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Action drama

The Great War of Archimedes (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Great War of Archimedes (2019) movie poster

The Great War of Archimedes is a 2019 action drama directed by Takashi Yamazaki, starring Min Tanaka as Tadamichi Hirayama, Tasuku Emoto and Jun Kunimura. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $16.5 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 78/100.

worldwide gross
$16.5M
Echo Score
78
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The Great War of Archimedes (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Takashi Yamazaki
Genres
Action , Mystery , Drama , War
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Great War of Archimedes About?

The premise of The Great War of Archimedes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the early 1930s, the Japanese Imperial Navy embarks on an ambitious project to build the Yamato, the world’s largest battleship. Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku questions the plan and enlists the help of Tadashi Kai, a young mathematics expert. Kai’s analysis reveals significant discrepancies between the official cost estimates and the true figures, leading them to uncover a dangerous conspiracy within the navy.

The Great War of Archimedes Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • japanese navy
  • rear admiral
  • admiral
  • warship
  • japanese man
  • japanese schoolgirl
  • japanese high school girl
  • japanese girl
  • girl
  • east asian girl
  • conspiracy
  • 1930s
+2 more
  • japan
  • asia
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Cast & crew

The Great War of Archimedes Cast & Characters

Min Tanaka leads the cast as Tadamichi Hirayama, with Tasuku Emoto as Second Lt. Shojiro Tanaka and Jun Kunimura as Osami Nagano. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Great War of Archimedes

· 7 more
From the director

More from Takashi Yamazaki

More films directed by Takashi Yamazaki, best-rated first: Godzilla Minus One, Stand by Me Doraemon 2, Lupin III: The First and Lupin III: The First.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Great War of Archimedes Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (68).

78 /100

The Great War of Archimedes Echo Score Breakdown

The Great War of Archimedes receives generally favorable reception, with most critics and viewers highlighting its thoughtful treatment of militarism and strong performances. Praise centers on the film's direction, engaging narrative, and effective use of historical context, while criticisms focus on occasional CGI inconsistency and dub quality. The balance of sentiment leans toward a positive appraisal, indicating a film that largely succeeds in its artistic and thematic ambitions.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film is often described as well‑directed and visually striking, with several reviewers noting the effective use of set pieces and CGI. Some criticism targets uneven CGI quality, but the overall consensus regards the production design and editing as competent. This yields a solid, above‑average rating for the art and craft dimension.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to acting and character depth, performers receive consistent commendation, especially Hiroshi Tachi and Masaki Suda, whose portrayals are called nuanced and compelling. A minority of comments criticize dubbing and isolated poor performances, yet the prevailing view emphasizes strong ensemble work and emotional resonance. The character aspect therefore scores high on the scale.

  • Story & Flow 73

    The narrative is praised for its inventive take on pre‑war politics and its engaging script, with many finding the plot both informative and thought‑provoking. Some reviewers note a conventional pacing and predictable historical outcome, which slightly dampens enthusiasm. Overall, the story is regarded as solid and coherent, meriting a moderately high score.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory elements such as the score and visual style receive mixed feedback; the music is lauded as gorgeous by some, while the CGI quality draws both admiration for action sequences and criticism for inconsistency. Sound design is not heavily discussed, leading to a balanced but not outstanding impression. Consequently, the sensory experience attains a modestly positive rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    Rewatch value is highlighted by viewers who find the film intellectually stimulating and enjoyable on repeated viewings, especially for audiences interested in history, mathematics, or strategic themes. Although some note predictability, the film’s layered commentary and strong performances encourage further viewing. This consensus results in a strong rewatch factor score.

Plot

The Great War of Archimedes Plot Summary

What happens in The Great War of Archimedes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rear Admiral Shigetarō Shimada and Vice Admiral Tadamichi Hirayama Min Tanaka push a plan to build a super-battleship, a bold project meant to symbolize Japan’s strength and resolve in a tense era. To test the idea, Yamamoto’s faction alongside Osami Nagano Jun Kunimura recruit Major Tadashi Kai Masaki Suda, an autistic mathematics prodigy obsessed with geometry, to critique the proposal and push for a tighter, smarter design.

Full summary

The whole story of The Great War of Archimedes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Great War of Archimedes Box Office

The Great War of Archimedes grossed $16.5 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.5M

International
$16.5M
Videos

The Great War of Archimedes Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Great War of Archimedes.

映画『アルキメデスの大戦』予告【7月26日(金)公開】
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Great War of Archimedes?

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

Who portrays Major Tadashi Kai in the film?

Details

The Great War of Archimedes Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Arukimedesu no Taisen” and “Archimedes no Taisen”.

Also known as
  • Arukimedesu no Taisen
  • Archimedes no Taisen
  • アルキメデスの大戦:2019
  • Yamato - Schlacht um Japan
  • 阿基米德大战
  • 阿基米德大戰
  • 아르키메데스의 대전
  • Великая война Архимеда
  • Yamato- Japonya Için Savaş

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FAQ

The Great War of Archimedes FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Great War of Archimedes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Great War of Archimedes?

The Great War of Archimedes runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was The Great War of Archimedes released?

The Great War of Archimedes was released on July 26, 2019.

Who directed The Great War of Archimedes?

The Great War of Archimedes was directed by Takashi Yamazaki.

More films by Takashi Yamazaki

Who is in the cast of The Great War of Archimedes?

The Great War of Archimedes stars Min Tanaka as Tadamichi Hirayama, Tasuku Emoto as Second Lt. Shojiro Tanaka and Jun Kunimura as Osami Nagano, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Great War of Archimedes make at the box office?

The Great War of Archimedes grossed $16.5 million worldwide.

Does The Great War of Archimedes have a post-credit scene?

No. The Great War of Archimedes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Great War of Archimedes in?

The original language of The Great War of Archimedes is Japanese.

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