Even though we’re still reading through James Clavell’s vast masterpiece Shōgun (1975), we couldn’t resist the temptation of the 2024 TV show adaptation.

Shōgun is a televisual triumph! The 10 episode, one-off series is a bloody masterpiece in more ways than one. With an outstanding cast, brilliant writing, and a sweeping scale, this one is an instant classic.

Peace, War, and an Obstinate Englishman in 2024’s Sensational Shōgun Saga

We covered in are all modern films rubbish podcast the constant complaining from a sect of people that culture was better in “the good old days“.

These people tend to cherry pick to meet the needs of their opinions—suppress details. Which is a fallacy of incomplete evidence (a tactic common in climate change denial) and it’s a bit of a lazy argument.

Now, we can compare this 2024 adaptation of Shōgun directly to the 1980 one, starring Richard Chamberlain, and the difference is enormous.

A show like Shōgun launches (it’s available only on Disney+), it’s magnificent, and highlights once again the quality of so many films and TV shows coming out right now. Really, as viewers we’re spoiled for choice.

And there’s no denying Shōgun is going to be one of the best of 2024. If not the best show of the year.

The Political Intrigue of Shōgun’s Feudal Japan

If you’ve read James Clavell’s book, you’ll know it’s intricately complex. Woven together with vast political backstabbing and intrigue during feudal Japan circa 1600.

Many of the characters in the book are based on real-life counterparts. John Blackthorne, for example, was based on the Englishman William Adams (1564-1620), the first Brit to reach Japan.

The show follows Clavell’s narrative faithfully, covering the final stages of the Sengoku period—a tumultuous time in Japanese, and world, history.

After Englishman John Blackthorne’s (Cosmo Jarvis) ship crashes onto Japanese shores, the locals imprison the pilot and bring him before Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). The latter is baed on Tokugawa Iesyasu (1543-1616).

Jarvis is terrific as Blackthorne, playing him as a garrulous and swashbuckling sort prone to obstinacy and British indignation.

Blackthorne soon learns he has to respect these mysterious Japanese customs, otherwise he’ll quickly get his head chopped off.

Death in Japanese society is something of a trivial matter.

The locals, in fact, seem to have a deathwish. They’re quite happy to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) if they do anything that dishonours their community. Even trivial matters will result in someone getting their head knocked off.

One of Blackthorne’s crew is also boiled alive to break the “barbarians” (as the Japanese refer to the foreigners).

Despite much antagonism to begin with, the highly intelligent Toranaga sees in Blackthorne a disruptive political bargaining tool. And the two soon bond.

The complex political shenanigans mean various factions want Toranaga dead, the barbarians dead, or whatever else.

All in one big old political power struggle for a new era of Japan.

Whilst you shouldn’t take all of this with 100% historical accuracy, it’s nevertheless a thrilling depiction of Japanese culture from a long-gone era. And this is the joy of the show. As viewers, we are essentially John Blackthorne. Visitors to this strange land, seeing its confusing customs in action.

Blackthorne is often left baffled.

The politeness of locals breaking suddenly for brutal acts of violence (beheadings in the street are fairly common, for example).

But then there’s the political wranglings, philosophising, and familial struggles playing out. One of the standouts amongst all that is New Zealand born Japanese actress Anna Sawai. She plays Toda Mariko (based on Hosokawa Gracia, 1563-1600) and magnificent fashion.

Mariko is a highly intelligent highborn woman with a strong loyalty to Toranaga.

She’s often quite baffled by John Blackthorne’s behaviour. On several occasions he tries to remonstrate with her and/or teach her life lessons, but she’s intellectually superior and runs rings around him there.

However, a romance does blossom between the pair as she’s able to unearth Blackthorne’s more cultured and introspective side.

Hai! Let’s Pause For a Moment And Celebrate Hiroyuki Sanada

Toranaga is played by Japanese acting legend Hiroyuki Sanada.

He’s been in all sorts of massive Hollywood films over the years, but he’s not exactly a household name outside of Japan. Despite being in the likes of Sunshine, John Wick: Chapter 4, Bullet Train (starring opposite Brad Pitt), voice work in Minions etc.

But we know Sanada best for his portrayal of the fearsome samurai Ujio in The Last Samurai (2003). And, seriously, he’s awesome in that film! Totally believable.

To note, the actor was heavily invested in the Shōgun project as he’s also overseen the series as a producer.

FX Networks has been running all sorts of excellent featurettes on the production of the show, including showing how Sanada managed his acting duties alongside that of a producer.

But, really, the 63-year-old has hit a major career highlight with this one.

The Surprising Black Humour of Shōgun

There are elements of black humour throughout the show. A lot of this comes from Blackthorne’s behaviour, as he’s daring, receptive to new cultures, but quite stuck in his lifestyle ways.

Once he gets into a position of respect, he starts winding up some of the locals and gives them a bit of English pluck.

But he’s also a bit of an idiot.

Once he’s provided with a home and staff, his consort/maid Fuji (excellently performed by the wide-eyed Moeka Hoshi) struggles to comprehend his English customs.

That includes refusing to bathe more than once a week (in Europe, the belief was bathing too much made you ill) and hanging game out to rot.

This is so he can cook a traditional, foul-smelling English stew (WARNING! Big spoiler in the clip below).

The black humour isn’t inserted just for laughs, it does highlight the cleverness of screenwriters Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks.

There are major consequences for Blackthorne’s actions. What initially seems funny due to his blockheaded ways through an offhand comment gets tragic fast.

Part of the viewing journey is seeing him grasp the importance of choosing his words wisely.

The Lavish Production of Shōgun With a Focus on Authenticity

A lot of work went into making this show as authentic to the era as possible. That means there’s some quite stunning set designs and the wardrobe work for the costumes is amazing.

Many of the male actors also have what’s called a chonmage (丁髷). It’s where the middle part of their head hair is shaved off, waxed, and then tied back into a knot.

Plus, the beautiful use of shoji (Japanese sliding doors) has repeated prominence across the show. The latticed wooden doors, and their translucent white paper, initially act as a kind of barrier to Blackthorne’s life in Japan.

As episodes progress, they then are witness to many a dramatic moment.

Despite all that, the show wasn’t shot in Japan.

Principal photography took place in Vancouver of Canada, as well as some locations in Ireland. A lot of Japanese extras were required for the shoot, with pay for them at 50,000 yen (about £250) a day. Much higher than the standard 5,000 yen a day (we mention this as it’s nice news for workers of the world, for once).

The show is also English actor Cosmo Jarvis’ first leading role. In interviews, he’s seemed quite nervous about all the attention—respectful. As if he should show restraint and be reserved. It’s nice to see.

And a vast difference compared to his somewhat brash in-show character.

We’ll end on the note the show has been critically acclaimed so far, with glowing reviews worldwide from critics and viewers. Good!