American limited series Shogun is turning out to be the hottest topic on the lips of the fans of historical dramas. Although only the first two episodes of the show have been released so far, it has developed a reputation that is similar to HBO’s hit drama series Game of Thrones.
The show has a complex storyline with themes such as twisted family dynamics and politics intertwined. The only notable difference between Game of Thrones and Shogun is the absence of magic in the latter. The creators claimed that the success of the show is mostly due to the time and effort the lead actor and producer Hiroyuki Sanada has put into the show. Even so, he refuses to take credit.
Shogun Creators Claim Hiroyuki Sanada’s Contributions Led to the Creation of the Show
Shogun is a show that is rooted in reality even though is set in an expansive fictional world. Based on James Clavell’s eponymous novel from 1975, the series has incorporated historical elements from the 1600s in Japan. The culturally appropriate cast and dialogues only add to the show’s charm.
The show’s producer Hiroyuki Sanada has not only done his best to bring the most authentic depiction of Japanese culture to Western audiences but also handpicked the Japanese crew over years of working in the genre. So, it would not be wrong to credit Sanada with the success of the series as the creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks did recently.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Kondo reflected on how although Sanada has spent so much time on the series, he refuses to take credit.
“[He] poured himself into the role in a way that that truly feels unprecedented. To say he was merely ‘hands-on’ would be an understatement.”
This is not the first time James Clavell’s Shogun has been adapted into a series. It was previously into a limited series in 1980. Even back then, the show saw the highest Nielsen ratings and turned out to be a nationwide sensation in the U.S.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s Vision for the Show Goes Beyond Its Success in the Present
Shows like Game of Thrones are never really gone even after they have stopped airing new episodes. Shogun is turning out to be like one of these shows with its makeover. In the aforementioned interview, Hiroyuki Sanada also revealed his vision for the future of Japanese actors with the success of Shogun. He said:
“I feel the door is much much more open than 20 years ago. So, I hope young actors try to come to the world market more and more. I’d like to make a bridge for them, so that’s why Shōgun [is] going to be a big footstep for the future, for the industry, but also for the young generation of actors in Japan.”
The artists of now need to make things such that the next generation feels comfortable with expanding their horizons and exposing themselves to new possibilities.
Shogun premiered with the first two episodes on Hulu and FX on February 27.
