Meathead

Well I’m blown away. This is incredibly well done. Is it next Tuesday yet?

Only HDR10 for me on AppleTV.

DJariya

Episode 1 “Anjin” is a phenomenal set up to the show. The sets, characters and costumes are astonishing. A lot of political intrigue especially with Toranaga and Kazunari. And I felt this version of Blackthorne is a lot more grittier than the Chamberlain version 44 years ago. This is a feature film quality production.

I started this a little late, so I’ll have to watch episode 2 tomorrow.

But I am listening to the podcast on Hulu for “Anjin”. The show is actually pronounced “Show Goon” The showrunner said the scripts went through multiple drafts to accommodate proper Japanese translation for the Japanese actors. The writers room was all English speakers.

There is a “Chapter 1” behind the scenes feature on Hulu. They got a lot of Japanese advisors on so many things to make sure this was done right. A lot of meticulous attention to detail. Sanada is a producer and was involved hiring the crew to make sure it was as authentic as possible. Huge props to FX for making sure a 2024 adaptation was done properly.

DJariya

Episode 2 was just as good. Hiroyuki Sanada was born to play Toranaga. Some really great intensity in his scenes.

And I didn't catch on to it until the 2nd episode. But, I just realized that Blackthorne is actually communicating with Mariko and the translators in Portuguese (even though he's from England), but we as the viewer are hearing it in English. Kind of like how the storytelling was done in Warrior.

and I know some of you weren't fond of Anna Sawai in Monarch. But, I think she's been great so far in this.

That was a great ending. Now I need to listen to the podcast for episode 2 to pick up on things I may have missed.

OldBoy

Those who watched on FX, what did they do during the brief nudity scene?

Shamed to say, this show has me more psyched for the videogame, Rise of the Ronin. (PS5)

DJariya

Shogun currently has a 100% score on RT and has been certified fresh

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/shogun_2024/s01

I looked at the Audience reviews. There were only 2 bad reviews. Both seemed like Internet trolls. One called it the worst show ever (Red flag for troll) and one was turned off by how Blackthorne was played and how pretty he looked.

But, I know a Japanese period drama that is mostly in Japanese and is based off a really long classic novel is probably not going to appeal to some.

Gunde

Blurred it.

bluetoast

This is in no way a simple story. There’s already multiple character motivations both public and private and it will only increase.

DJariya

Yeah this is not a simple story at all. Very complex and political with a lot of power struggles.

Meathead

It does help that I have watched the original miniseries several times.

OldBoy

If I can follow it, it’s simple. Of course, there’s all that, but it’s not so tough to follow. The show runners did a great job explaining the power struggles between the dynasty’s in the first two eps. It was phenomenal setup. With trailers showing the action, this could be one of the better limited series’ in sometime. As I said, it’s sweeping and epic.

DVD Polizei

Watched episodes 1 & 2 so far. 9/10. The cast really does remind me of reading Shogun. James Clavell described the beautiful women and the rugged John Blackthorne, and this is virtually how I saw them in the novel. Same with the 5 rulers of Japan. Richard Chamberlain did a great job for that time period tv series, but this current interpretation takes it to another level of preciseness.

Ash Ketchum

I watched the original as it aired back in 1980 and I've been meaning to re-watch it on a DVD box set I bought some years ago. When I realized that the first two episodes of the new series were leaving FX On Demand after tonight, i made sure to watch. My God, it's surprisingly good, maybe better than the original, with way more authentic Japanese content, despite location shooting in Canada rather than Japan. I do believe this one has way more spoken Japanese with English subs than the original. It's like watching a Japanese historical TV drama on American TV. And Hiroyuki Sanada is the next best thing to Toshiro Mifune. I've never seen Cosmo Jarvis before, but he's quite good and reminds me of a young Liam Neeson. Looking forward to the rest. I haven't said that about an American series other than Power Rangers (which is a part-Japanese hybrid anyway) in many years.

Inhumans99

I just finished the second episode and had to join the chorus of folks saying damn this mini series is off to a phenomenal start.

PhantomStranger

Solid first two episodes with sweeping production values and a more authentic tone than the original Richard Chamberlain mini-series. That being said, Cosmo Jarvis hasn't impressed me. He doesn't command the screen like a leading man should in an epic like Shogun. The rest of the cast is excellent, especially Hiroyuki Sanada.

This isn't flawless but modern Hollywood has degenerated in quality so badly this is a masterpiece compared to most garbage we're getting today.

beavis69

I agree, something about his acting mannerism in the role seem....off. I can't describe it.

I do wonder if they will ever mention what happens to the rest of his crew still in the hole haha

eXcentris

I can't wait to watch this, and only have one worry? Is Anna Sawai any good? Because the Cate character in Monarch was terrible.

DJariya

Just my opinion, but she's good as Mariko. The character hasn't said much, but so far she seems mature.

kahuna

Want to pillow a woman or maybe you prefer a man.

OldBoy

that 3rd ep was very good. lots of action and intrigue. the race at the end with Toranaga and John was fun. a little levity never hurt any serious show. great show thus far. just great.

Rob V

This show is freaking phenomenal so far. I cannot believe the production value for a TV series --- blows away a lot of high budget movies and puts the Star Wars sets on Disney+ to shame.

alfredog1976

Amazing 3rd episode!

Fist of Doom Jr

I liked Rodrigues and Blackthorne's trash talking during the ship race

Bandoman

I agree with all the praise for this show, it's an amazing spectacle with a great story and top notch acting. I loved the old miniseries, but this far surpasses the Richard Chamberlain version.

DJariya

I watched episode 3 a few nights ago, but I was so tired after work, that I think I need to re-watch it.

I did at the line from Mariko about pillowing to Blackthorne or "Maybe you prefer a man?"

I liked the ending with Blackthorne teaching Toranaga how to dive. The attack sequence and Totanaga's escape from Osaka were pretty intense.

I know most here just blast through shows and don't really have time to podcasts, but I think the Shogun podcast is a good listen. It's on Hulu and the FX YouTube channel. They cover notes on the episode that you might not have caught on.

mugwump

It's nice that the podcast is pretty short as well as they get right into it without wasting any time.

I might have to devolve to watching this show on FX as the quality on Hulu has been pretty spotty for all three episodes so far. Fuzzy subtitles are no fun to read.