‘Kokuho’ smashes 22-year-old box office record as Japan’s Oscar hopeful surges past 17 billion yen

Kokuho, Japan’s authoritative submission for Best International Feature Film astatine the 98th Academy Awards, has shattered a two-decade-old container bureau benchmark, becoming the highest-grossing home live-action movie successful the nation’s history. Distributor Toho confirmed the kabuki-themed play has earned much than ¥17.37 cardinal (about $111 million), edging past the ¥17.35 cardinal milestone acceptable by Bayside Shakedown 2 successful 2003.

Directed by Lee Sang-il and adapted from Shuichi Yoshida’s bestselling novel, Kokuho has rapidly evolved from a literate prestige task into a taste phenomenon. Since its June release, the movie has drawn much than 12 cardinal cinemagoers, propelled by beardown reviews for its sweeping scope and intimate exploration of the kabuki world. Spanning 5 decades, the communicative follows Kikuo Tachibana — a erstwhile yakuza taken successful by a revered kabuki actor.

Fronted by Ryo Yoshizawa, with Ryusei Yokohama and Ken Watanabe successful supporting roles, the ensemble-driven epic has besides captured planetary attention. After premiering successful Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, Kokuho screened astatine the Toronto International Film Festival up of a constricted U.S. rollout, with a wider North American merchandise planned for aboriginal 2026.

Its runaway occurrence has extended beyond cinemas. Japan’s container bureau surveyors study the movie has climbed to 11th spot successful the country’s all-time rankings, trailing taste juggernauts specified arsenic Demon Slayer and Titanic. Meanwhile, involvement successful accepted kabuki has surged: Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theatre recorded an estimated 30% leap successful first-time visitors betwixt July and October. Yoshida’s caller has besides enjoyed renewed momentum, selling much than 2 cardinal copies to date.

Produced by Sony’s Aniplex alongside Myriagon Studio and distributed by Toho, Kokuho is present positioned arsenic a home container bureau triumph and besides Japan’s strongest awards contender successful years.