Japanese-language TV series “Shōgun” dominated the drama series categories at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, winning four categories: best drama, best directing for a drama series, outstanding lead actor in a drama series and outstanding lead actress in a drama series.
With 18 total wins, it set the record for most Emmys by a drama series in a single year.
“Shōgun,” a historical fiction that depicts a 17th century feudal Japan that’s in the midst of a civil war, almost set the Emmys record this year with 25 total nominations. That has been exceeded only once: in 2019, when “Game of Thrones” received 32 nominations.
"It was an East-meets-West dream project with respect," Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Yoshii Toranaga, said in accepting the award for lead actor in a drama series. "And ‘Shōgun' taught me that when people work together, we can make miracles."
In addition to the big acting awards, “Shōgun” was also nominated for a host of technical awards, like production design, original dramatic score and stunt performance. It made history as the first show to take home 14 Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremony.
“I love the team sport of this,” Néstor Carbonell, who won the award for best guest actor in a drama, said of the crew.
Created by FX, the 10-episode limited series took a decade to create and had a record-breaking premiere across streaming platforms in March. It racked up 9 million views globally in just six days, according to parent company Disney, topping the premiere of “The Bear” Season 2.
"I was crying before my name was announced. I'm a mess today," Anna Sawai said accepting her award for best actress in a drama series. According to Variety, Sawai is the first Asian performer to win the category.
Sawai played Toda Mariko, which she called the "a role of a lifetime."
"This is to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone," she said.
“Shōgun” is the latest Asian foreign-language series to flourish in the U.S. and international markets. It follows “Squid Game,” a South Korean Netflix series that also made history at the Emmys in 2022. Lead actor Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian to win the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
However, “Shōgun’s” 25 nominations this year dwarf “Squid Games’” 14 two years ago.
Film experts say Americans have become more willing to watch foreign-language productions and read subtitles in recent years.
Sanada, who also spoke in Japanese as he accepted the award for best drama, thanked those who have inherited the stories of Samurai period dramas “up until now.”
“The passion and dreams we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders,” he said.
