Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan

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.

Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan
Genre
Directed by
  • Stephen Scott
Starring
Narrated by
Country of originCanada
United States
Original languages
  • English
  • Japanese
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Producers
  • John Stead
  • Simon George
  • Kate Harrison
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time43–45 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original network
Original releaseFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)

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

Episodes
Episodes of Age of Samurai
No.TitleDirected byOriginal air dateGlobal viewers
(millions)
1"The Rise of Oda Nobunaga"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A
2"Seize Power/Retain Power"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A
3"The Demon King"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A
4"Enter the One-Eyed Dragon"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A
5"Catastrophe and Annihilation"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A
6"End of Days"Stephen ScottFebruary 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)N/A

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
  •  Japan portal
  1. 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.
  2. "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.
  3. "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.
  4. "Showrunner Matthew Booi Interview: Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan". ScreenRant. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  5. Barry Walsh, "Cream to revisit “The Age of Samurai” for Netflix, Smithsonian Canada". RealScreen, June 16, 2019.
  6. Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
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