato Ishioka was born in 1960 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He attended Meiji University, graduating in 1983 with a major in Politics and Economics. In 1984 he began working as an apprentice to Tadashi Yoyogi at the AV studio Athena Eizou. He stayed at the studio for six years as an assistant director and video production manager.[1][2] In August 1986 he was assistant director for Hikaru Kitoh (鬼闘光), a co-founder of Athena Eizou, in the Nikkatsu film The Orgasm (ザ・絶頂感, Za Zecchokan).[3]

By the mid-1990s, Ishioka was working as a director in the softcore V-cinema field, including directing three entries in the Chikan hakusho (痴漢白書) series for the Pink Pineapple (ピンクパイナップル) company.[4][5] At the same time, he was also involved as a director in the hardcore AV business, working for Athena Eizou and the Atlas21 studio including several videos in the "Violent Lips" series.[6][7] In 1996, Ishioka founded his own video production company, Gold View Company Ltd, to produce and sell mainstream movies in Japan and abroad for himself and other directors.[8]

Ishioka's experience in the AV world was used to good advantage in his first mainstream film feature Scoutman, also known as Pain, which he wrote and directed. The movie, filmed in 2000 and released in Japan in 2001, depicts the struggles of a young couple newly arrived in Tokyo who eventually become involved in the sex industry. Two veterans of the AV scene, former actress Yuri Komuro and director Kei Morikawa have roles in the film.[9][10] The film won Ishioka the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for 2001[11] as well as the Directors' Week Special Jury Award at Fantasporto.[12]

Ishioka's second feature was another look at the dark side of Japanese society, the 2004 omnibus film Tokyo Noir (ＴＯＫＹＯ ＮＯＩＲ トウキョーノワール) where he shared writing and directing credits with Naoto Kumazawa. The trio of stories looks at the lives of three women working in the Tokyo sex industry.[13][14] One reviewer calls the collaboration "emotionally rewarding".[15] In addition to his endeavors in mainstream film, Ishioka continued working in the AV industry in the early-2000s, making videos for Athena Eizou, Atlas21, and Try-Heart where he directed AV Idol Honoka in two of her early videos in 2004.[6][7]

By the late 2000s, Ishioka's company Gold View had distributed a number of films in a variety of genres among which were A (1998), Visitor Q (2001), 9 Souls (2003), Haze (2005), It's Only Talk (2005), Zombie Self-Defense Force (2006) and Reigo, the Deep-Sea Monster vs. the Battleship Yamato (2008).[16][17] Ishioka's third mainstream film was the documentary Yoyochu in the Land of the Rising Sex (YOYOCHU　SEXと代々木忠の世界, Yoyochu: Sex to Yoyogi Tadashi no sekai) released in Japan in 2011. In this film, through a series of interviews, Ishioka looked at the life and career of his former mentor Tadashi Yoyogi, known as the "father of adult video." Ishioka spoke with Yoyogi ("Yoyochu" was a nickname) and others who had worked with him over the years including actress Kyōko Aizome, actor Taka Kato and fellow director Hikaru Kitoh. The film premiered at the International Rome Film Festival on October 30, 2010 and was released in Japan on January 22, 2011.[18][19][20]

Ishioka's July 2012 film Animation Maestro GISABURO (アニメ師・杉井ギサブロー, Anime Shi: Sugii Gisaburō) was another documentary on a figure important in shaping an aspect of Japanese culture, the artist and director Gisaburō Sugii, considered one of the founders of Japanese anime. Ishioka uses interviews with key figures in anime including Sugii himself to trace both Sugii's career and the history of the Japanese animation industry.[21][22] Ishioka met Sugii at Kyoto Seika University where Ishioka has been a visiting professor of film in the Faculty of Manga.[21][23]

Filmography

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Theatrical films (Director)

[edit]
  • The Orgasm (ザ・絶頂感, Za Zecchokan) (1986) - Assistant Director
  • Scoutman (2001)
  • Tokyo Noir (ＴＯＫＹＯ ＮＯＩＲ トウキョーノワール) (2004)
  • Yoyochu in the Land of the Rising Sex (YOYOCHU　SEXと代々木忠の世界, Yoyochu: Sex to Yoyogi Tadashi no sekai) (2011)
  • Animation Maestro GISABURO (アニメ師・杉井ギサブロー, Anime Shi: Sugii Gisaburō) (2012)

Adult videos (AV) (Director)

[edit]
  • All Nude Kotomi Shimada (オールヌード 嶋田琴美) (Atlas21, Aug. 1996)[24]
  • Violent Lips, Sena Wakana (激唇) (Atlas21, Dec. 1997)
  • Violent Lips, Yuho Mita (Atlas21, Jan. 1999)
  • Violent Lips, Kotoko Shiraishi (Atlas21, June, 1999)
  • Licking Fairy, Sara Ijuin (おしゃぶり天女 伊集院さら) (Media Station, June 1999)
  • Violent Lips, Fuka Sakurai (Atlas21, Mar. 2000)
  • Love Century, Yuka Aizawa (Love Century 相沢優香) (Atlas21, Mar. 2001)
  • Violent Lips, Koharu Tohno (Atlas21, May 2001)
  • Sacred Virgin (聖処女) (Atlas21, Sept. 2001)
  • Baptism Marionette (洗礼マリオネット) (Atlas21, Nov. 2001)
  • Privacy (プライバシー) (Atlas21, Aug. 2002)
  • Want to be Fucked by a Beautiful Lady, Akira Watase (綺麗なお姉さんに犯されたい) (Athena Eizou, Feb. 2003)
  • Sexy Teacher's Secret Spot (女教師の秘蜜) (Try-Heart, Oct. 2004)
  • Ugly Dream (酷夢) (Try-Heart, Nov. 2004)
  • Pretty Blue, Emi Kitagawa (プリティー・ブルー 北川絵美) (Atlas21, Dec. 2004)
  • Let's have Three-some!? (3Pしましょっ！？) (Try-Heart, Mar. 2005)
  • Bullying Maid X Attacking Sister (メイドいじめ×妹いじり) (Try-Heart, Aug. 2005)
  • Devilish Kiss (小悪魔キッス) (Try-Heart, Oct. 2005)

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Masato Ishioka

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Masato Ishioka is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer born in 1960 in Shizuoka, Japan. He is best known for directing independent features that explore aspects of urban life and the adult entertainment industry in Japan, including Scoutman (2001), Tokyo Noir (2004), and Yoyochu in the Land of the Rising Sex (2010). Ishioka began his career in the adult video and pink film industry before transitioning to mainstream and independent filmmaking in the late 1990s with credits in video productions and has since built a body of work as a multifaceted filmmaker, often handling directing, writing, and cinematography duties on his projects. His films have garnered attention in independent and international cinema circles for their candid portrayals of contemporary Japanese subcultures. In addition to his directorial efforts, Ishioka has contributed to other productions in roles such as editor and assistant director, reflecting his extensive involvement in Japan's film industry.

Early life

Early life and education

Masato Ishioka was born in 1960 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Meiji University in 1983 with a degree in Politics and Economics.

Adult video career

Apprenticeship and early work

Masato Ishioka entered the film industry in 1984 when he joined Athena Eizou as an apprentice under director Tadashi Yoyogi. He worked as a full-time employee at the AV studio for approximately six years, serving as assistant director and production manager on Yoyogi's sets and those of other directors at the company. This period involved direct participation in production sites, where he assisted in various aspects of video production during the early development of the Japanese adult video industry. Ishioka has described Yoyogi as the one who taught him about filmmaking, highlighting Yoyogi's directing approach that probes the depths of the human heart through an attitude of seeking to understand human nature—an approach he views as applicable regardless of whether the medium is film or video. He has emphasized that this perspective from Yoyogi significantly shaped his own technical and stylistic development, encouraging a deeper engagement with human subjects in visual storytelling. This apprenticeship under Yoyogi at Athena Eizou laid the groundwork for Ishioka's later independent directing in the adult video field.

Directing AV and V-cinema titles

Masato Ishioka began directing in the adult video and V-cinema sector during the mid-1990s, initially focusing on softcore original video releases. He helmed multiple entries in the Chikan hakusho series for Pink Pineapple, including Chikan hakusho (1995) and Chikan hakusho 2 (1995), which featured erotic narratives centered on everyday settings and fantasies. He later returned to the series with Chikan hakusho 7 (1997), continuing the thematic exploration of voyeuristic and sexual encounters in a direct-to-video format. Alongside his V-cinema work, Ishioka directed hardcore adult videos for companies including Atlas21 and its associated label VIP. He contributed to the Violent Lips (激唇) series, directing titles such as the 1997 volume starring Wakana Sena. Another entry in the series, featuring Mizuho Kano and emphasizing intense oral-focused content, was released under catalog number 8A-066. He also directed other original videos during this era, such as Taiiku no Jikan: Buruma kara Ase ga... (1998). Ishioka's directing in AV and V-cinema extended into the early 2000s, building a portfolio across softcore and hardcore formats before his shift toward mainstream feature films. This background in adult industry production contributed to the authentic portrayal of sex industry dynamics in his debut theatrical work Scoutman (2000).

Gold View Company

Founding and operations

Masato Ishioka founded Gold View Company Ltd. in 1996 as a production company focused on films and video works. The company was established primarily to handle the production and domestic distribution of such content in Japan. Ishioka serves as the representative of Gold View Company Ltd. In his role, he has guided the company's expansion into international activities, including acting as a sales agent for quality Japanese films and handling the overseas promotion and distribution of Japanese-language cinema. Gold View's operations encompass producing feature films and videos, foreign distribution, festival coordination, subtitle production, and translation services to support the global reach of Japanese directors, both emerging and established. The company emphasizes the international sales and promotion of notable Japanese filmmakers' works, positioning itself as a key player in bringing distinctive Japanese cinema to worldwide audiences. This structure enabled Ishioka's transition toward mainstream feature production beyond his earlier background in the pink film industry.

Mainstream feature films

Scoutman (2000)

Scoutman (also known as Pain) is a 2000 Japanese film written and directed by Masato Ishioka, marking his feature directorial debut in mainstream cinema after his work in the adult video industry. The story centers on a young couple from the suburbs, Atsushi and Mari, who elope to Tokyo and quickly exhaust their funds, leading them to immerse themselves in the city's sex industry. Atsushi takes a job as a street scout recruiting women for AV productions under a sleazy operator, while Mari is drawn into related street-level activities that escalate her involvement in the milieu. The film employs a raw, documentary-like style with handheld location shooting, minimal music, and appearances by AV industry veterans to deliver a frank depiction of the sex trade's banal and debasing realities. Ishioka's background in adult video production informs the authenticity of the portrayal, which avoids glamour or moralistic judgment in favor of a street-level perspective that shows the industry's trite nature for both workers and consumers. Behind-the-scenes sequences, particularly those depicting video shoots, stand out for their convincing detail and lack of sensationalism. Critics praised the film's unflinching realism and compelling examination of the sex industry, with Jasper Sharp calling it perhaps the most honest and realistic depiction of the subject in recent years and noting its gruelling yet captivating impact. Sharp highlighted its superiority over more moralistic films on similar themes, emphasizing Ishioka's refusal to sensationalize or offer easy resolutions. The work established Ishioka's reputation as a filmmaker capable of bridging his AV origins to broader cinematic recognition.

Tokyo Noir (2004)

Tokyo Noir (2004) is a Japanese anthology film co-directed and co-written by Masato Ishioka and Naoto Kumazawa. Released theatrically in Japan on September 25, 2004, the 127-minute feature presents three distinct segments that explore the nocturnal double lives of women in Tokyo, often through their involvement in the sex industry as a path to emotional expression or personal discovery. The film's screenplay credits also include Hisako Kurosawa and Yoko Urayama alongside the directors. The first segment, "Birthday," centers on a 35-year-old career woman named Mari who visits a mysterious beauty salon and is drawn into an unexpected nighttime experience. "Girl's Life" follows university student Miyuki, who becomes a sex worker to escape the pain of betrayal by her boyfriend and friend, only to face a surprising reunion when her ex appears as a client. The third segment, "Night Lovers," depicts an office lady named Nao who discovers a website run by another woman sharing her name, a professional mistress adopting multiple personas, resulting in their lives gradually intersecting in Tokyo's night world. Thematically, the film examines themes of sexual repression, hidden identities, and liberation within the margins of urban society, building on Ishioka's interest in the darker undercurrents of Japanese life seen in his earlier mainstream work Scoutman (2000). It received limited international attention, with an IMDb rating of 6.3/10 based on a small number of votes.

Documentary work

Key documentaries

Masato Ishioka shifted toward documentary filmmaking in the early 2010s, producing profiles of pioneering figures in Japanese media industries that reflect his ongoing interest in creative and cultural innovators. These works build on his earlier career experiences while exploring distinct artistic domains. His first major documentary, Yoyochu in the Land of the Rising Sex (2011), examines the life and legacy of Tadashi Yoyogi, known as "Yoyochu," widely regarded as the father of Japanese adult video. The film includes tributes from industry members such as Kyoko Aizome and details Yoyogi's innovative contributions to the sex film business, as well as his prior career as a flower arranger. It has been praised as a fascinating and instructive portrait of a key yet underrecognized figure in Japanese adult entertainment. In 2012, Ishioka directed Animation Maestro GISABURO, a documentary focused on animator Gisaburō Sugii, whose career spans the origins and development of Japanese animation. The film profiles Sugii's involvement in landmark works including Astro Boy, Dororo, and other hand-drawn masterpieces, while also addressing the broader history of the medium. It presents an in-depth study of Sugii's artisanal, lyrical style and his significance as one of the founding masters of Japanese animation. These documentaries underscore Ishioka's approach to documenting influential creators across diverse fields.

Academic career

Teaching role

Masato Ishioka is a faculty member specializing in film in the Faculty of Manga at Kyoto Seika University, where he is affiliated with the Department of Animation's Animation Course. His teaching focuses on screenwriting and film/video production. In this role, he emphasizes the importance of combining technical proficiency with genuine passion to create works capable of emotionally moving audiences, beyond mere preferences of like or dislike. This academic involvement represents a later-career extension of his expertise into education.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0411132/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/masato_ishioka
  3. https://db.nipponconnection.com/en/person/4891/masato-ishioka
  4. https://mydramalist.com/people/52527-ishioka-masato
  5. http://www.makotoyacoltd.jp/animeshi-movie/director.html
  6. https://www.dgj.or.jp/i-21/
  7. https://starsands.com/yoyochu/interviewee.html
  8. http://www.webdice.jp/dice/detail/2861/
  9. https://www.hmv.co.jp/news/article/1108120094/
  10. https://www.allcinema.net/person/255236
  11. https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/238033
  12. https://kato-taka.sakura.ne.jp/2019/05/01/%E6%BF%80%E5%94%87/
  13. https://www.vip-enterprise.com/%E6%BF%80%E5%94%87/de/V170900/
  14. https://goldview.co.jp/about-us/
  15. https://2020.nipponconnection.com/en/person/4891/masato-ishioka
  16. https://jfdb.jp/en/contacts/790
  17. https://cinando.com/en/Company/gold_view_co_ltd_1086/Detail
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266945/
  19. http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/scoutman/
  20. https://eiga.com/movie/41086/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477117/
  22. https://mubi.com/en/us/films/yoyochu-in-the-land-of-the-rising-sex
  23. https://jfdb.jp/en/title/2690
  24. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2011/01/14/films/film-reviews/yoyochu-sex-to-yoyogi-tadashi-no-sekai-yoyochu-in-the-land-of-the-rising-sex/
  25. https://jfdb.jp/en/title/3333
  26. https://goldview.co.jp/en/gisaburo/
  27. http://www.makotoyacoltd.jp/animeshi-movie/en.html
  28. https://cinando.com/en/Film/animation_maestro_gisaburo_136870/Detail
  29. https://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/edu/faculty/ishioka-masato.html
  30. https://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/academics/manga/faculty.html
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