SHOGUN Season 2 Confirmed: Everything We Know, Theories & My Thoughts 

How do you feel about the show creating a second season and going outside the story within Clavell's novel? It's a risk, especially considering they were only going to create one season! Let me know your thoughts below!

hopefully in S2 Mariko's long-lost identical twin sister will miraculously appear and play a big part of the story as well as Yabushige's also long-lost identical twin brother! haha

In S2, the Anjin will find the infinity stones, wear the Gauntlet, and snap Mariko and Yabushige back. It’s the only way

“Flowers are only beautiful because they fall.” Seems they forgot their own message…

I think a season two that fills in missing details would like a flashback on how John got to Japan, how the toranaga learned to read the wind. I think as long as they add to the story and not change what was done we could have some awesome episodes to come.

I can see why Hiroyuki Sanada signed on for more. From everything I've read and seen (and it's a lot, lol), he was incredibly invested in its production and proud to bring what he termed "real Japanese culture" to a wide, western audience. The amount of authenticity, from costumes to speech to manners to set direction was likely several levels above anything that's come before, certainly any drama made for television. Lots of people, even "fans" of the show, complained the show bypassed some favorite elements in the book. If they fit the story arc, I can see filmed flashbacks featuring some of the favorite characters we lost: Mariko, Hiromatsu, Yabushige, even Rodrigues. Others complained we didn't get to see The Battle of Sekigahara (which wasn't in the book or 1980 series, either). Here's a chance to spend some of that FX money on a great battle scene, and fully witness Ishido's downfall when the other regents turn on him. I also really want to see Saeki's face when he realizes his half-brother turned the tables on him and he backed the wrong horse. There's way more story to tell about Toranaga actually becoming Shogun, Blackthorne's rebuilding of his ship (and whatever else William Adams did in Japan, including marrying a Japanese woman and having kids), some more drama about the Portuguese Catholics losing their influence on Japan, etc. Finally, another reason I wouldn't mind another season: I just loved the whole thing, and it sucks not having it to look forward to each week. One thing I hate realizing: I'm not sure it would be compelling TV to see Fuji as a buddhist nun. 😭

Bring back Fuji!!!

Done well it would be really interesting. For one, in real life, the most interesting facts happened after the book ended. Becoming Shogun was a difficult road for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Being able to see how he, step by step, stripped the power of the other daimios would be really fun. And Adams played a key role in this regard (Ieyasu and Adams both used each other in this matter. And it ended with the expulsion of the Catholics from Japan and the Dutch being the only "foreigner" allowed to trade with Japan). So, yeah, in the end Adams was really important. Also, Fuji (we all love Fuji). If the nun think was also a rouse? What she and Toranaga talked before Blackthorne arrived? What if Toronaga wants to use Blackthorne and the Dutch to undermine the powerful Catholic Daimios (as happened in real life) and Fuji is his "tool". Let's remember that Hiromatsu said that she was the cleverest of his descendants...

I liked the fact that there was one season. They had a story to tell and they told it without trying to milk it. I can definitely see this becoming a Game of Thrones situation, great with source material to go off then going off the cliff. Smh

I think we have enough historical material to provide guardrails and prevent a GoT fiasco. I would also not just assume it is "just" about the money given the response from fans, it could just be a recognition of the crap that dominates screens and the desire to produce more good content that highlights the Japanese culture while remaining a high-quality production. Hiroyuki Sanada seems to have a lot of integrity and was committed to making sure every detail of the show was as authentic as possible so I will give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to this news.

Shame they already killed Yabushige when his real life counterpart actually lived longer than Toranaga one if i'm not wrong.

I think it could be a great way for more people to learn the history of Japan.

Feels more like they're keeping Sanada on retainer but they still have to impress him with a well-written season 2. I don't see this happening unless the season 2 story and writing are on par with the book.

I think Blackthorne will end up managing the Eastern army artillery or at least assist in doing so at Sekigahara, and after the battle finish building a ship for Toronaga but somewhere in the process, meeting a nice Japanese lady and getting married and starting a second household in Japan- which is what happened in the real history.

I believe that if done carefully, not only the show creators will be able to complete all surviving characters' (especially Torunaga's) arcs in a truly satisfying way but also introducing elements from later books within the Asian Saga (e.g. the Struan Family), serving as appetizers for fans who can't wait for a possible television adaptation of Tai-Pan.

yes, we will see Toranaga hunting, fishing, writing poems, watching plays and many other relaxing activities! I can't wait to see all this! I say do about 5-6 seasons!

Nagakado, wasn’t Toranaga heir.. Sudara was… maybe we will get to see him in season 2 , Also, in the book John use to daydream about talking too Mariko, after she passed… so maybe they could bring her back as a spirit

I was really hoping for a Fargo like anthology of Clavell's other books being adapted with new cast, new stories connecting together. I really feel Shogun ended really well.

God, I never been happier for a season 2 announcement. I want More toronaga. And maybe if things go well they would make a show about the og unifier, Oda Nobunaga

I understand the people that doesn't want a Season 2 (GOT Sindrome). But, here we are talking about characters based in real life people. We know what happened to them. And, arguably, it was more interesting what happened to them after the book ended. So, the showrunners have a lot of quality material to follow.

Would be impressive if they pull it off. Why not? They may as well give it a go if they’re confident

Shogun may be the best TV I have ever watched. I was mesmerized, watching most of the episodes repeatedly. Absolutely brilliant! They need great writers for a successful S2, hopefully they have them. I would like to see Anjin end up marrying Fuji somehow, with a giant wedding, showcasing how an high-ranking marriage was done in those days. This was a fascinating time period in history.

Hollywood greed, this is a shame.

It’s not fair to compare this with GOT for going by the book because Shogun was based on actual events. They can easily do a second season base on true events while GOT was pure author’s vision/fantasy.

Noooo the book clearly depicts the ending as it was shown!! Hiroyuki Sanada deserves an Emmy Award for his portrayal and as Executive Producer-

Season 2 can begin with the Battle of Sekigahara and then portray the Siege of Osaka in the final episodes. With the Rambo series, even though John Rambo died in the original First Blood novel, he survived in First Blood part 1 and went on to star in the sequels. So a season 2 for Shogun would be a great idea even with the book and season 1 already concluded.

Sanada and the rest of the Japanese crew made certain that the most authentic details of their culture were shown in this series. Unlike the 1980s version that was made by Westerners and their limited knowledge of Japanese culture. I'm sure that same attention to detail will be put into Season 2 and this will show more people the depths and subtleties of that culture. There is plenty of historical data to work from, like how Toranaga went on to become Shogun after his win at Shegikawa. And how he dealt with the losing regents after that. Maybe not enough for 10 episodes, but plenty to work with, imho. Looking forward to the writers and producers creating another masterpiece in Season 2.

Without Mariko-sama, the sequel would not be the same!

FX has not actually announced a season 2 yet; the only thing that was annonced was Sanada signing a deal for potentially returning.

Great news! Thank you for your content!

How about TaiPan..the next book of the series....this time it will discuss the end of the Tokugawa shogunate

The model for Shogun existed. That is Ieyasu Tokugawa. He had two major wars in his later years. The one is Sekigahara and the another is Osaka Castle. So there are many episodes to make Season 2.

I love this show so much. But also I think the ending was so perfect that it doesn't need another season

Omg yess!

Interesting topic ❤ well actually they didn't explored and adapted all of the novel of James Clavell. They skipped over the interaction of Toranaga and his other son. They didn't go into details with Fuji whom is Fujiko in the Novel. And their relationship. Also Kiku the courtesan married Blackthorne in the novel. So they could do just a sequel. And some flashbacks with Mariko and Yabu.

I'm thinking they could focus on deepening friendship between Blackthorne and Father Alvito. It could be powerful because eventually Toranaga turns on the Christians, so I could see him finally setting John against the fleeing Black Ship. He captures it and takes the crew and passengers prisoner. He doesn't realize that Alvito was among them and he has to watch the Jesuit's crucifixion.

Confirmed? Okaaaay..... To me it sounds more like they secured an asset for a possible project. I'll wait with the celebration until it's actually confirmed by FX.

In terms of having enough material to have a second season of Shogun, there are plenty of sources on the historical records on the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu between 1600 until his death on 1616. An obvious starting point would be the battle of Sekigahara and go from there, exploring the change that Japan experienced. It could end with the destruction of Osaka Castle. If well done, could be worthwhile. Hiroyuki Sanada knows the history of his country very well, so if he is producing and given control on how the history of his country should be portrayed, it could work.

Well, Shogun was originally based on the book of the same name and the book is based on William Adam's adventures with an altered reality and different names. So I would really like to see Shogun continue Blackthorn's story like Williams did. In order for Fuji-sama to have a chance at heart and come back, they marry and have two children like William did. And Blackthron acts as Toranaga-sama's Hatamoto, just like Wiliam, so Toranaga-sama unites Japan like Tokugawa Ieyasu-sama did, the character he is based on. William Adams' crew was also released and some of them left Japan. So basically there is a lot of potential to continue with a great story.

I would like to see another season!

Hopefully we see the siege of osaka

There's alot of history to work with they can even go backwards to the Korean war and you can even have most of the cast comeback as younger characters

woo hoo! yess!👏🎬

Honestly, I thought the 10 episode season 1 was to short. It just felt like they rushed and skipped over some aspects that I wish they took a littler longer time in explaining and exploring. I wish they had say 2 to 4 more episodes to really fill it out, specially some of the relationships. I do think it will be hard if they go historical because they did kill off some characters that shouldn't have died. So will see what they do, but I know I /will/ watch it. As for Game of Thrones, I really put that on George R.R. Martin on dragging his feet to finish. He was enjoying the popularity a little to much and I think it hurt the show and him in the long run... and I don't think he cares one bit. He got what he wanted, his fame and fortune... I just feel used as a fan and sad the show got wrecked because of it. Hell, I think he used them (the show) to see what folk liked and didn't like to use for his books.

In fact, Ochiha's mother and Ieyasu are childhood friends and there is a complicated drama. In addition, various famous generals were involved in Ieyasu's childhood, and there are hundreds of movies and TV dramas from the Sengoku period. It is possible to write a story inspired by James Clavell's The General. It's up to Clavel's daughter, who was the executive producer. Portugal had been coming to Japan to sell guns since 1543, and since then there have been Christian daimyo in Japan. Recent historical research has revealed that they supported Hideyoshi's expansion into Korea and China behind the scenes, and were aiming for hegemony in Asia using Japan's military power.

there will come a time where they'll provide Sanada with the material they've written and he'll decide to do it or not.

Is the season 2 going to be about one of the other books?

There is I think at least two distinct paths they can take for the show. One is to continue the current story we have been on covering the battle of sekigahara and the aftermath for season 2 and maybe stopping at that point. The other idea I’m thinking of if they want this show to keep going for several seasons is to still do season 2 as in the first option but then continue to cover Tokugawa descendants. There is over 200 years of history there and if they somehow kept the show going that long and ended it in the Bakumatsu period that would be very rich territory

Would love to see the battle that we had teased n maybe a see more of the dynasty

AHHHHHHHHHHHH! ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

Maybe they can include Ieyasu’s consolidation of power in Japan and the hurdles he faced. I would love to see an interaction with a character based off the “One Eyed Dragon of Oshu.”

They might have to sign on writers that are experienced at adapting and dramatizing historical events if they go the historical route.

Im all for it

Season two, if done, should encompass the build up and tension created by the results of the victory at Sekigahara and thus focus on the final battle between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa. These were the winter and summer siege of Osaka castle. If this is the case, my main concern will be how they portray Sanada Nobushige(Yukimura). If you want an adversary worthy of this serie for a second season it must be Sanada Yukimura, he gave the Tokugawas hell for several months as they built their forces and eventually laid the siege of Osaka, almost killing Ieyasu in the process. They can end the season with the obvious and close it with Ieyasu’s death in 1615.

I wouldn't worry too much about the writer being out over his skis with no more source material to go by. I read the book while the original miniseries came out, and knew it like the back of my hand. Yet watching this series, I almost felt like I was watching a different show, a much better show, because the events strayed so much from the novel--and in ways that were fantastic. As long as they keep going in that direction, with all of the experts they used on the first season, it should be another hit--knock on wood!

My concern is that they will try to rush it. Strike while the iron is hot and all that. Money, honey. If they actually take their time with it like the original season, it could be great. Sanada also could make all the difference.

i have an idea of what they should do. the season should be heavily centered on blackthorns grief over mariko and his relationship with buntaro. as well as him learning how to be a lord and how to manage a domain in general and the challenges of the early foundings of the tokugawa shogunate

There’s so much in the book that it left out I don’t see it being ruined, there’s plenty to explore. Johns ship being built, Yoshi going on a killing spree, John settling in Japan, plenty to explore still

Mariko and John’s story would’ve been my favorite love story but I felt like there was something missing between them which I guess was more screen time and dialogue. So maybe in the next season when he marries a Japanese woman they can do that. But as they said before in an interview, the romance was not meant to be the focal point. I respect that.

I am happy to see a Season 2. And I think that Senada would only agree to a Season 2 if he though it would be as good, the same quality, as Season 1. He was a producer on Season 1 and hopefully will be on Season 2. I would love to see a continuation of the history of Toronaga and Blackthorn.

There was a well crafted story with a beginning, a middle and importantly an end. There’s nothing worse than money men with creative ‘notes’.

I think everything you covered is a good path to go down for telling the story. the excerpt from real history where Tokugawa met William Adams, the Englishman has a real and cool story to tell. William eventually became a trusted advisor to Tokugawa, who was impressed by his knowledge of Western ships and navigation. The lord commissioned Adams to Japanese ships-and Adams later replaced Jesuit Padre João Rodrigues as the shōgun’s official interpreter. Adams’s counterpart on the miniseries, John Blackthorne (played by Jarvis), plays a much more significant role in Tokugawa’s rise to power than he did in real life. If they depart from the novel and use REAL History, there is plenty of drama and cool events that could make a great second season. Those who are looking for big battles though, meh, not going to happen, since this is a new era of overall peace, and more of court life sagas.

One season was perfect. Mixed feelings for more.

I'm looking forward to season 2. there is enough historical data to create a 2nd season. season 1 wasn't awesome bcuz of the book. it was awesome bcuz of the ppl involved! it was truly authentic and sanada San will absolutely produce the same high quality story for season 2

Ayyyy I am on board more samurai content maybe we could get Yasuke The African Samurai

Can't wait for season 4...!

Loved the book, was dubious about the first TV episode but loved that by the end too. Toronaga was great as was mariko. they can continue the spectacle but can they continue and create another innovative plotline when there's no book to case it on

I thought it ended well. Season 2 will really need to draw you in almost perfectly to continue the story.

A story that is firmly based on historical fiction has all the source material it needs. My proposal would be a prequel with either the invasion of Korea or the initial unification of Japan under the taiko. Perhaps they can squeeze both in. This would allow certain key characters who died in season 1 to return for at least one more season. Season 3 can be a direct continuation leading up to the siege of Osaka castle in 1615. Perhaps they replace Blacthorne with Yasuke. A black man who became a samurai during this period.

I'd give the series about 3-4 seasons. All the way to the Battle of Osaka Castle, most likely. Season 2 is probably going to be the Battle of Sekigahara, then Toranaga consolidating power and his reign of 2 years before handing power to his son. Hopefully, they give more of a role to Blackthorne in the next season.

I’m excited I wanted more and felt like it wasn’t the best ending it felt rushed

I feel the same way. Going beyond the book could be a disaster. Look at Handmaid's Tale. It went off the rails.... Shogun is by far one of the best series ever made.

It was a perfect ending that doesn't necessitate a season 2. Instead, how about venturing into another novel by the same author? "Gaijin" would be perfectly suited as a series adaptation. It takes place after the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, which aligns perfectly with the show's timeline. Of course, there wouldn't be any familiar faces, but there might be some surprises in store, perhaps cameos from the original series' characters or even their descendants. This fresh story set in a fascinating historical period could capture the same spirit of adventure and intrigue that made the first show so popular.

You said he had the original top gun to go off of, it’s the same with shogun

s2 provides an opportunity to actually show the battle of sekigahara that im sure many feel they were kind of cheated out of. and i imagine they will go the historical route with how Toranaga rose to Shogun.

What strikes me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact the Tokugawa Ieyasu was the third Unifier. In Shogun, the Taiko is based on the second Unifier, and the lord that Mariko's father killed, was based on the first, Oda Nobunaga. So if it was up to me, there would not be a second season, but 2 PREQUELS, telling the stories of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, stories in which Tokugawa Ieyasu played a part. I think it would make so much sense to explain the events that led to this series.

a season two is going to be difficult to recapture the quality. The particular acting and character development of Yabushige and Mariko was excellent. I felt that Blackthorne character was not as engaging and though Tornaga's a was done well, the writing is going to have be really good. Also it's got to be somewhat historically believable.

This might be just another money grab, but it all relies on the writing, as the casting was perfection. If you rewatch the show, you will notice how good the dialogues are, and the strength of a writer is always on the dialogues. Writing ‘good dialogue’ is what ‘drawing hands’ are to a painter, it is hardest part of writing. So yeah, I have faith that season 2 could be really good too.

If there is one thing that I can hold out hope for, it's that this production team and writers have a mastery of subtlety in storytelling and have done nothing but surprise and thrill me whenever I have started to doubt. However, they are really playing with fire from what I feel was a perfect season/series. I loved the book, and I possibly loved the show even more, but ultimately both were a rehash of history, and there sure is a lot more interesting history and characters to cover in that era. But now they are off the track of a great novel and toying with beloved characters. I really hope they don’t just AI-generate some story arcs as a cash grab and actually do something interesting to tell the story further. Just an idea, but maybe they could do a season of one-off episodes filling out the characters' pasts, presents, and futures. (Kind of like the Covid interstitial episodes of Euphoria. Those two episodes were incredible character pieces and were almost the best thing out of an already pretty great show.) Toranaga's backstory and future have a ton of potential, but you could also explore Buntaro fleeing and fighting to Izu after being left in Osaka. You could depict some good Blackthorn pre-Japan sailing adventures. I also see the potential for some Mariko-Ochiba backstory or Fuji becoming a nun. A future Omi-Kiku-Gin Willow World in Edo story could have legs, and a Yabushige backstory could almost be a "Better Call Saul" series within itself.

If there is a Season 2 in the offing, I hope the film makers knew about it before Season 1 was written and filmed. It does not appear so, but I could be wrong. In my opinion, there were quite a few details that had to be inplied and assumed in order to get the storyline to its conclusion in season 1.

Would prefer to see it set during the sieges of Osaka, when the heir is off age and a challenger to Toranaga. I’d like it to be from the perspective of a Sanada Yukimura type character. Where Toranaga plays a more villainous character. The winter siege can be Toranaga’s First defeat (cause apparently he hasn’t lost yet, even though his real life counterpart Tokugawa Ieyasu famously lost the Battle of Mikatagahara to Takeda Shingen) This could be enough to create a hatred between the two as there was in real life, as the Sanada had managed to defy the Tokugawa many times before this. Eventually things go wrong for the fighters of the heir and Yukimura does his final charge in the second to last episode maybe. Where we see Toranaga show a bit of fear when Yukimura gets mere inches from killing him.

As long as Hiroyuki Sanada is the producer, it should be fine. Japan has so many Taiga Drama experiences and interesting stories during this Sengoku Period to seek inspiration. Historically, a prequel is interesting as well, how Taiko got into power, Mariko's father, his lord (lady Ochiba's father) etc.

I’m on the fence with this. It was a perfect series and now there’s no more written material so it will be difficult to write something as good.

Idgaf if it ruins the story, more shogun? Yes please!!!

Loved the series. I just hope they do not screw it up.

I think the best one they could do is to do Shimabara Rebellion. I dont necesserily want to see the same characters on the show since their stories are felt finished. Inserting anything at this point will feel unnatural. But what i WOULD love to see would be to see another series, in similar era in japan, but with different characters, different events. Hence Shimabara Rebellion. Hell, maybe we should see earlier era, like Takeda vs Uesugi rivalry.

I would hope they could make something like "The Terror" where the second season was a completely different story, not connected to the first one. So, have the second season be in the Torenaga Shogunate, but a different story ... like Miyamoto Musashi whose exploits were during the Tokugawa Shogunate. Then again, that could be it's own series.

Hey if we get some epic battles with Sekigahara I'm in

What a great show. Quite unpredictable and realistic. Had me emotional multiple times

Blackthorne and Buntaro will be roommates in a remake of the Odd Couple.

nooooooooooooo! No second season. the story is done

Wow. I'm happy there's a second season. I wasn't expecting it at all, and I thought if they did they might go the anthology route and do Clavell's other books in the Asian Saga since Shōgun is the first chronologically. I'm not surprised they chose not to. I've not read them, but my understanding is that books are super long and complex.

Terrible idea. We've seen what happens to shows when they start doing their own story

i think just end like that is good enough

Two things the show needs is to bring Mariko back and more battle action!

It will be curious how it does. Just like how Killing Eve made so much money they did additional seasons I hope that does not happen with Shogun.

i'll never understand ppl complaining about another season. this is one of the best shows I've sever seen... i literally want 20 more season. Keep it going idc.

I wish they double down on the last episode's "dream sequence" and bring Mariko and Yabu back. I bet they are in big dissappointment with themselves for killing Mariko bcuz they didn't think they'd be making a second season

I think the best thing season 2 could do is stick with the theme of political intrigue but focus more on John's attempt at navigating Japanese life and becoming more and more Japanese as the years went by. Obviously using William Adams and his actual life as a heavy influencer on the character once again... I re-watched the 80's version recently after finishing this new series. One thing I got from the 80"s version is they focused more on John, his tale and him struggling to come to terms with the vast differences between English and Japanese cultures. It went far more in-depth with that concept and had John outright challenging Toranaga because he didn't understand. This new series was missing that. My wish for the new season is for them to stick to historical context with creative liberty. I'm not apposed to altering things, but keep it grounded in reality and keep the context of what actually happened. The last thing I want is for some historical revisionist to walk in and suddenly there is armies of black people and native Americans in feudal Japan. Yeah, I'm looking at you, Netflix...

huh but didnt they said they wont make a second season ?