One of Japan's biggest success stories, cinema darling Kokuho has officially broken the domestic box office record for the highest-grossing live-action film in Japan. Announced yesterday via the film's official X account, Kokuho has earned 17.4 billion yen, with 12.3 million tickets sold across its ongoing 172-day theatrical run. The announcement means Kokuho has officially dethroned Bayside Shakedown 2, which set the original record 22 years ago in 2003.

Lee Sang-il's film tells the story of the grueling journey of two young actors to reach the pinnacle of Kabuki performance, to become Kokuho, a national treasure. The news also follows the late-August announcement that the film was selected by EIREN as Japan's "Best International Feature Film" submission for the 98th Academy Awards – with the results set to be released on 15 March, 2026.

scrmbl writer Alicia Haddick also praised the film in their official review, while the film has received global acclaim during its tour on the film festival circuit. If it wasn't already on your radar, maybe this is just all the more reason to check out Kokuho when it reaches a cinema near you.