Because of the book, the 1980 mini-series, and now the most recent mini-series, this story was my gateway into Japan, Japanese history and culture. I have been enamored with Japan since I was a little kid, and now being in my mid-40s, I am trying to convince my wife that we need to travel to Japan and just immerse ourselves. Thank you for your video, it just re-enforces my love of your nation.
@@askjapan9669I am very sorry that apparently a lot of foreign tourists that do NOT know how to act in a foreign country have a lot have been making trouble in public in Japan. I’m sure the issue is not as prevalent as online news feeds make it look, but as someone who dearly wants to visit, maybe even work there for a while and make some friends, it makes me feel embarrassed as an American who just has an interest in going.
I’m really enjoying the show! I’m Japanese, and my friends and I have been talking about how impressed we are at the performances of the minor actors and it’s refreshing to see new faces, as not all major Japanese actors necessarily put on a great performance. I think this show did a great job with expressing Japanese culture through costumes, etc. :)
I'm glad you enjoyed it; I finished episode 7 the other day and think the quality has been consistent so far. Regarding the actors, I love Asano; I haven't seen him in a film in years and he has been great in this. He is such a slimy character but you can't help but to like him because of the acting.
I love Shogun and I hope you like the rest of the episodes as well. I appreciate you speaking English for all of us. I'm trying to learn Japanese myself and I hope I can be as conversational with Japanese as you are with English. Looking forward to more videos like this. どうもありがとう！
@@hanzouwu It was mentioned several times that the characters in the drama are based on historical figures and the events portraited are not what actually happened historically. But in order to have a more dramatic effect, the facts where changed -- which we can see in several shows. The Tudors is a good example, the people presented really existed, but what actually happened historically was not 100% faithful to reality. In the case of Shogun that's even more the case, since many of the characters presented had different names and lives that the supposed real life counterparts. In the case of Blackthorn, for example, the real Blackthorn never met the real Mariko, he never took part in the conflict, he never went back to England. He stayed in Japan as a shipbuilder and pilot, married, had children and died there.
@@fmilan1 it's a show made from a book not real life take it up with the book writer. FYI Blackthorn never left Japan in the show that was his dream of being back home since he's was holding Mariko's cross in the dream but threw it into the water instead
Japanese culture has always been so... enticing to me. So unique, so nuanced and... exotic, one might say. I cherish any chance I get to hear the opinions of one of your own towards anything, as you prove to be... insightful in a way I do not see in my corner of the world. Greetings from Mexico.
@@askjapan9669, Mazu daiichi ni, shōgun shōsetsu wa watashinōkiniiri no hon no hitotsudearu to iwanakereba narimasen. Watashi ga 15-sai no toki (30-nen mae) ni yonda hon wa, nipponbunka e no miryoku-tekina nyūmonshodeshita. Seiyō no yaban hito to shite, hikaeme ni itte mo, soreha shōgeki-tekideshita. Hondai ni modorimasuga, kono shirīzu wa rekishi-teki jijitsude wa naku, kakū no hon ni motodzuite iru koto o meikaku ni suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. Jēmuzu kuraberu wa kazoe kirenai hodo no geijutsu-teki jiyū o ubatte kitaga, soreni mo kakawarazu, aruiwa osoraku sono okage de, kono Moto no shudai wa gaikoku hito ni totte yori shitashimi yasui mono to natte iru.
There´s no controversy, at least in this part of the world...here, is a great show. If anyone in Japan says that the show is violent, maybe they have not watched a lot of japanese-made films...(for my surprise). And about the changed names, that was a creative decision of the novelist that i do not fully understand; maybe he decided it to have more creative freedom.
I just watched the behind the scenes, and kudos to Sanada Hiroyuki, who's altimately responsible for for much of the authenticity of the show as a producer.
Interesting perspective, thank you. I would like to think they used minor actors in minor parts to give not-yet-famous actors a chance to shine. Also, I wonder if the character names were changed to avoid criticism of it not being historically accurate. It is fiction, after all. When real names are used, there is an expectation it should be 100% accurate. 日本人の印象を教えてくれてありがとうございました。
Based on the book "Shogun" by James Clavell. He was an English journalist who lived a long time in Japan. He based it loosely on historical figures, but it is wholly fictional. There was another mini-series from 1980 staring Richard Chamberlain and Mifune Toshiro.
@@joeyartk I haven't seen a piece of Japanese media with a historical setting, even using real names and events, that wasn't significantly more inaccurate than this show and book.
I think shows and movies like this, and like Vikings and the 300 movies (etc) are good in the grand scheme of things because they are compelling enough to capture the attention of the “layman” and inspire them to learn more about the subject. I think just about everyone understands that it’s supposed to be entertaining first and foremost and that implies a degree of embellishment, drama, fantasy, (etc.) but I think it’s an effective way to give people a rough baseline idea of what went on. I believe it’s important - nay a responsibility - for us all to study the past of our species regardless of culture. These shows and movies are a good way to attract people to start down that rabbit hole. All the best from Michigan, USA
Thank you for this review! It's interesting to hear your impression of the show; the book and miniseries in the 80's inspired a lot of interest in Japan, for us of a certain age. Are there any dramas of this period in particular you would recommend?
the most important thing is the actor is acting well. Famous or not is not important. Especially this face international audience, most of them would not be known by people outside of japan anyway. And it would be great for other good actor to have a chance to show their acting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The direction was fantastic. I found your disappointment interesting - I thought the performance of every actor was thoroughly enjoyable, and if they are less well-known then that makes their performance all the more impressive; I was certainly looking into each of their histories on Plex. I hope you enjoyed the rest of the series. I believe the writers hinted at researching the next book which is set in Hong Kong.
Maybe that has to do with the mindset of the American producers. In America, usually non-star parts would not be played by a famous person in a TV show or movie. Using an unknown actor would be the very first choice, and casting for unknowns is a very large enterprise here. If there is a famous actor in a minor role, a big deal is made of it, and they are considered a "featured" actor, and it would be publicized as a very special appearance. In America, when a famous person plays a small role, it is called a "cameo." So it is so unusual, it has its own word. Or the famous actor would also be a producer, and would be using their appearance in a minor role to promote the production. Or the writing of the part is so amazing and unique, the star actor thinks playing the role will help them get an award nomination, or break the "type" casting that they usually are slotted into, if they are seeking to break out into something new. For instance, a pretty boy type who wants to play a more serious role. I think the idea is that a major star would be insulted by playing a minor role so would likely reject it. They probably would expect a lot of money, and would break the budget of the show or movie, even if they did accept it. They would also think the smaller role would hurt their brand as a major star. I think in Japan, from what I see, actors take on a lot more work in general, and you can see them modeling, having a radio show, appearing a lot on talk shows, being a spokesperson for products, etc. Really famous actors in America do not have multiple jobs, rarely model or promote products unless it is for a huge amount of money (like $10 million), and do not work a lot of jobs per year, even in leading roles. A huge movie star might do three films per year max, and sometimes not even that. If they have a popular TV show, they will do that ONE job, and maybe one or two movie roles per year as a major "cameo," and that is it. They may have ONE multi-million-dollar modeling contract, but probably not. Or they will try to star in a movie, which would be a step UP. They would never appear in a smaller role in another TV show or movie. Even if a famous actor is not working at the moment, they will want to take on roles considered to be a step UP from their previous roles. A small part on a TV show would have people wondering if their career is on a downward spiral. So a lot of people will just not work until that better opportunity comes along. So maybe in the casting, the American producers do not understand the Japanese mentality when it comes to actors being willing to work at various levels, and not expecting a paycheck that breaks the budget, even if they are well known. Just a thought! Thanks for your interesting video!
The comments by some Japanese about too much violence are interesting and a bit confusing. The story portrayed in _Shogūn_ takes place just prior to the Edo Period at a time when there was a lot of violence which resulted in the Tokugawa/Toranaga Shogunate. The Edo Period of the shogunate was relatively peaceful thereafter. Yet, I understand that the _Zatoichi_ TV series and films, for example, are very popular in Japan as well as worldwide, and those are set in the late Edo Period (very peaceful time) yet each episode is very violent: certainly more than the 2024 _Shogūn_ series.
@@askjapan9669 - I appreciate your reply. Perhaps they don’t consider _Shōgun_ as part of the chanbara film genre, and so judge it differently than say _Zatoichi_ ? Do historians consider Kurosawa’s _Ran_ or _Kagemusha_ also as too violent?
@@askjapan9669I think it's because of viewers' expectations. Japanese cinema, in general, has a lot of aestheticization that also includes different layers of indirectness but in the West, audiences tend to gravitate more towards believability and realism that help to immerse yourself in the history. I was writing my Master's degree paper about Kitano Takeshi and his influence in portraying violence in a more realistic way in Japanese cinema. I think it can be a similar situation here.
Japanese movies/drama have a big problem with typecasting, so i'm very glad that the show runners casted relatively unknown actors and gave them a chance to shine. You should judge based on the acting not the actors and their popularity.
@@askjapan9669 I will watch it this weekend and update after I watch it here. My mother lived in Japan for several years when she was a teenager. I have heard so many wonderful stories about Japan and the Japanese from her. I have never been to Japan myself but it is on my bucket list of things to do in my life. Great video, your English is excellent.
it's a fictional drama based on history. It's not meant to be 100% accurate. It's not a documentary hence the different names. Also, the series was less violent than many anime I've seen and manga I've read so I do not understand the controversy. I also have the mention that Hiroyuki Sanada is a fantastic actor. He's plays my favourite character in the series, so intriguing and calculating.
This show is adapted from a book written in the 1970's by a westerner; it was also named, "Shogun": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dgun_(novel) I'm not sure why he decided to change the names of the people involved, but that is the reason.
All actors are unknown until they have a break out role. They all have to start somewhere. I don't think this is a legitimate complaint if their acting was good.
The show is based fairly closely on the novel of the same name by James Clavell. Neither are strictly meant to be historical. Clavell actually admired Japan as a civilisation, and you see this sentiment alongside the usual favourable but inaccurate Orientalism from Western authors common for hundreds of years. Though he also draws from his personal experience as a prisoner of war under the Japanese in Singapore during ww2, which was very harsh. Though it's not that people then weren't brutal, but in most cultures it was done in a way that maintained strict law and order. Lawful violence was how people kept society from breaking down. At that time in Japan people were executed for seemingly minor offences. We think differently today but they didn't have nationstates and all these things to fall back on, standing militaries, services, police, sense of nationalism, collective submission to one state, etc. It was very easy for a society to lose order, and mass suffering would follow with war, famine, and lawlessness making daily life and commerce hard. Japan, like most societies, was also extremely stratified. Historical inaccuracy aside, I see a trend for some Japanese people today. They exist in a bubble of curated praise and agreement so that anything deviating from it, even if it's impartial, makes them lash out and claim undue hostility towards them. They seem particularly sensitive to foreign opinions and need positivity. The historical person Clavell used, William Adams, born 1564 in Gillingham, Kent, England, had a different experience to John Blackthorne and was moreorless successful in his goals (securing trade agreements for the Hollanders and the English), although he was imprisoned for a time when he was accused of being a pirate by Portuguese advisors and he was forced to stay in Japan despite wanting to leave. The real man was only there for trade and only concerned with trade. You can read his letters from that time. Quote from William Adams: 'The people of this Land of Japan are good of nature, courteous above measure, and valiant in war: their justice is severely executed without any partiality upon transgressors of the law. They are governed in great civility. I mean, not a land better governed in the world by civil policy. The people be very superstitious in their religion, and are of diverse opinions.'
Thanks for your comment. It is very interesting and insightful. Indeed, TOKUGAWA IEYASU, TORANAGA in drama, has been one of the most popular and famous historical person. This is why people want to make some comments, including me, both negative and positive.
2:50 The Japanese have been world renowned for their violence. The things they used to do are far worst than anything displayed on the show. I mean, just ask the Chinese or the Koreans.
I think the difference is cultural expectations for a tv series. We westerners wont shy away from showing the violence in the show. In japan, it either happens off screen or its a animation. But if you think the fight to become shogun wasnt violent, you'd be incorrect.
As you probably know, 99% of Americans really don't know any living famous Japanese actors so one could argue they did not have to use any. I did not know who the actor who played Blackthorn was either! For Americans it's just about the story and the entertainment value in total that sells. I am sure many more Americans will become interested in Japan as a result of this movie. I enjoyed it immensely. I would like Hollywood to do a movie about Sanada Yukimura, too. Edit I wonder if the actor Hiroyuki Sanada is a samurai descendent.
I would really like a long drama/action series set in the samurai era with as much care to detail as this Shogun series had. I wished the Shogun series ended with armies clashing in battle.
The actor who played Blackthorn is not a well-known actor either, at least here in America. The original show had a very well-known actor play Blackthorn.
I think Cosmo did an amazing job. As the episodes progress you can feel his desperation and trying to make the best out of the situation he finds himself in.
the mini series is based on a novel shogun, you need to asked the author of the novel the reason he changed names of real people that the story based on
There's some stuff they very much changed from the book I'm still processing. But the actor for Yabu is amazing, and I don't care he's way off the book. In the book Yabu is constantly sending people into a murderous rage. It's unclear if he's socially inept, doesn't care, or both. He'd even get multiple people raging at the same time for different reasons with the odd stuff he'd say and do.
Japanese people are criticizing this because it shows how violent Japanese the Japanese were. A lot of these facts are on history books, and as you said Toranaga is based on Tokugawa. I know Japanese people don't want to be seen as violent anymore but this is history. All throughout history emperor, shoguns and Kings have commited violent actions. Can you imagine the mongols say "oh Genghis Khan was a nice guy, he didn't kill men and raped women....These were different times and things like these happened.
This series is based on a book that is complete fiction. But the characters are real people taken from history at that time, but with names changed. So the problem is that their backstories make it obvious who they are, but then they are constantly doing things they never did. So in reality, this is a drama of false history. They should have just completely made up the characters instead of slandering important figures from another country's history.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with your point and that’s way I was wondering how foreigners could understand the background histories behind the characters
Thanks for your comment. I understand that it is fictional and based on the novel but for Japanese people, the stories of Ieyasu, Tranaga in the film, mean a lot
This year, 2024, we can deduce that there are no people alive now that was born in 1900. All people alive now were born after 1900. Why did I mention that? Its because, we can only deduce or surmise what were the customs and traditions of people living in the 1800's. How much more for those who were alive earlier, in the 1700's or even 1600's. Only from personal diaries or historical records can we at least have an idea of what happened in those past years. So today, when we see Movies or Shows about events or so-called events that happened 200-300 years ago, there will be inaccuracies as far as history or culture is concerned. There may be gaps in the stories or events that overlap or doesn't make sense when put together, as far as the chronological order is concerned. So when telling the story on media/film, there will be gaps in the story that needs to be filled with that didn't happen. This is part of story-telling, as we sometimes do in our own lives when recalling events that happened TO US 40-50 years earlier. We sometimes confuse them with other events that we think happened in the same time and place, but didn't when we are corrected by people who recall them more vividly and were involved in the events we are relating. How much more for historical/quasi-historical events that we only read or researched on. Although this show is based on real events, it is a novel (fiction). I guess we can never truly recreate the atmosphere of those bygone eras, but we can use care, respect and meticulous research in coming close to the actual event.
As a Japanese person that you are, can I ask you a question? Thanks to FX's Shogun, I discovered all about Sengoku era, Edo's foundation, and especially the Battle of Sekigahara. I also watched the Japanese Sekigahara movie (2017) last night, and a couple of fan animations of it in TH-cam so far. Something is really confusing me now. Was the result of this battle (which led to the foundation of Edo, if I'm not mistaken) well received by the Japanese? Were/are you happy that Ieyasu Tokugawa won? Is he considered a hero in Japan these days? Or was Ishida the tragic hero and you wish he would have won? The reason I said it confuses me, is that, in Shogun 2024 tv show, they portray Toranaga (who is inspired by the real Tokugawa) as the protagonist/hero who fights for justice, and Ishido (inspired by Ishida Mitsunari) as the villain. However, in almost every other movie/animation I watched so far, it's quite the opposite: Ishida is the good guy and Tokugawa is always shown to be a power-hungry, crazy man who fights for more power and NOT for justice. Even Kobayakawa Hideaki who I assumed to be a hero for changing the fate of the Battle of Sekigahara by helping Tokugawa, is mostly remembered as a coward. So what is going on here? 😅 Did the Shogun tv show really choose the right heroes?
Thanks for your comment. It’s very interesting. Tokugawa Ieyasu is one of the most popular generals in Japan history. People are loving his success story but few people know his side stories and don’t what happened
It is not a Disney production. It is an FX production. If this is a Disney production there will be more non-Japanese like blacks in the casts, more LGBTQ and a woman lead protagonist.
From 1592 to 1598, Japan waged an absolutely brutal war on conquest in Korea. Are Japanese people really complaining that the violence depicted in the years 1600 to 1601 is exaggerated?
If Shogun was made by Disney the main character would have been a lesbian black woman fighting for transgender rights in 17th century Japan 😂 THANK GOD ITS NOT MADE BY DISNEY.
@@askjapan9669Disney + is just a streaming service but not the main production of the series. I agree with his statement above. Disney now only makes movies or series which are female lead, boss babes, Mary Sue or swap original men’s role to either a woman or LGBTQ. Disney is a woke company
Because of the book, the 1980 mini-series, and now the most recent mini-series, this story was my gateway into Japan, Japanese history and culture. I have been enamored with Japan since I was a little kid, and now being in my mid-40s, I am trying to convince my wife that we need to travel to Japan and just immerse ourselves.
Thank you for your video, it just re-enforces my love of your nation.
Thanks for your comment. We are glad that many foreigners say they love Japan. Peace
@@askjapan9669I am very sorry that apparently a lot of foreign tourists that do NOT know how to act in a foreign country have a lot have been making trouble in public in Japan. I’m sure the issue is not as prevalent as online news feeds make it look, but as someone who dearly wants to visit, maybe even work there for a while and make some friends, it makes me feel embarrassed as an American who just has an interest in going.
I’m really enjoying the show! I’m Japanese, and my friends and I have been talking about how impressed we are at the performances of the minor actors and it’s refreshing to see new faces, as not all major Japanese actors necessarily put on a great performance. I think this show did a great job with expressing Japanese culture through costumes, etc. :)
Thanks for your comment. I agree with your opinion that minor actors were admirable
I'm glad you enjoyed it; I finished episode 7 the other day and think the quality has been consistent so far. Regarding the actors, I love Asano; I haven't seen him in a film in years and he has been great in this. He is such a slimy character but you can't help but to like him because of the acting.
Thanks for your comment. Asano is regarded as an international actor rather than typical Japanese actor who only appear Japanese dramas and movies.
His talent was so wasted on Thor!
@@meekmeads And Mortal Kombat. Hopefully he will shine in MK2
I love Shogun and I hope you like the rest of the episodes as well. I appreciate you speaking English for all of us. I'm trying to learn Japanese myself and I hope I can be as conversational with Japanese as you are with English. Looking forward to more videos like this. どうもありがとう！
Thanks for your comment. In Shogun the actors spoke Japanese, which makes the film look like real
Just remember, it's a TV show not a documentary.
Thanks for your comment. It’s drama
And based on a novel
@@hanzouwu It was mentioned several times that the characters in the drama are based on historical figures and the events portraited are not what actually happened historically. But in order to have a more dramatic effect, the facts where changed -- which we can see in several shows. The Tudors is a good example, the people presented really existed, but what actually happened historically was not 100% faithful to reality. In the case of Shogun that's even more the case, since many of the characters presented had different names and lives that the supposed real life counterparts. In the case of Blackthorn, for example, the real Blackthorn never met the real Mariko, he never took part in the conflict, he never went back to England. He stayed in Japan as a shipbuilder and pilot, married, had children and died there.
@@fmilan1 it's a show made from a book not real life take it up with the book writer. FYI Blackthorn never left Japan in the show that was his dream of being back home since he's was holding Mariko's cross in the dream but threw it into the water instead
Japanese culture has always been so... enticing to me.
So unique, so nuanced and... exotic, one might say.
I cherish any chance I get to hear the opinions of one of your own towards anything, as you prove to be... insightful in a way I do not see in my corner of the world.
Greetings from Mexico.
Glad to hear you had a good first impression of this show.
By the way, Happy 50th birthday :)
Thanks for your comment. The film was amazing but story plots are still questionable
Please carry on watching and give your reviews as you watch more
Thanks for your comment. I like the film and actors are amazing
@@askjapan9669, Mazu daiichi ni, shōgun shōsetsu wa watashinōkiniiri no hon no hitotsudearu to iwanakereba narimasen. Watashi ga 15-sai no toki (30-nen mae) ni yonda hon wa, nipponbunka e no miryoku-tekina nyūmonshodeshita. Seiyō no yaban hito to shite, hikaeme ni itte mo, soreha shōgeki-tekideshita. Hondai ni modorimasuga, kono shirīzu wa rekishi-teki jijitsude wa naku, kakū no hon ni motodzuite iru koto o meikaku ni suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. Jēmuzu kuraberu wa kazoe kirenai hodo no geijutsu-teki jiyū o ubatte kitaga, soreni mo kakawarazu, aruiwa osoraku sono okage de, kono Moto no shudai wa gaikoku hito ni totte yori shitashimi yasui mono to natte iru.
There´s no controversy, at least in this part of the world...here, is a great show. If anyone in Japan says that the show is violent, maybe they have not watched a lot of japanese-made films...(for my surprise). And about the changed names, that was a creative decision of the novelist that i do not fully understand; maybe he decided it to have more creative freedom.
Thanks for your comment. I would say the film is more like fiction than nonfiction
@@askjapan9669 Historical fiction, yes.
I just watched the behind the scenes, and kudos to Sanada Hiroyuki, who's altimately responsible for for much of the authenticity of the show as a producer.
Thanks for your comment.
Interesting perspective, thank you. I would like to think they used minor actors in minor parts to give not-yet-famous actors a chance to shine. Also, I wonder if the character names were changed to avoid criticism of it not being historically accurate. It is fiction, after all. When real names are used, there is an expectation it should be 100% accurate. 日本人の印象を教えてくれてありがとうございました。
Thanks for your comment. Even for Japanese people it was hard to understand who plays who
Based on the book "Shogun" by James Clavell. He was an English journalist who lived a long time in Japan. He based it loosely on historical figures, but it is wholly fictional. There was another mini-series from 1980 staring Richard Chamberlain and Mifune Toshiro.
Thanks for your comment. It’s really helpful for us to understand the backgrounds
When you take great figures from history then blatantly lie about what they did, this can be insulting to many people in that country.
@@joeyartk That's why he changed the names, to make it fictional. The 1980 mini-series got great acclaim in Japan.
@@joeyartk I haven't seen a piece of Japanese media with a historical setting, even using real names and events, that wasn't significantly more inaccurate than this show and book.
@@joeyartkisn’t that what Hollywood does with Western canon?
This series is awesome!
Thanks for your comment. Yes indeed, the overall film is superb
Im going to go ahead & watch it today as well.
Thanks for your comment. The film is great and worth watching
I think shows and movies like this, and like Vikings and the 300 movies (etc) are good in the grand scheme of things because they are compelling enough to capture the attention of the “layman” and inspire them to learn more about the subject. I think just about everyone understands that it’s supposed to be entertaining first and foremost and that implies a degree of embellishment, drama, fantasy, (etc.) but I think it’s an effective way to give people a rough baseline idea of what went on. I believe it’s important - nay a responsibility - for us all to study the past of our species regardless of culture. These shows and movies are a good way to attract people to start down that rabbit hole.
All the best from Michigan, USA
Thank you for this review! It's interesting to hear your impression of the show; the book and miniseries in the 80's inspired a lot of interest in Japan, for us of a certain age. Are there any dramas of this period in particular you would recommend?
Thanks for your comment. Yes, there are many good ones of 80’s. I will make a video near future
Thanks for your review. I liked all the Japanese actors. 😊
Thanks for your comment. Actors are amazing
the most important thing is the actor is acting well. Famous or not is not important. Especially this face international audience, most of them would not be known by people outside of japan anyway. And it would be great for other good actor to have a chance to show their acting.
Just remember to everyone. The tv show "Shogun" is just that a "tv show"! It is not a documentary.
I love your videos ❤😊
Thank you for your feedback on this series.
Thanks
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The direction was fantastic. I found your disappointment interesting - I thought the performance of every actor was thoroughly enjoyable, and if they are less well-known then that makes their performance all the more impressive; I was certainly looking into each of their histories on Plex. I hope you enjoyed the rest of the series. I believe the writers hinted at researching the next book which is set in Hong Kong.
thanks for your commnet.
Thank you so much, I would love to see your perspective on the whole show.
Maybe that has to do with the mindset of the American producers. In America, usually non-star parts would not be played by a famous person in a TV show or movie. Using an unknown actor would be the very first choice, and casting for unknowns is a very large enterprise here.
If there is a famous actor in a minor role, a big deal is made of it, and they are considered a "featured" actor, and it would be publicized as a very special appearance. In America, when a famous person plays a small role, it is called a "cameo." So it is so unusual, it has its own word. Or the famous actor would also be a producer, and would be using their appearance in a minor role to promote the production. Or the writing of the part is so amazing and unique, the star actor thinks playing the role will help them get an award nomination, or break the "type" casting that they usually are slotted into, if they are seeking to break out into something new. For instance, a pretty boy type who wants to play a more serious role.
I think the idea is that a major star would be insulted by playing a minor role so would likely reject it. They probably would expect a lot of money, and would break the budget of the show or movie, even if they did accept it. They would also think the smaller role would hurt their brand as a major star.
I think in Japan, from what I see, actors take on a lot more work in general, and you can see them modeling, having a radio show, appearing a lot on talk shows, being a spokesperson for products, etc. Really famous actors in America do not have multiple jobs, rarely model or promote products unless it is for a huge amount of money (like $10 million), and do not work a lot of jobs per year, even in leading roles.
A huge movie star might do three films per year max, and sometimes not even that.
If they have a popular TV show, they will do that ONE job, and maybe one or two movie roles per year as a major "cameo," and that is it. They may have ONE multi-million-dollar modeling contract, but probably not. Or they will try to star in a movie, which would be a step UP. They would never appear in a smaller role in another TV show or movie.
Even if a famous actor is not working at the moment, they will want to take on roles considered to be a step UP from their previous roles. A small part on a TV show would have people wondering if their career is on a downward spiral. So a lot of people will just not work until that better opportunity comes along.
So maybe in the casting, the American producers do not understand the Japanese mentality when it comes to actors being willing to work at various levels, and not expecting a paycheck that breaks the budget, even if they are well known. Just a thought! Thanks for your interesting video!
Dident read! LOL
The comments by some Japanese about too much violence are interesting and a bit confusing. The story portrayed in _Shogūn_ takes place just prior to the Edo Period at a time when there was a lot of violence which resulted in the Tokugawa/Toranaga Shogunate. The Edo Period of the shogunate was relatively peaceful thereafter. Yet, I understand that the _Zatoichi_ TV series and films, for example, are very popular in Japan as well as worldwide, and those are set in the late Edo Period (very peaceful time) yet each episode is very violent: certainly more than the 2024 _Shogūn_ series.
Thanks for your comment. Indeed only history knows the truth but many Japanese historians commented it is too violent
@@askjapan9669 - I appreciate your reply. Perhaps they don’t consider _Shōgun_ as part of the chanbara film genre, and so judge it differently than say _Zatoichi_ ? Do historians consider Kurosawa’s _Ran_ or _Kagemusha_ also as too violent?
@@askjapan9669I think it's because of viewers' expectations. Japanese cinema, in general, has a lot of aestheticization that also includes different layers of indirectness but in the West, audiences tend to gravitate more towards believability and realism that help to immerse yourself in the history. I was writing my Master's degree paper about Kitano Takeshi and his influence in portraying violence in a more realistic way in Japanese cinema. I think it can be a similar situation here.
Japanese movies/drama have a big problem with typecasting, so i'm very glad that the show runners casted relatively unknown actors and gave them a chance to shine. You should judge based on the acting not the actors and their popularity.
I haven't watched Shogun. I will watch it this weekend. Great vdeo.
Thanks for your comment. Actors and Art work are amazing
@@askjapan9669 I will watch it this weekend and update after I watch it here. My mother lived in Japan for several years when she was a teenager. I have heard so many wonderful stories about Japan and the Japanese from her. I have never been to Japan myself but it is on my bucket list of things to do in my life. Great video, your English is excellent.
Happy 50th Birthday to you.
thanks
At least the warriors are not dressed in black leather armor like medieval bikers like in Vikings or other European medieval movies or series.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you are right Samurai’s wear Kabuto
Did you read the Clavell book (or books), which this version was based on?
it's a fictional drama based on history. It's not meant to be 100% accurate. It's not a documentary hence the different names. Also, the series was less violent than many anime I've seen and manga I've read so I do not understand the controversy.
I also have the mention that Hiroyuki Sanada is a fantastic actor. He's plays my favourite character in the series, so intriguing and calculating.
This show is adapted from a book written in the 1970's by a westerner; it was also named, "Shogun": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dgun_(novel) I'm not sure why he decided to change the names of the people involved, but that is the reason.
Thanks for your comment. The characters are really complicated even for Japanese people but actors are amazing
i realy love this time period...
All actors are unknown until they have a break out role. They all have to start somewhere. I don't think this is a legitimate complaint if their acting was good.
The show is based fairly closely on the novel of the same name by James Clavell. Neither are strictly meant to be historical. Clavell actually admired Japan as a civilisation, and you see this sentiment alongside the usual favourable but inaccurate Orientalism from Western authors common for hundreds of years. Though he also draws from his personal experience as a prisoner of war under the Japanese in Singapore during ww2, which was very harsh. Though it's not that people then weren't brutal, but in most cultures it was done in a way that maintained strict law and order. Lawful violence was how people kept society from breaking down. At that time in Japan people were executed for seemingly minor offences. We think differently today but they didn't have nationstates and all these things to fall back on, standing militaries, services, police, sense of nationalism, collective submission to one state, etc. It was very easy for a society to lose order, and mass suffering would follow with war, famine, and lawlessness making daily life and commerce hard. Japan, like most societies, was also extremely stratified.
Historical inaccuracy aside, I see a trend for some Japanese people today. They exist in a bubble of curated praise and agreement so that anything deviating from it, even if it's impartial, makes them lash out and claim undue hostility towards them. They seem particularly sensitive to foreign opinions and need positivity.
The historical person Clavell used, William Adams, born 1564 in Gillingham, Kent, England, had a different experience to John Blackthorne and was moreorless successful in his goals (securing trade agreements for the Hollanders and the English), although he was imprisoned for a time when he was accused of being a pirate by Portuguese advisors and he was forced to stay in Japan despite wanting to leave. The real man was only there for trade and only concerned with trade. You can read his letters from that time.
Quote from William Adams: 'The people of this Land of Japan are good of nature, courteous above measure, and valiant in war: their justice is severely executed without any partiality upon transgressors of the law. They are governed in great civility. I mean, not a land better governed in the world by civil policy. The people be very superstitious in their religion, and are of diverse opinions.'
Thanks for your comment. It is very interesting and insightful. Indeed, TOKUGAWA IEYASU, TORANAGA in drama, has been one of the most popular and famous historical person. This is why people want to make some comments, including me, both negative and positive.
2:50 The Japanese have been world renowned for their violence. The things they used to do are far worst than anything displayed on the show. I mean, just ask the Chinese or the Koreans.
I think the difference is cultural expectations for a tv series. We westerners wont shy away from showing the violence in the show. In japan, it either happens off screen or its a animation. But if you think the fight to become shogun wasnt violent, you'd be incorrect.
As you probably know, 99% of Americans really don't know any living famous Japanese actors so one could argue they did not have to use any. I did not know who the actor who played Blackthorn was either! For Americans it's just about the story and the entertainment value in total that sells. I am sure many more Americans will become interested in Japan as a result of this movie. I enjoyed it immensely. I would like Hollywood to do a movie about Sanada Yukimura, too.
Edit I wonder if the actor Hiroyuki Sanada is a samurai descendent.
Thanks for your comment
I would really like a long drama/action series set in the samurai era with as much care to detail as this Shogun series had. I wished the Shogun series ended with armies clashing in battle.
Thanks for your comment. At least I wanted them to make the story about the battle of Sekigahara
Its terrible in my opinion. Also. How can you watch with lights on? I have to keep it dark 24/7 to see anything
It's FX, which Disney bought
Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉
Wow, thanks
The actor who played Blackthorn is not a well-known actor either, at least here in America. The original show had a very well-known actor play Blackthorn.
I think Cosmo did an amazing job. As the episodes progress you can feel his desperation and trying to make the best out of the situation he finds himself in.
the mini series is based on a novel shogun, you need to asked the author of the novel the reason he changed names of real people that the story based on
Thanks for your comment. I guess the drama was made to be a fiction a little bit different from the history
I'm not sure why Clavell didn't use the real names in the book. Possible he didn't want it judged as actual history.
Thanks for your comment. Most Japanese drama featuring history have used real Samurais’ names
There's some stuff they very much changed from the book I'm still processing. But the actor for Yabu is amazing, and I don't care he's way off the book. In the book Yabu is constantly sending people into a murderous rage. It's unclear if he's socially inept, doesn't care, or both. He'd even get multiple people raging at the same time for different reasons with the odd stuff he'd say and do.
Thanks for your comment. The actor who plays Yabu is Asano. He is one of the most successful actors in Japan in terms of internationally
Japanese people are criticizing this because it shows how violent Japanese the Japanese were. A lot of these facts are on history books, and as you said Toranaga is based on Tokugawa. I know Japanese people don't want to be seen as violent anymore but this is history. All throughout history emperor, shoguns and Kings have commited violent actions. Can you imagine the mongols say "oh Genghis Khan was a nice guy, he didn't kill men and raped women....These were different times and things like these happened.
Thanks for your comment. Many Japanese expertises said still Drama seems to be too violent than the reality
@askjapan9669 of course the same way the imperial japanese army was not violent.
This series is based on a book that is complete fiction. But the characters are real people taken from history at that time, but with names changed. So the problem is that their backstories make it obvious who they are, but then they are constantly doing things they never did. So in reality, this is a drama of false history. They should have just completely made up the characters instead of slandering important figures from another country's history.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with your point and that’s way I was wondering how foreigners could understand the background histories behind the characters
it's a show about the book not what happened in real life. Kinda evident it was going to differ from reality like all books do
Thanks for your comment. I understand that it is fictional and based on the novel but for Japanese people, the stories of Ieyasu, Tranaga in the film, mean a lot
Compared to the 1980's Shogun, this one is very much from a Japanese perspective.
Thanks for your commnet. It seems so
Theres a spooky soundtrack in the background. Like something out of silent hill...
Thanks for your comment. I guess the production wanted to be sound more like reality in Japan’s old times but I guess this is misleading
The Senguku period was much more violent than the Edo period.
thanks for your comment. It's true.
This year, 2024, we can deduce that there are no people alive now that was born in 1900. All people alive now were born after 1900. Why did I mention that? Its because, we can only deduce or surmise what were the customs and traditions of people living in the 1800's. How much more for those who were alive earlier, in the 1700's or even 1600's. Only from personal diaries or historical records can we at least have an idea of what happened in those past years. So today, when we see Movies or Shows about events or so-called events that happened 200-300 years ago, there will be inaccuracies as far as history or culture is concerned. There may be gaps in the stories or events that overlap or doesn't make sense when put together, as far as the chronological order is concerned. So when telling the story on media/film, there will be gaps in the story that needs to be filled with that didn't happen. This is part of story-telling, as we sometimes do in our own lives when recalling events that happened TO US 40-50 years earlier. We sometimes confuse them with other events that we think happened in the same time and place, but didn't when we are corrected by people who recall them more vividly and were involved in the events we are relating. How much more for historical/quasi-historical events that we only read or researched on. Although this show is based on real events, it is a novel (fiction). I guess we can never truly recreate the atmosphere of those bygone eras, but we can use care, respect and meticulous research in coming close to the actual event.
this is best series since gameofthrone
Thanks for your comment. I see more like Vikings than Game of Thrones
@@askjapan9669 Or Marco Polo.
@@askjapan9669 I agree. Both are great though! Have a good day friend.
As a Japanese person that you are, can I ask you a question? Thanks to FX's Shogun, I discovered all about Sengoku era, Edo's foundation, and especially the Battle of Sekigahara. I also watched the Japanese Sekigahara movie (2017) last night, and a couple of fan animations of it in TH-cam so far. Something is really confusing me now. Was the result of this battle (which led to the foundation of Edo, if I'm not mistaken) well received by the Japanese? Were/are you happy that Ieyasu Tokugawa won? Is he considered a hero in Japan these days? Or was Ishida the tragic hero and you wish he would have won? The reason I said it confuses me, is that, in Shogun 2024 tv show, they portray Toranaga (who is inspired by the real Tokugawa) as the protagonist/hero who fights for justice, and Ishido (inspired by Ishida Mitsunari) as the villain. However, in almost every other movie/animation I watched so far, it's quite the opposite: Ishida is the good guy and Tokugawa is always shown to be a power-hungry, crazy man who fights for more power and NOT for justice. Even Kobayakawa Hideaki who I assumed to be a hero for changing the fate of the Battle of Sekigahara by helping Tokugawa, is mostly remembered as a coward. So what is going on here? 😅 Did the Shogun tv show really choose the right heroes?
Thanks for your comment. It’s very interesting. Tokugawa Ieyasu is one of the most popular generals in Japan history. People are loving his success story but few people know his side stories and don’t what happened
you need to read the shogun novel, it was published in 1975
Thanks for your input
Where can I watch it with english subtitles?
Thanks for your comment. I believe TH-cam gives us a tool for subtitles
who is this drummer that keeps being criticized?
great series and review.
Thanks for your comment. Overall many Japanese people may be satisfied but some were criticizing
Pero la serie esta basada en el libro que toma inspiración de hechos reales.
Thanks for your comment
I didn't see any controversy tho
Mariko-sama!
Thanks for your comment. She is the best
shogun is controversial?
Yes.
so this guy doesnt like shogun cos minor characters werent played by famous actors omegalul what a joke
Thanks for your comment. I was just telling the truth. The overall film is great
It is not a Disney production. It is an FX production. If this is a Disney production there will be more non-Japanese like blacks in the casts, more LGBTQ and a woman lead protagonist.
Thanks for your comment. The streaming provider is Disney Plus in Japan.
Some truth
Racist
Ignorant
Kinda funny
All in one atatement
this is not Disney original 😅
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it is made by FX whose parent company is Disney?
I hated it. Cant stand when they use non-native speakers. Breaks the immersion.
Thanks for your comment.
From 1592 to 1598, Japan waged an absolutely brutal war on conquest in Korea. Are Japanese people really complaining that the violence depicted in the years 1600 to 1601 is exaggerated?
Thanks for your comment. May be most of Japanese people don’t know what was really happening in those days
If Shogun was made by Disney the main character would have been a lesbian black woman fighting for transgender rights in 17th century Japan 😂
THANK GOD ITS NOT MADE BY DISNEY.
Thanks for your comment. Shogun is streamed by Disney plus in Japan
@@askjapan9669 😯🤯 really ?!?! They will show sex and stuff on Disney..... Disney has come a long way 😂💀👹.
@@askjapan9669Disney + is just a streaming service but not the main production of the series. I agree with his statement above. Disney now only makes movies or series which are female lead, boss babes, Mary Sue or swap original men’s role to either a woman or LGBTQ. Disney is a woke company
They may not have directly made it under the disney label, but Disney owns Fox (thus FX, where it aired in the US) and half of Hulu.
元は外国人が書いた小説なので、その辺も読まないと理解出来ない箇所と、逆に「何で？つーか何その風習！知らねぇよ！」が所々あったりします。ドラマ以前の映画版のモヤモヤを役所広司氏は上手く消化していると思いますよ。