Ikiru
生きる
“A big story of a little man which will grip your soul...”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 05 Jun 2026 at 11:08 IST
About
Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.
Cast
Takashi Shimura
as Kanji Watanabe
Haruo Tanaka
as Sakai
Nobuo Kaneko
as Mitsuo, son of Kanji
Bokuzen Hidari
as Ohara
Miki Odagiri
as Toyo
Shinichi Himori
as Kimura
Minoru Chiaki
as Noguchi
Minosuke Yamada
as Subordinate Clerk Saito
Kamatari Fujiwara
as Sub-Section Chief Ono
Makoto Kobori
as Kiichi Watanabe, Kanji's Brother
Nobuo Nakamura
as Deputy Mayor
Atsushi Watanabe
as Patient
Isao Kimura
as Intern
Masao Shimizu
as Doctor
Yūnosuke Itō
as Novelist
Yoshie Minami
as The Maid
Kumeko Urabe
as Tatsu Watanabe
Eiko Miyoshi
as Housewife
Noriko Honma
as Housewife
Yatsuko Tan'ami
as Bar Hostess
Where does Ikiru rank today?
Ikiru is #1355 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #1355
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch Ikiru Online Free in HD
Stream Ikiru online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A highly acclaimed drama movie originally produced in Japanese and released in 1952, it's earned a solid 8.3/10 from 1,343 viewers worldwide.
About Ikiru
“A big story of a little man which will grip your soul...”
Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life. Running 143 minutes.
Ikiru Cast and Characters
The cast features Takashi Shimura (as Kanji Watanabe), Haruo Tanaka (as Sakai), Nobuo Kaneko (as Mitsuo, son of Kanji), Bokuzen Hidari (as Ohara), and Miki Odagiri (as Toyo). Their performances are a major reason Ikiru has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Ikiru Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch Ikiru free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full film in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch Ikiru NowWhy People Are Watching Ikiru
There's a reason Ikiru keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy Japanese storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of film you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ikiru
Where can I watch Ikiru online for free?
You can watch Ikiru online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How long is Ikiru?
Ikiru runs for 143 minutes (about 2.4 hours).
Is Ikiru good? What's the rating?
Ikiru holds a 8.3/10 rating based on 1,343 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Ikiru?
The main cast includes Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka, Nobuo Kaneko, and Bokuzen Hidari, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is Ikiru available in Japanese?
Yes — Ikiru was originally produced in Japanese and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was Ikiru released?
Ikiru was released in 1952.
Do I need an account to watch Ikiru on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Ikiru without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Movies You Might Like
If you enjoyed Ikiru, check out Platoon, Persona, 7 Secretaries: The Movie, Strangers on a Train, and Rosemary's Baby.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ikiru
Where can I watch Ikiru for free?
You can watch Ikiru (1952) online for free on Bowood.TV. Just click "Watch Free" on this page to start streaming instantly — no account, subscription, or downloads required.
What is Ikiru about?
Ikiru is a Drama film. Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.
When was Ikiru released?
Ikiru was released on October 9, 1952. It has a runtime of 2h 23m. The film was produced by TOHO.
Who stars in Ikiru?
Ikiru stars Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka, Nobuo Kaneko and Bokuzen Hidari. The full cast list is available in the Cast section above.
Is Ikiru available in HD?
Yes, Ikiru is available to stream in high definition (HD) on Bowood.TV. Our players automatically deliver the best quality your connection supports — no extra setup needed.