---
name: "Akira Ifukube"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/akira-ifukube"
fi1m_id: "akira-ifukube"
imdb_id: "nm0006136"
tmdb_id: 425396
wikidata_id: "Q135570"
roles: ["Composer"]
born: "31 May 1914"
died: "6 February 2006"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-28T21:15:31.891932+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Akira Ifukube

## Identity

Akira Ifukube

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/akira-ifukube
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** akira-ifukube
- **IMDb ID:** nm0006136
- **TMDB ID:** 425396
- **Wikidata ID:** Q135570
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Ifukube, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135570, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006136/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/425396

Composer. Born 31 May 1914 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Died 6 February 2006.

## Details

- **Work:** Composer
- **Born:** 31 May 1914, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- **Died:** 6 February 2006
- **Active:** 1954–2023
- **Also known as:** 伊福部昭, Akira Hukude, Ifukube Akira
- **Frequently works with:** [Ishirō Honda](https://film.one/person/ishiro-honda.md), [Shinichi Sekizawa](https://film.one/person/shinichi-sekizawa.md), [Megumi Odaka](https://film.one/person/megumi-odaka.md), [Takao Okawara](https://film.one/person/takao-okawara.md), [Tomoyuki Tanaka](https://film.one/person/tomoyuki-tanaka.md), [Wataru Mimura](https://film.one/person/wataru-mimura.md), [Akira Takarada](https://film.one/person/akira-takarada.md), [Hiroshi Kashiwabara](https://film.one/person/hiroshi-kashiwabara.md)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 88 (1), 1960s 70 (1), 1990s 63 (1), 2000s 54 (1), 2010s 74 (1), 2020s 81 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 77 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Genres:** Science Fiction 6, Action 5, Horror 3, Adventure 2, Fantasy 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $234m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Ifukube, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135570, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006136/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/425396

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md) (88)
- **Netflix:** [*Godzilla Minus One*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-minus-one.md) (81)
- **HBO Max:** [*Shin Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/shin-godzilla.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster*](https://film.one/film/ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster.md) (70)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Godzilla: Final Wars*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-final-wars.md) (54)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Akira Ifukube (伊福部昭) was a Japanese composer. He was born on 31 May 1914 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, and died in 2006.

Ifukube composed his first film score for *Snow Trail* (1947). Over the following decades he wrote scores for more than 250 films. He is best known for his work on the *Godzilla* series, beginning with the 1954 original directed by Ishirō Honda, for which he also created the monster's roar. His themes have been reused in later entries, including *Godzilla Minus One* (2023).

He taught at the Tokyo University of the Arts and published a substantial book on orchestration. Ifukube's concert works and film scores often drew on influences from Ainu music encountered in his childhood.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Godzilla Minus One* (2023), Fi1m 81, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-minus-one.md)
- *Shin Godzilla* (2016), Fi1m 74, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/shin-godzilla.md)
- *Godzilla: Final Wars* (2004), Fi1m 54, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-final-wars.md)
- *Godzilla 2000: Millennium* (1999), Fi1m 63, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-2000-millennium.md)
- *Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster* (1964), Fi1m 70, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster.md)
- *Godzilla* (1954), Fi1m 88, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md)

## Complete filmography (236)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Godzilla Fest 5: Great Monster Battle* (2024), Music
- *Godzilla: Attack on Tokyo* (2024), Music
- *Godzilla Minus One* (2023), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-minus-one.md)
- *Godzilla vs. Megalon* (2023), Music
- *Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex* (2022), Music
- *Fesu Gojira 3: Gaigan Raishū* (2022), Music
- *Godzilla vs. Hedorah* (2021), Music
- *Godzilla Appears at Godzilla Fest* (2020), Music
- *Shin Godzilla* (2016), Music — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/shin-godzilla.md)
- *Geharha: The Dark and Long-Haired Monster* (2009), Music
- *Genius Party Beyond* (2008), Music
- *Always: Sunset on Third Street 2* (2007), Music
- *Tetsujin 28: Morning Moon of Midday* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla: Final Wars* (2004), Music — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-final-wars.md)
- *Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack* (2001), Music
- *Godzilla vs. Megaguirus* (2000), Music
- *Godzilla 2000: Millennium* (1999), Music — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-2000-millennium.md)
- *Godzilla, King of the Monsters* (1998), Actor
- *Godzilla vs. Destoroyah* (1995), Original Music Composer, Music Supervisor
- *Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla* (1994), Music
- *Monster Planet of Godzilla* (1994), Music, Music Supervisor
- *Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II* (1993), Original Music Composer, Music Supervisor
- *Godzilla vs. Mothra* (1992), Original Music Composer, Music Supervisor
- *Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Dozoku no ranjo* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection* (1986), Original Music Composer
- *Sayonara Jupiter* (1984), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla Fantasia* (1984), Original Music Composer
- *Wolfman vs. Godzilla* (1983), Music
- *Love and Faith* (1978), Original Music Composer
- *Bloodthirsty Hawk* (1977), Music
- *Monsters of the Lost Continent* (1977), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla* (1977), Music
- *Terror of Mechagodzilla* (1975), Original Music Composer
- *Sandakan No. 8* (1974), Original Music Composer
- *The Last Samurai* (1974), Original Music Composer
- *The Human Revolution* (1973), Original Music Composer
- *Katango's War* (1973), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi's Conspiracy* (1973), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla vs. Gigan* (1972), Music
- *Wolfman vs. Baragon* (1972), Original Music Composer
- *Will to Conquer* (1970), Original Music Composer
- *Space Amoeba* (1970), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo* (1970), Original Music Composer
- *Latitude Zero* (1969), Original Music Composer
- *Devil's Temple* (1969), Original Music Composer
- *Young Challengers* (1968), Original Music Composer
- *Destroy All Monsters* (1968), Original Music Composer
- *Kawachi fūten zoku* (1968), Original Music Composer
- *The Snow Woman* (1968), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi Challenged* (1967), Original Music Composer
- *Eleven Samurai* (1967), Original Music Composer
- *King Kong Escapes* (1967), Original Music Composer
- *Wrath of Daimajin* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Sleepy Eyes of Death 8: Sword of Villainy* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *A Thousand Suspects* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Return of Giant Majin* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *The War of the Gargantuas* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *The Betrayal* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi's Vengeance* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Adventure in Kigan Castle* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Daimajin* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Sleepy Eyes of Death 7: The Mask of the Princess* (1966), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi and the Chess Expert* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Invasion of Astro-Monster* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Frankenstein Conquers the World* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Life of Matsu the Untamed* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *A Chain of Islands* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi's Revenge* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu* (1965), Original Music Composer
- *Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster* (1964), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster.md)
- *The Beggar General* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Fight, Zatoichi, Fight* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *The Life of a Chivalrous Man in Suruga: Broken Swords* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Nagisa o kakeru onna* (1964), Music
- *Dogora* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Mothra vs. Godzilla* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *The Long Death* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Whirlwind* (1964), Original Music Composer
- *Atragon* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *13 Assassins* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi on the Road* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *Bronze Magician* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *Zatoichi the Fugitive* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *King Kong vs. Godzilla* (1963), Music
- *A Samurai Never Tells a Lie* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *Tragedy of the Coolie Samurai* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *New Tale of Zatoichi* (1963), Original Music Composer
- *Varan the Unbelievable* (1962), Music
- *The King* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *Chûshingura* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *The Great Wall* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *King Kong vs. Godzilla* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *The Whale God* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *A Carpenter and Children* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *The Tale of Zatoichi* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *Her Hidden Past* (1962), Original Music Composer
- *Different Sons* (1961), Original Music Composer
- *The Conspirator* (1961), Original Music Composer
- *Buddha* (1961), Original Music Composer
- *Miyamoto Musashi* (1961), Original Music Composer
- *Daredevil in the Castle* (1961), Original Music Composer
- *Lord Tadanao* (1960), Original Music Composer
- *Castle of Flames* (1960), Original Music Composer
- *Shinran, Part II* (1960), Original Music Composer
- *Scars of Honor* (1960), Original Music Composer
- *Shinran* (1960), Original Music Composer
- *Battle in Outer Space* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *The Three Treasures* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *A Killed Stewardess: White or Black* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *Break Down that Wall* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *Samurai Saga* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *The Woman and the Pirate* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *A Whistle in My Heart* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *The Big Boss* (1959), Original Music Composer
- *Varan* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *Beyond the Seasonal Wind* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *Night Drum* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *The Precipice* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *A Bridge for Two Alone* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *Sorrow Is Only for Women* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II* (1958), Original Music Composer
- *The Mysterians* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *On This Earth* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Rodan! The Flying Monster* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Downtown* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Roar and Earth* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Harbor Rats* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *The Last Escape* (1957), Music
- *Who's the Real Killer* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Blooms of Hell* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Hateful Things* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Yagyu Secret Scrolls* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Ocean* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *An Osaka Story* (1957), Original Music Composer
- *Rodan* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Actress* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Sound in the Mist* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *The Good-Natured Couple* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Sound of Youth* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Will-o'-the-Wisp* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Wandering Shore* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla, King of the Monsters!* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Darkness at Noon* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Called to the Stand* (1956), Music
- *Love is Lost* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Rainy Night Duel* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *The Burmese Harp* (1956), Original Music Composer
- *Bara no kōdōkan* (1956), Music
- *Where Might is Right* (1955), Music
- *Policeman's Diary, Part 2* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Brooba* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Kidnapper* (1955), Music
- *The Beauty and the Dragon* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Typhoon's Eye* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Three Faces* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *The Wolves* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *The Maid's Kid* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Tokyo Gang* (1955), Music
- *Women of Ginza* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *The Road to the Spring* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Driving Like Mad* (1955), Music
- *Life of Geisha* (1955), Original Music Composer
- *Haru no uzumaki* (1954), Music
- *Wakai hito-tachi* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Godzilla* (1954), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md)
- *Turbid Youth* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Jinsei Gekijo Yokubo hen: sanshu kirako* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Midori no nakama* (1954), Music
- *Ditch* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Cape Ashizuri* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *A Samurai's Love* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Sakuma Damu* (1954), Original Music Composer
- *Life of a Woman* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Outlaw* (1953), Music
- *Before Dawn* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Hiroshima* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *The Cannery Boat* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *White Fish* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Anatahan* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Desire* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *About Love* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Miniature* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Murahachibu* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Reminiscence* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *生れかわる客車* (1953), Original Music Composer
- *Swift Current* (1952), Original Music Composer
- *Zoku bakurō ichidai* (1952), Music
- *Violence* (1952), Original Music Composer
- *Children of Hiroshima* (1952), Original Music Composer
- *Furisode kyōjo* (1952), Music
- *Taki no Shiraito* (1952), Music
- *Escape from the City of Death* (1952), Original Music Composer
- *Sisters of Nishijin* (1952), Original Music Composer
- *Avalanche* (1952), Music
- *The Tale of Genji* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Stolen Love* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *限りなき情熱* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Who Will Judge Me?* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Freedom School* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *The Man Without a Nationality* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Judge of the Ashuras* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Clothes of Deception* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Beyond Love and Hate* (1951), Original Music Composer
- *Les Miserables II: Banner of Love and Freedom* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Les Miserables I: God and the Devil* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *The Rainbow-Colored Flower* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *The End of the War* (1950), Music
- *Crossing the Flames of War* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Designated Criminal* (1950), Music
- *Escape Between Midnight and Dawn* (1950), Music
- *Crazy Uproar* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Listen to the Voices of the Sea* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *White Beast* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *City of the Spider* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Heat and Mud* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *The Motherland Far Far Away* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Devil's Gold* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *I Am a Bodyguard* (1950), Original Music Composer
- *Koi rōka* (1949), Music
- *The Rainbow Man* (1949), Original Music Composer
- *Jakoman and Tetsu* (1949), Original Music Composer
- *Late Night Confession* (1949), Original Music Composer
- *Scarface Senta* (1949), Original Music Composer
- *The Quiet Duel* (1949), Original Music Composer
- *Kenji to onnakanshu* (1949), Music
- *A Woman in the Typhoon Area* (1948), Original Music Composer
- *Kuro-uma no danshichi* (1948), Original Music Composer
- *Utsukushiki hyō* (1948), Music
- *A Second Life* (1948), Original Music Composer
- *The President and the Shopgirl* (1948), Original Music Composer
- *Invitation to Happiness* (1947), Original Music Composer
- *Snow Trail* (1947), Original Music Composer
- *The River Watches*, Music

## Gallery

- ![Composer Akira Ifukube in 1954. Photograph by Tadashi Fujiwara.](https://film.one/media/person/15037/gallery-f3fac551ea37.jpg) Composer Akira Ifukube in 1954. Photograph by Tadashi Fujiwara. — Tadashi Fujiwara, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Akira_Ifukube_in_1954.jpg/1280px-Akira_Ifukube_in_1954.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![伊福部昭。1956年以前に撮影された写真。 (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/15037/gallery-a52fdf86890a.jpg) 伊福部昭。1956年以前に撮影された写真。 (2013) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Ifukube_akira.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 4 won

- Junior Fourth Rank 2006: Junior Fourth Rank (won)
- Person of Cultural Merit 2003: Person of Cultural Merit (won)
- Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class 1987: Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class (won)
- Medal with Purple Ribbon 1980: Medal with Purple Ribbon (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/akira-ifukube