Theatrical Film (2009) starring Satomi Kobayashi as Terumi Yazawa & Oteru, 6.7/10 IMDb — Steady reception.
Toad's Oil (ガマの油) is the theatrical film Satomi Kobayashi appeared in during 2009,
and a marker of the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity — year 27 of her on-screen career.
Toad's Oil in the Filmography
Toad's Oil is
credit #32 of 56 in the chronological filmography, released 27 years after Satomi Kobayashi’s 1982 debut and 16 years before her most recent 2025 credit. It is one of 2 theatrical film releases she made in 2009.
| Chronological position | credit #32 of 56 |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Film rank | #13 of 23 in this format |
| 2000s position | #13 of 15 in the 2000s |
| Age at release | 44 years (born 1965) |
| 2009 output | 3 credits (this title plus 2 other) |
| Drama genre peer set | 37 credits share this genre tag |
| Previous credit | 2 kûru (2008) — 1 year earlier |
| Following credit | Pool (2009) — 0 years later |
| IMDb identifier | tt1248922 |
The Role — Terumi Yazawa & Oteru
The Character
Terumi Yazawa & Oteru
In Toad's Oil, Kobayashi inhabits Terumi Yazawa & Oteru — a role calibrated to the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity. The performance carries the restraint and observational stillness that has come to define her later filmography.
Original Japanese Titling
| Japanese title | ガマの油 |
|---|---|
| English release title | Toad's Oil |
Genre Footprint
The film is catalogued under Drama on IMDb — placing it among steady reception entries in Kobayashi’s filmography.
The Production
Format & Vital Statistics
| Format | Theatrical Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 · 2000s |
| Runtime | 2h 11m |
| IMDb rating | 6.7 / 10 |
| Votes | 145 |
In the Career Arc
Position in a 44-Year Career
Released in 2009, this theatrical film sits in the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity, year 27 after Kobayashi’s 1982 debut in I Are You, You Am Me.
Critical Position vs Career Median
The 6.7/10 IMDb score (from 145 votes) lands
-0.1 below
her career median of 6.8. Reception band: Steady reception.
Other Kobayashi Releases in 2009
- Pool — Theatrical Film
- Akahana no sensei — TV Series
Full Catalogue Record
Production & Billing
| Cast billing position | #2 (lead/principal) |
|---|---|
| Credited as | actress |
Regional Release Titles (2)
| Region | Title | Language | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP | ガマの油 | JA | imdbDisplay |
| US | Toad's Oil |
About Toad's Oil
What role does Satomi Kobayashi play in Toad's Oil?
Satomi Kobayashi plays Terumi Yazawa & Oteru in Toad's Oil (2009), a theatrical film.
How is Toad's Oil rated on IMDb?
Toad's Oil holds an IMDb score of 6.7/10 from 145 votes — -0.1 below Satomi Kobayashi's career median of 6.8.
What is the original Japanese title of Toad's Oil?
The original Japanese title is ガマの油, released in 2009.
How long is Toad's Oil?
Toad's Oil runs 2h 11m.
