I've been jaded with media the last 10 years or so. Maybe blame the last season of GoT soured me. But so many bad shows lately. I'm a big fan of the novel. I was looking for things not to like in this...and couldn't. Maybe a few minor things...but the overall story was so great. One of the best things I've seen on tv.
Yeah I agree about the let down with the last season of GOT. But watching House of The Dragon was definitely refreshing, with quality similar to what we received in the earlier seasons of GOT; seasons 1-6. Since 2019, HOTD, Vikings, and kingdom are some of the best epic television series we received since season 8 ended. I
Was it good? Absolutely yes it was!!! Quality TV, acting writing production design costumes music (limited) CGI which didn’t bother me I’d say it’s a resounding success and if people get more interested in the history and culture then that’s an added bonus!
“They were afraid of it being accused of being a White Savior story.” Do you have anything real and substantive to support this assertion , or is it just an assumption you’re making based on their interpretation of the source material, a very long and complex novel to adapt where the producers were obliged to make many, many decisions about what they had the time to portray onscreen? Couldn’t it be just as likely that the emphasis shifted to the Japanese characters because, as opposed to 1980, this version would earn a big chunk of its revenue from airing in Asian markets? And if you’re going to insist on avoiding a White Savior narrative as a motivator for the producers, would you do the opposite for the previous version that told the story almost entirely from Blackthorne’s perspective, rather than just seeing it as an accommodation to the Western audience the show was made for? No disrespect intended, but these culture war skirmishes grow increasingly tiresome, and it’s rarely a good foundation for honest criticism to assume motives on the part of people you’ve never met.
@michaelhall2709 you just proved the point both ways. The original source was changed, John Blackthorne was originally the focus, but now it isn't.. So it was to appease the culture war and/or to please the asian market. Either way, they avoided a white savior story on purpose.
@@bushidoblues9302 Nope. My point was that you might wish to emphasize Asian characters in an Asian production in order to appeal to Asian audiences, who might well relate more readily to them. Or, maybe the new balance between Blackthorne’s narrative and the Japanese intrigue just happened to be what the producers thought was best for the show dramatically. Or, maybe it *was* about avoiding the White Savior trope, or they just overcorrected from the 1980 version. But if you don’t know for certain, why go there at all? Stirring up the culture war pot is no substitute for evaluating the show on its merits, which otherwise I thought you did pretty well.
Excellent review. I watched the 1980 as a kid, read the book in my twenties, and have yet to watchthe 2024. Your review style and contrast with 1984 and the novel is truly what we want to know.
Sorry, but I completely disagree that this version of Toranaga was "a nice guy". This Toranaga may look meek, but in reality, he's shrewd, and ambitious. To the point that he sacrificed his second in command, who's supposed to be his best friend, and confidant. This is the same Toranaga that put innocent villagers to death in order to test John. He uses his people as pawns in order to fulfill his ambitions. He even used his son's funeral as a chance to plan his next move. Heck, in the last episode, he even made the cold remark of "at least I have more sons" in response to being given condolences on his son's passing. This Toranaga is a cruel, calculating puppet master. I know the show was trying to make it look like he was a desperate man willing to make huge sacrifices for his clan, and his people. However, that's not how it comes off in the show. This Toranaga is a mass manipulator who will stop at nothing to see his ambitions through.
And that’s the thing that confused me a bit. His demeanor appeared more kind, fair, etc. but at the end I realized he really manipulated a lot of people for his ambitions. It was almost too much of a difference for me. I thought everyone was loyal to him because he was the only “good” lord of the 5 reagents and the only one with the true connection to the heir. Maybe Sananda was too likable as the video says. I didn’t feel like he was conniving at all. Even at the very end, he still didn’t appear that way.
I completely agree. We were routing for him and by the end of the season 'ambition at any cost' including the lives of friends, loyal subjects and innocent peasants left me with a strange aftertaste. Every aspect was to sacrifice a piece on the chessboard. Also not lettint Blackthorn ever go back to England was horrible.
Overall, I'd say yes. Couple caveats, I did not read the book, and I've only seen some clips of the 1980s show. However, I've heard the 2024 version is well received in Japan (whereas the 80s show wasn't). I thought the main characters were good. I will admit I think the 80s blackthorne is more likable than his 2024 counterpart. And while Hiroyuki Sanada I felt was good as Toranaga, it is tough to go against a legend in Toshiro Mifune
As someone who enjoys historical films and TV shows, the authenticity is what I liked the most. The original novel still exists for people who prefer that, but I think there's great value in post-colonial adaptations from the non-western perspective.
Hi Dillon, I had many mixed feelings about this new Shogun, as I love the original since I first watched it in 1980. However, I felt complelled to watch every episode these last 10 weeks, and now I am sad that it has ended. And yes, it would have been amazing as a 2 season mini series. I really loved Yoko Shimada as Mariko in the original Shogun. Shimada and Richard Chamberlain had great chemistry. I was very disappointed in the lack of chemistry between Mariko (Sawai) and Blackthorne (Jarvis). This Mariko was steel cold. But then, Sawai's Mariko was on a single minded agenda to serve and sacrifice herself for Lord Toranaga and get honor back for her father Lord Akechi, even preferably through her own death. Sawai's Mariko definitely conveyed her cold blooded determination. The chemistry between Sanada's Toranaga and Asano's Yabushige was outsanding. Their last scene together was brilliant. When Yabushige turns his head to look up at Toranaga with that grin, and Toranaga grins back at him seconds before his sword comes down. Wow! I got emotional. I enjoyed this series, bottom line. I enjoyed its differences and all its nuances. It was fun reading everyones comments and points of view. Lastly, thank you Dillon, for creating this platform for all of us to gather and share our thoughts. I have been enjoying your reviews and commentary on your channel. Domo arigato.
Thank you, Sandra! I'm glad you were able to enjoy the series even though some aspects were done better in the original series. I couldn't agree more with that scene with Yabushige and Toranaga at the end. It was powerful! Hopefully, the success of this show will give us more content like it!
I can see why fans of the original are frustruated with the characters being different, but I think it was a conscious choice to make them more realistic from a japanese perspective, which I also think is valuable for the adaptation. it's hard to imagine someone who has gone through what Mariko has not being cold and remote. I think they paralleled that with Lady Ochiba -- that these two childhood friends have both been brutalized by life and retreated behind their walls. As a cause of that, it's their discussions on freedom and being trapped that allow Blackthorne and Mariko to resonate with each other. Like you said, some of the changes were controversial, but others are pretty universally liked. In a way it can be a blessing to have adaptations that are different from each other and interpret the source material from different perspectives.
The 2024 version succeeds and is perfect in the sense that it picked a strong purpose for developing the script and characters - Toranaga’s story arc as the titular character (the book and show are not called _Anjin to Mariko_ ) and Toranaga’s strategy and tactics as vehicles for delivering a more appropriately sophisticated look into Japanese culture, aesthetics, and societal traditions as well as employment and embodiment of these, through the finely written and acted characters, to impart a heroic epic in a manner faithful to the Japanese ethos. Every exchange of verbal and non verbal communication by the characters. Every scene. Every episode. Masterfully interwoven and tied into a beautiful _shin musubi_ in the final episode!
Well said & my sentiment exactly The finale really encapsulates everything you laid out & personifies the mastery of the acting & story telling of the show. Many were expecting a big cgi special effects battle but instead we got a red herring flash forward, callbacks, & most importantly exposition, dialogue & superb story telling. It was cathartic, visceral, poetic & poignant. It was visual but not an eye candy spectacle. Despite a tease of the battle everyone still rightly loved the finale which wrapped it all up beautiful. And as incredible as the cinematography, sets, costumes, etc all were it was the actors who just crushed it to bring it all together. It wasn’t just the major actors who brought their A game, but also the supporting cast like Father Alvito, Buntato & Yabushige who were all incredible. The book is a classic & the 1980 mini series was groundbreaking & still beloved as one of the first epic tv mini series to hit the air; however the 2024 version really brought a new flavor to it & they created another masterpiece. It rightfully has gotten a lot of critical acclaim & recognition. If the actors don’t get commensurate recognition & awards, then it will be a downright travesty.
An exciting series! I can happily say I enjoyed both, although I thought 2024’s version was far darker and grittier in tone and presentation. You could definitely feel the sorrow of each characters arc. Overall both good adaptations of the novel. For me I would say the new version was more enjoyable, I just wish they gave us a little more time to see Mariko and John’s relationship grow on screen, not necessarily drawn out like the 1980 version. We never truly got to hear Mariko express herself to Anjin, since she kept her emotions pretty closed up. The ending was more satisfying honestly for 2024’s, but that is Just my opinion anyways. A solid 9/10. I Would love to see a follow up season where they solidify Toranaga’s power, and him gaining the title of shogun. And perhaps an epic clash with the Taiko’s son and siege of Osaka Castle in 1615. (Based on actual events) Obviously the plot would surpass the book but given the scope of success this show received, I believe they can do one more season to show us what legacy Toranaga can create for the future of Japan.
I agree with all of your points. In my opinion, the casting in the 1980 version was perfect and the show was more heart touching. For example, when Mariko was cremated and Blackthorne was sitting there at the funeral blind. All he could do was feel the heat of the fire of his lover being cremated. The new 2024 version unfortunately did not have any heart touching moments. Good series though nontheless. Lastly, who can forget John Rhys-Davies as Rodriguez?
I wonder if a more faithful adaptation would've been as successful today? Back in 1980, the average American knew very little about Japanese culture and almost nothing about Japanese history. Shogun was an introduction to a culture that we knew nearly nothing about and one of the main reasons for its success. It was as alien to us as it was to Blackthorn. Today, we have the internet, plus popularity of Japanese media such as anime where we have more information than ever before. Also plenty of RU-vid channels dedicated to historical Japan. To make Japan into this exotic, unknown place would have nowhere near the impact that it had in 1980. You would need to find other ways to make the series more compelling.
@@Timbo6669 Oh, for sure. I was just surprised is all since my own enjoyment of the acting between series was vastly different. No issue if other people feel differently though.
I agree with your review, I feel a lot was well done, the cultural depictions were accurate and great, but l'd love either a second season or more fight/battle scenes as a period drama nerd. I love seeing samurai armour, battle strategy and ingenuity, and wanted to see more of it
I loved the book and both miniseries - they all have their merits. Any adaptation is a challenge and the changes they made to the 2024 version made it its own thing. I loved the other characters of the 2024 version, I wanted more time with each of them.
Well put! To add a bit to the review: I thought Jarvis was too stiff and it was the story that made his acting seem just enough. For example, the manner of his yelling, "... used you! " to Toronaga toward the end felt like something a teenager would do. But because I was engrossed in the scene, it made the acting passable. As for the sex thing, for most westerners, Kiku may seem as just a high class prostitute. But the book gave her the importance in discovering Mariko and Blackthorne's romance. She introduced the two to sex toys which added to the playfulness of the two. Once Toronaga bought Kiku's contract, he realizes his deep attraction to her is a distraction and his vulnerability. Through this, the book let us know Toronaga's character and his focus on power. Now that FX announced two more seasons, it remains to be seen how they will develop the storyline. If there's going to be a prequel, they have to deal with the Portuguese situation and without Blackthorne. The FX development makes me nervous. I still have the nervous tick from The Game of Thrones.
Ill give it a 4.5/5 only becuase at times it was a bit random with the story line, and the fact that we didnt even get at minmum 5 minutes of The Battle of Sekigahara, that show needed a big bang ending to have it eing the talk of entertainment for a good while. But now it feels like its a show that will be forgoten by the end of summer. I hope this inspires more American Produced Japanese shows and films, like Taiga Dramas. Imagine a modern Shogun style take of Miyamoto Musashi, Sakamoto Ryoma, Sanada Nobushigue and even Minamoto No Yoritomo.
I really enjoyed it, was talked into watching and I’m glad I did. It’s up there with anything lately. Just be prepared to read………..I agree he was the best character and the reason why I wouldn’t watch in English dub, his voice inflections make his character.
I loved this balanced review and comparison. It reflects my impressions about the two versions of the show. A random personal note: Seeing that they acquired Nestor Carbonell for the role of Rodriguez, I expected to get more of his character.
I will admit I was in the middle when it came to this show. I started with the original mini series and I really liked it, plus at the time and still am a fan of Toshiro Mifune, so that was one of the draws to the show for me at the time. My experience with the book is very long it is. I'm currently on ch2
Japanese cinema peaked with Mifune-Kurosawa..,.It has been a little sideways since....Mifune himself may actually be one of the greatest actors ever...
It is a relief to have something good to contrast all the bad shows that are on offer, but shogun is also just a terrific and beautiful series in its own right. The characters are complex and deep, and most of the critique I've seen towards them is that they aren't the characters from the book. Which isn't a condemnation IMO. The book still exists and I really appreciate the show for trying to give us a more authentic adaptation faithful to the japanese culture at the time. Adaptations are not and should not be seen as alternatives to the original. They're adaptations and change things by definition.
The tragedy of Game of Thrones is something that will scar television history for decades. Something that becomes so popular, yet flopped so bad in the end that they chose to make a prequel series to cover the shame. I can see Shogun not wanting to repeat that mistake, especially as you said, with Shogun we are seeing a resurgence in Samurai popularity, similar to what was going on in 1980 when the original Shogun aired. My hope is this new found popularity will spread and grow.
No. I liked it all the way up to till the end, but because episode 10 blows so much, it would upset me to give a thumbs up on the entire series. It's like season 8 for all those Game of Thrones fans all over again.
Like I said in the previous video, all this buildup in the show for the upcoming battle and they never gave us a battle is what left a stale taste in my mouth for the finale. I needed that battle to see Ishido lose! I feel betrayed we didn't get it.
I liked this series, the 1980s series and the book. I don’t believe the book shows Blackthorn as the ‘white savior’ but rather he was saved by Toranaga because of that one conversation. “Is there any reason to rebel against your liege lord?” “Yes. If you win.” All the main characters in the novel besides Toranaga and Mariko wanted Blackthorn dead for their own reasons.
I think you said it all when you said that you may be hard to please. In addition, I think you have missed the nuances and subtlety of the series (2024 for clarity) so that it didn't need big action scenes like a battle. This series is a beacon of how to do a production properly and should be looked at critically in the future; strong male and female characters without descending to caricature, use of CGI when necessary rather than a blanket to cover everything; attention to historical detail and to diverge from the source material for story containment purposes where necessary.
It is a good show and many people who are interested in a period point out that it's actually pretty accurate as well. The book for example was full of myths that are now pretty much debunked, but it contained many episodes and sequences that were cut off from the series, they could potenitally make it more entertaining and help to explore some characters more. One thing i didnt like - They basically turned Yabu into comic relief sidekick, in the book he was very respected as a warrior and involved in some action scenes (not present in the show) that actually made Blackthorn respect him, not because he was willing to slit his belly after falling from the rock. Also in the end Toranaga says that he kept Blackthorne alive because he makes him laugh, but in the show all of them for the 10 episodes are showing serious faces - once again, because many of the bonding moments from the book were simply cut off. Like where Toranaga asked Blackthorne to teach him the sailor's dance. But it was still a good show.
I don't believe that any less effort and work went into the original series. The production tools available today were not available in the 80s, so you're comparing apples and oranges instead of realizing that the 80s series was a major event that was lavishly praised. Graphic television violence wasn't a thing. Network television didn't have cable TV series to compete with.
I work as an interpreter, so one of my favorite things in Shogun is Mariko's translations, especially when she had to tone down or rephrase what is being said. I have been in a couple of tense situations (testosterone driven business negotiations) and I can tell you it's tough to keep your cool, ease the mood and help both parties come to an agreement.
I could imagine it being very tense. Especially when given the choice to rephrase certain words that might offend the other party. Like we saw in the show, the speaker really needed to trust the interpreter. It's like lending someone your words.
Well written review of the current series. I think both versions of Shogun are good in their own ways, however the current version is just a master class lesson in how to write and present a period Japanese drama/historical. Yes, there were some liberties taken vs. the original and the book but it was logical and well done. I hope we see more Japanese series or movies like this.
If you still liked Toranaga after the final episode you either weren’t paying attention or there’s something seriously wrong with you. Toranaga was the one responsible for everybody’s death, not Ishida. Ishida was just a bumbling bureaucrat, Toranaga was the ruthless strategist exploiting his followers’ loyalty in his insatiable quest for power. That sets us up for what we will see in season 2.
all daimyo at this era were he was just better at reading the wind (predicting people) than other and knew how to take advantage of situation that most of the time he didn't created but exploited to his advantage. Do you really think ishida after seizing power if he won would have left the power to the taiko son ? he would have done the same as Toranaga/Ieyasu
sorry, that's not true, not sure about the book but the show (and even history) challenge us to recognize that great leaders are not saints, in fact they get real dirty. but humanity ultimately only knows two states: warring lords (or states) vs some form of Pax like Romana, Britania or Americana. the eras of Pax are not ideal or even particularly just, but the overall level of violence and suffering is greatly reduced. this is Toranga's vision and why he is willing to let his best friend kill himself or punish an entire village (of course his ego and vanity also play a part) - He wants Japan where warlords are not constantly fighting each other at the expense of the population or the realm - and that's why he is the "goodie" after all, the only kind that's actually possible in real world and real history.
@@AvnerSenderowicz I agree, Ieyasu was the most respected Warlord in a time when being a Warlord trumped all. On the other hand, Mitsunari had everything at his disposal, being chief Regent to Toyotomi's son, alone, should of ensured him overwhelming support from his peers. The way the Mori clan, with a massive 120,000 army, treated him, was ominous to the final outcome at Sekigahara. Even the Shimazu turned their back on him. He was a very poor leader, and that's putting it lightly...
You talked as if the Taiko gained his throne through rightful legitimate means. He did it by usurping the Oda, killing Nobunaga’s sister and most loyal retainer. And Oda Nobunaga, who came before him, gained his throne by killing his own brothers and deposing the shogun. Tokugawa (Toranaga) is not so different from those two. He just looks more scummy because you saw what he did, unlike the former two, and he just happened to win.
Just like LOTR, Just like Dune, It's gonna be the 3rd time for it to be the "charm" for Shogun. Granted those are pure fiction, and are open to various interpretation, but I think Rachel Kondo's goals vs the production team's demands from the studio makes this Shogun the analogue of the "David Lynch Dune" to the 1980's Shogun being the analogue of the "SciFi Channel Dune/Children of Dune." One's a weird condensed fantasia on the book, with great production values and look/vibe, but kills the details. The other was a low budget, but relatively faithful interpretation of a longer and complex story, that cut corners when it had to. Hell, why not actually do a series on William Adams and Jan Lodensteijn? Throw in Richard Cocks, and the whole story of the English Hirado Factory vying for trade rights w/the Dutch, and then put in the decline of the Jesuits with Iesada? Oh well, maybe next time
I preferred 2024 to both 1980 and the book. It's significantly more historically accurate and in the places where it wasn't (the shinobi castle attack) it was done so knowingly.
Uh... kinda. What would have been historically accurate is when all the scenes of them by the water would have had Nuu-chah-nulth or Kwakwakaʼwakw people rowing by on canoes going: "whassup.." Kidding aside, the flintlock pistols are an obvious issue, as are the intensifier "fuckings" (which is strange, since they apparently got the 500-year-old Japanses right), and Hirormatsu's seppuku right then and there is really not what would have been done, as that's some serious defilement that would have never taken place in that situation. He would've have stormed outside to do it as not to defile Toranaga's place with blood. I know seppuku was super-formalised in the later Edo period, but that scene strikes me as just drama for drama's sake, and not convincing at all, just needless gore for the tech crew to work on.
@alexanderyaroslavich2703 "in the places where it wasn't (historically accurate) it was done so knowingly" Reading compression, my brother in Christ. Of course it wasn't all historically accurate, but it was a hell of a lot more than the book and 1980 series.
Agree! The 1980 mini-series was amazing for its time. The 2024 version utterly succeeded with its choices that prioritized authenticity (if not always accuracy) from a Japanese perspective. I’m really glad they deprecated the John and Mariko romance this time around: it became an overly syrupy sweet drinking game with how many times the 1980 Blackthorne would say “love thee”.
The book is FICTIONAL it isn't required to be "historically accurate". Every shill for this show keeps selling this line as if it has any merit; how is its supposed accuracy to actual events make it a better story? It doesn't. The novel is miles better.
@@AmbiguousMan724 I think the problem is that the production team were of the age that they remember the series when they were younger, and made a conscious decision to stray from the book for "their" "sake of accuracy." The '80's series was pretty dang close to the book, but it and the book itself was a bit iffy on the "accuracy." So instead, they overcompensated for that "accuracy," and in doing so, they forgot to actually write a compelling script (which is to say they threw the novel out) in favor of giving you the "flavor" of the time period. Just because something is more "accurate" to the time period doesn't make it a better story, and yeah, they butchered Clavell's book pretty bad
Absolute masterpiece imo. Can’t wait to see more samurai content, hopefully they make that rumored Sasuke movie, there’s also Rurouni Kenshin S2 and the Shinsengumi anime. Ghost of Tsushima 2 and Assassin’s Creed Red should be revealed his year also.
I used to really like the 80's version. But after watching the 2024 version, I watched the old one, it seemed very boring to me, and the main character is annoying, there is too much of him on the screen. I like everyone more in the new version, all the Japanese actors, especially Yabushige.
I also noticed that the costumes never changed, Blackthorne always seemed to wear the same kimono. Surely they had more than one change of clothes back in the day? I can understand if the peasants didn't but certainly the higher class individuals portrayed would have had more clothes day to day.
As a samurai show with great costuming and cinematography, it was great. As a Shōgun story, it was a major disappointment. I hated this version of Mariko and Toranaga. Honestly everyone was worse except for Fuji, Hiromatsu and Yabu.
I believe the producers should do the same thing makers of the K-Drama Kingdom (2019, 2020) did with making a companion piece in the shape of a feature-length film. Just like they did with Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021), the producers should make a feature-length film entitled Shogun: Sekigahara with the remaining cast.
This is what happens when actual Japanese experts want to cut out the fakeness (or unlikely events) from the Novel/1980 mini series. Being Japanese I love 2024 version a lot more than novel itself or 1980 mini series.
I have to agree, this is much closer to historical accuracy. Yes, there were liberties taken but this is not intended to be too historically accurate, that is sacrificed to move the story along. As far as not showing the battle, yes it would have been nice to see that but it would have eaten too much into the budget for the series itself. It also wasn't presented in the book, nor the original miniseries. All in all, I think they did a fantastic job and would not change a thing. Looking forward to going back and binge watching it now that the series has concluded, have already watched it from beginning to end, watched a number of documentaries on the characters, the battle, the costumes, the behind the scenes work on making it what it was and can only say the nicest things about the cast and crew, sets and costumes. I could not have asked for better than what was presented.
@@alexanderyaroslavich2703 Shūsaku, the author of the original novel actually strongly disapproved of the 1971 film adaptation by Shinoda. The Scorsese version of "Silence" is much more true to the book. May I ask, do you support the mass murder/genocide against Christians that happened in Japan?
@@alexanderyaroslavich2703 I'm sorry, but I asked because many movie reviews found the 70s version conveyed the message that the massacres were morally justified as a means of national self-defense. I believe that message is subtly conveyed by Shōgun as well. I was horrified watching Shōgun when I realized it was valorizing the very figures who orchestrated the torture and mass murder of so many. But I guess great entertainment excuses anything.
@@exercisethemind Um, St Valentine's Day Massacre? The 30 Years War? You seem to have a lack of knowledge when it comes to how the "Morally-Enforced Violence" was applied in the early modern era by European ("Christian") nations, and you definitely have a lack of knowledge in the details of Japanese history of this time period. You appear to me to be a Christian, and perhaps a Catholic Christian, so I understand why you'd be offended, but you have to also take yourself out of your bubble, and look at what was going on at this time period.
I have read Shogun twice and saw the original 1980 miniseries. I really liked the new show, but I have some complaints. There was a lot left out. There is simply no replacement for Toshiro Mifune, though I like Sanada very much; I agree with you on this. Watanabe might have been a better choice. I got no real sense of chemistry between Mariko and Blackthorne in the new show. I enjoyed the Japanese perspective in the new show, but there was just so much left out. I thought the motivations of the characters were too obvious in the new show. They were pretty hidden in the 1980 show, as I recall. One of the best scenes in the new show was the last scene between Toranaga and Yabushige, where we are surprised about how Toranaga knew about the betrayal. The costumes and sets in the new show were great, but it could have been better. The novel was epic; I can see some changes, but not so many. I could definitely have been up for a 2nd season.
Yeah, no, this entire show was a head fake, a tease for a battle never fought. The main villain in the end was Toronaga who used Blackthorne who tricks and holds him prisoner for the rest of this life, while spending the lives of his son and multiple loyal vassals in the pursuit of the Shogunate. I mean it looked beautiful, but in the end, frustrating and unsatisfying.
The drawback of this original novel is that it distorts and mixes fragments of historical fact into its work. For people who don't know about Japanese history, it's hard to tell which parts are fiction and which parts are fact. As a result, it has become a troubling work that may encourage misunderstandings and prejudices against Japan. If the title is "Shogun'', it should not only describe the circumstances leading up to the Battle of Sekigahara, but also its contents and results in more detail. However, in order to do so, the author would have to create a lot of fictions that are even further away from historical facts, and the contents would get out of control. So I guess he had no choice but to stop the story at this point. If you want to know what real people were like, humans are inherently contradictory beings, so it would be a mistake to simply classify them as good or evil, and it can change considerably depending on how you look at them. You should be fully aware of this. In addition, there is also a Japanese TV drama, "Sekigahara(1981)(originally written by Shiba Ryotaro)", that expresses the Battle of Sekigahara and the events before and after in a more realistic manner, but unfortunately, it is not known overseas.
I am a fan of reading novels, and Clavell's Shogun is a mediocre potboiler that distorts the society of the Sengoku Jidai period. The 2024 series is a great series and its story is much better than the novel's.
I was struggling to get into it for the first few episodes and walked away. It was trying to hard to be edgy I felt and it didn't live up to the original.
Mixed feelings; enjoyed the attention to Japanese culture, costumes and settings, but it lost a lot of immediacy by being in Japanese; liked the acting, but then none of the three main characters were relatable; the more female-centric aspect was refreshing, but the 'subvert the patriarchy' got real old. As a representation of Japanese culture, it sort of backfired, coming off as a konzentrazionslagersnazion run by a death cult calling themselves samurai.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of shows and movies of that genre. Though you'll have trouble finding the same for any other religion, which is telling.
Bushidoblues do you know any film with a left handed samurais in action? I'm a lefty and love to learn the Japanese sword and it's quite difficult to imitate the moves to learn. So far I found only one: When The Last Sword Is Drawn. Hope to watch others as well
I'll have to look into that, apparently lefthanded samurai were not allowed. Being left-handed might actually give you an advantage in sword fighting, similar to a southpaw in boxing.
