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Animated musical

Inu-oh (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Inu-oh (2022) movie poster

Inu-oh is a 2022 animated musical directed by Masaaki Yuasa, starring Yutaka Matsushige as Tomona no chichi, Mirai Moriyama and Tasuku Emoto. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $484,127 worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2023. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$484.1K
award nominations
2
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Inu-oh (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Masaaki Yuasa
Original language
Japanese
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Inu-oh About?

The premise of Inu-oh without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a realm where music holds immense power, Inu-oh’s extraordinary story comes to life. Born into aristocracy but burdened by a mysterious curse, he discovers a passion for dance through an unexpected friendship with Tomona, a gifted musician. Their performances captivate audiences and propel them to fame, but this newfound success draws the unwelcome gaze of those seeking to exploit their talents. As they navigate a world of intrigue and hidden agendas, Inu-oh and Tomona must unite to understand the origin of their abilities and protect their unique connection.

Inu-oh Themes & Keywords

· 46 tags
  • anachronistic soundtrack
  • japanese animation
  • actor
  • noh
  • muromachi period
  • 14th century
  • disfigurement
  • disfigured face
  • mask
  • blindness
  • male friendship
  • buddy
+34 more
  • curse
  • cursed
  • rock music
  • anachronism
  • tale of the heike
  • heike crab
  • japan
  • underwater scene
  • crab
  • boat
  • rowboat
  • treasure
  • blind boy
  • kyoto japan
  • fire
  • biwa
  • singing
  • dancing
  • rain
  • blood
  • sword
  • anime animation
  • spin off
  • rock opera
  • dancer
  • adult animation
  • mature animation
  • rock musical
  • for grown ups animation
  • disabled
  • disability
  • based on novel
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Inu-oh Cast & Characters

Yutaka Matsushige leads the cast as Tomona no chichi, with Mirai Moriyama as Tomona and Tasuku Emoto as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Inu-oh

· 1 more
From the director

More from Masaaki Yuasa

More films directed by Masaaki Yuasa, best-rated first: The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, Ride Your Wave, Mind Game and Lu Over the Wall.

Full filmography
Ratings

Inu-oh Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Inu-oh 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in rewatch factor (88) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

Inu-oh Echo Score Breakdown

Inu-Oh delivers a bold, psychedelic reimagining of medieval Noh through a rock‑opera lens, where striking visuals and an electrifying soundtrack dominate the experience. The film’s inventive art direction and kinetic animation create a spectacular sensory feast that captivates audiences, while the narrative weaves history and legend into an emotionally resonant journey. Nevertheless, occasional uneven pacing and a fragmented plot dilute the impact for some viewers. Overall, the movie stands out as an ambitious, memorable work that rewards repeated viewings despite its structural flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 84

    In terms of art and craft, Inu-Oh exhibits a daring visual collage that blends traditional Noh aesthetics with hyper‑stylized animation. Cinematography sweeps across stage‑like settings, while production design bursts with color and texture, reinforcing the film’s kinetic energy. Editing maintains a rapid rhythm that matches the musical beats, though occasional tonal shifts feel abrupt. The overall craftsmanship delivers a vivid, immersive tableau that defines the movie’s distinctive identity.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film centers on two disabled protagonists whose bond drives the emotional core. Performances convey raw vulnerability, allowing viewers to connect with their quest for freedom. Supporting characters add layers of intrigue, though some lack depth, resulting in occasional emotional disconnect. Overall, the character work succeeds in creating a poignant, if uneven, human element amid the spectacle.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative weaves historical legend with modern rock‑opera energy, offering an inventive premise that captivates initially. While the story’s originality shines, its pacing falters in later sections, leading to moments of disjointedness and repetitive musical set‑pieces. Consequently, the plot’s coherence suffers, though its thematic ambition and emotional peaks sustain audience interest throughout much of the film.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    From a sensory perspective, Inu-Oh overwhelms with a pulsating rock soundtrack that intertwines seamlessly with bold visual motifs. Sound design amplifies the theatricality of each performance, while the animation’s vivid color palette and fluid choreography heighten immersion. Minor mismatches between musical genre and period setting appear for some viewers, yet the overall audiovisual impact remains strikingly effective.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    The film’s blend of striking visuals, memorable music, and emotionally charged moments encourages repeat viewings, revealing new details with each watch. Audiences report a lingering desire to revisit the theatrical sequences and explore deeper thematic layers. While narrative imperfections may recede on subsequent viewings, the overall experience retains a fresh, captivating quality that sustains its rewatch appeal.

Plot

Inu-oh Plot Summary

What happens in Inu-oh from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A withered biwa player unfolds a captivating tale from 900 years ago, detailing the epic quest of the Genji clan as they sought the Imperial Regalia to unite the emperor’s throne. Following their triumph over the rival Heike clan at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, a tragic fate befalls the child emperor, who drowns while clutching the Grasscutter Sword. Fast forward 300 years, agents of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (Tasuku Emoto) recruit a young boy named Tomona (Mirai Moriyama) and his father for a perilous task: retrieving a box from a Heike shipwreck. Inside, they discover a sword that holds dire consequences. Unaware of its true identity as the Grasscutter Sword, Tomona’s father unsheathes it, unleashing a devastating energy that claims his life and blinds Tomona in the process.

Full summary

The whole story of Inu-oh, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Inu-oh Box Office

Inu-oh grossed $484,127 worldwide. $351,558 came from the US and Canada and $132,569 (27%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$484.1K

US & Canada
$351.6K
International
$132.6K
US & Canada 73% Rest of the world 27%
Awards

Inu-oh Awards & Nominations

Inu-oh earned 2 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2023. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Inu-oh Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Theatrical Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official English Dub Trailer
  • Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Inu-oh?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What object unleashes calamitous energy when unsheathed?

Details

Inu-oh Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Inu-ō” and “The Dog King”.

Also known as
  • Inu-ō
  • The Dog King
  • Dog King
  • Inuō
  • Inu Ō
  • Inu-ô
  • Inuô
  • Inu Ô
  • Inu-ou
  • Inuou
  • Inu Ou
  • Inuoh
+10 more
  • Inu Oh
  • Inuo
  • Inu O
  • 이누오
  • King Dog
  • 平家物语:犬王
  • 견왕: 이누오
  • Ину-о: Рождение легенды
  • Іну-О
  • אינו-או

Seen Inu-oh?

FAQ

Inu-oh FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Inu-oh, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Inu-oh?

Inu-oh runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Inu-oh released?

Inu-oh was released on August 12, 2022.

Who directed Inu-oh?

Inu-oh was directed by Masaaki Yuasa.

More films by Masaaki Yuasa

Who is in the cast of Inu-oh?

Inu-oh stars Yutaka Matsushige as Tomona no chichi, Mirai Moriyama as Tomona and Tasuku Emoto as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Inu-oh make at the box office?

Inu-oh grossed $484,127 worldwide ($351,558 domestic, $132,569 international).

How is Inu-oh rated?

Inu-oh has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was Inu-oh nominated for any awards?

Inu-oh received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Inu-oh have a post-credit scene?

No. Inu-oh has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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