(C) Honobu Yonezawa/KADOKAWA (C) 2026 “kokurojo””(The Samurai and the Prisoner) Film Production Committee
(C) Kazuko Wakayama
Total sales have exceeded 600,000 copies! Winner of both the 166th Naoki Prize and the 12th Yamada Futaro Prize, and ranked No. 1 on “Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!”—Honobu Yonezawa’s masterpiece has become the first work in history to sweep all four major mystery awards ( “Weekly Bunshun Mystery Best 10,” “I Want to Read Mysteries!,” and “2022 Best 10 Authentic Mysteries”). “Kokurojo”(The Samurai and the Prisoner) will be released nationwide in Japan on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Starring Masahiro Motoki, the film features a star-studded cast of leading figures in the film industry, including Masaki Suda, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Munetakla Aoki, Ryota Miyadate, Tasuke Emoto, and Joe Odagiri, alongside a lineup of talented actors such as Yusuke Santamaria, Mitsuo Yoshihara, Ryuta Bando, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, and Ikkei Watanabe. At the helm is director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a regular at the world’s three major film festivals and the recipient of the Silver Lion at the 77th Venice International Film Festival for “Wife of a Spy”, as well as the director of “Creepy”, which has garnered high acclaim both domestically and internationally.
Marking Kurosawa’s first foray into period drama, this epic psychological mystery set in the Warring States period unfolds within the “Kokurojo”(The Samurai and the Prisoner)—a fortress turned into a closed-off world. It weaves a tense narrative of conflicting motives among various characters, including the castle lord Araki Murashige (Masahiro Motoki) and his wife Chiyoharu (Yuriko Yoshitaka), as well as the genius military strategist Kuroda Kanbei (Masaki Suda), who is imprisoned in the dungeon.
(C) Honobu Yonezawa/KADOKAWA (C) 2026 “kokurojo””(The Samurai and the Prisoner) Film Production Committee
Masahiro Motoki, Masaki Suda, and Ryota Miyadate, the stars of “Kokurojo”(The Samurai and the Prisoner), made their first appearance at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, currently underway in France! Ahead of the film’s official screening in the “Cannes Premiere” section, they took the stage alongside Takamasa Aoki and director Kiyoshi Kurosawa for a photo call that drew thunderous applause.
On the afternoon of the 19th (local time), blessed with clear skies overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea in Cannes, the “Kokurojo” team gathered for a photo call (press photo session) held ahead of the official screening! Amid enthusiastic cheers and a flurry of camera flashes from media outlets around the world, the venue erupted in thunderous applause as the cast—led by lead actor Masahiro Motoki, along with Masaki Suda, Takamasa Aoki, Ryota Miyadate, and director Kiyoshi Kurosawa—made their grand entrance.
Dressed in sharp suits, the cast waved and smiled in response to the calls from photographers around the world. Led by Motoki, who serves as the lead actor in this film and exudes overwhelming dignity as the warlord Araki Murashige, the cast—including Suda, who plays the imprisoned military strategist Kuroda Kanbei as he investigates the truth behind the “mysterious incidents” occurring within the castle alongside Murashige, and Miyadate, who plays the young retainer Inui Sukesaburo, who shows unwavering loyalty to Murashige—are, surprisingly, all making their Cannes debut. However, even on their first visit to Cannes, their refined demeanor and gaze immediately captivated the seasoned international media, and with the sea of Cannes as a backdrop, they displayed a commanding presence that foreshadowed a new dawn for Japanese cinema.
Meanwhile, director Kurosawa, whose film marks his sixth entry in the official competition, and Aoki, participating for the second time, posed for photos with relaxed expressions, smiling shyly at the never-ending cheers. Furthermore, during the photo session, Miyadate spontaneously responded to a request from reporters, whirling around in a dazzling turn that brought the crowd to its feet! With the red carpet and the film’s official screening just around the corner, the cast—feeling a definite sense of anticipation—left the venue, each radiating joy and excitement for the upcoming red carpet event.
(C) Honobu Yonezawa/KADOKAWA (C) 2026 “kokurojo””(The Samurai and the Prisoner) Film Production Committee
● Comments from the four cast members are as follows.
■Masahiro Motoki / Comment as Araki Murashige: It was over in the blink of an eye while I was still nervous, but I think the “Kurorojo”(The Samurai and the Prisoner) team made a strong impression with “Lord Tachi’s” magnificent turn. I hope I can get through the red carpet without getting overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
■Masaki Suda / Comment as Kanbei Kuroda: The sea at Cannes felt both luxurious and casual—it was a place where everything was white and dazzling! I really love the “piercing gaze” that Director Kurosawa, who is usually shy, displays on the big stage, so I hope everyone will pay close attention to that.
■ Takamitsu Aoki / Asaemon Araki Comment: It was windless at first, but just as we were shooting, a pleasant breeze picked up, making for a truly exquisite photo call. Since the Cannes red carpet isn’t a place you get to walk down many times in a lifetime, I want to walk it proudly and enjoy it with the “KuroRojo“(The Samurai and the Prisoner) team.
■Ryota Miyadate / Comment as Sukesaburo Inui: I turned around with all my might, as if to show off the spirit of Japan (laughs). I’m really looking forward to the long-awaited screening of “kokurojo“(The Samurai and the Prisoner) and walking the red carpet with all of you.
Set in the Warring States period, this film depicts the ultimate “closed-room psychological battle.” How will this year’s premier mystery blockbuster, “Kokurojo”(The Samurai and the Prisoner), be received by international critics?
■ About the “Cannes Premiere” Section: A section of the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection established in 2021. It was created to showcase highly anticipated new films from master filmmakers and talented directors who have already established a global reputation. Among Japanese films, selections to date include Mamoru Hosoda’s “Belle” (2021), Takeshi Kitano’s “kubi” (2023), and Koji Fukada’s “Love on Trial” (2025). As a section where “the most talked-about films that should be screened right now” come together, it has garnered significant attention from media outlets around the world.
■Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cannes Film Festival History “Pulse”: 2001, 54th Cannes International Film Festival, Un Certain Regard section, Official Selection “Bright Future”: 2003, 56th Cannes International Film Festival, Competition section, Official Selection “Tokyo Sonata”: 2008, 61st Cannes International Film Festival, Un Certain Regard section, Jury Prize “Journey to the Shore”: 2015, 68th Cannes International Film Festival, Un Certain Regard, Best Director Award “Before We Vanish” (2017): 2017, 70th Cannes International Film Festival, Un Certain Regard, Official Selection.
(C) Honobu Yonezawa/KADOKAWA (C) 2026 “kokurojo””(The Samurai and the Prisoner) Film Production Committee