TOKYO, Japan. Japan celebrated with immense pride as the samurai drama series Shogun made history at the Emmy Awards, claiming a record 18 wins for its first season. The awards included the prestigious Outstanding Drama Series, while Hiroyuki Sanada, the show’s star and co-producer, became the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series. Co-star Anna Sawai also secured a historic win for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series, marking a milestone for Japan in global television.
“You did it. You did it. Congratulations,” acclaimed director Takashi Yamazaki of Godzilla Minus One fame wrote on social media, expressing the overwhelming joy felt nationwide.
The awards ceremony, followed live by fans and media alike, dominated national headlines. Entertainment outlet Oricon proudly reported that a series primarily delivered in the Japanese language had “made Emmy history.” The outlet emphasized the significance of the achievement, stating: “The grand scale of Hollywood combined with the high quality of the production, including costuming, props, and mannerisms; the collaboration between the Japanese professional team, headed by producer Sanada, and the local production team; as well as the acting that delivered a strong sense of reality, all came together.”
Kento Kaku, who starred in the 2024 series Like a Dragon: Yakuza, shared his excitement on social media, reflecting on the inspiration he felt after witnessing Japan’s triumph on the global stage. “After seeing how cool that was, who’s not going to want to take up the challenge?” Kaku wrote on X.
Actress Tomoko Mariya tearfully reacted to Sanada’s win, recalling his journey to international fame. “What hardships you must have endured, choosing to leave your entire career behind in Japan and going to America alone. But it has borne fruit,” she wrote, referring to Sanada’s bold move to Los Angeles two decades ago in pursuit of Hollywood dreams.
The success of Shogun is being seen as not just a celebration of diversity in American television, but also as a testament to Japan’s enduring legacy in samurai films, known as jidaigeki. These period dramas have inspired directors and filmmakers worldwide.
Sanada, in his acceptance speech delivered in Japanese, paid tribute to the pioneers who paved the way for Japanese cinema. “I thank all those who supported and kept the legacy of jidaigeki alive,” he said, holding his trophy. “The passion and dreams we inherited traveled across the seas and crossed borders.”
Sanada, well known for his roles in The Last Samurai (2003) and 47 Ronin (2013), follows in the footsteps of legendary actor Toshiro Mifune, who first portrayed his character in the original Shogun series in the 1980s. This Emmy win further solidified his place as one of Japan’s leading actors in Hollywood.
The Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series was first awarded to an Asian actor, Lee Jung-jae, for the 2022 Korean hit Squid Game. Now, with Sanada’s victory, Japanese actors are marking their own significant chapter in the international entertainment industry.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
