Hiroyuki Sanada dishes on the series ‘Shogun’

Actor Hiroyuki Sanada talks about producing "Shogun," the importance of shooting it in the Japanese language, and its surprising location.

[@marygraceredfield2702]

Hiroyuki Sanada is amazing as an actor and producer. Congratulations on the success of Shogun!

[@Manmade023]

Thats what the son of Superman said😅

[@haekla4743]

shogun = people yapping for 40mins

[@mehunlanghynniewta4748]

​@@haekla4743 but good yapping.....the characters were written wonderfully

[@Aquarius0622]

​@@haekla4743 did you really watch tho?

[@antonironstag5085]

@@haekla4743 thanks for clarifying that you are incapable of listening

[@Thorgrimn]

Finally Hiroyuki Sanada is getting the recognition he deserves. The series is a masterpiece!

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

They don't give enough credit to the production designers and art directors

[@n3d_ludd379]

Hiroyuki Sanada is one of today's greatest actors without question.

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

His use of his face, subtle little movements, reminds me of Anthony Hopkins. Absolute master level of acting for a character who keeps his cards very close.

[@antonironstag5085]

He is incredible. One of Japans greatest talents

[@cyberjonesy]

I highly suggest everyone reading this comment to go watch Twilight samurai. It is a masterpiece of extreme beauty.

[@anabanana6890]

He is such a handsome man! And an amazing actor!

[@donnau3735]

He is now my latest crush!!🤤🤩😘💖!! I've noticed him throughout the years in other movies, but since this one brought him front and center - WOW!!! He just commands your attention with his intensity. His body language, sly side glances and crafty innuendos spoken in the series makes him such a great actor that really gets into character. Love, love, love him! Domo arigato gozaimashita!!

[@retrocny5625]

Some of the best television I've seen since the first few seasons of Game of Thrones. Unbelievable. Had no idea about the original series in the 80s, or any books. I just randomly saw a commercial for the series about a month before it premiered and I immediately got interested in it and set a reminder to watch it when it came out. Saw the last episode just a little bit ago and yea, unbelievable show, captivated me the whole way through. Beautiful acting all around.

[@hrishikeshXXV]

you've only watched GOT these pat couple of years huh. Better series to compare have been out

[@cjc4426]

Better shows than GOT my guy. GOT is only popular because mainstream media showcase it and it has sex, violence, and hot people.

[@foiledbyb]

Don't be intimidated by the book. Read it. You won't regret it. The FX series was excellent. The book is still better. It's long but it's so good, you will feel sad when it comes to an end. A true masterpiece.

[@js858sd]

@@foiledbybdon’t care about the book that’s why I watch the show

[@trappenweisseguy27]

There’s much more in the book than could be expected to be put on tv.

[@stevenmichaelcatanus7736]

They stayed faithful to the book and 80's series ending. No big battles. You've been so much into Marvel movies.

[@hrishikeshXXV]

whos complaining

[@jordantaylor260]

I love marvel and I love this too. I've been reading comics my whole life and I read this book when I was a teenager. Check your snobbery.

[@timstarkes173]

Wish there was more action... but it's still a good show.

[@JoeFiddle-ls5jh]

Too much talking

[@instaves]

@@jordantaylor260 Marvels garbage

[@uncoverlight8605]

"Flowers are only flowers because they fall" - Mariko Sama

[@PhilGMonte]

"....but thankfully, the wind." - Ochiba No Kata, referring to Toranaga Sama. what a twist 10/10

[@shion2085_bluerider]

This poem is an homage to the death poem of a real person.　That person's name was Garasha Hosokawa, a woman who lived during the Sengoku period and is one of the most famous women in Japan who lived a tragic life.　Her true death poem was, ``Only when is it known when to fall in the world　A flower is a flower and a human is a human'' In Japanese '散りぬべき時知りてこそ世の中の　花も花なれ人も人なれ😭

[@snakeplissken1933]

@@shion2085_bluerider Exactly, Garasha or Gracia in Portuguese, her catholic baptismal name, the daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide "Nine Day Shogun" who killed Oda Nobunaga. This show hits the nail for me telling a fictional story based on real characters and events about the most interesting part of Japanese history.

[@victorpradha9946]

They become flowers when they are separated from the plants produced them, the wind that takes them. Before that they are blossoms that become fruit eventually. Wind--meaning the unpredictable impact of fate--robs the blossoms of their true destiny. Mariko is one such blossom that the winds had taken, and robbed her of her true destiny. Mariko is a flower that falls, held for a time for her value to Toranaga, to Buntaro, to the Portuguese, to the Anjin, etc. Her only agency was choosing the manner and time of her demise. In the end, ONLY the Anjin truly saw her for who she is, and truly saw past the 8 gates of the 8-fold fence, into the inner heart where her true desires reside.

[@elctm5151]

"Unless I wind"

[@krisbatalla]

what makes it a masterpiece for me is the dialogue. love it!

[@fatalradius]

Shogun was the best series I’ve ever seen in a while. So damn good!

[@shekoken]

Please protect this humble human being at all cost! phenomenal series!

[@jackyfelder2563]

Love Hiroyuki Sanada as an actor.

[@MaxBraver555]

Glad Hiroyuki Sanada-san is getting more spotlight and success, outside of being a supporting roles/cameo in Hollywood (Last Samurai, 47 Ronin, Wolverine 2013, Avengers Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick 4 and Army of the Dead ) in the last decades

[@reezevlog]

and Mortal Kombat…. noticed he wore yellow both in Shogun n Mortal Kombat..? coincident..?

[@SuperFlawless2010]

@@reezevlog coincidink? methink not.

[@billykmd]

You should check out twilight samurai. One of the best samurai films.

[@nevertellmethaoddz8581]

Hiroyuki is the Denzel of Japan. Elevates every single thing he appears in.

[@AA99086]

One of the best shows in recent TV history. Hiroyuki Sanada rocks

[@nunya4244]

What a precious man, so happy for this time in his life. All I can say is, it's about time! Congratulations.

[@nevertellmethaoddz8581]

"Why do you think it was so important to tell the story in Japanese?" the lady asked the Japanese actor and producer of a show that takes place in ancient Japan where a significant plot point is centered around an outsider not speaking Japanese.

[@andrewcutler1380]

She probably couldn’t point to Japan on a map.

[@nevertellmethaoddz8581]

@@andrewcutler1380 even if all the countries were labeled lol

[@iggyp2639]

@@andrewcutler1380 lmaaaoo true

[@maxcalder1010]

lol sometimes hosts ask dumb questions just to inform the audience about the show

[@Prettynbrown79]

Why is it important to shoot Elvis in English and specifically in America? They should’ve considered Canada and maybe in French? Dumb questions man. Haha

[@drkdrive]

Now this guy puts EVERYTHING into his acting and very hard working. Much RESPECT!

[@didi2009ist]

I don’t control the wind, I study the wind’~Yoshi Toranaga #ShogunFX A very good ending, without a bloodbath. You have to think strategically. Toranaga Sama planned everything from the beginning and, shortly before reaching his goal, let Mariko Sama in on it🌸🥂thanks to all the producers and actors. Big thanks to Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.

[@Daneelro]

Since I knew the history, I suspected from the beginning that Toranaga will turn out to be the real villain, but they played it masterfully.

[@kona883]

Oh there was a bloodbath just a month or so later 1000s died

[@didi2009ist]

@@kona883 But we are talking about the current ending. Or did I miss something? I don't think so

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

@@Daneelro He's not a villain, he just wins the game of thrones in this instance. It's also a decolonial tale, in which the English would-be colonizer is really the court jester.

[@Daneelro]

@@SuperRobertoClemente He _is_ a villain, but one of many. All the characters in Game of Thrones engaging in the game of thrones were villains, too. The decolonisation tale is not so straightforward. While Japan did thwart European colonialists, at the exact same time, they just aborted their own colonisation of Korea, which was to be a prelude to their colonisation of China (both of which they repeated with much more success & bloodshed in the 19th to 20th century); and soon after, they successfully colonised the Ryuku Kingdom (Okinawa today).

[@justdoit758]

Who knew he was so handsome he always plays old wise guy.

[@kkkkkhhgffd]

日本人ですが、日本の時代劇が苦手で観ないのですが、この将軍だけはハマった。真田さん、ありがとう！

[@bull9045]

燃えよ剣、雨あがる、十三人の刺客、壬生義士伝、隠し剣鬼の 爪…などなど名作が沢山ありますよー

[@user-dn8mw4uw7q]

たそがれ清兵衛良いですよ～。

[@mant50]

同感です。オーデションで選んだ演者が良い。原作ファンを優先なのか、アイドル俳優が出ないのが1番よかった。

[@Tz3952ii]

You guys should watch Kurosawa movies. It influenced Hollywood films back then. His movies and Shogun also are the reason why Star Wars was born only we didn't get to see Toshiro Mifune in it as he declined the offer twice

[@user-kv3rz7wd1k]

山田洋次監督の時代劇は素晴らしいですよ。

[@KevinMcClanahan]

The BEST show in a very long time!

[@tammyque1506]

Quality of the movie is exceptional! It keeps the mind thinking even after the show is done. I like how everything said and filming have purpose beyond the obvious plot.

[@caroleappling2007]

This show is a masterpiece… I love that they did this way. The actors all killed it! 10 across the board. Thank you so much for this gift Mr. Sanada.

[@CausallyExplained]

The Ending is Just Perfect. Shogun deserves all the fame and some more.

[@KewpieGirl]

Very well said Sanada! Highly respect him and the perfect hard work for just this tv series. I know this is the final, wish should bring something more but glad to see the real life of what Japanese history and culture is all about.

[@MuchGrooove]

All the praise is so well deserved. Sanada has put out one of the bests shows in a long time and I'm sad that it's over after only 1 season. Time to rewatch it!

[@Azieru82]

Hiroyuki was just phenomenal in this series and more. Nothing but greatness there.

[@sushinfudoshin8991]

The dialogue in this move is absolutely amazing. In my humble opinion, worthy of a publication in Japanese (Kanjin) with the translation below each line. The women lines, the pace of the speeches were breathtakingly beautiful.

[@woozyguy9]

I am so happy Mr. Sanada is not going to be one of those "that guy you recognize" actors but getting legitimate recognition and people to remember his name after 50 odd years working in the film industry. Same with Michelle Yeoh, it's great to see these veteran talents get mainstream recognition internationally!!

[@unclejezza]

His screen presences is phenonmenal.

[@DVu-ki7nn]

The novel Shogun once captivated me, and this 2024 television series does an amazing job. From the script to the cast, the film adopts a Hollywood style but remains the pure Japanese essence, drawing me in from beginning to end, truly perfect. Although the final episode, number 10, didn't quite satisfy me as I expected it to be done better, it's still enjoyable. And It's unbelievable it was filmed in Vancouver but look like in Japan, wow. Love it.

[@cantdance3077]

My wife has a huge crush on Hiroyuiki Sanada

[@RARA-ek3yp]

She can add her name to the list ! We have been on the line for a while now 😂

[@tammyque1506]

I fell in love with Sanada Hiroyuki back in the 1980s. He was always good looking and have decades of experience in acting and producing.

[@ReneeBachtel]

Add my name too...I have his photo framed on my vanity.

[@Mori]

Your wife you say?

[@cantdance3077]

@@Mori 😂

[@JulesSantos-ht7gx]

Series is so so good :-) Sad that it has ended, hope they can make some more like this.

[@007NowOnline]

Loved this show so much. It's been so long since we had a really good series. Hope he goes on to make similar period pieces. 🙏

[@annfryer4048]

Let’s talk about the presence of this man!! He is an amazing actor and now producer! This show is AMAZING!! It BETTER WIN SEVERAL AWARDS!! Love Sanada San! He is ABSOLUTELY…. POSITIVELY… DELICIOUS!! 🥰😍😘

[@CleHasToSayIt]

Better than game of thrones man. Top show Definitely in my top 3 ever

[@abmong]

Glad to see him enjoying lots of success, he worked long and hard for it, the guy is a true veteran of the industry.

[@donnau3735]

Watching this again as well as other interview clips with Hiroyuki - he seems so reserved, so very humble and almost embarrassed by the mountains of accolades being heaped upon him. THAT is the Japanese culture (I can say this because I am also full Japanese - but born and raised in Hawaii). He is so mesmerizing as he's soft spoken here, but boy, does he envelope his powerful character in Shogun. His lines gets peppered with emotion as the scene calls for it and then he retreats back into the quiet, cunning, and cerebral character. Just an outstanding actor who deserves all the hype being tossed his way. Annnddd......being the most GORGEOUS male to hit the airwaves in a long time doesn't hurt either🤤🥰🤩!!!

[@user-kf2oi4sq5b]

What a marvelous actor, this man is extremely talented and graceful. Thank you Mr Hiroyuki Sanada for sharing your talent 🌹🌹👏🏽

[@noelv1976]

Man, that smile he did right before he second his Yabushige was pure movie magic (yes it's a show.) I smiled along with him because it was an amazing scene..

[@jamcrx]

The Acting is in another level, from all actors. Best part of the show.

[@tutulavender5587]

Your Shōgun is great baby It's an episode I've been waiting to watch for weeks. And I love you so much. I'm proud of you.🎉

[@adriennedull332]

Congratulations Hiroyouki Sanada! Ive always loved him all the movies he's been in. Great to see him getting more recognition.

[@lcoopcooperl]

Thanks so much for treating us with SUCH an amazing show. This is the best series I've watched in my entire life. SO looking forward to what you create next. Absolutely tremendous, Mr. Sanada.

[@tanbirnr2389]

happy to see he's being recognised !!! Totally deserves.

[@jdu2613]

I am blown away by this production. Hats of Hiroyuki Sanada!!! 👏👏

[@bethtrinh9194]

Well done, a masterpiece❣️❤❤❤❤❤

[@Mr.Possums]

I'm just happy Hiroyki Sanada's character didn't die in this series. Jokes aside, Shogun is quite possibly the most brilliant show I've seen an such a loooong time

[@crazedzealots]

the casting for this series was incredible. The writing, the directing, costumes, dialog, pacing, editing, all amazing. When the Directing for episode 3 changed I worried a tiny bit. But the final two episodes made up for the directing change. It's a masterpiece. Yet I wish the director never changed as I feel the original director did the highest quality work.

[@gchase4073]

Last Samurai film with Tom Cruise and Hiroyuki Sanada is also a great epic and teaches about ancient Japanese Shogun culture. Highly recommended if you liked this.

[@viper22jc]

When I was a kid, the first kungfu and ninja movie that I saw was with Hiroyuki Sanada, its a movie called Ninja in the Dragon's Den. Its a bad ass movie and I highly recommend it. Also Twilight Samurai is good starting him also.

[@dekotahrunninghorse9372]

He is an incredible actor , producer and such a humble person. Such incredible inspiration to so many! Shogun is so deeply moving! Wishing him continued abundance success in all he pursues the future . Thank you for sharing this this great interview.

[@gordon3988]

Loving the show and living in Vancouver I didn’t realize that the show was filmed locally (technically it’s not Vancouver but in the smaller, more wilderness focused communities/cities nearby…Port Moody, Belcarra and Porteau Cove areas for example) until while watching I recognized many of the areas as ones we have hiked. In some scenes you may actually spot the clear cut logging as well…but they blur them out so you don’t notice that discrepancy.

[@user-fi7rn6sv8m]

Congrats Hiroyuki Sanada.

[@MrKakashi32030]

This guy is amazing in every work he is in 👏👏👏👏 amazing actor

[@ygh9905]

Anna , Hiroyuki , Tadanobu and Moeka all deserve to win awards for their spectacular performances ❤Special mentionto Fumi( Oshiba) and Tokuma ( Hiromatsu)

[@kwamerogers142]

One of my fav actors!!

[@dal2122]

I have been a fan of him since the movie 👍Shogun's Ninja 1980s👍

[@FangYuanDaoistGu]

one of the greatest gem of a person.

[@mattsoca1]

I'm an American currently residing in Japan for about 3 and 1/2 years, and have previously lived in Vancouver BC for more than 5 years. There are similarities between locations, but I definitely noticed the difference in tree species, and of course, the typical lack of sun. Prolonged overcast conditions are far more prevalent in Vancouver, which was not easy to deal with for this Southern Californian.

[@TheTuuhuumoti]

いつも曇り空で霧までかかっててスカッと晴れないのがずっと気になってたんだけど、なんか意図してワザとやってるのかと思ったらロケ地が本当に曇りばかりなのね😅

[@akari.japanese]

Mr. Hiroyuki Sanada is my first love. In 1992, when I was a kid, I watched Gekkeikan Sake TV Commercial and felt in love with him. He’s my favorite actor, and that’s my favorite TV commercial ever.

[@jasonberezowski2869]

My god he's a handsome man.

[@Boogieman_Ol_Lady]

Such a beautiful man to watch; so serious, so careless and free.

[@icom782]

I hope we will see more of Hiroyuki Sanada movies that portray Japan history.

[@paulleverton9569]

Best TV drama of the decade. I loved every second of it.

[@rajarshihalder5038]

“Japanese speak japanese with subtitles “. Best quote by sanada sama

[@user-mm8gb1zy4o]

Awesome series!!

[@aussiefarmer4955]

Wow what a stupid question, why is it in 70% Japanese. Mr. Sanada deserves better questions.

[@chilly6470]

He should've answered in Japanese.

[@jbong7114]

some samurai: “because Anjin-sama’s way seems barbaric by our standards”

[@tillyt4054]

Find subtitles hard do you ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@vailpcs4040]

There are a lot of people who still won't watch foreign language with subtitles, which prevents them from consuming media such as this. Of course it should not need to be justified, as it sounds amazing in the native language (I do not know if they are speaking a period appropriate dialect). This question was to try to bring over some viewers who would not normally consume such media by explaining why it needed to be in Japanese - because the story is a Japanese one. In order to understand the worldview and motivations of the characters, one needs to be immersed in the culture. It is done so well, that it remains approachable- that's what I think that exchange was supposed to do- I don't think it was meant to be disrespectful, after all, who is the bulk of the GMA audience?

[@michaelambrus3051]

She studies shitism?

[@rebeccam.s.1565]

Shogun is EPIC! One of the best series I have ever watched!!!!

[@youtubegoogleb]

He is awesome

[@seanim6846]

His actings were so good, he made me feel while speaking a language that i do not even understand.

[@hatomatsu]

Hiroyuki Sanada is legend

[@mr.b4444]

Hiroyuki Sanada and Ken Watanabe have to be my favorite foreign actors. Hiroyuki is graceful and badass at the same time.

[@nico729ify]

The show is lost if not watching with subtitles. Amazing show, must see!

[@hokuto_group]

I would like Hiroyuki Sanada to continue working as a director, especially as an advisor on Japanese culture. Without him, Hollywood would not be able to convey the true depiction of Japan.

[@cos4779]

Beautiful show

[@party4keeps28]

This was the best miniseries ever created. Absolutely amazing.

[@kynshii]

👩🏼: "why is most of the show in Japanese" The entire world 🌎: it's Japanese 🫤

[@francoisessomba1305]

Man of the year

[@DogwaterHero]

If you haven't watched the series, please do. It is magnificent

[@monsterking1973]

The show was fantastic

[@ngshawn-um9tp]

The so manipulating Toronaga revelation is the finale. It is a drama not a action movie. Love it!

[@keikei3301]

BEST SHOW EVER! Omg episode 9 destroys! Wow wow wow! I can’t stop talking about this show and the analysis of such rich, deep, layered art that is Shogun. This show is a true MASTERPIECE! It’s so beautifully, intelligently, masterfully, and poetically done! Chef’s kiss to the writing! Pay attention to the words. They’re everything. What everyone says holds significance and you see the words reflected in the subtle actions in later sequences! So much value, weight, meaning in words. Nothing is wasted in a single word. Really echoes the culture and highlights the code of honor and value/belief systems. I’m still freaking out days later after finishing the series. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Crimson sky was always Mariko! She change the course of Japan’s history forever and the fate of Toranaga. He put everything in setting up this decades long awaited plan and the checkmate move-the sacrifice of his queen. He put it all in the hands of Mariko. Masterful chess! Japan was reshaped through Toranaga but only because of Mariko!

[@chilajeffrey5172]

Hiroyuki 💓💓💓💓💓💓 Love love your movies and love this series. Continue producing 👏👏👏👏👏👏 your awesome.

[@SenderBudYerGood]

I respect the ending and how he left it open to the possibility of a sequel showing the wars and then the lasting peace

[@AnjaliRe]

0 iz I agree, such words are really reassuring. bj

[@gmbmedia28]

One of the best TV shows ever made 🏆🍻🏆

[@eddielou]

Fantastic show! Can't wait to see more stuff from Hiroyuki Sanada.

[@t-mac1236]

My favorite Japanese actor. Easily. What a handsome amazing actor. He has looked the same for YEARS. Japanese people age extremely well. Better than any other race The show is one of my favorite shows ever. Never have I loved a show so quickly. It’s so damn authentic. I love it to death. One of those shows I am so sad that it’s over. Can’t wait for season 2

[@Mugen3]

Thank you sooooo much for showing us the current Hiroyuki Sanada! Toranaga Sama😃

[@Acekhan201]

Truly, a cinematic masterpiece for the ages. My only hope for the future of this show is that it inspires more people to study history and to study it in more ways. A huge reason the world can enjoy this art today is because Japan has preserved its art, culture, and history so well for so long, even while changing in truly incredible ways. It is a story for the whole world to consider: after petty fighters and aristocrats soaked their lands in blood, the truly great men and women of the late Sengoku Jidai sought peace, truth, humor, and love, accepting the responsibility of power as much out of necessity as ambition. Japan has succeeded wildly in becoming one of the most educated, civil, and safe nations on the planet - though we all could learn a bit more courage from the legacy of the great samurai like Tokugawa Ieyasu, off whom the Toranaga character is clearly based.

[@Redvexer]

YOU MUST CONTINUE IT! YOU CANT STOP HERE WITH THIS ENDING HIROYUKI

[@janismcgowan9283]

One of the absolute best mini series I have ever viewed.

[@langeorge5446]

Amazing drama, thank you, Hiroyuki-san and team, please have season 2

[@Grandmastergav86]

Delighted to see Sanada-san hit it really big over the years! I loved him in Ninja In The Dragon's Den (1982) an awesome HK/Japan movie, never in a million years did I expect to see him in such huge movies/TV shows.

[@armstrongedu]

This show was amazing!

[@lolo90288]

Best show ever!!

[@enrique88005]

I could never watch a japanese show or movie in english. Subtitles only! Sounds awesome in japanes

[@MarceloBrignardello]

I remember him from the days of Sankuokai! Ayato!!! :D What a great actor!

[@Cander5142]

Absolutely amazing finale. Of course the Avengers generation won’t like it though because they need “muh splosions and giant battles”. They don’t understand character drama and have been trained to think nothing matters except a big fight at the end.

[@Daneelro]

I think you're way too dismissive of an entire generation, and there were plenty of “muh splosions and giant battles” people in my own generation (the Rambo/Star Wars/Terminator generation). For example, it is my impression that the youngsters very much liked Oppenheimer, which does have one big explosion but even that is part of character drama.

[@caroleappling2007]

It’s not all, but this is so true, I seen some many post, upset because there wasn’t a big battle scene.

[@SagarRai-he3tq]

I am an avenger generation, but i did not even care about any big battles the drama was crisp enough

[@somerset8088]

“I cannot do anything for this show anymore.” Sanada-san’s words broke my heart 😢 So wish this series continued. How’s about it writers?

[@onslajoueqc]

Now we want adaptations of Clavell's entire work. Thank you so much Sanada-san.