Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan
Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan | |
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Country of origin | Canada United States |
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No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 6 |
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Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 43–45 minutes |
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Original release | February 24, 2021 |
Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan is a Canadian-American documentary television series, distributed by Netflix and released on February 24, 2021.[1][2][3][4] It takes place in feudal Japan from 1551 to 1616, during the final phase of the Sengoku period (The Age of Warring States), mainly the Azuchi–Momoyama period. It features reenactments of historical events and commentary by voice-over artist Hiro Kanagawa and historians Stephen Turnbull, David Spafford, Tomoko Kitagawa, Isaac Meyer and others. The story is about several powerful daimyo (warlords) who clash to unify Japan.
The series was produced by the Canadian firms Cream Productions and Blue Ant Media, for broadcast on Smithsonian Channel in Canada and Netflix internationally.[5]
Synopsis[]
Oda Nobunaga becomes head of the Oda clan upon the death of his father, but this causes problems with family members who compete for control. When Nobunaga conquers central Japan, he causes a war with the powerful daimyo Takeda Shingen. As Nobunaga's ambitions grow, one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide, becomes doubtful about his intentions and betrays him. Afterward, Toyotomi Hideyoshi becomes the de facto ruler of Japan. However, the young daimyo Date Masamune refuses to submit. After Hideyoshi unified Japan, he plots to expand his reign to China. Due to costly logistical issues and strong opposition, the campaign gets stuck in Korea. During the final months of Hideyoshi's life, he appoints five regents to govern until his young son Hideyori is old enough to assume power. However, the daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu challenges the status quo and campaigns victoriously against his opponents, becoming the shogun of Japan.
Cast[]
- Hiro Kanagawa - Narrator
- Stephen Turnbull - Narrator
- David Spafford - Narrator
- Tomoko Kitagawa - Narrator
- Darren-Jon Ashmore - Narrator
- Masami Kosaka - Toyotomi Hideyoshi
- Hayate Masao - Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Masayoshi Haneda - Oda Nobunaga
- Hideaki Itō - Date Masamune
- Wilfred Lee - Shibata Katsuie
- Michael Wert - Self
- Umi Bielmann - Young Iga Rebel
- Seiji Hino - Ishida Mitsunari
- Elina Miyake Jackson - Lady Nene
- Ryota Kaneko - Takeda Katsuyori
- Chika Kitney - Lady Chacha
- Simon Fletcher Li - Torii Mototada
- Timothy Mak - Sakuma Morimasa
- Kelly Seo - Lady Tsukiyama
- Frank Yim - Oda General
Episodes[]
No. | Title | Directed by | Original release date |
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1 | "The Rise of Oda Nobunaga" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
2 | "Seize Power/Retain Power" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
3 | "The Demon King" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
4 | "Enter the One-Eyed Dragon" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
5 | "Catastrophe and Annihilation" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
6 | "End of Days" | Stephen Scott | February 24, 2021 |
Awards[]
The series received three Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, for Best Factual Program or Series, Best Production Design/Art Direction in a Non-Fiction Program or Series (Florian Schuck for the episode "The Rise of Nobunaga") and Best Direction in a Factual Program or Series (Stephen Scott for "The Rise of Nobunaga").[6]
References[]
- ^ Anderson, John (2021-02-23). "'Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan' Review: Feuding Lords and Their Fighters". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ "Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan Is a Netflix Docu-Drama Written in Blood and Ink". Den of Geek. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Age Of Samurai: Battle For Japan' on Netflix, A Bloodstained History Lesson Full of Conquest And Blood Feuds". Decider. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ "Showrunner Matthew Booi Interview: Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan". ScreenRant. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ Barry Walsh, "Cream to revisit “The Age of Samurai” for Netflix, Smithsonian Canada". RealScreen, June 16, 2019.
- ^ Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
External links[]
- 2021 American television series debuts
- 2020s American documentary television series
- 2021 Canadian television series debuts
- 2020s Canadian documentary television series
- Television series about the history of Japan
- Netflix original documentary television series
- Television series set in feudal Japan
- Television series set in the 16th century
- Television series by Blue Ant Studios