KINKI plot summary (no spoilers)
KINKI, known in Japan as Kinki Chiho no Aru Basho ni Tsuite, begins with an absence. A man who edits an occult magazine drops out of sight with no explanation. Two people refuse to let the matter rest: Seno Chihiro (Miho Kanno), who knows him as a friend, and Ozawa Yusei (Eiji Akaso), who works alongside him at the magazine.
The pair approach the disappearance from different angles, one personal and one professional, and their search leads them towards a particular place in Japan’s Kinki region. The film’s tagline captures the mood: a friend has vanished, and something about this location feels wrong. Drawing on found-footage techniques and the world of occult publishing, the story treats the mystery of what happened to the editor as a door into something stranger.
This summary covers only the premise. How far the investigation goes, and what Chihiro and Yusei uncover, is best discovered while watching.
What makes KINKI notable
- Director and writers: Koji Shiraishi directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Tetsuya Oishi.
- Source material: The film is based on a web novel, a source that suits its slow-burn, document-driven approach to horror.
- Genre and style: It is a Japanese horror-mystery with occult themes and found-footage elements, built around a missing-person investigation.
- Cast: Miho Kanno and Eiji Akaso lead the cast. Atom Shukugawa, Kyo Sato, Nose Rin, Keisaku Kimura, Atsuki Yamada, Rio Kanno, Yuko Fukui and Chika Kuboyama appear in supporting roles.
- Production: The film was made in Japan, in Japanese, with Warner Bros. Japan, Nippon Television, KADOKAWA, AX-ON and a network of regional broadcasters among the companies involved.
- Runtime: 103 minutes.
If you are looking for a KINKI review, this guide is a starting point. It sets out the premise, the creative team and the style, so you can judge whether the film fits your taste before you watch.
Who will enjoy KINKI
- Fans of Japanese horror who prefer creeping dread to non-stop shocks
- Viewers drawn to found-footage and investigative-style storytelling
- Anyone interested in occult lore and the eerie side of real-world places
- Mystery lovers who enjoy following characters as they piece together a disappearance
- Readers curious to see how web-novel horror translates to the screen
KINKI release date & where to watch
KINKI was first released on 8 August 2025. In the United States, the film screened at the New York Asian Film Festival on 23 July 2026.
As of 24 October 2026, US streaming, rental and purchase options are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data. A trailer is also not yet listed in our data. We will update this page when new viewing options appear.
Cast
Miho Kannoas Seno Chihiro
Eiji Akasoas Ozawa Yusei
Atom Shukugawaas Sayama Takeshi
Kyo Satoas Nagano Haruka
Nose Rinas Meguro YujiSee credits →
Keisaku Kimuraas Tanemura Eisaku- Atsuki Yamadaas Takami Ryo
Rio Kannoas Morota Miya
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- When was KINKI released?
- KINKI was first released on 8 August 2025. In the US, it screened at the New York Asian Film Festival on 23 July 2026.
- Where can I watch KINKI in the US?
- As of 24 October 2026, US streaming, rental and purchase options for KINKI are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data.
- Who is in the cast of KINKI?
- Miho Kanno plays Seno Chihiro and Eiji Akaso plays Ozawa Yusei. Atom Shukugawa, Kyo Sato, Nose Rin, Keisaku Kimura, Atsuki Yamada, Rio Kanno, Yuko Fukui and Chika Kuboyama are also in the cast.
- What is KINKI about?
- After an occult magazine editor goes missing, his friend Chihiro and his colleague Yusei look into what happened. Their search draws them towards an unsettling place in Japan's Kinki region.
- How long is KINKI?
- KINKI runs 103 minutes. It is in Japanese and was directed by Koji Shiraishi.
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