Kenji Tanigaki | |
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谷垣健治 | |
 Tanigaki in November 2018 | |
| Born | Tanigaki Kenji 13 October 1970 Nara Prefecture, Japan |
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| Years active | 1994–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), Wu Xia (2011), Raging Fire (2021), and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), and as an action director in See You Tomorrow (2016), Monster Hunt 2, and Hidden Man (both 2018). Tanigaki won Best Action Choreography in the 55th Golden Horse Awards for Hidden Man and Best Action Choreography in the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards for Raging Fire.
In addition to his work in Hong Kong, Tanigaki has developed careers in Japan and the United States. He participated in the American superhero film Blade II (2002), the Japanese drama film Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005), and the Japanese action film Kamui Gaiden (2009). He gained international recognition for his work as the action director of the Japanese jidaigeki action film 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 comedy film Shinjuku Swan II, the Chinese crime film The Liquidator (both 2017), and the American superhero film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021).