Shogun had a clean sweep at the 2024 Creative Arts and Primetime Emmy Awards. The series created history scoring 18 awards this year after being launched on OTTs such as Hulu and Disney Plus earlier this year on February 27, 2024.
The series is centered around a nomad and navigation expert of the seas called John Blackthorn. His story intertwines with Japan's most daunting men at the cusp of an all-out war. With tensions brewing, Blackthorn becomes a key member of the rise to power.
Critics and viewers were quickly impressed by the show’s plot twists, historical storyline, gore, action, and character development, among other aspects. Moreover, fans were impressed with Shogun’s accomplishments in a single season spanning 10 episodes.
Moreover, Rotten Tomatoes' near-perfect rating of 99% cements the hype surrounding Shogun. As mentioned, all these factors led to a resounding victory for the series. Take a look at all the awards bagged by the Emmy-winning show from both the Creative and Primetime Emmys - Night 1 and 2.
A complete list of Shogun's Emmy wins
1) Outstanding Short Form Non-fiction or Reality Series
Shogun is inspired by events from the late Sengoku period (1467-1600) in Japan. It dives deep into the subtle manipulation, bloodbath battles, and the aftermath of political decisions for power.
Addionally, it saw the simultaneous rise and fall of empires desperate for the top spot. Shogun’s story is fictional, but the rise to power is based on real accounts about the same. Nominations included After the Cut, The Crown, and Saturday Night Live Presents: Behind the Sketch.
2) Outstanding Drama Series
Shogun’s nail-biting plot and unpredictable storyline have captivated the audience since it was released.
The Disney Plus show has 10 episodes lasting nearly an hour and will keep you hooked until the very end. The historical drama was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, who were beyond elated to accept the award with the rest of the team during night 2 of the Emmys.
3) Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as ‘Yoshii Toranaga’ in Shogun. Sanada’s character is inspired by a real fearsome warlord called ‘Tokugawa Ieyasu.’ He was described as a ruthless yet wise individual who was one of Japan’s first unifiers.
Toranaga came from nothing, he was kidnapped as a child, quickly becoming an orphan. He vowed to rise to power, facing tumultuous challenges along the way. Although he was feared by his enemies, Toranaga was also a respected elder during his dominion as observed in the series.
4) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Sawai won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Lady Mariko on Shogun. Her character is described as graceful, composed, and of high intellect. Lady Mariko's family had a tainted past that she wanted to erase. Desperate to clear her family’s name, she volunteers to be the sacrificial lamb in Toranaga’s plans.
She was also responsible for ending major political issues from those opposing Toranaga. This isn’t the first time Sawai has appeared in an international series. She has also appeared as the protagonist in Apple TV + series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
5) Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series
Legendary director Frederick E.O Toye was honored with the award for Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series at the 2024 Emmys. Tulleken and his gifted team were responsible for bringing alive one of the greatest history dramas of the generation.
The director accepted the award and dedicated it to the cast and crew of Shogun. Some of Toye’s projects include Fallout, See, and The Boys.
6) Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
Laura Schiff, Kei Kawamura, Colleen Bolton, Carrie Audino, and Maureen Webb took home the Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. The band of casting directors was responsible not just for picking the right people for the role, but also for an accurate and aesthetically pleasing filming location.
They were undoubtedly spot-on with their selection among an array of actors, actresses, and locations. Their lead actor and actress went on to win the Emmy for Best Actor and Actress respectively.
7) Outstanding Cinematography For a Series (One Hour)
Apart from the casting, visual effects, sound, and plot, Shogun was praised for its out-of-the-world cinematography! Their Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography is well-deserved. Every episode was a display of intricate camera placement and precise angling.
The cinematography in episode 9 - Crimson Sky is what ensured the team’s victory! The episode was the climax of the season. From several gory scenes and character deaths to action sequences - every shot was pure perfection!
8) Outstanding Guest Actor In a Drama Series
Nestor Carbonell won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Vasco Rodrigues. Carbonell’s character is the captain of a boat from Spain. Rodrigues might’ve appeared sparingly, but he made a profound impact. He brought the humor factor in Shogun.
Although he can crack up anybody, Rodrigues is immensely clever as a businessman and enjoys a good conversation for negotiations. You never know who Rodrigues is supporting until the very end.
9) Outstanding Main Title Design
Another impressive win: Shogun won the Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design. Winners from the team include Nadia Tzuo, Xiaolin Zeng, Ilya Tselyun, Evan Larimore, Lee Buckley, and Alex Silver. The series has one of the most mesmerizing and visually stunning opening sequences and exhibits a high-quality level of design.
Tzuo was the Creative Director while Zeng and Tselyutin were responsible for Design. They were joined by Animators Buckley and Larimore who also hit it out of the park with the animation on the show.
10) Outstanding Period Or Fantasy / Sci-Fi Hairstyling
The hairstylists of the history drama scored an Emmy win for Outstanding Period or Fantasy / Sci-Fi Hairstyling. Sanna Kaarina Seppanen was the Lead Hair Designer. Her Key Hairstylists were: Nakry Keo, Janis Bekkering, Mariah Crawley, and Madison Gillespie. Shogun has done a brilliant job thus far with accuracy with regard to Japanese culture.
They got the most-worn hairstyles from the late Rengoku period for both men and women right. Depending on status and age, men would either flaunt a half-shaven head with a man bun. Women would have their hair in an elegant bun or let their hair free.
11) Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
Toby Lindala (Special Makeup Effects Department Head), Suzie Klimack (Special Makeup Effects Artist), and Bree-Anna Lehto (Key Prosthetics Makeup Artist) collectively accepted the award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup. The trio were responsible for their dextrous makeup in the episode “A Dream of a Dream.”
The penultimate episode of the show had to end on a thrilling note. Given the storyline and sequence of events that unraveled in a grizzly war, the makeup team was at the top of their game and ensured authenticity and accuracy with each scene.
12) Outstanding Period Costumes For A Series
Carlos Rosario and his team of Costume Designers including Carole Griffin, Kristen Bond, Kenichi Tanaka, and Paula Plachy bagged the award for Outstanding Period Costumes for a Series. Each episode featured an array of authentic and traditional Japanese ensembles including Kimonos for both men and women.
Additionally, the battle armor designed was truly remarkable and a work of art. From getting the colors and textures right to hand-selecting and outfit fitting for each episode, it was a mammoth effort poured into achieving perfection in costume design.
13) Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series
Shogun’s editors Maria Gonzales and Akia Miyake accepted the award for Outstanding Picture Editing For a Drama Series. The duo ensured a smooth and crisp transition between scenes with utmost care. Editing 10 large episodes with the right sequence, sound, animations, and more is no small feat.
However, their hard work in episode 9 “A Dream of a Dream” pretty much cemented their Emmy victory. Gonzales and Miyake teamed up to deliver a phenomenal episode with no flaws.
14) Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)
This show’s Production Design team also knocked it out of the park with spot-on set designs. Helen Jarvis (Production Designer), Chris Beach (Art Director), and Set Directors Lisa and Jonathan Lancaster won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More).
Helen Jarvis is a veteran in the Production Design industry. Her noteworthy projects include The Adam Project, Man of Steel, and Poltergeist.
15) Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy or Drama Series
Shogun’s soundtrack was another reason why the series became a huge hit. There was a massive team responsible for each episode. The team included Supervising Sound Editor Brian J Armstrong, Sound Designers Benjamin Cook and James Gallivan, and Sound Effects Editor Mark Hailstone.
Additionally, Foley Artists Matt Sailib, Sanaa Kelley, and Ken Cain were joined by John Creed (Dialogue Editor), Ayako Yamauchi (ADR Editor), and Melissa Muik (Music Editor), to accept the award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series.
16) Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
The sound mixing in episode 5 titled Broken to the Fist sealed the deal for an Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour).
They included several maestros of the Sound Mixing industry including Re-Recording Mixers Stebe Pederson and Greg P. Russell. The team also consisted of ADR and Foley Mixer namely Michael Williamson, Takashi Akaku, and Arno Stephanian.
17) Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie
The show had mind-blowing special effects throughout its 10 episodes which mesmerized viewers. Like the sound team, Shogun also had a large team of Visual Effect gurus banded together. Their cumulative efforts and dedication resulted in the show’s victory for Outstanding Special Visual Effects In a Season or A Movie.
The team includes Michael Cliett (Overall Visual Effects Supervisor), Jed Glassford (Onset Visual Effects Supervisor), Melody Mead (Production Associate Visual Effects Producer), Nicholas Murphy (Visual Effects Producer) Cameron Waldbauer (Special Effects Coordinator), and Chelsea Mirus (Visual Effects Production Manager). They were joined by Visual Effects Supervisors Philip Engstrom, Kyle Rottman, and Ed Bruce.
18) Outstanding Stunt Performance
Stunt performers Hiroo Minami, Nobuyuki Obikane, Johnson Phan, and Martin Cochingco busted some pretty intense moves with stunts in the series, landing them the Emmy for Outstanding Stunt Performance.
Shogun has several heavy action sequences involving a plethora of dangerous stunts across the 10 episodes. Since the ancient Japanese warriors primarily used ‘Katanas’ as a weapon - the series naturally had plenty of sword fighting and martial arts.
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