Shōgun takes us into Japan in the 1600s, where a feud is waging in the midst of the Japanese government. When a European ship comes ashore, Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) seeks to use it to his advantage.

This is one of the best shows that I’ve watched so far in 2024. From start to finish, it’s gripping, and every detail is executed with excellence. It’s no surprise that this show has caught the attention of so many — it seems like every time I log into social media people are talking about the latest episode.

It’s rare these days for a show to break through like this, but I’m so pleased that Shōgun has. Yet another reminder that people will be drawn to quality movies and TV; studios just have to be willing to invest in bringing those projects to life.

What initially drew me to Shōgun is all of the political maneuverings that we see. Though I know nothing about the governmental structure of Japan in the 1600s, I loved seeing how these different characters respond to each other.

We learn that the government is fractured at this point. They used to have one central leader, but when he died, the realm was divided between five leaders—and there’s some serious bad blood shared between them.

Throughout the season we see Toranaga and Ishido (Takehiro Hira) sparring with each other. They are locked into a really complex game of chess, using every resource at their disposal to try and get the upper hand on the other. Both men are very intelligent and know how to bend others to their will.

It’s fascinating to watch these two characters maneuver throughout the season. Just when you think one has the upper hand, the other is able to respond in a way you didn’t see coming. These two men are great foils to each other, and their feud is a compelling central part of the plot.

Cosmo Jarvis and Nestor Carbonell in Shogun | Credit: FX

John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English sailor whose ship has arrived in Japan, is a significant character in Shōgun. Both Toranaga and Ishido seek to use him for their own benefit. Blackthorne initially thinks of the Japanese as savages, but over the course of the season begins to see them in a different light.

Blackthorne begins to learn the language and starts to respect their customs. He becomes friendly with Toranaga and others in his camp. Blackthorne becomes especially fond of Mariko (Anna Sawai), his translator, who has her own interesting backstory.

Mariko has a checkered past that is explored throughout the season. She is a fierce and determined warrior but is also incredibly sensitive and has the heart of a poet. Anna Sawai gives a great performance, revealing Mariko’s emotions and thoughts through small facial expressions or perfectly spoken lines of poetic dialogue. Oh, and she does all of this in both English and Japanese.

Each character in this show is complex and unique. They are all motivated by different emotions and goals. It’s fascinating to watch them interact with one another and see where alliances form. No one in this show is perfect, but they all have strengths and weaknesses that we see on full display. They’re also all unlikeable at times, yet there is something endearing about many of them.

You can’t help but root for these characters, even when they are making decisions that seem to make very little sense.

Shōgun is an exciting, creative, and character-driven story showing the intricate political maneuverings of the leadership of Japan in the 1600s. This show is ruthless in how it handles its characters, unafraid to kill off even the most beloved fan favorites.

Currently, there aren’t plans for a second season of this show, and I think that’s the right decision. The final episode is so satisfying for the narrative, gives the characters some important closure, and also leaves some room for interpretation.

The season finale is rich in character development and gives you a lot to think about. I think it’s a perfect end to a really great season of TV.

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