**Takashi Miike** (born in 1960) is a prolific and controversial Japanese director, known for his eclectic and often extreme filmography. Emerging from the direct-to-video (V-cinema) market, he became a prominent figure in international auteur cinema.

His style is characterized by graphic violence, black humor, surrealist elements, and a constant breaking of genre conventions. Miike effortlessly transitions from the most disturbing horror (such as *Audition*, *Gozu*) to hyperbolic yakuza films (*Dead or Alive*, *Ichi the Killer*), action thrillers (*13 Assassins*), and even musicals or comedies. His works explore taboo themes, the human psyche, and the cruelty of society, making his filmography provocative and unforgettable.