Kokuho

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Kokuho

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2h 54m

Drama

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92%

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39 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Nagasaki, 1964 -- After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor's only son, he decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. For decades, the two young men grow and evolve together--from acting school to the grandest stages--amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals.... One of them will become the greatest Japanese master of the art of Kabuki.

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Critics Consensus

A visual knockout that patiently explores the price that artists pay for their craft, Kokuho's astonishing technical virtues are only rivaled by Ryô Yoshizawa and Ryûsei Yokohama's superb performances.

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Keith Uhlich

(All (Parentheses)) (Substack)

2d

Koan-ically: If a movie compels in the moment but fades in recollect, does it make a sound?

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Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

2d

5/5

The average response to seeing a nearly three-hour Japanese movie about the art of Kabuki may be that it’s not your cup of (green) tea. But, you’d be sacrificing one of the awards season’s most gorgeous and stirring movies.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

2d

3.5/4

The film’s final act is an unexpected heartbreaker, which makes the story all the more compelling and satisfying.

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Janet Reinschmidt

MovieJawn

2d

Lee Sang-il lavishly explores the dedication, pain, and sacrifice it takes to become the titular Kokuho, or national treasure.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

2d

... deliberately paced yet visually striking and emotionally intense, bolstered by committed portrayals from the two leads.

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

2d

4/5

Just one stunning sequence, shot and aesthetic detail after another. Even if Kokuho overdoses on backstage melodrama in the latter half, the sumptuous visuals, passionate performances and epic scope of the story sweep you up.

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Stephen

1h

Story, Acting, Writing were all great.

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carol g

2h

Excellent movie. Beautifully shot, intriguing subject, very Japanese in symbolism and its twists and turns of plot.

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Janine

13h

A true epic of a movie. An exemplary depiction of one’s rise, fall and redemption in his chosen career. The movie was quiet and powerful. Was fully immersed in the world of Kabuki. I clapped and continue to be in awe of the story.

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Akiko

13h

It is a beautifully filmed movie. Superb acting by every actor. I learned what an amazing form of art and artistic expression kabuki is.

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Brian

23h

What a beautifully acted and filmed movie. Spellbinding and absorbing.

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t W

1d

Beautiful makeup and costumes, great stagecraft. Really loved the scope of the story and the look into Kabuki culture. I do wish the central protagonist was a bit more compelling.

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Lee Sang-il

Director

Ryô Yoshizawa

Kikuo Tachibana

Ryûsei Yokohama

Shunsuke Ogaki

Soya Kurokawa

Young Kikuo

Keitatsu Koshiyama

Young Shunsuke

Mitsuki Takahata

Harue Fukuda

Kokuho: Exclusive Featurette - Kabuki Training

2:22

Kokuho: Trailer 2

2:10

Kokuho: Trailer 1

1:29

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Synopsis

Nagasaki, 1964 -- After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor's only son, he decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. For decades, the two young men grow and evolve together--from acting school to the grandest stages--amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals.... One of them will become the greatest Japanese master of the art of Kabuki.

Director: Lee Sang-il
Producer: Chieko Murata, Shinzô Matsuhashi
Screenwriter: Satoko Okudera
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Aniplex
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $183.9K
Runtime: 2h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1