“This man is a legend in every right!”: ‘Shogun’ Delivers 1 Rare Result in 2 Episodes That Hollywood Couldn’t Achieve in Decades
Emily Schmidt
Updated on April 02, 2026
Actor Hiroyuki Sanada has been working in Hollywood for nearly two decades. The actor has never been at the forefront of any of his projects, instead featuring in supporting roles or being overshadowed by his co-stars. However, that notion seems to be changing with Sanada leading the cast of FX’s Shogun, an epic period drama series loosely based on the brutal and violent history of Japan.
In the series, Sanada stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, and is receiving heaps of praise from fans for his work. While the series has impressed critics and viewers alike, Sanada’s riveting performance has been considered the anchoring factor of Shogun. Here is how fans are reacting to Sanada’s acting in the series and why it will finally change the perception of the actor in Hollywood.
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Fans Hail Shogun as It Earns Hiroyuki Sanada Well-Deserved Recognition
Hiroyuki Sanada made a name for himself with impactful roles in Hong Kong action movies during the 80s. He eventually transitioned to Hollywood with 2003’s The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise. Although Sanada gained praise for his role in the film, it led to years of supporting roles in films such as Rush Hour 3, The Wolverine, and 47 Ronin, where he was stuck playing stereotypical Japanese characters.
However, FX’s Shogun sees Sanada playing a powerful Japanese lord and the series puts the veteran actor’s skills front and center. As a result, viewers are quickly appreciating Sanada as a leading man with just two episodes of the show being released thus far. Nonetheless, the reaction to Sanada’s performance is overwhelmingly positive, and here is what fans are saying about it on X.
Hiroyuki Sanada is such a badass. This man is a legend in every right! Much respect to him. Also watch shogun 👍
— Brandon Cruz 和 (@carminetaco) February 27, 2024
I'd like to confess my love to Hiroyuki Sanada. He is truly spectacular in everything he has ever been in #ShogunFX
— Jess ☠️ (@JessicaaWrites) February 28, 2024
The two episode premiere of #Shogun is the BEST TV, I have seen in a long time. The storytelling along with the acting is one of the best. The show carries itself in a way no other show has or ever will. Hiroyuki Sanada is a phenomenal actor and it shows. #ShogunFX #SHOGUN将軍
— Anthony – Future OSCAR WINNER 🏆 (@misterfilmstock) February 28, 2024
#Shogun is off to such a masterful start. It's so heartening to see Hiroyuki Sanada in a leading role, as he has always commanded such gravitas anytime a character of his is onscreen, and this strikes me as a thoughtful, artful series with a complete thematic vision ahead of it.
— Some call me Jay (@paragonpostcard) March 5, 2024
This thing WHIPS. The business of Empire laid brutally bare. Hiroyuki Sanada remains the handsomest man alive even into his sixties.
— 𝔾𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕟 (@GoranGligovic) March 4, 2024
As the tweets suggest, viewers are instantly falling in love with Shogun, particularly because of Sanada’s performance. Moreover, the outpour of love for Sanada means that the actor has finally broken through as a leading man after being relegated to supporting roles for years. It is truly remarkable to see Sanada receive the recognition he deserves after years of hard work.
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Hiroyuki Sanada Says He Felt Destined to Play Shogun Role
Hiroyuki Sanada’s work in Shogun is receiving praise from critics and viewers as the series debuted with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and still holds a 99% rating. Hence, it is safe to say that Sanada and the rest of the team’s efforts in crafting the series paid off.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sanada revealed that he had been a follower of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s teachings for years. The series features Sanada as a fictionalized version of Ieyasu, the first shōgun of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan. As a result, Sanada stated that he felt destined to play the role.
SUGGESTED“But [it] felt like fate to play this role.”
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Sanada made the above statement regarding his role in the series. The veteran actor who also serves as a producer on the show revealed that he was able to provide input on the use of Japanese culture in the series. Shogun has also received praise for its authenticity and attention to detail regarding Japanese culture and it is safe to say Sanada receives some credit for it as well.
Shogun is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
