The film "National Treasure" (directed by Lee Sang-il, scheduled for release on June 6, 2025), starring Ryo Yoshizawa, has surpassed 20 billion yen in box office revenue in the 255 days since its release on February 15. Distributor Toho announced this on the 16th. The total number of viewers has exceeded 14,152,409. In the all-time box office rankings, it has surpassed "Howl's Moving Castle" (2004) which grossed 19.6 billion yen, and is now in 10th place behind "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) which grossed 20.3 billion yen (according to Kogyo Tsushinsha).
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Shuichi Yoshida (published by Asahi Shimbun Publications). Set in post-war Japan during the period of rapid economic growth, the story follows the protagonist Kikuo (Yoshizawa), who was born into a family of yakuza but was adopted into the home of kabuki actor Hanjiro Hanai (Watanabe Ken). He meets Hanjiro's heir, Shunsuke (Yokohama Ryusei), and the two men, from completely different backgrounds, risk their lives to devote their lives to the art.
At the 98th Academy Awards, an American film awards ceremony announced in January, it became the first Japanese film to be nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
