“Kubi”: A Historical Drama with Kitano Takeshi Flair

(© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Kitano Takeshi himself plays the role of Hideyoshi, while Drive My Car star Nishijima Hidetoshi plays Mitsuhide. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Kabuki actor Nakamura Shidō (right) plays the ambitious peasant Nanba Mosuke. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Hideyoshi uses a former ninja and a peasant to trip up his rivals’ plans. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Kase Ryō brings fierce eccentricity to his performance of Nobunaga. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Kobayashi Kaoru (facing the camera at center), surprisingly, makes his Kitano debut as Tokugawa Ieyasu. His meandering take on the role is superb. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

Improvised exchanges between Kitano and the other actors are a highlight. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

The casual belief that “heads equal life” seems to serve as the core of the film. (© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)

(© 2023 Kadokawa; © T. N. Gon Co., Ltd.)