Hiroyuki Sanada’s 2025 SAG Award Speech: What Did He Say That Stole the Show?

On February 23, 2025, Hiroyuki Sanada took the stage at the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in Los Angeles, captivating audiences with a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in FX’s Shōgun. As the first Japanese actor to claim this prestigious award, Sanada’s words resonated with humility, gratitude, and inspiration, reflecting his remarkable journey from a child actor in Japan to a global star. This article dives into everything Sanada said during and after his win, unpacking the moments that made his speech a standout at the 2025 SAG Awards.

What Did Hiroyuki Sanada Say During His SAG Award Acceptance Speech?

Sanada’s acceptance speech was a blend of emotion and reflection. Taking the podium, he began with a dreamy disbelief, saying, “I feel like I’m in a dream.” He introduced himself simply yet powerfully: “Thank you, SAG Awards. I’m Hiroyuki Sanada, actor. I’m so honored to be here with these amazing nominees.” This humility set the tone as he thanked his Shōgun cast and crew for their “great journey” together, acknowledging the collaborative spirit that brought the series to life.

Reflecting on his career, Sanada shared, “I started acting in Japan when I was five years old, and moved to L.A. 20 years ago. Luckily, I worked with great filmmakers and actors, and I learned a lot from all of them.” This nod to his 50-plus-year career underscored the perseverance that led to this historic moment, making his win a testament to decades of dedication.

Later, as Shōgun won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, Sanada spoke again, emphasizing the award’s significance: “This is so special because this is from you guys.” He praised the team’s bravery in producing a show that was “70% Japanese and with subtitles,” calling it a “big gamble” that paid off, proving “acting is a universal language.”

Why Did Sanada Highlight the Universal Language of Acting?

Sanada’s focus on acting as a “universal language” was a standout moment, especially during the ensemble award acceptance. He celebrated Shōgun’s cultural authenticity, thanking the team for “respecting our culture and believing in us.” The series, set in 17th-century feudal Japan, took a bold risk with its predominantly Japanese dialogue—a move Sanada noted “must have been a big gamble.”

His words highlighted how the show’s success, and this SAG win, bridged cultural divides, showing that powerful storytelling transcends language barriers. This resonated deeply with viewers and peers, reinforcing Shōgun’s dominance across the 2025 awards season.

How Did Sanada Reflect on His Journey After the Win?

Post-speech, Sanada’s reflections added depth to his on-stage remarks. In press interviews, he elaborated on Shōgun’s unexpected triumph, saying, “We couldn’t have imagined these kinds of things happening when we shot a few years ago.” He reiterated the risk of the 70% Japanese dialogue, noting the uncertainty: “Can they enjoy it, or not?” Yet, the overwhelming audience and critical response after the first two episodes affirmed their gamble, a sentiment he echoed with pride on stage.

Sanada also hinted at Shōgun’s future, teasing Season 2 developments without specifics, saying only that he’s preparing to “don his samurai armor once again.” This subtle nod kept fans buzzing, blending his personal milestone with anticipation for the series’ next chapter.

What Made Sanada’s Speech So Emotional and Historic?

Sanada’s speech carried emotional weight as he became the first Japanese actor to win this SAG category, a milestone built on his earlier 2024 Emmy win for the same role. His gratitude toward his peers—“This is so special because this is from you guys”—and his reflection on a career spanning over five decades struck a chord.

By tying his personal story to Shōgun’s broader impact, he crafted a narrative of resilience and unity that left the audience inspired. His words, paired with Shōgun’s four SAG wins that night, cemented the night as a historic celebration of diverse storytelling.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Legacy in the Making

Hiroyuki Sanada’s 2025 SAG Award acceptance speech was more than a victory lap—it was a poignant reflection on a groundbreaking career and a bold project that defied expectations. From his humble beginnings at age five to standing tall as a SAG winner, Sanada’s journey mirrors Shōgun’s own triumph: a testament to taking risks and trusting in the power of art to connect us all.

As he prepares for Season 2, fans and industry watchers alike are left eager for more, knowing that Sanada’s legacy—and Shōgun’s—is only just beginning to unfold.

We at The Omen Media strive to bring you your daily dosage of entertainment, one tantalizing story at a time. If you would like to support our efforts, and we would really appreciate it if you would, consider doing one of the the following:

1) Buy us a small cup of coffee by clicking here, or

2) You can also support us by becoming a Patreon member by clicking here. We don't have anything exclusive to offer to our Patreon members just yet as we are just a little movie website, but it still costs money to run one. For just $3 a month, you can support everyone who is working behind the scenes to get you your daily dose of entertainment one piece at a time.

Every support counts and every such gesture will serve as an additional motivation for us to keep bringing you your daily fix of showbiz.

Thank you for taking the time out to read this and we hope that you have a lovely day ahead!