Let’s talk about what just went down at the 2025 Golden Globes because Shogun didn’t just win – it completely dominated. We’re talking about a clean sweep. The FX/Hulu series grabbed every single award it was nominated for, which is pretty mind-blowing.
The sweep covered four categories:
- Best Drama Series against the likes of Squid Game, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Day of the Jackal, and The Diplomat.
- Best Actor for Hiroyuki Sanada’s masterful portrayal of Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
- Best Actress for Anna Sawai’s compelling Lady Mariko.
- Best Supporting Actor for Tadanobu Asano’s unforgettable Kashigi Yabushige (No doubt our editor, Benjamin, was thrilled about this).
This isn’t just a “good night” for a TV show – this is the kind of sweep that makes people who otherwise wouldn’t consider this show take notice of it. But what makes this particular feat truly remarkable?
It’s a Japanese-language series that just cleaned house at one of the biggest Western awards shows. No compromises, no English-language concessions – just pure, authentic storytelling winning on its own terms.
Historical Context
What’s interesting is that we’ve actually been here before – a little over 40 years ago. Back in 1981, the original adaptation of James Clavell’s novel had its own moment of glory, winning Best Drama and acting awards for its stars, Richard Chamberlain (who was basically the king of miniseries back then) and Yoko Shimada.
But the contrast between then and now tells us everything about how television has evolved. The two versions couldn’t be more different in their approach. The 1981 version viewed Japanese culture through a distinctly Western lens, with Chamberlain’s character as the audience surrogate. It was such a phenomenon in the U.S. that it became must-watch TV, while in Japan, it was condensed into a theatrical release.
Fast forward to 2024, and we’re seeing something completely different. This new version flips the script by putting Japanese talent and authenticity front and center. What does this mean? Well, we’re talking Japanese actors speaking Japanese, authentic cultural details in every shot, and storytelling that doesn’t water things down for Western audiences. The fact that this approach not only worked but dominated the awards shows just how much things have changed in the TV landscape.
Cultural Significance
Let’s be real – Shogun‘s massive success isn’t happening in a vacuum. We’re in the middle of this really exciting shift where international shows aren’t just making it onto our screens – they’re becoming some of the biggest hits out there. Just take a look at South Korea’s Squid Game dominating Netflix’s all-time viewership records and now returning for an equally good, if not better, second season (which I totally didn’t binge-watch over the holidays).
For decades, the TV industry was a one-way street: American shows would get exported everywhere, but very little came back the other way. Unless you were actively seeking out international content, your TV diet was probably pretty U.S.-centric. Even when networks did adapt international shows, they usually gave them the full American makeover treatment.
What’s really cool about Shogun‘s Golden Globe sweep is that it cements a trend we’ve been seeing build up over the last few years. International shows aren’t just getting token nominations anymore – they’re straight up competing with (and beating) traditional Hollywood powerhouses. And they’re doing it while staying true to their cultural roots, not by trying to “Americanize” everything. The response – from audiences, critics, and now the Golden Globes – proves that authenticity resonates.
Think about how wild this would have seemed even just ten years ago. A primarily Japanese-language show, with Japanese stars telling a deeply Japanese story, just swept one of the biggest awards shows in Western entertainment. It’s not just a win for Shogun but for every international show that will come after it. It sends a pretty clear message to Hollywood and the industry as a whole: authentic stories told in authentic voices can and will find a global audience. You don’t need to water down your cultural identity to succeed in the Western market anymore. And that’s huge.
What’s next?
So, if you’re like my fiancee and haven’t watched Shogun yet, don’t worry – it’s never too late to start!
Shogun is available for streaming on FX on Hulu, so if you’re already subscribed, you’re quite literally just a search away from it. If you don’t have a Hulu subscription, now might be a good time to consider signing up for a free trial. No, Hulu does not sponsor us, this is our genuine opinion. There are some pretty good shows on there besides Shogun, like Abbot Elementary and The Bear, the latter winning a Golden Globe themselves.
Still not sure if Shogun is your kind of thing? Let me put it this way: if you’re a fan of intricate storytelling, unforgettable characters, and breathtaking visuals, Shogun is worth your time.
Plus, watching a series that swept the Golden Globes is a great way to see what all the buzz is about.
As you dive into Season 1, don’t forget to check out our reviews! We’ve broken down everything from the powerful performances to the cultural impact of the series. Whether you’re curious about Hiroyuki Sanada’s award-winning portrayal of Lord Toranaga or how the show faithfully captures its historical setting, we’ve got you covered.
Images by Good Morning America and FX/Hulu
The Path/パス is an online bilingual journal of arts, culture, and entertainment bringing you in-depth reviews, news, and analysis on the hottest properties in sci-fi fantasy film, television, and gaming.
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