Shogun is the best thing that ever happened to Hulu.
It currently sits in the number one spot as the most-watched program in FX's history, backed by massive critical acclaim.
It doesn't begin or end there, either. The book, published in 1975, was also a massive hit, as was the succeeding 1980s TV mini-series.
Since the release of the most recent iteration, television critics and reviewers have brushed off the idea of a second season, much less a third.
The series and the book both end in the same place, after all. Besides a loosely related 1993 novel, Gai-Jin, James Clavell never wrote a sequel.
Only a week ago, most media outlets were waxing poetic about the show's profound wonders and sulking over the sudden loss of Shogun after a ten-episode run.
It's hard to blame them. What else is there to cover?
Sure, showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo did...
It currently sits in the number one spot as the most-watched program in FX's history, backed by massive critical acclaim.
It doesn't begin or end there, either. The book, published in 1975, was also a massive hit, as was the succeeding 1980s TV mini-series.
Since the release of the most recent iteration, television critics and reviewers have brushed off the idea of a second season, much less a third.
The series and the book both end in the same place, after all. Besides a loosely related 1993 novel, Gai-Jin, James Clavell never wrote a sequel.
Only a week ago, most media outlets were waxing poetic about the show's profound wonders and sulking over the sudden loss of Shogun after a ten-episode run.
It's hard to blame them. What else is there to cover?
Sure, showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo did...
- 5/20/2024
- by Thomas Godwin
- TVfanatic
FX’s Shogun is getting more seasons. FX, Hulu, and the Estate of James Clavell are working to extend the critically acclaimed global hit drama, moving forward to develop the saga with two additional seasons of the drama series.
The show’s key creative partners, including co-creators, executive producers, and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, executive producer Michaela Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada, are on board for the development. Production timing has not been locked in, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.
Through its first nine weeks, Shogun has become FX’s most-watched show ever based on global hours streamed. All 10 episodes of Shogun, which concluded on April 23, are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in all other territories.
FX’s Shogun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan...
The show’s key creative partners, including co-creators, executive producers, and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, executive producer Michaela Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada, are on board for the development. Production timing has not been locked in, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.
Through its first nine weeks, Shogun has become FX’s most-watched show ever based on global hours streamed. All 10 episodes of Shogun, which concluded on April 23, are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in all other territories.
FX’s Shogun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan...
- 5/17/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Shōgun is coming back for more! FX Networks is working with James Clavell’s estate to make two more seasons of the hit TV series. More on Shōgun season 2 and 3 below.
Spoilers for the entirety of Shōgun.
If you’ve been reading our reviews of Shōgun, you know we were big fans of FX Networks’ new TV series, set in feudal Japan. Across the 10 episodes, we were offered a thrilling, intriguing look at the specific dynamics and politics of the time.
The series was based on a novel by James Clavell and the 10 episodes covered the entire book, but it may not be over for Shōgun quite just yet.
Deadline reports that FX and Hulu (the US streaming service that Shōgun is available on across the pond) is working with James Clavell’s estate to develop two more seasons of the drama. The series aired on Disney+ in the UK.
Spoilers for the entirety of Shōgun.
If you’ve been reading our reviews of Shōgun, you know we were big fans of FX Networks’ new TV series, set in feudal Japan. Across the 10 episodes, we were offered a thrilling, intriguing look at the specific dynamics and politics of the time.
The series was based on a novel by James Clavell and the 10 episodes covered the entire book, but it may not be over for Shōgun quite just yet.
Deadline reports that FX and Hulu (the US streaming service that Shōgun is available on across the pond) is working with James Clavell’s estate to develop two more seasons of the drama. The series aired on Disney+ in the UK.
- 5/17/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Shōgun is a limited series no more: FX is gearing up for more installments of the historic drama.
The renewal was expected and foreshadowed by star-producer Hiroyuki Sanada closing a deal to continue as Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Also back are co-creators, executive producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo as well as EP Michaela Clavell.
For now, FX and streaming partner Hulu are saying that they are working with the estate of Shōgun author James Clavell to to develop two additional seasons.
There is no mention of a green light, and a start date for production has not been set, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer. There is also no information on source material, whether the new seasons will stay within the Shōgun universe or will also draw from the other books in Clavell’s Asian Saga.
The news of Shōgun‘s return...
The renewal was expected and foreshadowed by star-producer Hiroyuki Sanada closing a deal to continue as Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Also back are co-creators, executive producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo as well as EP Michaela Clavell.
For now, FX and streaming partner Hulu are saying that they are working with the estate of Shōgun author James Clavell to to develop two additional seasons.
There is no mention of a green light, and a start date for production has not been set, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer. There is also no information on source material, whether the new seasons will stay within the Shōgun universe or will also draw from the other books in Clavell’s Asian Saga.
The news of Shōgun‘s return...
- 5/16/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva and Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Now that FX has decided to make more episodes of its breakout hit Shōgun, it is changing its Emmy strategy for the James Clavell adaptation.
Deadline has learned that FX will submit the saga — which originally premiered as a limited series — in the drama category. Before, Shōgun would have competed against the likes of Under the Bridge or Apples Never Fall. Now that it’s coming back for subsequent seasons, Shōgun will face off against series like Silo, The Wheel of Time, Fallout and The Morning Show.
Today, FX announced it was renewing the Hiroyuki Sanada saga with a possible intent to squeeze two more seasons out of the global hit. A start date for production has not been set, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.
The show’s key creative partners — co-creators, executive producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, EP Michaela Clavell,...
Deadline has learned that FX will submit the saga — which originally premiered as a limited series — in the drama category. Before, Shōgun would have competed against the likes of Under the Bridge or Apples Never Fall. Now that it’s coming back for subsequent seasons, Shōgun will face off against series like Silo, The Wheel of Time, Fallout and The Morning Show.
Today, FX announced it was renewing the Hiroyuki Sanada saga with a possible intent to squeeze two more seasons out of the global hit. A start date for production has not been set, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.
The show’s key creative partners — co-creators, executive producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, EP Michaela Clavell,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
It is no secret that the Beau DeMayo show X-Men ’97 has been surprising fans with its brilliance from the get-go. One thing the show handles in a delicate way that the audiences are happy about is the dynamic between Morph and Wolverine. Now, what sets the X-Men lore apart is its emphasis on human drama amidst plenty of mutant action. It has never hesitated to dig deep into complex subject matters like relationships and cracks within friendships, among other things.
Wolverine in X-Men ‘97 (Image via Marvel Studios)
Similarly, while Wolverine’s feelings for Morph stop at friendship, Morph seems to be brewing something deeper in his mind. DeMayo, sensing the fans’ burning questions, finally addressed this matter on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Fans are happy with the revelation!
X-Men ’97 Explores the Always Overlooked Wolverine-Morph Dynamic!
Fans are absolutely loving the newfound focus...
Wolverine in X-Men ‘97 (Image via Marvel Studios)
Similarly, while Wolverine’s feelings for Morph stop at friendship, Morph seems to be brewing something deeper in his mind. DeMayo, sensing the fans’ burning questions, finally addressed this matter on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Fans are happy with the revelation!
X-Men ’97 Explores the Always Overlooked Wolverine-Morph Dynamic!
Fans are absolutely loving the newfound focus...
- 5/16/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
FX spent years developing their adaptation of James Clavell’s Shōgun, which ranks as the most expensive scripted show the studio has ever done, but it all paid off big time with rave reviews and an impressively large audience. Despite being billed as a limited series, it’s possible that Shōgun season 2 could happen.
Deadline reports that Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and also produced the series, has closed a deal to return for a potential second season. Nothing is set in stone, but FX hopes to get their ducks in a row for more Shōgun. THR added that there are “other extenuating circumstances” to overcome before FX can formally greenlight a second season. The show was the network’s biggest Hulu premiere, with 9 million streaming views globally spread across Hulu, Disney+ and Star+ in its first six days of availability.
Another indication of whether Shōgun season...
Deadline reports that Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and also produced the series, has closed a deal to return for a potential second season. Nothing is set in stone, but FX hopes to get their ducks in a row for more Shōgun. THR added that there are “other extenuating circumstances” to overcome before FX can formally greenlight a second season. The show was the network’s biggest Hulu premiere, with 9 million streaming views globally spread across Hulu, Disney+ and Star+ in its first six days of availability.
Another indication of whether Shōgun season...
- 5/10/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Shōgun, the critically acclaimed historical drama created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, finished its 10-episode run on FX last week. Anna Sawai received acclaim from critics and viewers alike for her portrayal of the tragic Toda Mariko.
The New Zealand-born actress, 31, is expected to be flooded with some good film offers, and it would not be shocking if she got a chance to play a big superhero role at some point. When speaking with THR about her career in Hollywood, Sawai hinted that her big break might have come much sooner.
Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in Shōgun
She had the opportunity to audition for the role of Katana in Suicide Squad (2016), but she had to pass that up because of her commitment to her J-Pop group, Faky. Fortunately for us, Sawai could still be cast in a wide range of roles that are spiritually related to her Shōgun character.
The New Zealand-born actress, 31, is expected to be flooded with some good film offers, and it would not be shocking if she got a chance to play a big superhero role at some point. When speaking with THR about her career in Hollywood, Sawai hinted that her big break might have come much sooner.
Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in Shōgun
She had the opportunity to audition for the role of Katana in Suicide Squad (2016), but she had to pass that up because of her commitment to her J-Pop group, Faky. Fortunately for us, Sawai could still be cast in a wide range of roles that are spiritually related to her Shōgun character.
- 5/2/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Shōgun season 1 is in the books, and the historical epic has garnered both critical and commercial success, with its premiere pulling in 9 million views (the most ever for an FX series) and its ten-episode run earning nearly unanimous positive reviews (it’s currently sitting pretty at 99% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). The problem is, if you’re one of the millions captivated by the sprawling mini-series, a second season is anything but confirmed. In fact, at this point, it’s unlikely to happen.
The good news: there are plenty of terrific pieces of Feudal Japanese fiction to explore, and one of the very best is the breathtaking Ghost of Tsushima. The PlayStation exclusive is just as grand in scale as Shōgun, and while it’s a different kind of samurai story entirely, it’s a perfect complement to the show in that it focuses on aspects of the setting that the show doesn’t.
The good news: there are plenty of terrific pieces of Feudal Japanese fiction to explore, and one of the very best is the breathtaking Ghost of Tsushima. The PlayStation exclusive is just as grand in scale as Shōgun, and while it’s a different kind of samurai story entirely, it’s a perfect complement to the show in that it focuses on aspects of the setting that the show doesn’t.
- 4/29/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
There was a time not so long ago when limited series were just that: limited. In a post-“Big Little Lies” existence, however, series are limited only until a network executive decides they’re not. For now, FX’s critically acclaimed “Shōgun,” a striking 10-episode historical epic about warring factions in Japan, remains a limited series, having this week reached the end of its source material, James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name. The series finale, “A Dream of a Dream,” is now streaming on Hulu, and after picking up in the aftermath of Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) death, manages to complete its narrative arc in emotionally satisfying fashion.
Since its debut in late February, the endlessly compelling (and surprisingly funny) series has captivated viewers, reminding us of the thrills of event TV. Each episode was bigger than the one that came before it, right up until the end.
Since its debut in late February, the endlessly compelling (and surprisingly funny) series has captivated viewers, reminding us of the thrills of event TV. Each episode was bigger than the one that came before it, right up until the end.
- 4/27/2024
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about lotsa shows including Ghosts, Outlander, American Idol and NCIS!
1 | Has any series finale more exhaustively recapped every major moment that came before than Alice & Jack’s six-minute montage?
More from TVLineGhosts' Richie Moriarty Talks Pete's 'Exciting' Power and the Surprising Turn It Takes in Season FinaleAmerican Idol's Luke Bryan Offers Live Update After Falling On Stage: 'It Was the Best Moment of the Night'Mandisa, Grammy Award-Winning American Idol Alum, Dead at 47
2 | Who would have expected...
1 | Has any series finale more exhaustively recapped every major moment that came before than Alice & Jack’s six-minute montage?
More from TVLineGhosts' Richie Moriarty Talks Pete's 'Exciting' Power and the Surprising Turn It Takes in Season FinaleAmerican Idol's Luke Bryan Offers Live Update After Falling On Stage: 'It Was the Best Moment of the Night'Mandisa, Grammy Award-Winning American Idol Alum, Dead at 47
2 | Who would have expected...
- 4/26/2024
- by Vlada Gelman, Matt Webb Mitovich, Andy Swift, Dave Nemetz, Rebecca Iannucci, Ryan Schwartz, Charlie Mason and Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of FX’s Shōgun.]
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Even though the warlord Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) master plan to rule Japan is revealed by the end of “Shogun,” audiences who want to see more of how he shapes what will become the Edo Period aren’t alone. Co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo’s approach to the structure of the miniseries opened up a lot of doors that could be extremely tempting to walk through.
That’s because the “Shogun” writing team thought of each episode not as a set of steps towards a single climax punctuated by arbitrary cliffhangers. It was important to the “Shogun” team that every episode of the series stood on its own as a story that pushes its characters in some important way — not unlike a short story.
“I’m so drawn to the short story. There’s something about the art of the short story that feels difficult and worthy of the difficulty,...
That’s because the “Shogun” writing team thought of each episode not as a set of steps towards a single climax punctuated by arbitrary cliffhangers. It was important to the “Shogun” team that every episode of the series stood on its own as a story that pushes its characters in some important way — not unlike a short story.
“I’m so drawn to the short story. There’s something about the art of the short story that feels difficult and worthy of the difficulty,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Shogun's Mariko may have died in the series' penultimate episode, but her sacrifice carried with it plenty of meaning heading into the finale.
Airing on FX (and streaming on Hulu), the sword-swinging TV epic, just rounded out its ten-episode run, telling a gripping tale of a country in flux and one man's labyrinthine plan for power.
Lady Mariko (played by Anna Sawai) led the historical drama as a key cog in the political machine, serving the venerable Lord Toranaga as coconspirator and interpreter to Toranaga's new ally, the Englishman John Blackthorne.
Read full article on The Direct.
Airing on FX (and streaming on Hulu), the sword-swinging TV epic, just rounded out its ten-episode run, telling a gripping tale of a country in flux and one man's labyrinthine plan for power.
Lady Mariko (played by Anna Sawai) led the historical drama as a key cog in the political machine, serving the venerable Lord Toranaga as coconspirator and interpreter to Toranaga's new ally, the Englishman John Blackthorne.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 4/25/2024
- by Klein Felt
- The Direct
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.”] Anna Sawai‘s Mariko was the savior of Shōgun in more ways than one. In the pivotal, riveting, and ultimately heartbreaking Shōgun Episode 9, “Crimson Sky,” her actions in Osaka ended up becoming the climactic confrontation of the entire limited series. Mariko was lost in the final moments of “Crimson Sky,” but the Shōgun Episode 10 finale, “A Dream of a Dream,” revealed that Mariko took secret efforts to save her lover, Cosmo Jarvis‘ John Blackthorne. Blackthorne was apprehended by the Portuguese Christians, led by Father Martin Alvito (Tommy Bastow), in Osaka after the ambush that killed Mariko. Separated from Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), Blackthorne was defenseless as Alvito and a band of soldiers walked him through the woods beyond Osaka castle. Blackthorne had just awoken from a days-long sleep triggered by the blast that killed Mariko; he missed her burial because of it. The ...
- 4/25/2024
- TV Insider
Rom-com web manga Marui Kanojo to Zannen na Kareshi has announced a "light anime" adaptation coming this summer. The manga, written by Izumi Hayama and illustrated by Yachiyo Okamura, has already received more than 80 million views on its website, Una Toon Studio . The series follows the romance between Mariko Hosoi (voiced by Sora Tokui) and Nagi (played by Atsushi Tamaru). Mariko, who has no experience with romance, attends a group date and finds herself asked by the handsome Nagi. How will she deal with her new-found popularity? The announcement comes with a brief trailer: Related: Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi Anime Adaptation Announced The upcoming production will be one of many new "light anime" produced as a joint venture between Dai Nippon Printing and Imagika Foss: limited-animation productions using web manga elements. The series is scheduled to debut in June, with more cast and crew announcements forthcoming. Source: Comic Natalie...
- 4/25/2024
- by Kara Dennison
- Crunchyroll
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 10.
FX miniseries Shōgun has often been compared to Game of Thrones by fans and critics alike. Both shows present political intrigue, sex, and swordplay, all in within a feudal backdrop. Now that Shōgun‘s 10th and finale episode “A Dream of a Dream” has premiered, however, it’s clear that there’s one significant way in which the two TV properties differ: their budgets.
While early seasons of Game of Thrones had to be thrifty with action, once the show proved to be a hit, HBO opened up its ample wallet to fund some of the biggest battle sequences ever seen on television. As more of a one-season experiment (for now at least) Shōgun doesn’t have access to those dollars. The biggest armed conflict presented in the series, the real life Battle of Sekigahara in episode 10, turns up only briefly as Toranaga...
FX miniseries Shōgun has often been compared to Game of Thrones by fans and critics alike. Both shows present political intrigue, sex, and swordplay, all in within a feudal backdrop. Now that Shōgun‘s 10th and finale episode “A Dream of a Dream” has premiered, however, it’s clear that there’s one significant way in which the two TV properties differ: their budgets.
While early seasons of Game of Thrones had to be thrifty with action, once the show proved to be a hit, HBO opened up its ample wallet to fund some of the biggest battle sequences ever seen on television. As more of a one-season experiment (for now at least) Shōgun doesn’t have access to those dollars. The biggest armed conflict presented in the series, the real life Battle of Sekigahara in episode 10, turns up only briefly as Toranaga...
- 4/24/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.”] FX‘s Shōgun reached its thrilling conclusion in Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.” In it, Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s (the fantastic Hiroyuki Sanada) dream of a nation at peace came true, albeit at a steep cost. As he told Lord Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) in their final scene, “Crimson Sky” was already finished. He “sent a woman to do what an army couldn’t,” and through Mariko’s (the great Anna Sawai) sacrifice, the final pieces of his plan fell into place. Because of Mariko, he wouldn’t have to draw his sword in battle at all. Sawai previously teased a moment of “revelation” in Shōgun‘s final scenes to TV Insider, and viewers now know what she meant. All this time that Toranaga spent denying that he wanted to be Shōgun (the military leader and de facto ruler of Japan), ...
- 4/24/2024
- TV Insider
This post contains spoilers for the finale of Shōgun.
Many years ago, when I first finished reading James Clavell’s historical epic Shōgun, I felt slightly puzzled. The novel had taken well over 1000 pages building to a civil war in feudal Japan between the wise Lord Toranaga and his ambitious rival Lord Ishido, and then it stopped right as the war was beginning, offering only the briefest of epilogues detailing what happened next? How was this good storytelling?, I wondered. Maybe there’s a sequel I don’t know about?...
Many years ago, when I first finished reading James Clavell’s historical epic Shōgun, I felt slightly puzzled. The novel had taken well over 1000 pages building to a civil war in feudal Japan between the wise Lord Toranaga and his ambitious rival Lord Ishido, and then it stopped right as the war was beginning, offering only the briefest of epilogues detailing what happened next? How was this good storytelling?, I wondered. Maybe there’s a sequel I don’t know about?...
- 4/24/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 10.
The characters of FX’s Shōgun know all about endings. After John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) experiences the first of many Japanese earthquakes in the miniseries’ fourth episode, his translator/lover Mariko (Anna Sawai) explains how her people have come to adapt to the environmental instability.
“It is why our houses are built to go up as quickly as they come down,” she says. “Because death is in our air. And sea and earth. It can come for us at any moment. Before you meddle with our politics, just remember … we live and we die. We control nothing beyond that.”
While Mariko-sama is right that a person can control nothing beyond living and dying, it turns out that one individual living or dying is enough to change everything. Mariko helped establish the future with her sacrifice in Shōgun‘s penultimate episode. Now it’s...
The characters of FX’s Shōgun know all about endings. After John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) experiences the first of many Japanese earthquakes in the miniseries’ fourth episode, his translator/lover Mariko (Anna Sawai) explains how her people have come to adapt to the environmental instability.
“It is why our houses are built to go up as quickly as they come down,” she says. “Because death is in our air. And sea and earth. It can come for us at any moment. Before you meddle with our politics, just remember … we live and we die. We control nothing beyond that.”
While Mariko-sama is right that a person can control nothing beyond living and dying, it turns out that one individual living or dying is enough to change everything. Mariko helped establish the future with her sacrifice in Shōgun‘s penultimate episode. Now it’s...
- 4/24/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of FX’s Shogun.]
Shōgun masterminds Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo read James Clavell’s novel cover to cover. Their social media intake around the series, however, has not been quite as comprehensive.
“We live in Hawaii on the island of Maui with 70 chickens and roosters,” Marks tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And none of the chickens on our property have seen Shōgun, to our knowledge. So it’s been pretty quiet.”
“It’s not that quiet,” Kondo corrects, “but they’re not talking about Shōgun.”
Marks and Kondo’s chickens are just about the only ones not talking about Shōgun. The FX series has drawn to a close, and all season long, it’s been an internet darling, with incredible memes born out of the incredible show.
For instance, there’s an image floating around at the moment featuring Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai as John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, two...
Shōgun masterminds Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo read James Clavell’s novel cover to cover. Their social media intake around the series, however, has not been quite as comprehensive.
“We live in Hawaii on the island of Maui with 70 chickens and roosters,” Marks tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And none of the chickens on our property have seen Shōgun, to our knowledge. So it’s been pretty quiet.”
“It’s not that quiet,” Kondo corrects, “but they’re not talking about Shōgun.”
Marks and Kondo’s chickens are just about the only ones not talking about Shōgun. The FX series has drawn to a close, and all season long, it’s been an internet darling, with incredible memes born out of the incredible show.
For instance, there’s an image floating around at the moment featuring Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai as John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, two...
- 4/24/2024
- by Josh Wigler
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Unveiling the Strategy Behind Mariko’s Fate in Episode 9 In the recent intertwining narrative of “Shōgun,” episode 9 has been a focal point with its unexpected developments diverging from the original content by James Clavell. This episode, marked under the title “Crimson Sky,” presented a challenging yet strategic scenario for characters and changed the expected trajectory significantly. The Shift from the Expected in Crimson Sky One of the most anticipated scenes involved Toda Mariko, portrayed by Anna Sawai. Contrary to the novel where she is set to perform seppuku, the show unraveled it differently with layered characters and unanticipated allies
The post Shogun Creators Discuss Major Changes to James Clavell’s Book in Episode 9 first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Shogun Creators Discuss Major Changes to James Clavell’s Book in Episode 9 first appeared on TVovermind.
- 4/24/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Plans feel inevitable when they come together as neatly as Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) play for power over the throne of Japan. But the team behind Toranaga — and the rest of the characters on FX’s now complete miniseries “Shogun” — had to work just as hard as the warlord to finesse an ending that feels as right as this one does.
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
- 4/23/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
‘Shogun’ Episode 10 Recap & Ending Explained: How Did Toranaga Ensure The Creation Of His Shogunate?
Historically, the most dominant generals have been gifted with astute foresight, adaptability, clarity of vision, unshakable resolve, and the willingness to put everything on the line to achieve success. All of these turn out to be defining character traits of Lord Yoshi Toranaga, who, by the end of the first season of FX’s Shogun, has outplayed every opposition to ensure his future position as the titular leader of Sengoku-era Japan. From setting up the guise of surrender, to using the death of his son and general as the perfect opportunity to distance himself from the Regent Council at Osaka, to finally playing his ace in the form of allowing Mariko to incite unrest among the Regent Council, portraying Ishido as the aggressor, and demeaning his hold in front of Osaka’s nobles, Toranaga has remained way ahead of everyone through his deviously calculative modus operandi. However, even his best...
- 4/23/2024
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
[Editor’s Note: The following review contains spoilers for “Shōgun” Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” including the ending.]
As a sweeping samurai epic, “Shōgun” understands it’s meant to end a certain way. Opposing parties draw swords, don their armor, and square off on the battlefield. Tensions teased over nine hours erupt in the roar of combat. That’s how grand conflicts regarding the future of great nations have been decided for centuries, and it’s only natural for a visual medium like film (or prestige television) to embrace war’s inherent spectacle. Soldiers charging down a hillside, canons firing across an open plain, horses galloping through fields filled with bodies either dead or clinging to life, as the grass under their feet quickly deteriorates into muddied, bloodied slop. These are the scenes we expect in an epic’s ending.
Because we’ve seen those images so many times — slain men strewn over blackened trenches — it’s easy...
As a sweeping samurai epic, “Shōgun” understands it’s meant to end a certain way. Opposing parties draw swords, don their armor, and square off on the battlefield. Tensions teased over nine hours erupt in the roar of combat. That’s how grand conflicts regarding the future of great nations have been decided for centuries, and it’s only natural for a visual medium like film (or prestige television) to embrace war’s inherent spectacle. Soldiers charging down a hillside, canons firing across an open plain, horses galloping through fields filled with bodies either dead or clinging to life, as the grass under their feet quickly deteriorates into muddied, bloodied slop. These are the scenes we expect in an epic’s ending.
Because we’ve seen those images so many times — slain men strewn over blackened trenches — it’s easy...
- 4/23/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Shogun Episode 10 Recap & Ending Explained: The sweeping historical saga, Shōgun, from FX, has reached its climactic conclusion, leaving audiences spellbound by the intricate tapestry of courage, betrayal, and destiny woven throughout its ten captivating episodes.
As the curtain falls on this epic journey, we bear witness to the profound impact of Lady Toda Mariko’s tragic demise, a pivotal event that reverberates through the finale like a stone dropped into a still pond, its ripples carrying us towards an emotionally charged epilogue.
Shogun Episode 10 Recap
The episode opens with Mariko’s death hanging like a pall over the characters, knocking the wind out of their sails and forcing them to confront harsh realities. Lord Ishido, the mastermind behind the shinobi attack, finds himself grappling with the unintended consequences of his actions. Yabushige, once a scheming lord, is rendered partially deaf and emotionally shattered, his ambitions reduced to mere spectres of their former selves.
As the curtain falls on this epic journey, we bear witness to the profound impact of Lady Toda Mariko’s tragic demise, a pivotal event that reverberates through the finale like a stone dropped into a still pond, its ripples carrying us towards an emotionally charged epilogue.
Shogun Episode 10 Recap
The episode opens with Mariko’s death hanging like a pall over the characters, knocking the wind out of their sails and forcing them to confront harsh realities. Lord Ishido, the mastermind behind the shinobi attack, finds himself grappling with the unintended consequences of his actions. Yabushige, once a scheming lord, is rendered partially deaf and emotionally shattered, his ambitions reduced to mere spectres of their former selves.
- 4/23/2024
- by News From 360
- NewsFrom360.in
This article contains spoilers for both "Shōgun" the 2024 TV show and the 1975 novel.
When I first finished James Clavell's novel "Shōgun," the comparison that immediately came to mind was Homer's "Iliad." The epic Greek poem is famous for recounting the events of the Trojan War, a war that is still famous thousands of years later. I was hardly an expert at Greek mythology before reading "The Iliad," but going in I already knew two big events: that the fierce warrior Achilles (who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in Wolfgang Petersen's "Troy") died near the end of the Trojan War, and that the Greek soldiers won by hiding inside a giant wooden horse and tricking the Trojans into letting them behind their city walls.
The latter was the big moment I was looking forward to. The Trojan horse is such an iconic image; it's still referenced constantly in...
When I first finished James Clavell's novel "Shōgun," the comparison that immediately came to mind was Homer's "Iliad." The epic Greek poem is famous for recounting the events of the Trojan War, a war that is still famous thousands of years later. I was hardly an expert at Greek mythology before reading "The Iliad," but going in I already knew two big events: that the fierce warrior Achilles (who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in Wolfgang Petersen's "Troy") died near the end of the Trojan War, and that the Greek soldiers won by hiding inside a giant wooden horse and tricking the Trojans into letting them behind their city walls.
The latter was the big moment I was looking forward to. The Trojan horse is such an iconic image; it's still referenced constantly in...
- 4/23/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Given the shocking conclusion to Shogun Season 1 Episode 9, we suppose it should come as no surprise that the title of the series finale would refer to the ephemerality of human life.
On his deathbed, the Taiko -- whose demise set in motion many of the events we've witnessed thus far -- referred to life as a dream within a dream.
And no one was more aware of the fleeting nature of our time on earth than the Taiko's fellow improv poet, Lady Mariko.
Yes, in the previous installment, Mariko went out in a blaze of self-sacrifice, arms spread at her sides in a likely reference to her Christian faith.
It's an image that we return to in the surprising opening scene of Shogun Season 1 Episode 10.
An elderly Blackthorne, back in his native England, lies on his own deathbed and clutches a cross as his grandsons inquire about his tales of heroism.
On his deathbed, the Taiko -- whose demise set in motion many of the events we've witnessed thus far -- referred to life as a dream within a dream.
And no one was more aware of the fleeting nature of our time on earth than the Taiko's fellow improv poet, Lady Mariko.
Yes, in the previous installment, Mariko went out in a blaze of self-sacrifice, arms spread at her sides in a likely reference to her Christian faith.
It's an image that we return to in the surprising opening scene of Shogun Season 1 Episode 10.
An elderly Blackthorne, back in his native England, lies on his own deathbed and clutches a cross as his grandsons inquire about his tales of heroism.
- 4/23/2024
- by Tyler Johnson
- TVfanatic
Official companion podcasts for popular TV series are not a recent phenomenon. Ever since networks realized that they couldn’t leave all the analytical fun to fans, big time TV shows have been accompanied by network-sponsored audio complements.
HBO has been a frequent producer with podcasts for its dramas like Watchmen, House of the Dragon, Succession, and more. Other networks have since gotten in on the action like Paramount Network with Yellowstone, Showtime with Dexter: New Blood, and Apple TV+ with For All Mankind.
The acclaimed American TV brand FX, however, never seemed too keen on official tie-in podcasting despite presenting many intriguing prospects over the years like The Bear and Fargo. That all changed this year when the Disney-owned company launched FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast to accompany the weekly release of its epic miniseries Shōgun.
The Shōgun podcast is notable in that it brings FX into the...
HBO has been a frequent producer with podcasts for its dramas like Watchmen, House of the Dragon, Succession, and more. Other networks have since gotten in on the action like Paramount Network with Yellowstone, Showtime with Dexter: New Blood, and Apple TV+ with For All Mankind.
The acclaimed American TV brand FX, however, never seemed too keen on official tie-in podcasting despite presenting many intriguing prospects over the years like The Bear and Fargo. That all changed this year when the Disney-owned company launched FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast to accompany the weekly release of its epic miniseries Shōgun.
The Shōgun podcast is notable in that it brings FX into the...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers through episode 9 of Shogun.
The explosive ending to the penultimate episode of FX and Hulu’s Shōgun sets the stage for the epic finale to come. Ishido (Takehiro Hira) is desperate to hold onto his power, and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that everyone bows down to his will. With the arrival of Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and Mariko (Anna Sawai) in Osaka, Ishido’s hold on the other Regents comes into question, and the delicate balance of power in Japan finally begins to topple.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 10 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap of episode 9.
When and Where Will Shogun Episode 10 Be Available to Watch?
Shōgun episode 10 “A Dream of a Dream” will be available to watch in the U.S. at 12 a.m. Et Tuesday, April 23 for Hulu subscribers.
The explosive ending to the penultimate episode of FX and Hulu’s Shōgun sets the stage for the epic finale to come. Ishido (Takehiro Hira) is desperate to hold onto his power, and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that everyone bows down to his will. With the arrival of Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and Mariko (Anna Sawai) in Osaka, Ishido’s hold on the other Regents comes into question, and the delicate balance of power in Japan finally begins to topple.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 10 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap of episode 9.
When and Where Will Shogun Episode 10 Be Available to Watch?
Shōgun episode 10 “A Dream of a Dream” will be available to watch in the U.S. at 12 a.m. Et Tuesday, April 23 for Hulu subscribers.
- 4/21/2024
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Lady Mariko singlehandedly turned the tide of Lord Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) battle of wills with Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira) in Shōgun‘s pivotal Episode 9. “Crimson Sky” saw Anna Sawai‘s character in Osaka, sent to make it known to all that Ishido was, in fact, keeping noble families hostage in the castle. She was to complete this mission by any means necessary, and she succeeded. But it came at a tragic cost. In the TV Insider video interview above, Sawai breaks down Mariko’s story in Shōgun Episode 9, from her thwarted seppuku (suicide) and her romance with John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), to the deeply satisfying but emotional process that came with filming the episode. She reveals to us a deleted scene from “Crimson Sky” that gave both Mariko and her a moment of catharsis. There were no truly pivotal moments cut from the episode,...
- 4/21/2024
- TV Insider
Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun has been delighting fans and critics as no other historical TV series has. From unexpected action to some of the most complex yet intriguing characters, the miniseries is one hell of a ride that leaves fans wanting more.
A still from Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shōgun
A series that is definitely emotionally challenging, exhilarating, and tiring, Shōgun is the work of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks with the lead star Hiroyuki Sanada also serving as the producer. Debuting with excellent reviews, the series’ latest episode 9 has achieved the highest episode-wise rating from critics and fans can hardly disagree.
Shōgun Episode 9 Receives Brilliant Rating From Critics
Anna Sawai as Mariko in Shōgun
In a world where cross-media adaptations are normal, Shōgun redefines the whole culture and process of the art. A historical drama based in 17th-century Japan, the series is a brilliant example of...
A still from Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shōgun
A series that is definitely emotionally challenging, exhilarating, and tiring, Shōgun is the work of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks with the lead star Hiroyuki Sanada also serving as the producer. Debuting with excellent reviews, the series’ latest episode 9 has achieved the highest episode-wise rating from critics and fans can hardly disagree.
Shōgun Episode 9 Receives Brilliant Rating From Critics
Anna Sawai as Mariko in Shōgun
In a world where cross-media adaptations are normal, Shōgun redefines the whole culture and process of the art. A historical drama based in 17th-century Japan, the series is a brilliant example of...
- 4/20/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Romance was never top of mind for Anna Sawai‘s Lady Mariko in Shōgun, but there came a moment in the FX limited series where she could no longer leave the simmering feelings between her and Cosmo Jarvis‘ John Blackthorne on the back burner. Mariko and Blackthorne slept together after she believed her husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), died in battle. They never spoke of their “pillowing” after Buntaro returned, despite Blackthorne’s efforts. Duty to Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and her murdered family surpassed all personal desires, but when Blackthorne stepped up to be her second as she was about to commit seppuku (suicide) in Shōgun‘s pivotal Episode 9, that was the “moment she realizes that what they share is much deeper than what she had anticipated,” Sawai tells TV Insider. “That’s the gesture that changes everything.” Seconding her seppuku means striking the fatal...
- 4/19/2024
- TV Insider
Welcome to Emmy Experts Typing, a weekly column in which Gold Derby editors and Experts Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen discuss the Emmy race — via Slack, of course. This week, we revisit the packed limited series race, which has seen three new contenders premiere in the last three weeks.
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’ve circled back to what is arguably the most competitive Emmys category this year: limited series. It feels like as good a time as any to return to my favorite race – particularly with “Shōgun” and Anna Sawai dominating the discourse, as well as the premiere of our dark horse favorite “Under the Bridge.” We talked about both shows this week with our voices, and I must say, it feels heartening — dare I type, Siri pay “Vindicated” – to have been so right about “Shōgun.” We both loved that show way back in February and the response has been off the charts.
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’ve circled back to what is arguably the most competitive Emmys category this year: limited series. It feels like as good a time as any to return to my favorite race – particularly with “Shōgun” and Anna Sawai dominating the discourse, as well as the premiere of our dark horse favorite “Under the Bridge.” We talked about both shows this week with our voices, and I must say, it feels heartening — dare I type, Siri pay “Vindicated” – to have been so right about “Shōgun.” We both loved that show way back in February and the response has been off the charts.
- 4/19/2024
- by Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Will “Under the Bridge” go over big with voters? Did Anna Sawai just lock up the Emmy? Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are here to discuss Hulu’s new limited series, the penultimate episode of “Shōgun” and more.
Based on Rebecca Godfrey‘s book of the same name, “Under the Bridge,” which premiered with two episodes on Wednesday, tells the true story of Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta), a 14-year-old who was assaulted by a group of teens, mostly girls, and then murdered in a small town in British Columbia, Canada, in 1997. Riley Keough plays Godfrey, who died of lung cancer in 2022, a week after the show was announced, and Lily Gladstone plays a detective. Both are campaigning in supporting, which on the surface seems like category fraud, but we explain why this is the correct placement for both and how the teen cast members — which includes Chloe Guidry,...
Based on Rebecca Godfrey‘s book of the same name, “Under the Bridge,” which premiered with two episodes on Wednesday, tells the true story of Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta), a 14-year-old who was assaulted by a group of teens, mostly girls, and then murdered in a small town in British Columbia, Canada, in 1997. Riley Keough plays Godfrey, who died of lung cancer in 2022, a week after the show was announced, and Lily Gladstone plays a detective. Both are campaigning in supporting, which on the surface seems like category fraud, but we explain why this is the correct placement for both and how the teen cast members — which includes Chloe Guidry,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Lady Mariko is an undeniable fan-favorite character from FX‘s wondrous Shōgun. Played with unending power by Anna Sawai, the honorable and loyal Mariko is fiercely committed to Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a loyalty and respect that produces admiration, as well as confusion, in her English paramour, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). While Mariko has pledged undying fealty to her lord, she’s been trying to commit seppuku (suicide) since her family was put to death in similar fashion — a request that goes denied every year by her abusive husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe). To help Toranaga’s cause, Mariko was seconds away from committing seppuku in Shōgun‘s Episode 9, the penultimate episode of the limited series. Blackthorne stepped up to be her second after begging her to stay alive for him. It was his ultimate show of respect, a sign that he finally understood what this...
- 4/17/2024
- TV Insider
FX's Shogun Episode 9's ending left fans emotional after Mariko's ultimate sacrifice.
At the core of Shogun's latest installment is Mariko's (Anne Sawai) quest to serve Lord Toranaga with a specific and important mission.
What happens throughout the episode is a thrilling and emotional journey for Mariko as she ponders if she deserves to live after an intense-filled clash with the forces of Ishido.
Read full article on The Direct.
At the core of Shogun's latest installment is Mariko's (Anne Sawai) quest to serve Lord Toranaga with a specific and important mission.
What happens throughout the episode is a thrilling and emotional journey for Mariko as she ponders if she deserves to live after an intense-filled clash with the forces of Ishido.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 4/17/2024
- by Aeron Mer Eclarinal
- The Direct
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 9.
In Shōgun episode 2, wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) receives one of many incoming lessons in just how hardcore his new Japanese home is. An assassin breaks into Blackthorne’s quarters at night and instead finds the mighty Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is able to kill the killer with the Anjin’s assistance.
Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) tells Blackthorne that this female assassin was part of a dangerous sect and that she likely trained her whole life in preparation for this one assassination attempt. What Mariko is describing is a “shinobi.” Now, in Shōgun episode 9, we encounter shinobi once again in a far more tragic fashion.
Hired by the villainous regent Ishido (Takehiro Hira), several black-clad shinobi sneak into Toranaga’s supporters’ quarters in the dead of night and attack. They eventually corner Mariko, Blackthorne, and company in a store room and blow up the door,...
In Shōgun episode 2, wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) receives one of many incoming lessons in just how hardcore his new Japanese home is. An assassin breaks into Blackthorne’s quarters at night and instead finds the mighty Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is able to kill the killer with the Anjin’s assistance.
Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) tells Blackthorne that this female assassin was part of a dangerous sect and that she likely trained her whole life in preparation for this one assassination attempt. What Mariko is describing is a “shinobi.” Now, in Shōgun episode 9, we encounter shinobi once again in a far more tragic fashion.
Hired by the villainous regent Ishido (Takehiro Hira), several black-clad shinobi sneak into Toranaga’s supporters’ quarters in the dead of night and attack. They eventually corner Mariko, Blackthorne, and company in a store room and blow up the door,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 9.
Lady Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) has a lot to live up to on Shōgun – or as Forrest Gump once said about Lieutenant Dan – a lot to “die up to.” Her father, Akechi Jinsai, saved the realm by killing the corrupt Kuroda-sama but was forced into committing seppuku for the act of treachery. Jinsai’s wife, children, and vassals were also executed – with only Mariko spared, having been sent off to marry the loathsome Toda Hirokatsu a.k.a. Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe).
Since then, Mariko has been desperate to find a route to an honorable death so that she can both redeem her family name and join her loved ones in the echoes of eternity. In Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky”, she finally gets that opportunity. Let’s talk about it … but first: a disclaimer.
As you may have noticed by now, suicidal ideation is a recurring theme on Shōgun.
Lady Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) has a lot to live up to on Shōgun – or as Forrest Gump once said about Lieutenant Dan – a lot to “die up to.” Her father, Akechi Jinsai, saved the realm by killing the corrupt Kuroda-sama but was forced into committing seppuku for the act of treachery. Jinsai’s wife, children, and vassals were also executed – with only Mariko spared, having been sent off to marry the loathsome Toda Hirokatsu a.k.a. Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe).
Since then, Mariko has been desperate to find a route to an honorable death so that she can both redeem her family name and join her loved ones in the echoes of eternity. In Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky”, she finally gets that opportunity. Let’s talk about it … but first: a disclaimer.
As you may have noticed by now, suicidal ideation is a recurring theme on Shōgun.
- 4/17/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[This story contains major spoilers from Shōgun’s ninth episode, “Crimson Sky.”]
Shōgun star Anna Sawai is bidding adieu to Lady Akechi Mariko.
The Japanese actor, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Japan, considers the acclaimed miniseries’ penultimate episode, “Crimson Sky,” to be her “final farewell” to her fan-favorite character. Written by Rachel Kondo/Caillin Puente and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, the dramatic roller coaster of an episode concluded with Mariko sacrificing her life for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), all in an effort to signal Ishido Kazunari’s (Takehiro Hira) corruption and hopefully spark a rebellion. But as Sawai will soon find out, when an actor is fortunate enough to catch lightning in a bottle and create a beloved character, the audience and the world at large forever keep that character’s spirit alive — whether it’s through a compliment at a coffee shop, an interaction at a fan expo or even a question at a future press junket.
Shōgun star Anna Sawai is bidding adieu to Lady Akechi Mariko.
The Japanese actor, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Japan, considers the acclaimed miniseries’ penultimate episode, “Crimson Sky,” to be her “final farewell” to her fan-favorite character. Written by Rachel Kondo/Caillin Puente and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, the dramatic roller coaster of an episode concluded with Mariko sacrificing her life for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), all in an effort to signal Ishido Kazunari’s (Takehiro Hira) corruption and hopefully spark a rebellion. But as Sawai will soon find out, when an actor is fortunate enough to catch lightning in a bottle and create a beloved character, the audience and the world at large forever keep that character’s spirit alive — whether it’s through a compliment at a coffee shop, an interaction at a fan expo or even a question at a future press junket.
- 4/17/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Crimson Sky,” the penultimate episode of “Shogun,” delivers on its promise of blood and then some. But, true to the philosophy of the Eightfold Fence, one of the episode’s most powerful scenes finds triumph and cements the strength of the core characters even as their plans are (seemingly) defeated. Spoilers beyond this point, so only attempt to pass the castle gates at your own peril.
That is exactly what Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) sets out to do at the top of the scene in question. She leads her retinue in an attempt to exit Osaka Castle, with sweeping overhead shots and an audience on the castle walls enforcing how Mariko is the center of attention and bringing the full weight of her authority to bear. She forces the issue of just how firmly the scheming Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira) is holding everyone inside hostage. The ensuing standoff between castle guards,...
That is exactly what Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) sets out to do at the top of the scene in question. She leads her retinue in an attempt to exit Osaka Castle, with sweeping overhead shots and an audience on the castle walls enforcing how Mariko is the center of attention and bringing the full weight of her authority to bear. She forces the issue of just how firmly the scheming Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira) is holding everyone inside hostage. The ensuing standoff between castle guards,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Every time there's a flashback involving Mariko, a new layer of tragedy is added to her story.
This time, we're reminded that her sadly understandable desire to take her own life has persisted for several years -- 14, to be exact -- and it did not relent during her pregnancy.
But we see more than just pain and misery during this latest look into Mariko's past.
We see the foundations of her religious faith, as well as the emergence of two traits that will serve her well later in life -- her resilience and her facility with language.
While Toranaga and Blackthorne might occasionally claim center stage for themselves, Shogun is Mariko's story as much as anyone else's, and her perseverance and translation skills have enabled her to serve as the bridge that unites the two men's worlds.
As Shogun Season 1 Episode 9 returns us to 1600, Mariko attempts to convince Blackthorne that...
This time, we're reminded that her sadly understandable desire to take her own life has persisted for several years -- 14, to be exact -- and it did not relent during her pregnancy.
But we see more than just pain and misery during this latest look into Mariko's past.
We see the foundations of her religious faith, as well as the emergence of two traits that will serve her well later in life -- her resilience and her facility with language.
While Toranaga and Blackthorne might occasionally claim center stage for themselves, Shogun is Mariko's story as much as anyone else's, and her perseverance and translation skills have enabled her to serve as the bridge that unites the two men's worlds.
As Shogun Season 1 Episode 9 returns us to 1600, Mariko attempts to convince Blackthorne that...
- 4/16/2024
- by Tyler Johnson
- TVfanatic
This article contains spoilers through Shogun episode 8.
Things aren’t looking great for Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his allies in FX’s Shōgun. He’s lost his son, and is currently being ushered to Osaka, where he will almost definitely be sentenced to death by Lady Ochiba (Fumi Mikado), Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira), and the other Regents. Discouraged by Toranaga’s resignation to his fate, Hiromatsu (Tokuma Nishioka) speaks out against his decision to surrender, with the support of other leaders in Torganaga’s army. But as usual, things aren’t always what they seem with Torganaga, and he may still have a few tricks left up his sleeve.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 9 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap of episode 8.
When and Where Will Shogun Episode 9 Be Available to Watch?
Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky” will be available to watch in the U.
Things aren’t looking great for Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his allies in FX’s Shōgun. He’s lost his son, and is currently being ushered to Osaka, where he will almost definitely be sentenced to death by Lady Ochiba (Fumi Mikado), Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira), and the other Regents. Discouraged by Toranaga’s resignation to his fate, Hiromatsu (Tokuma Nishioka) speaks out against his decision to surrender, with the support of other leaders in Torganaga’s army. But as usual, things aren’t always what they seem with Torganaga, and he may still have a few tricks left up his sleeve.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 9 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap of episode 8.
When and Where Will Shogun Episode 9 Be Available to Watch?
Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky” will be available to watch in the U.
- 4/14/2024
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
Get ready for an intense and action-packed episode of “Shogun” as Season 1 Episode 9, titled “Crimson Sky,” hits the screens. Tune in to FX at 10:00 Pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to witness the unfolding drama.
In this gripping installment, viewers will see Mariko arriving in Osaka, ready to face the fight of her life. Meanwhile, Blackthorne and Yabushige find themselves in a desperate struggle to save their own lives as their options dwindle.
With tensions running high and danger lurking at every turn, “Crimson Sky” promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From high-stakes confrontations to heart-pounding action sequences, this episode has it all.
Don’t miss out on the latest chapter of “Shogun.” Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Tuesday to witness the thrilling twists and turns that await, only on FX.
Release Date & Time: 10:00 Pm Tuesday 16 April 2024 on FX
Shogun Crimson Sky Cast – Season 1 Episode...
In this gripping installment, viewers will see Mariko arriving in Osaka, ready to face the fight of her life. Meanwhile, Blackthorne and Yabushige find themselves in a desperate struggle to save their own lives as their options dwindle.
With tensions running high and danger lurking at every turn, “Crimson Sky” promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From high-stakes confrontations to heart-pounding action sequences, this episode has it all.
Don’t miss out on the latest chapter of “Shogun.” Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Tuesday to witness the thrilling twists and turns that await, only on FX.
Release Date & Time: 10:00 Pm Tuesday 16 April 2024 on FX
Shogun Crimson Sky Cast – Season 1 Episode...
- 4/10/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
This week on Shōgun, Lord Toranaga is devastated by the death of his son Nagakado — and gets hit hard by another death, too — but he may not be as ready to give up as you think.
As Tuesday’s episode opens, a mournful and ailing Toranaga leads a procession on horseback following Nagakado’s undignified demise. The other lords will allow Toranaga to grieve his son for 49 days before escorting him to Osaka, but Blackthorne is still itching for battle: “At least Nagakado-san died fighting,” he mutters to Mariko. Ochiba learns that Toranaga has surrendered — and Ishido offers to marry her (!) to “strengthen our bond,...
As Tuesday’s episode opens, a mournful and ailing Toranaga leads a procession on horseback following Nagakado’s undignified demise. The other lords will allow Toranaga to grieve his son for 49 days before escorting him to Osaka, but Blackthorne is still itching for battle: “At least Nagakado-san died fighting,” he mutters to Mariko. Ochiba learns that Toranaga has surrendered — and Ishido offers to marry her (!) to “strengthen our bond,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
This article contains spoilers through Shogun episode 7.
The women of FX and Hulu’s Shōgun may be limited in the roles made available to them by the patriarchal structure of the show’s setting in feudal Japan, but that doesn’t mean they are totally powerless in the growing conflict. If anything, the women of Shōgun hold more power than they are given credit for, and several of them are especially adept at wielding it.
As Mariko (Anna Sawai) so eloquently puts it during a conversation with Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) in episode 6 “Ladies of the Willow World,” “A man may go to war for many reasons. Conquest. Pride. Power. But a woman is simply at war.” For women like Mariko, Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido), Kiku (Yuka Kouri), Fuji (Moeka Hoshi), and Gin (Yuko Miyamoto), this sentiment especially rings true, for they must all be constantly on edge, willing to bow to...
The women of FX and Hulu’s Shōgun may be limited in the roles made available to them by the patriarchal structure of the show’s setting in feudal Japan, but that doesn’t mean they are totally powerless in the growing conflict. If anything, the women of Shōgun hold more power than they are given credit for, and several of them are especially adept at wielding it.
As Mariko (Anna Sawai) so eloquently puts it during a conversation with Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) in episode 6 “Ladies of the Willow World,” “A man may go to war for many reasons. Conquest. Pride. Power. But a woman is simply at war.” For women like Mariko, Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido), Kiku (Yuka Kouri), Fuji (Moeka Hoshi), and Gin (Yuko Miyamoto), this sentiment especially rings true, for they must all be constantly on edge, willing to bow to...
- 4/9/2024
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
As embarrassing deaths go, it doesn't get much worse than slipping and fatally cracking your head on a rock while attempting to murder your uncle outside of a brothel.
So at the opening of Shogun Season 1 Episode 8, it doesn't come as much of a shock when we see Nagakado getting roasted by the members of his own funeral procession. (Pyre pun not intended!)
But the good news is, the bumbling son finally helps his father's cause by ensuring a 49-day period of mourning before Toranaga's death march to Osaka.
Also managing a complicated mixed-bag situation is Toranaga's former right-hand man, Blackthorne:
It seems that since the Anjin has turned his back on his ex-benefactor, he will not be forced to submit to the Council of Regents, and his service to Toranaga has officially come to an end.
It's what he's been campaigning for since his ship first ran aground. Hell,...
So at the opening of Shogun Season 1 Episode 8, it doesn't come as much of a shock when we see Nagakado getting roasted by the members of his own funeral procession. (Pyre pun not intended!)
But the good news is, the bumbling son finally helps his father's cause by ensuring a 49-day period of mourning before Toranaga's death march to Osaka.
Also managing a complicated mixed-bag situation is Toranaga's former right-hand man, Blackthorne:
It seems that since the Anjin has turned his back on his ex-benefactor, he will not be forced to submit to the Council of Regents, and his service to Toranaga has officially come to an end.
It's what he's been campaigning for since his ship first ran aground. Hell,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Tyler Johnson
- TVfanatic
This article contains spoilers through Shogun episode 7.
FX’s Shōgun is a masterclass in building tension as lines continue to be drawn between Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira), the other ruling Regents of Japan, and their respective allies. No longer able to play both sides, Lord Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) finally goes all-in on his allegiance to Toranaga as they prepare for an all-out assault on Osaka, which they dub Crimson Sky.
There’s clearly some unresolved family drama going on as well, because Toranaga’s brother Saeki (Eita Okuno) comes to Izu and seems to almost immediately betray him, revealing that he’s been offered a position as Regent in exchange for bringing his brother back to Osaka. Meanwhile Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) really just wants his ship back.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 8 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap...
FX’s Shōgun is a masterclass in building tension as lines continue to be drawn between Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira), the other ruling Regents of Japan, and their respective allies. No longer able to play both sides, Lord Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) finally goes all-in on his allegiance to Toranaga as they prepare for an all-out assault on Osaka, which they dub Crimson Sky.
There’s clearly some unresolved family drama going on as well, because Toranaga’s brother Saeki (Eita Okuno) comes to Izu and seems to almost immediately betray him, revealing that he’s been offered a position as Regent in exchange for bringing his brother back to Osaka. Meanwhile Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) really just wants his ship back.
Here’s everything you need to know before episode 8 of Shōgun, including where to watch and a full recap...
- 4/7/2024
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 7.
Though it won’t air for another three weeks, the ending to FX miniseries Shōgun isn’t much of a mystery. Those who really want to know how the story of Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), Mariko (Anna Sara), and Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) concludes need only watch the 1980 Shōgun miniseries, read James Clavell’s original 1975 novel, or just peruse the Wikipedia entry for either.
But even if viewers don’t feel like doing extra research, they must intuitively understand that there’s only one way this story can end: with progress. That’s because, in Shōgun, Japan is on the verge of entering the peaceful and prosperous Edo period of 1603 through 1868, which was responsible for ushering in many of the distinct cultural hallmarks that we’ve come to associate with the land of the rising sun. One incredible moment in Shōgun episode 7 reminds us of that.
Though it won’t air for another three weeks, the ending to FX miniseries Shōgun isn’t much of a mystery. Those who really want to know how the story of Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), Mariko (Anna Sara), and Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) concludes need only watch the 1980 Shōgun miniseries, read James Clavell’s original 1975 novel, or just peruse the Wikipedia entry for either.
But even if viewers don’t feel like doing extra research, they must intuitively understand that there’s only one way this story can end: with progress. That’s because, in Shōgun, Japan is on the verge of entering the peaceful and prosperous Edo period of 1603 through 1868, which was responsible for ushering in many of the distinct cultural hallmarks that we’ve come to associate with the land of the rising sun. One incredible moment in Shōgun episode 7 reminds us of that.
- 4/3/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Toranaga’s looming showdown with the other lords on FX’s Shōgun led to a new alliance this week — but that alliance rotted quicker than a dead pheasant.
We open to a flashback to Toranga’s first victory ever on the battlefield, 46 years ago: A 12-year-old Toranaga accepts the surrender of his much older opponent, who commits ritual suicide in front of him, with Toranaga finishing the job with a flash of his blade. In the here and now, Toranaga is facing all-out war, and he seeks help from his half-brother Saeki, who meets him in the woods along with their troops.
We open to a flashback to Toranga’s first victory ever on the battlefield, 46 years ago: A 12-year-old Toranaga accepts the surrender of his much older opponent, who commits ritual suicide in front of him, with Toranaga finishing the job with a flash of his blade. In the here and now, Toranaga is facing all-out war, and he seeks help from his half-brother Saeki, who meets him in the woods along with their troops.
- 4/2/2024
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
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