“Inception” (インセプション), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 2010, Christopher Nolan / Leonardo DiCaprio, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) S147

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese cinema release of Christopher Nolan’s Inception (インセプション), starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger and Michael Caine. The film opened theatrically in Japan on 23 July 2010, distributed by Warner Bros., with special advance screenings on 17–19 July—dates printed directly along the bottom of this original campaign poster.

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Inception follows Dom Cobb, a specialist thief capable of entering the subconscious minds of sleeping targets and stealing their most closely guarded ideas. Offered the chance to regain his former life, Cobb assembles a team for the seemingly impossible reverse operation of “inception” — planting an idea rather than stealing one. The film became one of the defining science-fiction blockbusters of the 2010s and later won four Academy Awards, including Cinematography and Visual Effects.

Poster design
One of the film’s most celebrated and instantly recognisable campaign designs, centred on the extraordinary image of an entire city folding vertically upward upon itself. Leonardo DiCaprio stands at the centre of the street as Cobb, surrounded by the principal members of the inception team, while the impossible architecture rises overhead in a perfect visual representation of the film’s manipulation of dreams, space and perception.

Across the upper section, the principal cast names are prominently printed in Japanese, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Ken Watanabe, while the stark vertical tagline reads:

「お前の頭へ侵入する。」

— “We will infiltrate your mind.” / “Entering your mind.”

The lower section is anchored by the vivid orange Japanese title インセプション, with 「ダークナイト」監督最新作 immediately beneath—promoting the film as the latest work from the director of The Dark Knight. The dark blue-grey cityscape, precise ensemble arrangement and impossible perspective make this one of the strongest pieces of modern Japanese science-fiction poster design.

It is over 16 years old!

Condition
Very Good. The poster retains strong colour and excellent overall visual impact, but there are several tears, creases and associated edge wear concentrated around the lower-right corner and right-hand margin. These tears have been carefully repaired from the verso, as clearly shown in the additional photographs. There is also some general light handling and storage creasing consistent with its history.

Importantly, the principal folding-city image, cast, title and central composition remain extremely strong. We have taken the condition fully into account when pricing this example. Once framed, it will display very well.

Please review all photographs, including the detailed front and verso condition images—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.