Movie ‘Kokuhou’ Achieves Monumental Box Office Milestone
The domestic box office revenue for the movie 『Kokuhou』 (which can be translated as ‘National Treasure’) has surpassed a staggering 20 billion yen after 255 days of release as of February 15, 2026. This monumental achievement propels it past 『Howl’s Moving Castle』 (19.6 billion yen) to claim the 10th spot on the all-time box office ranking charts, right behind 『Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone』 (20.3 billion yen).
A Cinematic Epic Rooted in Authentic Experience
Directed by Ri Suu Nichi of 『Hula Girls』 fame and starring Yoshizawa Ryou (known for 『Kingdom』 and 『Tokyo Revengers』), 『Kokuhou』 was released on June 6, 2025. The film is based on a deeply personal novel by author Yoshida Shuuiichi, who immersed himself in the world of Kabuki for three years, even working as a kurogo (stage assistant) to absorb the atmosphere and craft an authentic story.
The narrative is a sweeping, 50-year saga following the life of protagonist Kikuo. Born into a yakuza clan but adopted into a family of Kabuki actors, he dedicates his entire existence to the rigorous, artistic path of the stage.
Scriptwriting Pedigree and Record-Breaking Success
The film also garnered significant attention for its screenplay, penned by the acclaimed scriptwriter Okudera Satoko. Okudera-san, whose award-winning work on projects like 『Summer Wars』 and the drama 『Saiai』 showcases her talent for illuminating complex human relationships and emotional depths, brought her formidable skills to this project.
『Kokuhou』 first made headlines by dethroning 『Bayside Shakedown 2』 (2003) to become the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film of all time, a record unbroken for 22 years. Its momentum never waned, consistently drawing audiences to theaters.
Official Numbers and Historical Ranking
Now, the official figures are in: after 255 days in theaters, the film has attracted 14.15 million moviegoers and generated over 20 billion yen in revenue. According to the rankings by Kogyo Tsushinsha, this 20-billion-yen mark officially places 『Kokuhou』 at #10 in Japan’s all-time box office history. It has overtaken Studio Ghibli’s classic 『Howl’s Moving Castle』 (2004, 19.6 billion yen) and now sits just below the first Harry Potter film (2001, 20.3 billion yen).
Even after more than eight months, the film’s box office engine shows no signs of stopping, and its cultural resonance continues to build. Fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see how much higher this modern cinematic kokuhou can climb.
Written by Nakase Koutarou
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