Japan Achieves Historic Emmy Wins for ‘Shogun’

TOKYO (AP) — Japan celebrated with excitement on Monday as the samurai series “Shogun” achieved an impressive milestone, winning a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards for its inaugural season.

The show was honored with several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. Hiroyuki Sanada, who stars in and co-produces the series, made history by becoming the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series. In another historic achievement, co-star Anna Sawai won the Emmy for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series, marking a first for Japanese actresses as well.

“You did it. You did it. Congratulations,” wrote Takashi Yamazaki, the director of “Godzilla Minus One,” on social media, joining in the celebration.

Viewers closely followed the live award announcements, which quickly captured the nation’s attention. The entertainment media outlet Oricon proudly noted that a program predominantly featuring dialogue in Japanese had made “Emmy history.”

The report highlighted the spectacular blend of Hollywood’s grand scale with top-notch production quality, which included impressive costumes, props, and authentic mannerisms. It mentioned the fruitful collaboration between the Japanese team, led by producer Sanada, and the local production crew, alongside a cast that brought a powerful sense of realism to the story.

Actor Kento Kaku, known for his role in the 2024 series “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” expressed that he felt inspired to chase his Hollywood aspirations after seeing the success of “Shogun.”

“After witnessing such an incredible achievement, who wouldn’t want to take on the challenge?” he shared on X.

Actress Tomoko Mariya revealed that she was overcome with emotion when Sanada’s victory was announced. “I can only imagine the hardships you faced, leaving behind your entire career in Japan and venturing to America alone. But it has all paid off,” she reflected, referencing Sanada’s move to Los Angeles two decades ago.

The acclaim for “Shogun” highlights a growing diversity in American entertainment and pays homage to Japan’s influential “jidaigeki” samurai films, which have left a lasting mark on global cinema.

Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series for his role in the hit 2022 Korean series “Squid Game.”

Sanada is among the few Japanese actors to achieve significant roles in Hollywood films, including “The Last Samurai” (2003) and “The 47 Ronin” (2013), which starred Keanu Reeves. In “Shogun,” he takes on a role originally portrayed by Toshiro Mifune in a 1980s adaptation.

In his acceptance speech, Sanada, who also starred in Yoji Yamada’s 2002 film “Twilight Samurai,” acknowledged those who had paved the way before him. “I am grateful to everyone who supported and kept the legacy of jidaigeki alive,” he said in Japanese while holding his Emmy trophy. “The passion and dreams we inherited have crossed oceans and transcended borders.”

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