Shogun (Season 1 – FX/ Hulu 2024)
I watched this late last year, but only putting up a mini review now for records. First of all, I had no idea it was based on a series of books, Asian Saga series by James Clavell. Second, I had no idea there had already been other TV adaptations in the past. Third, I am waiting for Season 2, due for release in 2026!
We are in Japan in the 1600s. The Taiko, the old ruler, has died and the country is dangerously divided among competing feudal lords. Two very ambitious men from two very different worlds – an English sailor named John Blackthorne and a shrewd Japanese feudal lord Lord Toranaga – collide (and sometimes collaborate) over conflicting interests. So much is changing in the 1600s globally that Japan too is bound to change.
If you haven’t watched Shogun yet, believe me, you are in for a treat.
5 replies on “Shogun”
I subscribed to Hulu last November when there was a $.99 month special and haven’t identified one thing to watch so this is helpful!
I did know it was based on Clavell – I think I started a different series of his when I was a teen but got lost in the characters and did not finish.
Hulu is always a tough choice somehow… I started the show after seeing a lot of recommendations and simply did not expect the show to be so totally engrossing. It’s brilliant!
It‘s based only on the first book, the titular Shogun. The other books, belonging loosely to the same theme and later family members, have no connection. The book is very good, I recommend it—if you aren‘t intimidated by the page count. I read it many times when I was younger. Planning another reread later this year.
I also love the old TV version of Shogun with Richard Chamberlain.
I am definitely going to look up that older TV version, and very much interested in the book. I wonder what Season 2 is expected to cover – I hope we will get to see more of the earlier characters
I didn’t know that they are planning a 2nd season. Have to look it up…