TOKYO – Japan erupted with joy on Monday as the samurai series “Shogun” made history by winning a record-breaking 18 Emmys for its first season. The series took home prestigious awards including Outstanding Drama Series, with star and co-producer Hiroyuki Sanada becoming the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Co-star Anna Sawai also made history by winning the award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series.

The wins were celebrated nationwide, with people following the awards live as the victories made headlines. Entertainment media Oricon proudly reported that a series predominantly in the Japanese language had made Emmy history.

“The grand scale of Hollywood combined with the high quality of production, including costumes, props, and mannerisms; the collaboration between the Japanese professional team, led by producer Sanada, and the local production team; as well as the acting that delivered a strong sense of reality, all came together to create this exceptional series,” the report stated.

The awards for “Shogun” not only showcase the growing diversity in American entertainment but also pay homage to Japan’s legacy of “jidaigeki” samurai films, which have influenced directors worldwide.

Actor Kento Kaku, who starred in the 2024 series “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” expressed his inspiration to pursue Hollywood dreams after the success of “Shogun.” He said, “After seeing how cool that was, who’s not going to want to take up the challenge.”

Acclaimed actress Tomoko Mariya shared her emotional reaction to Sanada’s win, mentioning the actor’s dedication to his career, which led him to Hollywood two decades ago. She wrote, “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.”

The accolades for “Shogun” reflect not only the growing diversity in American entertainment but also the legacy of Japan’s “jidaigeki” samurai films, which have influenced directors worldwide.

The success of “Shogun” is a testament to the talent and dedication of its cast and crew, showcasing the best of Japanese and Hollywood collaboration. The series not only breaks barriers but also opens doors for more diverse representation in the entertainment industry.

Sanada, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to all those who supported and preserved the legacy of jidaigeki. “The passion and dreams we inherited traveled across the seas and crossed borders,” he said while holding his trophy.

The success of “Shogun” marks a significant milestone in Japanese television and highlights the global impact of Japanese culture on the entertainment industry. With its wins at the Emmys, “Shogun” paves the way for more diverse, inclusive, and groundbreaking content in the future.

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Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://x.com/yurikageyama