Kabuki family drama 'Kokuho' cracks anime's lock on Japan box office

Distributor Toho uses anime promotional strategy as model for live-action success

20250818N Movie

"Kokuho" has found major success at the box office for a Japan-made live-action film, with help from distributor Toho's network of theaters and savvy promotion.  © Shuichi Yoshida/Asahi Shimbun Publications/2025 Kokuho Film Production Committee

TAKURO SUZUKI

TOKYO -- "Kokuho," a new film distributed by Toho about the life and career of two fictional Kabuki performers, has become the first live-action Japanese movie to gross over 10 billion yen ($67.7 million) at the country's box office in 22 years.

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