A brand-new TV series, under the unknown circumstances, won excellent reviews for American dramas at the beginning of the year.
There is a sentence in the work "Shogun", "Don't beat around the bush."
The freshness of Rotten Tomatoes has reached 100%, and at the same time, the audience percentage of Popcorn is as high as 96%, and its IMDB score has also reached 94。
This TV series has received a high reputation from the beginning, and even American drama players of the year like "True Detective 4" and "Air Combat Heroes" can't match it.
However, this is a bit of a surprise, because the work is produced by the Disney-invested company FX, and it belongs to the Japanese history of power schemes. The success of "Avatar" has led many to consider it a masterpiece of American film directors, but this film is a true Japanese historical drama. The characters in this play are Japanese, and the history depicted in the play is also closely related to China. This is the protagonist in "The Great East Asia War" - Nagisa Oshima. This story takes place before the outbreak of the Battle of Sekigahara, which has attracted much attention in Japanese history.
There was a period when we stood at the pinnacle of world historical dramas, there was no doubt that it was a real domestic historical drama.
If a large number of senior viewers recall, one of their 5 favorite Chinese dramas must be based on history.
In the long history of national theater, there are many high-profile historical dramas.
There are several emperor-themed TV series, such as "Yongzheng Dynasty", "Kangxi Dynasty", "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty", and "Great Qin Empire".
Historical dramas like "Ming Dynasty 1566" and "The Granary of the World" are difficult to compare with historical dramas from other countries in terms of the depth of the story, acting skills and the decisiveness of the theme.
However, for many years, among the historical dramas produced in the country, there has not been a single work that is really worth watching.
To understand the reasons behind this, it is quite difficult, not only because of the difficulty in writing the script, but also because it requires a lot of investment and higher difficulty in shooting, and the creative process is much easier compared to ancient puppet dramas and short dramas.
Although domestic entertainment and audiences have gradually reduced their reliance on historical dramas, American dramas have still bravely met this challenge.
The Shogun is an adaptation of the 1975 work of the same name**, which was mainly inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu and the British navigator William Adams, who gradually rose to prominence in Japan.
In 1980, the original book was adapted into a beloved TV series that won great public acclaim. At that time, the show won the favor of fans with its novel theme and unique narrative mode. However, the 10-episode mini-series released by FX has a significantly better reputation than the original in the first two installments launched by Disney+.
On the Douban platform, its score also reached an impressive 83 points.
The main cast includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai (who starred in "Fast and Furious 9"), Kosmo Jarvis, Tadanobu Asano, and Fumi Nikaido, among others.
Is it really too beautiful to be true?
However, in the mainland, the audience's evaluation shows a clear polarization trend.
Some commentators have held the view that the work was merely an opportunistic way to interpret Eastern history from a Western perspective, and that little was known about the shogunate.
For those who love the show, they find it to be of high quality, attention to detail, and a successful blend of intrigue, humor, love and action.
The Japanese actors have shown great acting talent, they have the tension and rhythm of American dramas, both the scenes and the special effects, they are eye-catching, and they also incorporate the classic yellow storm style of FX, and overall, their performances are excellent.
From my personal point of view, this drama does present Zuo Zongtang's chicken image from a Western perspective, but its production techniques are extremely realistic.
So, is it possible that this TV series will become a classic of Japanese costume TV dramas produced by Hollywood, or is it possible to become the "king of American dramas" with the best reputation this year?
I've done all two episodes in one sitting, and I'm going to walk you through a deeper dive now.
01. Although there were many challenges in filming the story of Japan's Sengoku period, the unique perspective presented by "Shogun" really left a deep impression.
Shogun is a literary work that chooses the perspective of an unexpected foreigner as the entry point for its creation.
The story is set in Japan 1,600 years ago, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi had just died and the Battle of Sekigahara was about to break out.
While the rivals of the five elders unite to resist, Tokugawa Ieyasu, played by Hiroyuki Sanada, is fighting for dominance with all his might.
At this fateful moment, a mysterious ship of European origin is found and trapped in a fishermen's village near Izu. Many of the people on board were locals, but there was only one captain, and she was a woman—Hideko Yamazaki, a Japanese pirate known as the "Queen of the Seas." The ship's British pilot, John Blackthorne (played by Cosmo Jarvis), reveals a secret that may help him upset the balance of power.
During Japan's Sengoku period, the Battle of Sekigahara broke out. This approach not only has its obvious advantages, but it also comes with certain challenges.
The good thing about this history is that many viewers are not unfamiliar with it.
Especially for those who are in the game Nioh, this is undoubtedly a treasure to be treasured.
The hero in this play is actually based on the protagonist in "Nioh 1".
However, it falls short of being too in-depth for the viewer to know about it.
How should we describe the story to ensure that the reader will continue to read it? This is what the "Yamato Constitution" wants to convey to everyone. Do we also need to take into account the power schemes, the historical background, the social landscape of Japan at the time, the relationship between people, the local customs, the political situation, and the struggle for power.
The creation of "Shogun" presents a completely different feature from the Japanese Taiga drama in terms of narrative style.
Initially, three grand theatrical performances laid a solid foundation for the overall situation.
In the first game, Ieyasu smoothly walked into the favorable situation of the game.
It was a contest between the five elders of Osaka Castle, or more precisely, the trial of Tokugawa Ieyasu by the other four elders.
The TV series re-named the central character of history, Toraga, and was largely inspired by the historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Taiko is also sometimes referred to as Hideyoshi.
It is no exaggeration to say that the construction of Ishito was based on Ishida Mitsunari.
It is very likely that the role of Chacha was played by Fumi Nikaido, whose name is the Fang of Fallen Leaves. This is also the reason why her sister played this role again after the Dahe drama "Military Division Officers and Guards".
Tokugawa Ieyasu was trapped in Osaka, which is apparently a completely fictional historical event. In the movie, his image is not presented. Despite this, its shooting shows a strong momentum.
In the middle of the vast wilderness, a falcon tiger is approaching us.
Standing in front of the city gates, I made deep eye contact with the stone dwellings.
Once you set foot in the city, you will face the embarrassing situation of being surrounded by four old men and ** you.
Ishito accuses him of rebellious intentions and makes it clear that his only wish is to keep the peace.
Ishito ordered him to take the fallen leaves hostage, and he was extremely quick to respond to this order.
The subordinates began to refute because of indignation, causing the atmosphere at the scene to be tense in an instant.
He instructed his men to withdraw immediately.
Hiroshi Sanada's excellent acting skills provided a solid backing for this power struggle.
Although the three armies did not take actual action, their battle scenes were filled with murderous intent.
Intrigue and scheming are intertwined, and every step is carefully planned.
The ultimate goal of Ishida's pursuit is to provoke Ieyasu, and if any of Ieyasu's weaknesses are exposed, he will be immediately arrested for his disloyalty.
Nevertheless, his approach to coping is organized, which allows the other side to maintain a semblance of a balance of power.
In this battle, where there was almost no sword light, Ieyasu undoubtedly won the final victory.
Despite this, the risks are everywhere, and Ieyasu remains in prison at Osaka Castle.
He was looking for an opportunity to change the current situation.
Such an opportunity came to us quickly.
In the second grand performance, the male lead is fully involved in the situation on the scene.
Dutch merchant ships drift across the vast oceans, and the captain is forced to run aground in Izu after taking his own life, while Kashiki, the lord of the island, takes over all the people and ships that survive.
It is rumored that the ship was loaded with numerous firearms and heavy artillery.
After being trapped in Osaka by his political rival Ishito and waiting for their assessment, Tora learned about the situation and sent his men to ensure that the surviving male protagonist could be safely transported to Osaka.
In this play, Toraga meets the heroine, and the daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide, played by Anna Sawai, is chosen as the translator.
Surprisingly, the immense value of this British sailor was not limited to his foreign guns and cannons, but more importantly his profound impact on the global political landscape.
In addition to the global influence of Portugal and Spain at the time, the struggle for power at sea between Protestant England and Catholic Spain and Portugal was crucial.
What began as a power struggle within Japan quickly turned into a power struggle with global implications.
The male protagonist is unexpectedly drawn into this game, and from then on, he becomes a pawn with the ability to change the overall situation.
The layout of the chessboard has undergone a complete redesign.
Immediately after that, the third spectacular theatrical performance is about to unfold - the killing game.
Under the cover of night, Ieyasu is trapped in his residence in Osaka, Japan, and the sudden commotion is heard one after another.
The assassin burst into the scene out of nowhere".
More precisely, the intruder was actually a female ninja.
While it doesn't have exaggerated nightcrawler gear and retreats, it doesn't deal less damage.
The female ninja has a very clear goal, she does not hesitate to rush to the male protagonist's bedroom, and every knife, whether it is a maid or a guard, is taken by her.
As she walked into the final room, a katana cut her throat with precision.
Ieyasu. In a tense atmosphere, the female shinobi tries to initiate her final fight, but is stopped in time by the male protagonist. Ieyasu struck a light blow with the hilt of his knife, causing the female shinobu to lose her life and fall to the ground.
The retainers hurried to the scene of the incident, and one by one angrily accused Mita of doing it.
However, Ieyasu responded calmly: that person was not him. Because he swapped rooms with the male protagonist, the female shinobi happened to walk into Ieyasu's current bedroom.
To put it another way, the real assassination operation was not against Ieyasu, but against the male protagonist.
This game, which revolves around the power struggle of Japan's Sengoku period, gradually becomes more engaging.
Everyone knows that there is only one link in this power struggle in the palace - that is, the Battle of Sekigahara, which determines the fate of the entire world.
In the course of Japan's long history, this unprecedented civil war is preparing to break out.
I have to say that the plot of the first two episodes is really exciting, the story develops very quickly, there are no waste dramas, and it is also full of strong atmosphere.
Especially in the meeting of the five elders, the rare top-down surround shot shows a tense and gloomy atmosphere, and the powerful actors play with each other, creating an absolute thriller atmosphere.
The power struggle between the scheming, the world, the five great lords of Japan, the missionaries, and the British pirates was so closely intertwined.
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Although we haven't seen the expected large-scale battle scene yet, the tense and exciting power struggle has touched everyone's heart, which is what makes "Shogun" a unique attraction as an American river drama.
02. This actor showed excellent acting skills, and he and another character had wonderful performances in both scenes, and the subtleties were simply breathtaking.
In the historically-themed TV dramas produced in China, the actors' acting skills are always impressive, and American-style river dramas are no exception. In historical TV dramas, the role played by actors is undoubtedly the most crucial part.
Choosing the right actors is an important part of creating a character, and only those actors who match the temperament of the ancient characters can bring a real and deep feeling to the play.
What makes Shogun appealing is that it focuses primarily on the creation of complex characters, rather than overpowering its dazzling visuals.
From a casting point of view, this drama brings together almost all the powerful Japanese actors who are influential in Hollywood.
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In our experience, choosing a role is indeed a very suitable process.
In the film "Shogun", there are many episodes that make the audience laugh, which brings great satisfaction to the audience.
In this process, it also includes the actor's precise control of details and the fine layout of foreshadowing.
With the help of two specific cases, we can gain a deeper insight into the intricate connection between the characters and the power structure in Shogun.
The first part of the show showcased Hiroyuki Sanada's poker face.
Ieyasu, in the Goko family at the time, was definitely an indispensable character, but this hero, played by Hiroyuki Sanada, left a deep memory on me: walking on thin ice.
During the performance of the first two episodes, Hiroyuki Sanada smiled almost from the beginning to the end in front of his son.
Although this was the case, instead of a smile on his face, some details gradually appeared.
It is particularly noteworthy that Hideyoshi staged a "heart-to-heart" drama with Ieyasu on his deathbed. Although they seem to have a deep affection for kings and courtiers from the outside, in reality, Hideyoshi, who is close to death, is testing Ieyasu with every word, and every word of Ieyasu seems to be a parry.
He should never lie because Hideyoshi's wisdom is unique.
Since Fushimi Castle has hidden people with knives and axes, it is not possible to tell them honestly.
In an environment where it is difficult to distinguish between the real and the false, and the virtual and the real are intertwined, Ieyasu once again succeeded in overcoming a dilemma.
When he walked out of Hideyoshi's solemn and solemn hospital bed, there was no expression on his face, but he had already made a clear judgment in his heart.
The poker face is not just a cover for Ieyasu, it is also a special gift in a complex environment.
Before the outbreak of the Great War of Sekigahara, the situation in Japan had not stabilized, and there was an undercurrent, so how could we find a smile?
It is only when we truly experience this level that we can truly understand that Hiroshi Sanada's acting skills are so remarkable, which also provides Ieyasu with a solid position.
The second detail in the performance is: the smile shown by Tadanobu Asano.
In this drama, Tadanobu Asano's charming smile is really irresistible.
He is the supreme ruler of Izu, in charge of managing a land of projectiles, and unexpectedly, he meets the hero's ship.
At first, I thought I could make a lot of money and keep everything on the ship for myself, but as soon as I moved ashore, Ieyasu's men came, and they wanted not only people but also boats.
In this play, Tadanobu Asano's acting skills are truly breathtaking.
He laughed as he spoke, claiming that the ship had become its owner, and that I just wanted to surprise him unexpectedly.
She laughed and said to her subordinates: There are spies among you!
This unfortunate and deeply sympathetic individual is perfectly interpreted in his smile.
Although the smile is so deep, things have not yet come to an end.
At that moment, Ishida Mitsunari found him again and ridiculed him, claiming that he was the most powerful man in the world.
In the third incident, Asano's leadership team succeeded in rescuing the male protagonist who was on the verge of being executed, and showed him a sarcastic smile.
On this special occasion, Asano showed his sincere joy.
The rich meaning hidden behind the three laughs is not only reflected in the description of the characters, but also reveals the logical connection behind the Japanese nickname at the time.
In Japan at that historical time, supporting characters like him were like weeds in the wind, and I wasn't sure whether I should choose Ieyasu or Mita.
Only by playing left and right can the two ends of the bet be successful.
Unsurprisingly, Ishida suffered a resounding defeat in the Battle of Sekigahara, as people across the globe were hesitant.
These two specific details include: the king, the nickname, the ecology of the power field, the power of the princes, and the balance of power and internal strife throughout the history of the Warring States.
Anna Sawai's wonderful performances with other actors further enhanced the appeal of this drama.
03. There are many similarities between the production method of American-style Dahe drama and "Shogun", which is also a significant feature of our historical drama?
Are there any imperfections in this TV series?
Not only does it exist, but there are also quite a lot of them.
For example, on Douban, many netizens generally hold the view that if you interpret the history of the East from a Western perspective, it is quite difficult to analyze it no matter how you analyze it.
In addition, there are many memorable parts of this drama, especially the role of Hiroyuki Sanada, but the performance of the British actor in this aspect can be said to be quite average.
In addition, the performance of the power plot drama did not reach the expected high level.
Even if it's just a fictional story, the basic law should be strictly followed. Ieyasu's solo entry into Osaka Castle was not of much strategic importance. After being detained, he is also free to be sent to Izu to ask for people and ships, and even freely leads the male protagonist into the city, which undoubtedly brings great flaws to the plot.
Although the drama of the Five Elders was impressive, there were also some problems. Ieyasu's attitude was so resolute that he even admitted that the conversation was really boring. In Japanese history, the Battle of Ishida Toshinari and Sekigahara is the largest and longest battle in the history of warfare. If Ishida Mitsunari had the ability to directly assign a sword and axe hand to carry out the mission, then the Great War of Sekigahara would not have broken out.
But why has the TV series been able to receive such high public acclaim?
Why did "Shogun" receive so many accolades immediately after it was broadcast? The author thinks it's mainly because the lines of the play are very distinctive. There is a word for it, and that is "positive."
First of all, it needs to be emphasized that it has a rich and far-reaching historical background.
In this drama, all the costumes and props are carefully selected, and the starting point is Osaka Castle.
Walking towards the market in Izu, whether it is the ornaments, the naginata, the armor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, or the appearance and posture of the actors, it is very realistic to reproduce the historical appearance of Japan in the 16th century.
In that play, the materials and textures of the costumes could not deceive the audience.
The drama's cinematography is equally impressive, with crisp grainy images and numerous dark-focus lenses that successfully recreate the Sengoku period.
Even if it's a trivial opening shot, I don't want to get in quickly. Through a series of sand table simulations and deductions, what I showed was actually the whole picture of the global situation at that time.
Really put in a real effort.
Immediately afterwards, the atmosphere of the scene became extraordinarily formal.
The crew's budget seems to be quite generous, and several key scenes in the opening scenes, such as the ship's encounter with a storm at sea and Ieyasu's team's entry into Osaka Castle, were filmed very well. In the film, the actors also showed enough professional qualities, especially the heroine Mako played her role brilliantly - a girl with a strong character and the courage to face setbacks. The second half of the trailer showcases extremely gorgeous action sequences, fully embodying bold and unique action design.
The unique style of this TV series that succeeds in creating a world that is both gorgeous and immersive while ensuring that spectacular scenes do not negatively affect the plot and character development is very commendable.
Moreover, the character presents a positive side.
Although all the characters in the show use pseudonyms, they are backed up by solid historical evidence.
In the work "Shogun", the role of the British sailor is indeed recorded in historical documents. This paper attempts to analyze this character from the perspective of a historical figure in order to restore the original appearance of history. With this character, we have the opportunity to find the clues behind the story in real historical scenes, which is also an important factor in the audience's love for "Shogun".
In the end, the atmosphere in the play becomes unusually strong.
This TV series does not fully cater to the audience's preferences, nor does it integrate the popular elements in domestic costume dramas, such as ancient puppet love, into it, but puts all its energy into history, power struggles, and the depiction of all beings in Dahe dramas.
Whether it is in the theme, historical background or dramatic tension, it is appropriately expressed.
Although the plot has undergone some adjustments, judging from the content of the current series, the atmosphere of that historical drama is appropriate, which is also an important factor in its ability to win the audience's love.
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Indeed, during the Battle of Sekigahara, Takeshi Kitano's "Shou" was still in the process of being produced, despite the fact that the Japanese Taiga drama was produced many times. Is this because Japanese costume subjects don't want to shoot more classic scenes?
This is absolutely not true, because they don't actually do it.
When it comes to the various themes of our historical dramas, not only in Japan, we have an incomparable advantage on a global scale. Among the many themes, works with historical themes can be said to be the most representative, and they can also best represent the characteristics and cultural connotations of an era. In the course of 5,000 years of history, just choose a paragraph to show the diversity of history.
However, after so many years, has our national drama been produced?
In fact, although there are a large number of historical dramas that claim to be "real dramas", but are essentially "overhead", they are constantly emerging.
When you watch the historical work "Shogun", you will have the feeling of going back to the domestic historical drama 30 years ago.
The public generally feels that this TV series has surpassed Japanese Taiga dramas in recent years in terms of visual presentation, action design, costume style and plot depth, such as "What's the Whole, Ieyasu" and "To the King of Light". It has no grand narrative, ups and downs of the plot arrangement, complex twists and turns of emotional changes, and no fancy and exaggerated performances. However, in my opinion, this work is closer to the pinnacle of domestic historical dramas in the peak era.
On both platforms, Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB, this TV series has won the title of divine drama, but on Douban, its rating is only 83 points, this is mainly because we have seen what makes what can be considered a true divine drama.
It is a pity that although the production of domestic historical dramas has reached a very high standard, the audience of this generation seems to have lost the opportunity to enjoy the new outstanding historical dramas.
Given the aesthetic preferences of this generation of young people, they prefer those fast-paced skits and time-honored icons.
If a big TV show with a historical backdrop like "Ming Dynasty 1566" starts now**, its viewership is likely to be even more depressed than ever.
If the audience loses interest in it, the platform stops investing, and the times no longer have demand, then domestic historical dramas will inevitably go into decline.
However, why are historical dramas that have been replaced by the aesthetics of a new generation of national dramas still able to flourish abroad?
Why would Disney Ken be willing to invest so much money in filming a piece of Japanese Sengoku history that we thought would go unnoticed?
Are Disney and FX really both unwise people?
Perhaps, the core problem faced by national dramas is our excessive alertness.
Chinese civilization has a long history of 5,000 years, and each drama is rich and colorful historical drama material, as long as you are willing to participate in the filming, you can easily produce an American-style river drama like "Shogun".
The central question is, who would want to be part of the filming process? Who would want to see it?
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