**Shin'ichi Chiba** (1939-2021), better known as **Sonny Chiba**, was an icon of Japanese action cinema. Renowned for his intense screen presence and extraordinary martial arts skills, he dominated action films from the 1970s.

His most iconic role was that of Takuma Tsurugi in *The Street Fighter* series (1974), which established him as an international star thanks to his brutal and uncompromising approach. He typically portrayed anti-heroes, martial arts experts, or relentless criminals, characterized by stylized violence and powerful combat moves.

Other notable films include *Golgo 13: Kowloon Assignment* and *Yakuza Graveyard*. His influence extended to Hollywood, culminating in his role as Hattori Hanzo in Quentin Tarantino's *Kill Bill: Volume 1*. Chiba left an indelible mark on the genre.