I'm trying to find the substack I read yesterday that talked about this. Edit: Found it, linked it.
Basically it says the Dumbledore problem in the Potter books (Dumbledore is Always Right and Explains it All) is that he's always right about everything and even when things seem to be going wrong, he explains how even the mis-steps were part of the overall plan. The reduces if not eliminates the stakes for the other characters.
The author contends Toranaga has the same issue -- like the Emperor, everything that transpires does so according to his design.
beaten before his son died and gave him the long mourning period to set up the plan. I don’t remember that in the book. If doesn’t have mourning period it seems like he has to either surrender or fight while badly outnumbered.
My recollection of the book from over 40 years ago was that he was always in control. Everyone was a chess piece on his board. I am going to have to re-read the book.
war scene. I like fighting too. But that was not the essence of the book or the film and it all worked IMO. Anna Sawai was great.
I highly suggest anyone into the Asian vibe consider watching Giri/Haji and Tokyo Vice (more modern tales involving Tokyo). I loved Warrior as well for a stateside Asian historical tale.
I agree with the suggestion below to do Tai Pan as an 8-part series (not as a 2 hour movie as tried before).
I would appreciate suggestions on TV shows involving Asian settings and actors.
Two books I couldn’t put down once I started reading them were by Clavell, Shogun and King Rat. I’ve never read Tai-Pan but probably should.
focused on Chinese history than Shogun is on the Japanese history and people.
Ken Watanabe is excellent in everything he's in. Shô Kasamatsu as Sato stole the show. He became a star in this series! Rinko Kikuchi (Emi), Ayumi Ito (Misaki), and Ayumi Tanida (Tozawa) were excellent as well.
However, every scene that had either Jake or Samantha in it made me want to throw something at the screen!
That said, I really hope it comes back with rebooted story for a Season 3. Apparently, there were other books by the real life Jake Adelstein about crime in Japan outside of Yakuza that would make fascinating story lines.
Also, the real life person Tozawa based off of was never caught and lived into his seventies.
I watched and loved Girl/Haji as well. I was hoping for a season 2 of that as well. Guess not.
Couldn't be many who can even do that. Jake as a character is weaselly so maybe that all fits. I was horrified at what he did giving up a source. I was not as tough on Samantha.
I think it was by design to show the American characters as more driven by emotion and ambition than their Japanese counterparts.
He really did break the story about the FBI cutting a deal with a Yakuza boss. Its also true that said boss never really gave the FBI anything important. It would be pretty ballsy if the real life Jake actually gave up a source....and put it in the show. It is a mortal sin of journalism.
As does the actor who played Yabishuge.
The Japanese people have many great actors and I have just never paid much attention. Some show up as 1 character in a big budget movie. Watching them all work together in Shogun, Giri/Haji and Tokyo Vice (where anglos are the minorities) has been a revelation.
Perfect Days is a movie released last year starring Koji Yakusho. I'm not sure how to really describe this movie. But it is worth the short run time if you have the chance to see it:
I read that it surprised people in Japan that she seemingly had such a minor role in the series (Tozawa's wife). You completely find out why in the last few episodes! They kept that under wraps for a few years.
featured in these films is very interesting. Different from the bombast one is used to.
I am particularly fond of this episode because in addition to being really funny overall, the guy that plays the Host at the restaurant is a friend of mine. He pops up in all sorts of shows and I love it when I'm watching TV and he appears.
That over-the-top, foul-mouthed Richard Burton impression is a hoot.
It’s really the only thing that pulls you out of the story.