Kokuho

Play trailer

2:10

Kokuho

Now Playing

2h 54m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

50+ 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.

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Keith Uhlich

(All (Parentheses)) (Substack)

Feb 21

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

Go to Full Review

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Feb 20

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.

Go to Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Feb 20

3.5/4

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

Go to Full Review

Andrew Parker

The Gate

12h

9/10

Sang-il treats every character, development, and bit of tradition with respect and a delicate touch, all without feeling like a boring history lesson or a monotonous lyrical poem to forgotten traditions.

Go to Full Review

Diane Carson

AWFJ.org

3d

A

Over fifty years, through intertwined lives, Kikuo and Shunsuke grapple with their inheritance, their contrasting professional commitment or lack thereof, and their acceptance or rejection by the Kabuki world, all contributing to a consummate experience.

Go to Full Review

Janet Reinschmidt

MovieJawn

Feb 20

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Noe

5h

Amazing, brilliant, spectacular

See more

Karen

19h

Likes: Love letter to Kabuki theater. The Kabuki scenes were exquisite! Dislikes: Too long! Could have said what it need to say in a shorter amount of time. You don’t sympathize or like the main character.

See more

Karen

1d

Excellent story and acting visually stunning amazing dancing and makeup and costumes incredible. I loved this movie and going to see it again soon.

See more

Jose A

1d

A masterpiece, a must see film

See more

A L R

1d

Beautiful performances by the cast ensemble. Great close up and candid shots of the kabuki performances.

See more

Kay

1d

What an amazing storyline of two Kabuki performers who came from different paths. Not recommended children under 18 in my opinion.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

View more photos

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