6. Sonny Chiba as Hattori Hanzo (Kill Bill Vol. 1)
Sonny Chiba exudes perhaps perversely genuine warmth in an exploitation-homaging film some might argue is all style, no substance. Chibas years of martial arts stardom lend Hattori Hanzo the presence and sense of rich history that the character requires, a backstory referenced only briefly, but which we know is there. The pervading sadness and feeling of regret that Chiba brings to late-life Hanzo is rather touching, too, turning the character into someone we sense is a once-great warrior at the end of his days. He also gets one seriously bad-ass line, delivered after he gifts The Bride his finest ever sword: If, on your journey, you should encounter God...God will be cut. Brutal.