Kokuho

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2:10

Kokuho

2025

2h 54m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified 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.

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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Alexander Mooney

Sight & Sound

Jul 16, 2026

Kokuho finds frequent force during sequences committed entirely to the characters’ craft.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

May 11, 2026

Even those who are not attuned to the nuances of the art form can hardly fail to be moved by this film’s sumptuous period production design, its stunning costumes and the depiction of the savagery and suffering inherent in creative excellence.

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Juan Barquin

Little White Lies

May 9, 2026

4/5

What’s most interesting about Kokuho is the way it trails through an extended period of Japanese history, embedding one in the culture without feeling the need to explain its appeal.

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Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

Aug 24, 2026

8/10

A sumptuous, absorbing drama about talent, tradition and sacrifice. Ryo Yoshizawa is extraordinary, and the kabuki sequences are breathtaking. The melodrama overwhelms the second half, but Lee Sang-il never loses his visual power.

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Helen Hawkins

The Arts Desk

May 13, 2026

4/5

The keening voices and ultra-stylised mannerisms of the genre are not staples of Western entertainment, so a three-hour feature film about a kabuki actor sounds like a tough proposition here. But the time is well spent and flies past.

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Zoe Crombie

The Skinny

May 13, 2026

3/5

The film’s standout performances make both the naturalistic real-world scenes and the bombastic kabuki sequences compelling throughout. Kokuho also boasts some of the finest hairstyles, makeup and costuming you’ll see onscreen this year.

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Caleb de Rosa

Mar 22, 2026

Amazing acting, costume, make-up, the drama is top-tier and leaves you with a powerful message about life.

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Masatoshi

Mar 16, 2026

Japanese traditional emotion reminded me of my hometown.

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DOROTHY

Mar 15, 2026

Well acted. Beautiful kabuki performances. Three hours approximately goes quickly. Should be scene on a larger screen to appreciate the dance performances. A film best seen in the theatre.

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Long

Mar 8, 2026

The story-telling or script is very interesting and natural-feeling, without much pretentiousness or man-made component to meet current or popular narrative.

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Ali

Mar 5, 2026

Stunning Work of Art! The Best Film of the Year! The Passion of Kabuki Artistry before my eyes!!! Honor and Respect!

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Benjamin

Mar 2, 2026

It was incredible! From casting, costume design, content, and superb acting, this movie is worth watching again and again. The performances in general were of very high standard! Fans of Kabuki must watch and those not familiar with Kabuki will be exposed to some of its intricacies and beauty.

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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

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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): $609.4K
Runtime: 2h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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