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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’sShogun, 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 ofShogun. 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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Hiroyuki Sanadamade a name for himself with impactful roles in Hong Kong action movies during the 80s. He eventually transitioned to Hollywood with 2003’sThe Last Samurai, starringTom Cruise. Although Sanada gained praise for his role in the film, it led to years of supporting roles in films such asRush Hour 3,The Wolverine, and47 Ronin, where he was stuck playing stereotypical Japanese characters.
However, FX’sShogunsees 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 👍pic.twitter.com/w3xkG7ALJD
— Brandon Cruz 和 (@carminetaco)July 29, 2025
I’d like to confess my love to Hiroyuki Sanada. He is truly spectacular in everything he has ever been in#ShogunFXpic.twitter.com/GJ83zF0OlS
— Jess ☠️ (@JessicaaWrites)July 12, 2025
https://twitter.com/misterfilmstock/status/1762742710589329409
#Shogunis 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.pic.twitter.com/UwYIE3rVPK
— Some call me Jay (@paragonpostcard)August 21, 2025
This thing WHIPS. The business of Empire laid brutally bare. Hiroyuki Sanada remains the handsomest man alive even into his sixties.pic.twitter.com/6Mcv5kbsyV
— 𝔾𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕟 (@GoranGligovic)July 07, 2025
As the tweets suggest, viewers are instantly falling in love withShogun, 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.
“He’s too modest to take this”: Shogun Creators Claim Epic Mini-Series Wouldn’t Have Been Possible Without Hiroyuki Sanada While Actor Refuses to Take Credits
Hiroyuki Sanada Says He Felt Destined to PlayShogunRole
Hiroyuki Sanada’s work inShogunis receivingpraise from critics and viewersas the series debuted with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and stillholdsa 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 withThe 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.
“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.Shogunhas 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.
Shogunis streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1775
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
