When will the Blu-ray and DVD of Kokuhō be released?
In Japan, it’s confirmed: December 2, 2026, through distributor Amuse (full edition list and pricing below). But this is not a simultaneous worldwide release — if you’re outside Japan, the date is different, and in a couple of countries the Blu-ray is already out. Further down this page we cover what’s confirmed (and not yet confirmed) for the US, UK, Australia, and Germany, plus how overseas fans are importing the Japanese disc directly.
In addition to release dates, this guide explores how to enjoy the Blu-ray 10 times more from a Kabuki fan’s perspective—why the featured play changed from Sumidagawa to Sonezaki Shinjū, and what to look for in the bonus footage.
The Day Your Home Becomes a “Front-Row Seat at Minamiza”
You’re probably eagerly waiting for the Blu-ray/DVD release.
The performances of Kikuo (Ryō Yoshizawa) and Shunsuke (Ryūsei Yokohama) were overwhelming on the big screen.
But the true essence of this film lies in the details you couldn’t fully catch in a single viewing.
The pale white makeup floating in darkness.
The subtle tremble of fingertips.
And the creeping shadow of gangrene overtaking Shunsuke’s leg…
These are the moments you only truly grasp when you can pause, rewind, and slow things down—turning your home into the best seat in the house.
This article explores:
- Why the play changed from Sumidagawa to Sonezaki Shinjū
- Why Sonezaki Shinjū hits even harder in the film than in the original
- The beauty of Kabuki movements and their connection to real stage performances
If this film introduced you to the depth of Kabuki, this guide will help you experience it even more deeply.
Synopsis of Kokuhō
A man destined to become a national treasure is born into a yakuza family.
Kikuo, blessed with an otherworldly beauty, loses his father in a gang conflict and is taken in by Hanai Hanjirō, the head of a prestigious Kamigata Kabuki family.
There, he meets Shunsuke—the biological son of Hanjirō, born into privilege and destined for greatness.
With completely different backgrounds and talents, the two grow as rivals, dedicating their youth to the art of Kabuki.
But encounters and partings gradually distort the gears of fate…
A forbidden world of Kabuki never seen before.
Bloodline and talent, joy and despair, trust and betrayal.
Why do they cling to the world of art?
What drives a man to rise and become the one and only “National Treasure”?
Why Was the Play Changed from Sumidagawa to Sonezaki Shinjū?
This was the biggest surprise for fans of the original novel.
The key lies in the removal of a certain character.
The Absence of Toyo and the Loss of Sumidagawa
In the original, Shunsuke and Harue have a son, Toyo, who dies young.
Sumidagawa is a story of a mother searching for her lost child.
Shunsuke performs as a madwoman on stage, projecting his grief for his son.
However, in the film, Toyo does not exist.
Without the emotional anchor of a lost child, Sumidagawa no longer resonates in the same way.
From a “Parent-Child Story” to an “Actor’s Story”
By removing Toyo, the film sharpens its focus on the two actors.
- Sumidagawa: A story of parental love and loss
- Sonezaki Shinjū: A story of raw passion, love, and artistic devotion
The Necessity of “Shinjū” with a Decaying Body
In the film, Shunsuke suffers from gangrene.
With his acting career nearing its end, Kikuo (as Ohatsu) leads Shunsuke (as Tokubei) toward death on stage.
This “salvation through performance” requires two people.
Thus, Sonezaki Shinjū becomes the only possible choice.
Why the Film’s Sonezaki Shinjū Is Even More Heartbreaking
The answer lies in the physical reality added to the story.
The Blackened Leg as a Death Sentence
Shunsuke has already lost one leg and is about to lose the other.
This means the end of his life as an actor.
Every step he takes in the final performance is filled with agony.
On Blu-ray, you’ll feel that pain even more vividly.
Kikuo’s Ultimate Act of Mercy
At the climax, Kikuo kills Shunsuke on stage.
This is not just acting.
It is a final act of mercy—
ending his partner’s life at the peak of his artistry.
While the original offered quiet mourning,
the film transforms it into a fierce, devastating love.
Understanding Sonezaki Shinjū (Basic Guide)
To fully appreciate the film, you need to understand the original Kabuki play.
- Who are Ohatsu and Tokubei?
- Why do they choose death?
- What are the key highlights of the performance?
Even without the film’s added tragedy, this story has moved audiences for over 300 years.
Confirmed: Blu-ray/DVD Release Date and Editions (Updated July 2026)
It’s official. As of a July 2026 announcement, KOKUHO’s Blu-ray and DVD will release on December 2, 2026, through distributor Amuse. The release comes about a year and a half after the film’s theatrical debut — a longer wait than usual, driven by the film’s record-breaking run (roughly ¥20.8 billion in box office and 14.75 million admissions, one of the biggest live-action Japanese releases ever).
Five different editions are available, across three tiers:
- Deluxe 4K UHD + Blu-ray set — main feature in 4K UHD and Blu-ray, plus a bonus-feature disc (requires 4K-compatible playback equipment)
- Deluxe Blu-ray (2-disc) and Deluxe DVD (3-disc) — same bonus content as the 4K set, without the 4K disc
- Standard Blu-ray and Standard DVD — film only, no bonus footage
All three deluxe editions are first-production-run limited items, so early ordering is recommended. Note that the commentary track is included even on the standard editions — if you just want the film plus commentary, the standard editions cover that.
What’s Actually on the Deluxe Edition
The deluxe editions include two major bonus features long teased by director Sang-il Lee:
- An extended “kabuki scenes” cut (~50 minutes, 6 plays) — reassembled from footage trimmed out of the theatrical release. Highlights reportedly include an extended Futari Fujimusume sequence (barely a minute in the theatrical cut, now over 7 minutes), the Ninin Dōjōji performance that launched Kikuo and Shunsuke as rising stars, the Sonezaki Shinjū performance discussed at length above, a full Renjishi hair-whirling sequence, and both the Mankiku and Kikuo versions of Sagi Musume.
- Roughly 40 minutes of previously unreleased footage — reportedly including a cut opening sequence, a full version of the young Kikuo’s amateur performance of Sekinoto at age 14, and a first-look at Shunsuke’s strip-theater dance scene.
For kabuki fans specifically, the extended cut of Sagi Musume is the one worth waiting for — a fuller version of the piece the director had previously hinted at including.
Commentary Track
Both the deluxe and standard editions include a commentary track featuring the film’s kabuki movement supervisor, Ganjirō Nakamura IV, and choreography advisor Kazutarō Nakamura.
Full Price and SKU List
| Edition | Contents | Price (tax incl.) |
| Deluxe 4K UHD + Blu-ray | 4K UHD + Blu-ray (film) + bonus disc | ¥18,370 |
| Deluxe Blu-ray | 2 discs | ¥14,520 |
| Deluxe DVD | 3 discs | ¥13,640 |
| Standard Blu-ray | 1 disc, no bonus footage | ¥6,380 |
| Standard DVD | 1 disc, no bonus footage | ¥5,500 |
Our take: if the extended kabuki footage and unreleased scenes matter to you, a deluxe edition is the only real option — all three are limited-run. Go 4K UHD if your setup supports it; otherwise the deluxe Blu-ray covers the same bonus content at a lower price.
What About Outside Japan? Blu-ray Release Dates by Region
Kokuhō is not getting a simultaneous worldwide Blu-ray release. Each region has its own distributor and its own schedule, so “when does the Blu-ray come out” has a different answer depending on where you live.
Australia — Already Released (March 11, 2026)
Australian viewers can already buy the Blu-ray, released March 11, 2026 through a local distributor — well ahead of the Japanese release.
Germany — Already Released (June 12, 2026)
A German Blu-ray edition (titled Meister des Kabuki) has also already been released, on June 12, 2026.
United States — Theatrical Done, Blu-ray Date Not Yet Announced
Kokuhō was picked up for North America by GKIDS, which gave it a limited IMAX preview on January 21, 2026, a New York/LA/Canada release on February 6, and a wider expansion from February 20. As of this writing, GKIDS has not announced a home video (Blu-ray/DVD) release date for the US or Canada — we’ll update this section once one is confirmed.
United Kingdom — No Distributor Confirmed Yet
We could not find a confirmed UK theatrical or home video distributor for Kokuhō at the time of writing. If that changes, we’ll update this section.
Can’t Wait? Importing the Japanese Disc Is an Option — It Has English Subtitles
If your region doesn’t have a confirmed release yet, importing the Japanese edition is realistic: retailers like CDJapan sell it directly to overseas customers, and the Japanese disc includes English subtitles on the main feature. One practical note — Blu-rays are region-coded, and Japan uses Region A, the same region as the US, Canada, and most of East/Southeast Asia, so US and Canadian buyers can generally play the Japanese disc directly. The UK, Germany, and Australia use Region B, so check that your player is region-free before importing the Japan edition. Also keep in mind the deluxe-edition bonus content (extended kabuki scenes, commentary) is Japanese-audio only, so it’s most rewarding if you’re comfortable following along in Japanese or just want to see the footage itself.
Recommendation: Manga & Novel Versions
If you loved the film, the manga adaptation is also worth checking out.
It includes:
- Scenes not shown in the movie
- Deeper character emotions
For a more complete understanding, the original novel is highly recommended.
Conclusion: Two Lives Devoted to Art
Kokuhō is more than entertainment—it’s a story of life itself.
On first viewing, you may be overwhelmed by the performances.
But once you understand:
- The background of Sonezaki Shinjū
- Differences from the original
- Shunsuke’s physical decline
—you’ll see an entirely new layer on rewatch.
The Blu-ray allows you to pause, study, and feel every detail.
A story of two men who devoted their lives to art.
Owning it means experiencing that story again and again—on your own terms.
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