The Ghost of Tsushima Movie Needs To Build on Shogun’s Success

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Summary

  • Ghost of Tsushima was praised for its culturally accurate portrayal of Japanese history and culture in gaming.
  • The Shōgun series on FX also depicted Japanese culture accurately, setting a standard for representation.
  • The upcoming Ghost of Tsushima movie should follow Shōgun’s blueprint to succeed.

As a lifelong gamer and a passionate advocate for authentic cultural representation, I find myself deeply moved by the recent strides made in bringing Japanese culture to the forefront of popular media. Having spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of Ghost of Tsushima, I was utterly enthralled by its rich narrative, stunning visuals, and meticulous attention to historical detail. The game truly stands as a testament to the artistry and dedication of Sucker Punch Productions.

The game Ghost of Tsushima, cherished across the gaming community, has sparked considerable anticipation for its upcoming film version, currently being worked on by Sony Pictures. A relevant point of comparison for the Ghost of Tsushima movie could be the FX series Shōgun.

In 2020, the novel game “Ghost of Tsushima” was launched, hailing from Sucker Punch Productions – a studio renowned for creating the “Infamous” and “Sly Cooper” series. This open-world historical action-adventure game immersed players in the story of Jin Sakai, a resolute samurai fighting to protect his island home, Tsushima, from the Mongol invasion. The game received an 83 rating on Metacritic and subsequently released extra content such as a multiplayer mode and a Director’s Cut. Following this, a sequel titled “Ghost of Yotei” is scheduled for release in 2025, along with the highly anticipated film adaptation.

Ghost of Tsushima Did Something Special in Gaming

Upon its release in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima garnered widespread acclaim. One of the most commended aspects was how authentically and accurately the game portrayed its world, providing an immersive experience. Though the storyline was fictional, it was rooted in historical facts, and the game’s environment was intricately designed to reflect the culture and setting of the 13th century Japan. Sucker Punch Productions, a U.S.-based studio, partnered with Sony’s Japan Studio to maintain authenticity in both the world and narrative, creating an opportunity for players to delve into a piece of Japanese history while gaming.

Ghost of Tsushima stood out for its reverence towards the setting it portrayed, incorporating key aspects such as a Japanese voiceover for dialogues, with actors who could speak both English and Japanese in their respective roles. The game drew inspiration from traditional Samurai films and introduced a monochrome “Kurosawa” mode as a homage to renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Every detail in Ghost of Tsushima, from the native plants and animals to its music and fighting poses, was carefully researched to ensure an accurate representation of Japan in the game’s world.

Shogun Was A Major Moment

Shōgun
Cast Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano
Creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, based on the story by James Clavell
Streaming on Hulu

In a significant stride for portraying Japanese culture within gaming, especially for Western audiences, Ghost of Tsushima stood out. Similarly, the FX series Shōgun made an impact on television. This historical drama series garnered numerous awards earlier this year and has been praised as one of the best series of 2021, if not all time. Adapted from James Clavell’s renowned 1975 novel, Shōgun presents a screen adaptation. It narrates the journeys of two ambitious figures from disparate backgrounds – the resourceful English sailor John Blackthorne and the formidable daimyo Lord Taranaga. Much like Ghost of Tsushima, its narrative is a work of fiction, but it is rooted in the historical accuracy of that era.

The Shogun team deliberately made thoughtful decisions during both development and production, aiming to create a series that was sensitive and authentic in its representation of the culture it depicted.

Throughout the creation and filming process of the series “Shōgun,” the team carefully selected decisions to maintain authenticity and sensitivity towards the depicted culture. A significant portion of the dialogue is delivered in Japanese, featuring a predominantly Japanese cast. Extensive research was conducted to guarantee that the settings, props, and costumes were historically accurate for the time period in Japanese history. This dedication resulted in Shogun receiving critical acclaim from Western viewers as well as appreciation in Japan. Even Hideo Kojima, a renowned Japanese game creator, commended the series.

The Ghost of Tsushima Movie Should Follow Shogun’s Blueprint

In light of Ghost of Tsushima being a significant milestone for Japanese portrayal in gaming, it’s crucial that the upcoming film doesn’t miss the mark. Following the successful formula of movies like Shōgun could prove beneficial. At present, we know that the Ghost of Tsushima movie is being helmed by Chad Stahelski, with a script being penned by Takashi Doscher. Stahelski is renowned for his background in stunt work and directing high-octane action films such as John Wick. Doscher’s resume includes writing and directing the feature films Only and Still. Since Doscher was hired in 2022, there hasn’t been much news about the adaptation, but given the current trend of video game adaptations, it’s clear that Sony considers this a top priority.

The Ghost of Tsushima Film Can Provide More Authentic Japanese Representation

In crafting the film adaptation of “Ghost of Tsushima”, it’s crucial for the creative team to mirror the approach taken by the game creators, focusing on authenticity in portraying Japanese history and culture. Much like “Shogun”, the “Ghost of Tsushima” movie could leverage an entirely Japanese cast and dialogue, immersing viewers in the period. Additionally, it might incorporate a black-and-white Kurosawa mode reminiscent of the game, enhancing its historical feel. Interestingly, there are rumors that Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred in “Shogun”, could play a role in the “Ghost of Tsushima” film, which is promising. Collaboration between creative teams could be beneficial in bringing an accurate and captivating portrayal of a historical Japanese story to Western audiences. If executed thoughtfully, the “Ghost of Tsushima” movie has potential to achieve the same level of success and cultural influence as “Shogun”, further enriching the legacy of Sucker Punch’s game.

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2024-12-23 06:04