It's rare to see a novel get successfully adapted into a prestige limited series, and then for it to get another reboot. It's even rarer when the subject matter is set in 17th century feudal Japan, with all its political machinations and ancient battles. But we live in unprecedented times, and FX's upcoming limited series "Shōgun" — which is exactly that — could be TV's next big hit and everyone's new obsession.
"Shōgun" premieres on February 27, 2024, on FX, Hulu and Disney+. It stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Ako, Toshi Today, Yuka Kouri, Yuki Kura and Moeka Hoshi. Here's what the reviews say (aka just a sampling of its praise).
What it's about
Still missing "Game of Thrones"? Well, "Shōgun", a new ten-part series based on James Clavell's 1975 novel of the same name, might just be the show you've been waiting for. Set in 1600 Japan, Hiroyuki Sanada's Lord Yoshii Toranaga is essentially "Shōgun's" answer to Ned Stark, a man in a precarious position of power, when the historical drama kicks off. When Japan's supreme leader, the Taiko, died and left behind an heir far too young to rule a year ago, Toranaga found himself on the Council of Regents, a board of five men from every corner of the country set to govern until the Taiko's son comes of age. But over the past 12 months, the political ambitions – and secret schemes – of Toranaga's fellow councilmember Ishido (Takehiro Hira) have caused the lords to turn on the Taiko's Osaka Castle-dwelling favorite. If voted out unanimously, Toranaga faces not only a demotion, but a death sentence.
The story has been adapted wonderfully and faithfully
There are so many moving parts, but the writers carefully craft a story that never overwhelms. Watching "Shōgun's" story unfold is a slow, sizzling burn in the best possible sense. The setting and the characters are fleshed out, so there's a deep understanding of why everyone is doing what they're doing and why they feel how they feel. The politics at the forefront are compelling, and they're made even more so by the intrigue and character development that underscores the narrative momentum. There's an occasional dip when the show begins to center Jarvis's character a bit too much, but the story rights itself as it moves full steam ahead.
It's all enticing, richly entertaining stuff that the series lays out: a story whose appeal, both in its sometimes convoluted political web but also engrossing lore and world-building, quickly reminds one of "Game of Thrones." Except "Shōgun" is only 10 episodes. Eventually, the story boils down to two sides of schemes and mind-games played out from afar between Taranaga and Ishido — and eventually, Lady Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido), the heir's mother, whose latter-half entrance jolts the series with new momentum — with a chessboard of players considering allegiances along the way. But the narrative upswings that often dramatically close out episodes can sometimes struggle to find satisfying landings, and by series end, it feels as if much of the show's universe has yet to be fully explored. The vast geopolitical battle it lays out early on, between Japan, England and Portugal, for instance, is left hanging, as if for another show or a future season.
[The Wrap]
The acting is top notch
Although Jarvis feels out of his depth in bringing nuance to the show, often playing his scenes rather broadly, it is Sanada and Sawai who prove to be more than up to the task. One only wishes "Shōgun" was solely built around them. While the series is building up to an immense confrontation that threatens to subsume all the characters in its bloody wake, the grounding presence of Sanada and Sawai is what holds "Shōgun" together. Even when some moments can cheapen the experience, like an obvious fake-out demise that takes away from what could have been a haunting sacrifice, these two are each outstanding when at the story's center.
[Collider]
And it's a bloody good time
The visceral quality to the show's violence can be exciting or horrifying, sometimes both, but "Shōgun" never spills blood just for the sake of shocking us. At one point, we're told about an incidence of seppuku in which the "second" (the person tasked with decapitating the disemboweled samurai, so as to ensure a quick death) required nine attempts to separate the head from its body. The anecdote is delivered in a way that's both sad and darkly funny, but, tellingly, this is one of the few times that the act isn't shown on screen.
[Slant]
Clocking in at 589 minutes (as compared to the 1980 version at 547 minutes), "Shōgun" has few series it can be compared against. Aside from the AppleTV+ series "Pachinko," which looked at early-20th century Japan and Korea, I cannot recall another production that has blended a Hollywood production on this scale performed almost entirely in a language other than English. With period-specific sets and costumes, "Shōgun" is a blend of period drama with bloody violence while never taking for granted the realism this story needs to deliver its narrative. There are battle sequences that are stunning to watch as well as a fair amount of nudity. Airing on FX and Hulu, "Shōgun" benefits from the leeway that marquee series are afforded which also elevates this to be on par with productions from HBO, Netflix, and more. At no point does "Shōgun" feel cheaply executed or poorly acted. This is by far one of the best-produced series I have seen in years that does not rely on CGI monsters or genre conventions. This is a solid drama with a stocked cast of excellent performances.
[JoBlo]
TL;DR
With a well-acted cast of colorful characters, unforgettable scenery, and a thrilling political plot, "Shōgun" is an early contender for best new series of 2024.
But it's also a sweeping historical epic, with all the intrigue, plotting, and clashes of arms you could hope for.
[Flicks]
The resources to portray such battles are far greater in 2024 than the previous 1980 miniseries adaptation of "Shōgun."
