Japan erupted with joy on Monday as the samurai series “Shogun” made history by winning a whopping 18 Emmys for its first season. The awards included Outstanding Drama Series, with actor and co-producer Hiroyuki Sanada becoming the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic 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 fans following the awards live as it made headlines across Japan. The entertainment media Oricon proudly reported that a Japanese-language work had created Emmy history, showcasing the talent and collaboration behind the production.

The success of “Shogun” not only highlights the diversity in American entertainment but also pays homage to Japan’s rich legacy of samurai films, known as “jidaigeki,” which have influenced filmmakers globally.

Actor Kento Kaku, known for his role in the series “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” expressed his inspiration to pursue Hollywood dreams after witnessing the success of “Shogun.” Actress Tomoko Mariya also shared her emotional reaction to Sanada’s win, acknowledging the actor’s journey from Japan to Hollywood.

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.

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