From 1963 to 1969, Ichikawa Raizo played "Nemuri Kyoshiro" in the series by Daiei Film. Animeigo released the first six films of the Daiei series on VHS and the first five on laserdisc under the title of Sleepy Eyes of Death. Animeigo later announced that it had renewed their licensing rights to the series and released a boxed set of the first four films on DVD in 2009. A second boxed set containing the next four films was released in summer 2010. The third boxed set came out in 2013.
Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade (1963)
Nemuri Kyōshirō 1: Sappocho Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka
The role of "Nemuri Kyoshiro" was then played by Matsukata Hiroki in two more Daiei films after Ichikawa's death:
Nemuri Kyōshirō: Engetsu Sappo Directed by Kazuo Mori
Nemuri Kyōshirō manji giri Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro
Tamura Masakazu series
The role of "Nemuri Kyoshiro" was then played by Masakazu Tamura in a Fuji TV series and later in five made-for-TV movie specials. Tamura also played the role on the stage in 1973 and 1981.
Nemuri Kyōshirō a Kansai – Toei production, 26 episodes
Nemuri Kyōshirō Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka
Nemuri Kyōshirō 2: Conspiracy in Edo Castle Directed by Akira Inoue
The role of "Nemuri Kyoshiro" was then played by Kataoka Takao in two series of 50-minute episodes for TV Tokyo. The plotline of the first series takes place during the Tokugawa Ieyoshi shogunate with the Satsuma clan leading a conspiracy with 13 Western clans against the policies of Council Leader Mizuno Tadakuni; when Satsuma clansmen, believing him to be working for Mizuno, murder his friends, Kyoshiro is unwillingly caught up in events and travels to Kyoto to face the leaders of the conspiracy, followed by and assisted upon occasion by O-ran, a female agent of Mizuno's, and Kinpachi, a ne'er-do-well and occasional pickpocket who's over-fond of gambling and women but with certain unusual skills. A second series, also starring Kataoka Takao, was broadcast in 1983; this series did not have an underlying plot but consisted of individual stories taking place after Kyoshiro has returned to Edo, using the Funasen boat-inn as a temporary residence.
Nemuri Kyōshirō a Japan TV production, starring Wataru Emi
Nemuri Kyōshirō a Fuji TV production, starring Mikijirō Hira
Manga
A manga version of Nemuri Kyoshiro by Yoshihiro Yanagawa was serialized in the Weekly Comic Bunch from the magazine's premier issue in 2001 to issue 43 of 2003. It was collected in ten tankōbon editions under the Bunch Comics imprint. Portions of the series were translated in the short lived English anthology Raijin Comics.
In late 2009 it was announced that Japanese singer-songwriter and actor Gackt would lend his image to a new Nemuri Kyoshiro project, starring as the eponymous protagonist, beginning with jidaigeki theatre stage play in May 2010, penned by Kundō Koyama. The play Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae started on 14 May 2010 at Nissay Theatre. The show ran for 120 performances in seven cities until February 27, 2011, with an estimated 150,000 spectators. Its music director and score composer was Sugizo. The original soundtrack was released on 14 May 2010 by Gordie Entertainment, while play's DVD recording in February 2011.
Legacy
Isao Takahata said the warrior outfits in Pom Poko were inspired by Nemuri Kyoshiro.
The Blade anime has the character mimicking Nemuri Kyoshiro's sword technique at one point.
The titular character in the 2011 anime adaptation of Dororon Enma-kun also pulls off the move in episode 12.
