©Courtesy of GKIDS

GKIDS has announced plans to bring “Kokuho” to North America. The live-action movie, which was first introduced at Cannes and will have its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this month, will be Japan’s official submission in the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. GKIDS has planned to release “Kokuho” in theaters sometime next year.

“Kokuho” was directed by Lee Sang-il and stars Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, and Ken Watanabe. Aniplex Inc., Myriagon Studio, Amuse Inc., Toho Co., Ltd., Lawson Inc., and Credeus collaborate to produce the film.

Since “Kokuho” was released in Japan in June, it has surpassed 79 million in box office revenue within 77 days of release.

The official synopsis for the film reads: “Nagasaki, 1964 – After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, he decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. For decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals … one of them will become the greatest Japanese master of the art of kabuki.”

The deal was negotiated between Jesteadt of GKIDS, and Agathe Mauruc of Pyramide International.

“From the very first scene, I was completely taken with “Kokuho,” David Jesteadt, president of GKIDS, said. “Its combination of an epic decades-spanning story with some of the most beautiful Kabuki scenes put to film have made it one of the most unique and enthralling films I have seen, and audiences clearly agree. I am honored that we can share such a film with American audiences.”

GKIDS has achieved great success in the Best Animated Feature Oscar category, winning with Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron“, one of thirteen nominated films.