Japanese box-office phenomenon Kokuho set for release in Vietnam next week

The film has become the highest-grossing Japanese live action film of all time in Japan.

Released in Japan in 2025, Kokuho, which translates as national treasure, quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Directed by Lee Sang Il, the movie is based on Shuichi Yoshida’s bestselling novel of the same name.

The story centers on Kikuo, the son of a yakuza gangster, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a family tragedy.

He is adopted by a renowned Kabuki performer and thrust into the rigorous, hierarchical world of traditional Japanese theater.

Over time, he matures into a gifted onnagata – a male performer specializing in female roles in Kabuki, a Japanese traditional theater form.

Growing up alongside Shunsuke, the biological son of his adoptive father, Kikuo embarks on a decades-long journey marked by camaraderie and rivalry.

The two become both stage partners and competitors.

Their relationship is woven with brotherhood, silent jealousy, and the inevitable scandals of the entertainment world.

Beneath the dazzling glow of stage lights lies a harsh backstage reality, where every advancement demands sacrifice of sweat, tears, and often personal happiness.

Set against the shifting landscape of post-war Japan, Kokuho portrays a generation of young artists confronting rapid modernization.

They are compelled not only to assert their individual identities but also to shoulder the responsibility of preserving cultural heritage.

The pursuit of the prestigious title of ‘Living National Treasure’ becomes the ultimate aspiration, yet it also serves as a rigorous test of talent, resilience, and integrity.

Besides its domestic success, Kokuho has been selected by Japan as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

Being chosen as the country’s representative is considered a significant recognition from industry professionals, helping bring the film closer to international audiences.

With its culturally rich content and record-breaking box office achievements, Kokuho is regarded as one of the most remarkable highlights of Japanese cinema in 2025.