Shogun Review: FX’s Action-Packed, Engrossing Historical Drama Is Your Next Must-Watch

It’s been a while since a historical drama has been able to capture my attention the way Shōgun has. The latest FX series (also set to premiere on Hulu) is ripe with political tension and treachery, a chessboard of moving pieces that change up the game and create obstacles within relationships and alliances that will leave you waiting to see what happens next. If there’s any series that has come close to being what Game of Thrones once was, it’s this one.

Shogun is an FX original mini-series set in 17th Century Japan. Shogun follows John Blackthorne, who becomes a samurai warrior but is unknowingly a pawn in Yoshii Toranaga’s plan to become Shogun.

Pros

• Sh?gun has a strong central story
• The series is able to balance all of its many characters
• The action and politics are heart-pounding
• Sh?gun is deeply engrossing

Cons

• The series dips when Blackthorne is too heavily featured
• Sh?gun should have been longer

Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, and based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun is an engrossing story set in 17th-century Japan. The limited series follows Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who sits on the Council of Regents in the wake of the Taikō’s death, after which he becomes the council’s enemy number one. In a bid to ensure his clan’s survival and tip the scales of power, Toranaga allies himself with the shipwrecked Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a Protestant who sailed against the Portuguese, who have amassed Catholic power in Japan.

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Shōgun’s Story Is A Sweeping, Captivating Saga

There’s far more to the story than its basic premise, and the series’ creators are able to succinctly and gorgeously expand the world of feudal Japan, introducing multiple characters — many of whom are loyal and some of whom are not — that add depth and intrigue to the show’s political landscape. Shōgun hits the ground running, wasting no time in setting up the central conflict and building out from there. Alliances are constantly shifting, loyalties are tested, and betrayals and death become like a second skin, though they’re no less shocking when they do happen.

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’ character a bit too much, but the story rights itself as it moves full steam ahead.

The setup is crucial for the payoff to work, and it most certainly does. To that end, Shōgun’s focus on characters and their many entanglements is a strength. When there are so many characters to juggle, there’s always a fear the majority will be left behind, but that isn’t so much the case here. Everyone gets their time to shine and, even when the main characters’ storylines need to be serviced, the series doesn’t forget about everyone else because they all have a role to play. The series cleverly oscillates between them so we get the bigger picture.

Shōgun’s Cast Is Terrific, Elevating The Historical Epic

The historical drama wouldn’t be what it is without its stellar cast. Sanada is fierce as Toranaga, and the actor often lets his eyes speak for him, a myriad of feelings behind them despite his external stoicism. This is a man who values honor and loyalty, but isn’t afraid to play the game or outsmart his opponents with trickery. Jarvis leans into the showiness of his character at first, a fighting spirit underscoring his fear.

And though that spirit isn’t lost, Blackthorne’s time with Toranaga, and Toda Mariko (the stunning Anna Sawai), his translator and aid to Toranaga with her own intriguing past, especially soften his pride in pertinent ways. Jarvis deftly handles this transition. Tadanobu Asano as Yabushige, Toranaga’s shifty commander, is a standout. There’s a consistent mirth in his eyes, and his demeanor works for the occasional comedic relief, but Asano understands the balance Yabushige must have for it to work.

Of the main cast, however, it’s Sawai who steals the show. The actress is able to convey so much with her eyes and voice. She’s alluring, gentle, and sharp, but cutting and bitter all at once. Sawai’s portrayal is full of grace yet laced with a quiet vengeance as Mariko navigates a world of men who each have their own agenda. Her performance is exceptional, turning Mariko into one of the show’s best characters. The rest of the supporting characters are excellent, standing on their own amidst a large ensemble.

Shōgun stands out in a TV landscape that is full of throwaway dramas. There are plenty of great and bloody action sequences, rotating political arrangements, great plotting and characterization. The series even sidesteps the white savior trope — Blackthorne is deeply rooted in the story, but he doesn’t overtake it even if he occasionally believes he knows better. The hair, makeup, costumes and production design are top-notch, as is the score. Above all, the series is exhilarating to watch unfold. Once you step into the world, it’ll be hard to leave.

Perhaps one of the most important takeaways is Shōgun’s utilization of the Japanese language. So often, a series made for western viewers will have the characters speaking in English despite the story being set in a non-English-speaking country. That isn’t the case here, and English is primarily heard between Mariko and Blackthorne. It’s refreshing. With so many shows to choose from, Shōgun should be a priority watch, as it dazzles us with political intrigue, culture, and an intensity that brings everything together nicely.