Otoko wa tsurai yo

Japanese film series

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July 15, 2026

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The Otoko wa tsurai yo film series, also known as "It's Tough Being a Man," is a beloved Japanese franchise that ran from 1968 to 1996. It features the character Tora-jiro Kuruma, affectionately known as Tora-san, a charmingly irresponsible peddler who travels Japan selling trinkets and often unsuccessfully pursuing romance. The role of Tora-san was famously portrayed by Atsumi Kiyoshi in all 48 films, making it the longest-running film series with the same lead actor. The films, produced by Shōchiku Co., Ltd., were box-office successes in Japan, resonating with audiences through Tora-san's witty wordplay and folksy sincerity.12

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Atsumi Kiyoshi
…Tora-san) in the 48-film series Otoko wa tsurai yo (“It’s Tough Being a Man”). The series ran from 1968 to 1996 and was the longest-running film series in which the same actor portrayed the central character.
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…Tora-san) in the 48-film series Otoko wa tsurai yo (“It’s Tough Being a Man”). The series ran from 1968 to 1996 and was the longest-running film series in which the same actor portrayed the central character.
Read More