Biography
Miki Odagiri (小田切美喜) was known primarily for her important and timeless role as the upbeat office girl in Akira Kurosawa's classic Ikiru opposite Takashi Shimura, whose character is dying of cancer, and Miki, as Toyo Odagiri, inspires him to live... just by being herself: bubbly, spontaneous, and optimistic. Her character is also filled with blunt sarcasm that was extremely rare in movies of the early-1950's. Perhaps Miki and Takashi's most memorable scene is when she's telling him the nicknames she created for their fellow workmates... including his! Sadly, beyond Ikiru, finding the handful of other Japanese movies she appeared in, especially on DVD or Blu Ray, is extremely difficult. But she left an impression in what's considered not only one of the legendary Kurosawa's greatest achievements, but one of the best movies ever made, worldwide.
Filmography
Cast Credits

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Ikiru'
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2002

Shinran: Path to Purity
Character:
MOVIE • 1987

Shiosai
Character:
MOVIE • 1971

To Your Majesty, The Emperor
Character:
MOVIE • 1963

Boku chin hōrō-ki
Character:
MOVIE • 1962

When a Woman Loves
Character: Ohana
MOVIE • 1960

Monthly Salary: 13,000 Yen
Character:
MOVIE • 1958

Stakeout
Character:
MOVIE • 1958

Nikoyon monogatari
Character:
MOVIE • 1956

Pure Emotions of the Sea
Character: Yumiko
MOVIE • 1956
The Motherless
Character: Miyoko
MOVIE • 1955

Policeman's Diary, Part 2
Character:
MOVIE • 1955

Duel at Sundown
Character: Okatsu
MOVIE • 1955

Burden of Love
Character: Teru
MOVIE • 1955

Striving to Live
Character:
MOVIE • 1955

Policeman's Diary
Character: Momoyo
MOVIE • 1955

The Moon Has Risen
Character: Fumiya
MOVIE • 1955

Women's House
Character:
MOVIE • 1954

Student Double Suicide
Character:
MOVIE • 1954

The Street Without Sun
Character: Fusa-chan
MOVIE • 1954