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

Kokuho, Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, has shattered a two-decade-old box office benchmark, becoming the highest-grossing domestic live-action film in the nation’s history. Distributor Toho confirmed the kabuki-themed drama has earned more than ¥17.37 billion (about $111 million), edging past the ¥17.35 billion milestone set by Bayside Shakedown 2 in 2003.

Directed by Lee Sang-il and adapted from Shuichi Yoshida’s bestselling novel, Kokuho has rapidly evolved from a literary prestige project into a cultural phenomenon. Since its June release, the film has drawn more than 12 million cinemagoers, propelled by strong reviews for its sweeping scope and intimate exploration of the kabuki world. Spanning five decades, the narrative follows Kikuo Tachibana — a former yakuza taken in by a revered kabuki actor.

Fronted by Ryo Yoshizawa, with Ryusei Yokohama and Ken Watanabe in supporting roles, the ensemble-driven epic has also captured international attention. After premiering in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, Kokuho screened at the Toronto International Film Festival ahead of a limited U.S. rollout, with a wider North American release planned for early 2026.

Its runaway success has extended beyond cinemas. Japan’s box office surveyors report the film has climbed to 11th place in the country’s all-time rankings, trailing cultural juggernauts such as Demon Slayer and Titanic. Meanwhile, interest in traditional kabuki has surged: Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theatre recorded an estimated 30% jump in first-time visitors between July and October. Yoshida’s novel has also enjoyed renewed momentum, selling more than two million copies to date.

Produced by Sony’s Aniplex alongside Myriagon Studio and distributed by Toho, Kokuho is now positioned as a domestic box office triumph and also Japan’s strongest awards contender in years.