Set in the 17th Century, the story is told from the perspective of British hero John Blackthorne, a sailor who rises from outsider to samurai, while being used as a pawn in Japanese leader Toranaga's struggle to reach the top of the ruling chain, or Shogun.
Where to Watch Shōgun
Cast of Shōgun
Shōgun Ratings & Reviews
- Daniel MorrishFebruary 2, 2025A modern masterpiece. An incredible historical epic about Japanese power play, a 'fish out of water' and catholic meddling in the time of the samurai warlords. Beautiful, bloody and brilliant!
- parktool69November 30, 2024not for me
- K1t5un31d agoNo wokism, with the slight exception of the girl-boss Mariko being able to handle 5 fully trained samurai with a spear (yeah riiiiight). That alone should earn it a watch in today's world. However, to top it off, they kept in the boiling scene in from the book, so you know they didn't pull any punches because feelings might be hurt. They showed Japan for just how brutal it was and how the book depicted it. This too, alone should earn it a watch. But, on top of it all, it is just a good series from start to end. This rates up there with Shaka Zulu and Odysseus. In other words, a must watch for the proper audiences.
- SlayerSantiagoMarch 10, 2025Making good TV is insanely challenging however the makers of "Shogun" make it look easy. In a lot of shows like this, the emphasis is immediately placed on the setting and historical significance, often to the point where it feels like the show-runners shove it in your face. This show, though, takes a more nuanced route. It focuses on strong performances, an engaging story, and sharp dialogue, which has made it one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve seen in a while. Even though it’s based on a book, many shows like this tend to prioritize flashy effects and costumes, but this one strikes the right balance.
