Kokuho
Directed by Sang-il Lee7.694%97%7.9
Nagasaki, 1964. Na de dood van zijn yakuza-vader wordt de 15-jarige Kikuo opgenomen door een beroemde kabuki-acteur. Samen met diens zoon Shunsuke besluit hij zich te wijden aan deze traditionele theatervorm. In de decennia die volgen groeien de twee samen op binnen de wereld van het kabuki, waar een van hen uitgroeit tot een groot meester in de kunst.
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Kokuho Ratings & Reviews
- Kevin Ward19 september 2025Reminded me of Black Swan in the way it blurs discipline, obsession, and performance into something beautiful, yet almost nightmarish at times. It’s a sweeping epic that unfolds across 50 years, beginning with Kikuo (Ryo Yoshizawa), who is taken in by Hanjiro (Ken Watanabe) a famous Kabuki performer after Kikuo’s father is slain in a yakuza killing. This sets up lifelong brotherhood and pseudo rivalry, with the Hanjiro’s biological son, Shunsuke (Ryusei Yokohama), as both son and now adopted son train in the art of Kabuki. The dynamic plays out in somewhat familiar beats of sacrifice and the painstaking cost of perfection. I’m not familiar at all with the art of Kabuki theater. So inevitably, it’s this entry into that specific world is what makes this feel so distinct. The Kabuki is entrancingly realized on screen. Tremendous credit to all three leads who to my knowledge had no previous Kabuki training. Even if the dramatic structure is familiar and it diverts occasionally into melodrama, the artistry at its center gives it real weight, and it’s certainly given me an appreciation for the form.
- Hakihiko27 februari 2026A Theatrical Triumph of Culture and Craft "Kokuho" is truly a gem, a film that feels both monumental and intimate at the same time. It's an ambitious production that manages to translate the grandeur of Kabuki into cinema with remarkable care and artistry. The costumes and makeup are simply extraordinary. Every detail feels meticulously crafted, honoring the tradition and visual power of Kabuki theater. Visually, the film is stunning, and the theatrical sequences carry an authenticity that makes them mesmerizing to watch. Even more impressive is the work of the main cast. Considering that the actors reportedly had no prior experience performing Kabuki before the film, their performances are exceptional. They don't just imitate the style, they embody it with conviction and emotional depth. The dedication behind their preparation clearly shows on screen. Despite its three-hour runtime, the film never feels heavy. It flows with confidence, supported by a soundtrack that is perfectly aligned with the tone and cultural setting. The music enhances the dramatic weight without overpowering it, making every key moment resonate. My main criticism lies in the scope of the source material. It's simply too vast and complex to be fully explored in "just" three hours. The filmmakers performed something close to a miracle by condensing it into a coherent and compelling film, but inevitably some characters feel underdeveloped or only lightly touched upon. The movie rarely feels rushed, yet it moves quickly, perhaps too quickly for a story of this magnitude. It's also worth noting that the impact of "Kokuho" may vary greatly depending on cultural perspective. For viewers unfamiliar with Kabuki or Japanese traditions, some layers of meaning might not resonate as deeply. But for those open to it, the film becomes an even richer experience. In the end, "Kokuho" is a powerful, beautifully crafted work that balances spectacle and emotion with rare elegance. One of the true highlights of the 2025.
Kokuho Trivia
Kokuho was released on 6 juni 2025.
Kokuho was directed by Sang-il Lee.
Kokuho has a runtime of 2 u, 54 m.
Kokuho was produced by Shinzô Matsuhashi.
Nagasaki, 1964. Na de dood van zijn yakuza-vader wordt de 15-jarige Kikuo opgenomen door een beroemde kabuki-acteur. Samen met diens zoon Shunsuke besluit hij zich te wijden aan deze traditionele theatervorm. In de decennia die volgen groeien de twee samen op binnen de wereld van het kabuki, waar een van hen uitgroeit tot een groot meester in de kunst.
The key characters in Kokuho are Kikuo Tachibana (Ryo Yoshizawa), Shunsuke Ogaki (Ryusei Yokohama), Harue Fukuda (Mitsuki Takahata).
Kokuho is rated Not Rated.
Kokuho is a Drama, Historisch film.
Kokuho has an audience rating of 9.7 out of 10.
Kokuho had a budget of US$ 8 mln..
Kokuho has made US$ 134,4 mln. at the box office.