‘Shōgun’ Season 1 Review – One Of The Year’s Very Best

Let’s get one thing out of the way quickly: coming late to the Shōgun after party—this is one of the year’s very best shows. Shōgun is a triumph of scope and scale. The Hiroyuki Sanada-led series is a captivating epic full of shocking action, complex characters, and meticulous plotting.

The breathtaking adaptation by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks (Top Gun: Maverick) is a rarity on basic cable television when streaming has been delivering the goods for a decade. Along with breakout star Anna Sawai (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters), Shōgun is riveting from start to finish.

Shōgun follows John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English sailor with a taste for dangerous adventure. The men on his ship are starving, running out of rations. The captain died by suicide, shooting himself in the head, as their search for Japan has led them to the brink of disaster. That’s until their ship drifts into Japanese waters, marooning them in a small fishing village. Blackthorne is sequestered from the rest of his men by Lord Yoshii Toranaga.

The English arrival is perfect timing for Toranaga (Sanada), one of the five Regents who rule Japan until the late Taikō’s young heir grows into the role. Toranaga is a masterful political and military strategist from a long line of “shōguns” descending from the Minowara clan. Toranaga’s main Regent rival, Kashigi Yabushige (Silence’s Tadanobu Asano), is currently plotting his removal.

Toranaga sees Blackthorne as a chip in the political game of thrones. He represents a threat to the Portuguese establishment in Japan, which is establishing shipping routes and taking over sacred areas without their permission. Blackthorne also brings knowledge of advanced weaponry, such as gunpowder and cannons, to help Toranaga with his rivals. Not to mention the looming colonial presence. So, Toranaga has Toda Mariko (Sawai) watch over him.

Shōgun is based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name. It is a work of historical fiction loosely based on English navigator William Adams, who became a samurai under some of Japan’s powerful feudal lords. Having never read the book, the main complaints of the work, now seen through a modern, socially conscious lens, are full of Asian stereotypes.

The adaptation filters out those impure thoughts and remains loyal to the sweeping and grand story. The writer then flips the script, allowing for judgment of Blackthorne’s character as a mindless pirate and brute who isn’t worthy of their society. As the viewer immerses themselves in customs, traditions, language, and social norms, themes of European colonialism boil beneath the surface and become almost visceral.

The result is Shōgun – one of the year’s best. The production value and costume design are flawless, immersing the viewer in a world that does what only the very best film or television can do—take you to another time and place. The performances will, in time, become iconic. Hiroyuki Sanada continues to bring a commanding presence and gravitas to the small screen.

The power Sanada exudes is almost palpable. You can’t take your eyes off of him. The same goes for Anna Sawai, whose thoughtful, patient, sumptuous, and downright brilliant performance will take your breath away. Sawai’s magnetic turn will go down as one of the great female characters in television history. A strong and smart complex representation, characters like Sawai’s as Toda Mariko do not get any better than this.

Shōgun is a series bigger and more ambitious than most features. You may not see a better series all year or in the next few.

Shōgun is now available to stream in full on Hulu.