Kokuho

Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, gifted 14-year-old Kikuo (rising star Ryo Yoshizawa) is taken under the wing of famed Kabuki actor Hanjiro Hanai (played by the iconic Ken Watanabe, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samarai). Alongside the great performer’s only son, Shunsuke (Ryusei Yokohama), he dedicates his life to the artform – a centuries-old Japanese theatrical tradition known for its costumes, elaborate makeup and innovative stagecraft.

Over the ensuing decades, against the backdrop of stunning stagings of classic Kabuki tales, the destiny of the two young disciples entwines and twists - from acting school to the most prestigious stages - and their hearts suffer as much yearning, scandal and glory as their on-stage alter-egos. Only one of them will become the master of the art.

Based on the best-selling novel by Shuichi Yoshida, KOKUHO (which translates as 'National Treasure') stormed the Japanese box office in mid-2025, with demand escalating for months on the back of word of mouth, becoming a true cultural phenomenon.