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© 2024 “Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality” Film Partners

THE JAPAN FOUNDATION TOURING FILM PROGRAMME 2026 Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality 八犬伝 (Hakkenden) A retelling of the classic story, revealing the hidden tale behind it. In early 19th-century Edo, celebrated novelist TAKIZAWA Bakin (YAKUSHO Koji, Under the Open Sky, JFTFP23, Cure, JFTFP11) embarks on an ambitious new story of eight samurai warriors.

Each bears a mystical orb that grants them supernatural powers, drawing them together by destiny to break the curse afflicting the Satomi clan. Seeking an illustrator, Bakin turns to his close friend, the legendary ukiyo-e master KATSUSHIKA Hokusai (UCHINO Seiyo). Though Hokusai declines to collaborate, suggesting his son-in-law instead, he becomes captivated by Bakin’s storytelling and continues to visit, eager to hear each new chapter as it unfolds. Nearly three decades pass, and the tale has become Bakin’s life’s work — now serialised and nearing its climactic battle between good and evil. But Bakin’s private life takes its toll; in addition to family strife, he begins to lose his sight. Just as despair sets in, his devoted daughter-in-law, Omichi (KUROKI Haru, Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?, JFTFP23; It Comes, JFTFP23), makes an unexpected offer to help him continue, rekindling his determination to complete the work. Hakkenden is a story that has been adapted for film numerous times since the 1950s. But this adaptation is different. Masterfully directed by SORI Fumihiko (Pinpon, 2002), Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality blends the intimate true story of some of Japan’s most renowned artistic historical figures with the spectacular battles of eight fictional warriors.

It reveals the truth behind the classic household novel, featuring some of Japan’s finest actors alongside breathtaking visual effects. Awards Award of the Japanese Academy for Newcomer of the Year 2025 Screenings Hawai’i International Film Festival 2024, KINOTAYO Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema 2024, Japan-Square Film Festival 2025, Toronto Japanese Film Festival 2025

In collaboration with the Japan Foundation
Supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
Sponsors in Kind: SUQQU, Athletia, Clearspring, Pentel, Calbee

  • Director :
  • SORI Fumihiko
  • Starring :
  • YAKUSHO Koji, UCHINO Seiyo, TSUCHIYA Tao, KUROKI Haru
  • Release Date :
  • 19 Dec 2025
  • Certificate :
  • TBC / PG (FACT only)
  • Rate This Film :