Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
Japan celebrated as the samurai drama “Shogun” made history by winning 18 Emmys for its debut season.
The series won several top awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. Star and co-producer Hiroyuki Sanada made history as the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Co-star Anna Sawai also made history, winning Best Actress in a Drama Series, a first for Japan.
Director Takashi Yamazaki, known for “Godzilla Minus One,” congratulated the winners on social media, expressing excitement over the achievement.
The awards drew widespread attention as they were broadcast live and made headlines across Japan. Entertainment media Oricon highlighted that a show with predominantly Japanese dialogue had achieved an Emmy milestone.
Oricon's report praised the show’s impressive Hollywood production quality, including its costumes, props, and authentic portrayal, thanks to the collaboration between Sanada’s Japanese team and the local production crew.
Actor Kento Kaku, who appeared in the 2024 series "Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” expressed his enthusiasm for pursuing opportunities in Hollywood after witnessing “Shogun”’s success.
Actress Tomoko Mariya, moved to tears by Sanada’s win, reflected on his journey, acknowledging the challenges he faced in leaving Japan and pursuing his career in America.
The success of “Shogun” not only signifies increasing diversity in American entertainment but also honors the legacy of Japan's “jidaigeki” samurai films, which have influenced filmmakers around the world.
Previously, Lee Jung-jae was the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the 2022 Korean series “Squid Game.”
Sanada is among a few Japanese actors who have secured significant Hollywood roles, such as in “The Last Samurai” (2003) and “The 47 Ronin” (2013). His role in “Shogun” echoes Toshiro Mifune’s portrayal from the 1980s.
In his acceptance speech, Sanada, who also starred in Yoji Yamada’s 2002 film “Twilight Samurai,” paid tribute to those who came before him. He expressed gratitude for those who preserved the legacy of jidaigeki and celebrated the global reach of their passion and dreams.
